Los Angeles continues to arouse vibrant interest for every traveler eager for new experiences. The city, which today makes up the second most populous urban area in the United States -in 2021 it exceeded 15.5 million inhabitants-, has been a victim of the cinematographic clichés to which it has been associated in recent decades. The busy Walk of Fame, the super-famous Hollywood studios, the Beverly Hills mansions or the idolized Venice Beach have been some of the fundamental pillars on which the city has relied to attract millions of visitors year after year.
For those who think that in the Californian city there is nothing else than all these attractions that are already too overexposed on the screens of half the world, there are still alternatives. Not everything is entertainment, celebrities and fast food on every corner. A part of the original soul of an almost buried Los Angeles still resists. We invite you to discover its authentic vestiges, and very little known, that will surprise the traveler and will immerse him in his true entrails.
The essential places that we propose do not require large transfers. For this, the ideal is to make a route on foot that allows you to enjoy each stop. In addition to following roads little traveled by most tourists, you can also buy, taste food or simply relax in any corner before continuing on to the next stage. we started.
The first stop is in Chinatown. Already established in the 19th century, today it covers more than 25 blocks and exudes the pure essence of the Asian giant. Although in some areas it may seem slightly decadent, this same spirit gives Chinatown a special aura that makes it a unique place.
The best plan is to let yourself be carried away by its streets packed with oriental stores, which practically have more products outside on the street than inside. The workers, who usually rest on chairs or stools on the sidewalk, will invite you to come in every time you pass in front of any store. The central square, the Thien Hau Temple and Chung King street -which was once a movie set- are some of its charms that you should not miss. Don’t leave here without visiting one of the many bazaars, which are home to small businesses offering everything you can imagine at relatively affordable prices.
A few minutes walk is the center of the old Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula. As you read it: this was the original name given to the city by the first Spanish settlers when it was founded on September 4, 1781. Little remains of that late 18th-century settlement, as the main street has been turned into an open-air market for cheap Mexican crafts, clothing, and products. You hardly hear English spoken in this area, where both sellers and users usually transact in Spanish.
In the city square, under the name of Los Angeles Plaza, you will find an imposing iron figure with the coat of arms of Spain engraved on it. It is about Carlos III, to whom homage is paid as founder of the town. In the opposite corner to that of the former ruler, there is a plaque that reads “Los Pobladores”, where the names of Manuel Camero, José Julián Lara or José Moreno are collected, among many others: the first settlers of Los Angeles.
As its name suggests, the most authentic Japan is concentrated in a few blocks to offer the best of the country. Shops with gadgets and manga characters, hard-to-find specialized book stores, restaurants that serve the best sushi in the city and the best gardens to meditate and disconnect on the road.
If you decide to spend a few hours discovering it in depth, don’t miss the Koyasan Buddhist temple -you have to make sure of the opening hours, since they have been limited since the pandemic-, the Japanese American museum -which allows you to learn about the past and present of the Japanese community in the city- or the James Irvine Japanese garden, located on San Pedro street.
Although it is already a relatively busy area, you can still find shops of authentic Japanese descent with objects, paintings and antiques worthy of the best collectors.
To end with an unbeatable taste in the mouth, The Last Bookstore is a mandatory stop. This little oasis -located in front of the iconic Bradbury Building- will allow you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city for as long as you need. It is one of the most iconic book stores in the country, with several floors, story corners for reading and even areas set in the 18th and 19th centuries with volumes from the time.
Although they have the latest news and releases, it specializes in second-hand books at very low prices. It is also considered the most beautiful bookstore in California and one of the best in the world. If you are also a music lover, there is a section exclusively dedicated to vinyl, where you can find authentic jewels from the second half of the 20th century.
If you’re one of those who needs to escape for a run, walk, or nature walk on any trip, you shouldn’t miss the Lake Hollywood Reservoir Trail. The best is to start the walk in Hollywoodlands, and start walking up the mountain. The first stretch passes some of the most impressive mansions in the city, while the second climbs up a slight Los Angeles hill to the Mount Lee Radio Transmitter. Once there, just behind the popular Hollywood Sign -the gigantic sign installed in the early 20s-, the path continues to the Wisdom Tree, from where there are spectacular views of the lake of the same name, greater Los Angeles and the Pacific coast.
