The Arroyo Seco Parkway has a few interesting features. One of them in particular is not well known but offers one of the best accesses to the Parkway through Elysian Park. The walkway was originally just a sidewalk along Figueroa Street when it was extended north from downtown Los Angeles to north of the Los Angeles River. Access has been slowly modified ever since, though a significant portion of the walkway was rehabilitated in 2001 when the 110 was widened to five lanes southbound from I-5 to Hill Street.
To Get There:
The Arroyo Seco Parkway Walkway can be accessed at the northern end on Ave 20 just south of Figueroa St. The steps between the northbound and southbound bridges leads to the walkway. The south end is accessed at Bishops Road (Stadium Way). There are additional entrances at Solano Ave and Amador Ave. A short pedestrian tunnel can also be accessed at Solano Ave.
From the north end, just walk across the Los Angeles River bridge to the northbound I-5 ramp. A spiral staircase takes you up to the southbound lanes, where you can follow them all the way to Bishops Road (Stadium Way). Along the way, you will find various places to get through the fence and get closer to the tunnels. Watch out for homeless camps and always use caution around the tunnels.
Return to the Route 110 page
I did the walkway once downtown from Mt. Washington. I’d take some sort of oxygen mask if I did it again. Interesting walk, harrowing in places, right next to speeding cars. Pedestrians always a second thought.