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!

This Puppet Gets It!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 404 [by L.A. Times] (@latimes.404)

Forecast: Don't Be Afraid of a Little Rain, But Bring Your Umbrella!

Hi everyone, we’ve been monitoring the weather and constantly refreshing the forecast on weather.com and right now, it says: “Cloudy. Periods of rain early. High 66F. Winds light and variable.” That sounds very much like light rain (hopefully before we kick off), and then overcast skies — but nothing we can’t handle. Bring an umbrella and a jacket just in case, but if anything, this will be a nice, cool environment to do this year’s walk.

The last time we faced rain was the 2010 Great LA Walk, and the day started a bit wet. But it cleared up and the Walkers who stuck it out were treated to a perfect day for a stroll. Not too hot, no swealtering sun. We live in LA, and we know how the rain goes. It's never as bad -- or lasts as long -- as we think. And this year, we'll be walking in urban areas where it will always be easy to dash into a restaurant and grab a snack in case you want to wait some wet stuff out. Hope to see you all on Saturday!

Get Ready for Some Great LA Walk Deals and Specials!

As we're walking up and down Franklin, Fairfax, Pico and Western on Saturday, we're going to encounter too many amazing places to eat. Try as many as you can! But to help you out, here are some specials for Great LA Walkers along the way:

FREE: Costa Coffee Flat White -- Thanks to the team at Costa Coffee, they plan to pass out free iced coffee to Great LA Walkers at the starting point!

Diamond Bakery (335 N. Fairfax)

15% off any order for Great LA Walkers! Get some cookies to snack on through the day!

Rosemary and Thyme (5662 W. Pico)

Free soft serve with any meal purchase! (That photo at the top is one of their sandwiches and it looks amazing.)

El Cholo - the Original (1121 S. Western)

Happy hour pricing for Great LA Walkers between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Get a margarita! Or more! Celebrate the 100th anniversary of El Cholo, a true Los Angeles institution!

DOWNLOAD: The Great Los Angeles Walk 2023 Map and Highlights PDF

Here's this year's GREAT LOS ANGELES WALK handout! 

DOWNLOAD HERE.

Or, save the images below to your smart phone, and/or copy and paste the directions below. See below:

START AT GRIFFITH PARK

LOS FELIZ BLVD. CURVES INTO WESTERN

Fern Dell Western Stairs

American Film Institute

TURN WEST ON FRANKLIN

Immaculate Heart

>>Locali (sandwich) — 5825 Franklin Ave.

>>The Oaks Gourmet Market (grocery, prepared food) — 1915 N. Bronson

>>Schwartz & Sandy’s Lounge (Vanderpump nonsense) — 1917 N. Bronson

MILE 1: Franklin Ave. and Beachwood Drive

>>Clark Street Diner (American) — 6145 Franklin Ave.

Hollywood Tower Apartments

>>Kettle Glazed Donuts  (donuts) — 6211 Franklin Ave.

>> For The Win (burgers) — 6221 Franklin Ave.

WALK UNDER THE 101

Franklin-Ivar Park

Chateau Alto Nido Apartments

>>Solar de Cahuenga (coffee) — 1847 N. Cahuenga Blvd.

Chateau Des Fleurs Apartments

Montecito Apartments

TURN SOUTH ON HIGHLAND, THEN WEST BACK ON FRANKLIN.

MILE 2: Franklin Ave. and Highland

Hollywood United Methodist Church

Orchid Apartments

The Magic Castle

Dorothy and Benjamin Smith Park

Runyon Canyon

MILE 3: Franklin Ave. and Sierra Bonita Ave. (Wattles Farm)

WALK THROUGH THE GATE AND PASS BY WATTLES MANSION AND GARDENS PARK. WHEN YOU HIT CURSON, HEAD SOUTH TO HOLLYWOOD BLVD. HEAD WEST ON HOLLYWOOD BLVD. WHEN YOU REACH FAIRFAX AVE., HEAD SOUTH.

>> Sam’s Bagels (bagels) — 7864 Sunset Blvd.

>> The Griddle Cafe (breakfast) — 7916 Sunset Blvd.

>>Bristol Farms (grocery) — 7880 Sunset Blvd.

MILE 4: Fairfax Ave. and Fountain Ave.

St. Ambrose Catholic Church

Village Synagogue

>>Whole Foods Market (grocery) — 6350 W. 3rd St.

>> Kung Pao Bistro (Chinese) — 7853 Santa Monica Blvd.

>> Potato Chips Deli (sandwiches) — 1111 N. Fairfax Ave.

>> Flipper’s Brunch (breakfast) — 1010A N. Fairfax Ave.

>> Oki Dog (American) — 860 N. Fairfax Ave.

>> Blue Bottle Coffee (coffee) — 830 N. Fairfax

>> Pop’s Bagels (breakfast) 801 N. Fairfax

>> Coffee Commissary (coffee) 801 N. Fairfax

MILE 5: Fairfax Ave. and Melrose Ave.

