The Great Los Angeles Walk 2023 Recap: 15 Miles, From Griffith Park to Griffith Park, Conquered!

 

A crowd of several hundred people weren't afraid of the forecasted rain (which turned out to be barely an issue -- a few minutes at most, a few hours into the walk!) and joined us on Saturday morning, Nov. 18, for the 18th annual Great Los Angeles Walk. This year, we started and finished in the same spot — the California bear statue at Griffith Park — for the first time ever. And we explored two major north/south avenues — Fairfax and Western — in addition to sections of Franklin Avenue and Pico Boulevard.

After a few words, I introduced Diana Nyad (who brings her EverWalk group every year) and also brought up Cat and Steve Whalen, the now-married couple who first met a few years ago on the walk! 

From Griffith Park, we passed by the Fern Dell Western stairs and Immaculate Heart, and then headed down Franklin, by classic apartment buildings like the Hollywood Tower and the Montecito. Then we turned south briefly on Highland, before rejoining Franklin at the Hollywood United Methodist Church. From there, we passed by the Magic Castle and the entrance to Runyon Canyon, before stopping to check out the historic Wattles Mansion and Gardens Park.

Then it was south to Hollywood Blvd., which we walked to Fairfax. Heading south on Fairfax, we passed by landmark eatries like Canter's and enjoyed an exclusive discount at Diamond Bakery. (Shappy pretzels and lots of cookies!) We saw Television City and the Grove, and many stopped for lunch at Farmers Market.

Then it was museum time, passing by the LACMA, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the Petersen Automotive Museum — where walkers could check out some classic cars in the lobby. We headed east on Pico, and some Walkers ate at Rosemary and Thyme (which offered a free soft serve!) and others visited some of the boutique shops along the way.

We then headed back north on Western — and many Walkers took a pit stop at El Cholo, the legendary LA restaurant celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The management gave Walkers an early happy hour menu, and many margaritas were had. The walk continued up Koreatown, past the Wiltern Theatre and all the way back up to the start point.

Thanks to everyone who made all of the trek, some of it, or even just helped give rides to their friends. Check out The Great Los Angeles Walk's Instagram feed for more pics, and the hashtags #glaw and #greatlawalk for more as well. Also you can find pics in which we were tagged here or here.

But here are just a few highlights from the day:

See you all next year! Don't forget, the Great Los Angeles Walk is always on the Saturday before Thanksgiving!