Arroyo Seco Parkway Walkways

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.

View southbound between the Los Angeles River bridges at the top of the stairs from Avenue 20.
View southbound between the Los Angeles River bridges at the top of the stairs from Avenue 20.
Walkway along the southbound Los Angeles River bridge.
Walkway along the southbound Los Angeles River bridge.
Old Figueroa Street Bridge over the Los Angeles River. Formerly a concrete arch bridge, it was remade into the steel arch span in the late 1930's.
Old Figueroa Street Bridge over the Los Angeles River. Formerly a concrete arch bridge, it was remade into the steel arch span in the late 1930’s.
Railing and sidehill viaduct at the NB 110/NB 5 ramp.
Railing and sidehill viaduct at the NB 110/NB 5 ramp.
Sidehill viaduct carrying the I-5 NB ramp.
Sidehill viaduct carrying the I-5 NB ramp.
Tunnel #4 and the NB 5 ramp.
Tunnel #4 and the NB 5 ramp.
View down the former Riverside Drive connection, now I-5 NB.
View down the former Riverside Drive connection, now I-5 NB.
1937 date stamp on the NB Los Angeles River bridge.
1937 date stamp on the NB Los Angeles River bridge.
Spiral staircase leading from the northbound lanes to the southbound lanes.
Spiral staircase leading from the northbound lanes to the southbound lanes.
North portal of Tunnel #4 and the 5NB ramp.
North portal of Tunnel #4 and the 5NB ramp.
View of Midway Yard on the Metro Gold Line.
View of Midway Yard on the Metro Gold Line.
Closeup view of the NB 5 ramp.
Closeup view of the NB 5 ramp.
View of the northbound lanes from the top of Tunnel #4.
View of the northbound lanes from the top of Tunnel #4.
Detail of the I-5 NB exit sign from 1966.
Detail of the I-5 NB exit sign from 1966.
Detail of pedestrian railing at Solano Ave.
Detail of pedestrian railing at Solano Ave.
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South portal of Tunnel #2. Stairs to the left lead to the walkway along the southbound lanes.
Former Solano Ave NB onramp and pedestrian path.
Former Solano Ave NB onramp and pedestrian path.
Tunnel dedication plaque at the north portal of Tunnel #1.
Tunnel dedication plaque at the north portal of Tunnel #1.
View of NB 110 from the south portal of Tunnel #1.
View of NB 110 from the south portal of Tunnel #1.

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One thought on “Arroyo Seco Parkway Walkways”

  1. 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.

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