Fairfax High School

Brain Dead Studios (formerly Silent Movie Theatre)

Greenway Court Theatre

>> Pearl’s Finest Teas (boba tea) — 523 N. Fairfax

>> Dave’s Hot Chicken (chicken) — 465 N. Fairfax

>> Equator Coffees (coffee) — 456 N. Fairfax

>> Prime Pizza (pizza) — 446 N. Fairfax

>> COFAX Fairfax (cafe) — 440 N. Faifax

>> Canter’s Deli (deli) — 417 N. Fairfax

>> BADMAASH Fairfax (Indian) — 418 N. Fairfax

>> Jon & Vinny’s Fairfax (pizza) — 412 N. Fairfax

>> Diamond Bakery (15% OFF FOR WALKERS!) — 335 N. Fairfax

>> Chao Krung Thai (Thai) — 111 N. Fairfax

Television City

>> Manna Cafe (coffee, sandwiches) — 101 S. Fairfax

>> Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee (coffee, dessert) — 175 S. Fairfax

The Grove

The Original Farmers Market

WGA West

>> Frank’s (Mexican) — 363 S. Fairfax

Park La Brea

Samy’s Camera

>> Lo/Cal Coffee & Market (coffee, sandwiches) — 487 S. Fairfax

>> Pho Saigon Pearl (Vietnamese) — 519 S. Fairfax

>> Molly Malone’s Irish Pub — 575 S. Fairfax

MILE 6: Fairfax Ave. and 6th Street

LACMA/ “Levitated Mass”

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

>> Fanny’s (diner) — 6067 Wilshire Blvd.

Petersen Automotive Museum (visit the lobby!)

>> Meyers Manx Cafe (American, coffee, brunch) — 6060 Wilshire Blvd.

>> Tom Bergin’s (pub) — 840 S. Fairfax

>> Lalibela (Ethiopian) — 1025 S. Fairfax

>> Paradocs Coffee & Tea  (coffee) — 1032 S. Fairfax

>> Buna Ethiopian Restaurant & Market (Ethiopian) — 1034 S. Fairfax

>> Merkato (Ethiopian) — 1036 1/2 S. Fairfax

>> Messob (Ethiopian) — 1041 S. Fairfax

>> Rosalind’s (Ethiopian) — 1044 S. Fairfax

>> Rahel Vegan Cuisine (Ethiopian) — 1047 S. Fairfax

>> Meals by Genet (Ethiopian) — 1053 S. Fairfax

Hero Complex Gallery

>> Hansen’s Cakes — 1060 S. Fairfax

>> No Reservation LA  (seafood truck) — 1066 S. Fairfax

Pont des Arts Los Angeles

TURN EAST ON PICO

MILE 7: Fairfax Ave. and Pico

>> Taco Bar (tacos) — 5815 W. Pico

>> Paper or Plastik Cafe (sandwiches, salads) — 5772 W. Pico

>> Rosemary and Thyme (sandwich) — 5662 W. Pico

>> Charlie’s Fish & Chip (seafood) — 5677 W. Pico

>> Little Miss Cafe (cafe) — 5671 W. Pico

>> My 2 Cents LA (Southern) — 5583 W. Pico

>> Bloom Cafe (sandwiches, salads) — 5544 W. Pico

>> Stevie’s Creole Cafe (Creole) — 5545 W. Pico

>> Joe’s Pizza Mid-City (pizza) — 5504 W. Pico

>> Mad Lab Coffee (cafe) — 5508 W. Pico

>> C.J.’s Cafe (Mexican, brunch) — 5501 W. Pico

>> Alfredo’s Pizza (pizza) — 5450 W. Pico

MILE 8: Pico Blvd. and Hauser Blvd.

>> South Philly Experience (cheesesteaks) — 5408 W. Pico

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

>> Sky’s Gourmet Tacos (tacos) — 5303 W. Pico

>> Wi Jammin (Jamaican) — 5103 W. Pico

>> Lucy’s Drive In (American) — 1373 S. La Brea

MILE 9: Pico Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd.

>> Oki’s Dog (American) — 4601 W. Pico

>> Chef Arango Indian (Indian) — 4506 W. Pico

>> Tom’s Number 5 Chiliburgers (American) — 4497 W. Pico

>> Tacos El Compita (Mexican) — 4477 W. Pico

>> La Cocinita (Salvadoran) — 4379 W. Pico

>> Mateo’s Ice Cream & Fruit Bars (dessert) — 4234 W. Pico

>> The Grain Cafe (vegan, sandwiches) — 4222 W. Pico

>> El Baron (Salvadoran) — 4212 W. Pico

>> Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken (chicken) — 1262 Crenshaw

>> Ham Ji Park (Korean) — 4135 W. Pico

>> The Corner Slice (pizza) — 1275 S. Bronson

>> 6 Avenue Caffe (brunch, sandwiches) — 3810 W. Pico

>> La Cevicheria (seafood) — 3809 W. Pico

>> El Trebol (Salvadorean) — 3731 W. Pico

>> Nam Won Gol (Korean) — 3623 W. Pico

>> The History Coffee (coffee) — 3501 W. Pico

MILE 10: Pico Blvd. and Arlington Ave.

>> La Mayordomia 2 (bakery) — 3315 W. Pico

>> Expresion Oaxaquena Restaurante (Oaxaquan) — 3301 W. Pico

>> Panderia Santo Domingo (bakery) — 3180 W. Pico

TURN NORTH ON WESTERN

>> Road to Seoul Korean BBQ (Korean) — 1230 S. Western

>> El Cholo — The Original (Mexican) — 1121 S. Western

>> Cafe De Mama (coffee) — 1102 S. Western

>> Seoul Soul BBQ (Korean) — 1040 S. Western

Koreatown Galleria shopping mall

MILE 11: Western Ave. and Olympic Blvd.

>> KTown Pho (Vietnamese) — 974 S. Western

Koreatown Plaza shoppiing mall

>> BCD Tofu House (Korean) — 869 S. Western

>> Flour Premium Donut (dessert) — 833 S. Western

>> IKI Ramen (Japanese) — 740 S. Western

>> Southland Beer (pub) — 740 S. Western

>> Sun Nong Dang (Korean) — 710 S. Western

>> Boba Story (boba tea) — 701 S. Western

Wiltern Theatre

>> Sushi Ippo — 3800 Wilshire

>> Gangnam Station Korean BBQ (Korean) — 3785 Wilshire

>> Shake Shack Koreatown (burgers) — 3785 Wilshire

Madang Courtyard (621 S. Western)

>> Paris Baguette (dessert) — 621 S. Western

>> Heuk Hwa Dang (tea house) — 621 S. Western

>> Mo’s House of Axe Restaurant, Bar and Axe Throwing (pub) — 611 S. Western

>> TPO Coffee (cafe) — 537 S. Western

>> Bumsan Organic Milk Bar (ice cream) — 534 S. Western

>> Monty’s Good Burger (vegan, burgers) — 516 S. Western

MILE 12: Western Ave. and 5th Street

>> Two Hands Seoul Fresh Corn Dogs (Korean) — 450 S. Western

>> Ye Stage & Tea (tea house) — 450 S. Western

>> Boba Bear (boba tea) — 414 S. Western

>> Taqueria Juquilita (Mexican) — Wilshire Center

>> Prime K BBQ (Korean) — 400 S. Western

>> SongHak Korean BBQ (Korean) — 356 S. Western

>> Mr. Bossam K-town (Korean) — 338 S. Western

>> The Dolly Llama (ice cream) — 273 S. Western

>> Farina Pizza (pizza) — 119 S. Western

>> It’s Boba Time (boba tea) — 125 N. Western

>> Paris Baguette (dessert) — 125 N. Western

>> Coin De Rue dessert cafe (bakery) — 125 N. Western

>> Burritos Sahuayo (Mexican) — Western and 1st

>> Wool Um Ma (Korean) — 124 N. Western

>> Balcony Coffee and Tea (cafe) — 314 N. Western

The modernist KFC building — 340 N. Western

>> Lab Coffee and Roasters (coffee) — 429 N. Western

>> Mesón Cafe (coffee) — 459 N. Western

MILE 13: Western Ave. and Melrose Ave.

>> Ggiata Delicatessen (sandwiches) — 5009 Melrose

>> Kuya Lord (Filipino) — 5003 Melrose

>> Organico (juice, smoothies) — 5001 Melrose

>> Le Coupe (chicken) — 709 N. Western

>> Cafe Telegrama (coffee, brunch) — 737 N. Western

>> Mesa Thai Cuisine (Thai) — 820 N. Western

>> El Jocoreño (Salvadoran) — 910 N. Western

>> Boba ZZing (boba tea) — 954 N. Western

>> Dave’s Hot Chicken (chicken) — 970 N. Western

>> La Monarca Bakery & Cafe (bakery) — 1096 N. Western

WALK UNDER THE 101 FREEWAY

MILE 14: Western Ave. and Fountain Ave.

>> The Happy Tacos (tacos) — 1300 N. Western

>> Leo’s Taco Truck — 5525 Sunset Blvd.

Hollywood & Western building

>> Cara (California cuisine) — 1740 N. Western

>> Baskin-Robbins (ice cream) — 1832 N. Western

>> Lazy Acres Market (grocery) — 1841 N. Western

MILE 14.92: END, BACK AT GRIFFITH PARK

And here, courtesy @WalkingLA, is a Google Maps embed with all the attractions and eats on the route!