Running in Downtown

I found a new favorite weekend morning running route (click link to see it). It's a mini-tour of some of the different areas and features of  downtown Los Angeles and a great way to start the morning!

The Route

I take Main, which then turns into North Spring, to 18th Avenue and loop back up North Broadway and Spring.

On the way, Olvera Street begins to awaken. If one feels so inclined they can take a few laps around the dirt track at the State Historic Park. Then its up over the Los Angeles River.  Despite the concrete river, I love the classic look of North Broadway Bridge and railroad tracks. Turn up 18th to North Broadway and take the bridge across. Up North Broadway can be like an obstacle course with the parking meetings, slanting sidewalk, falling down chainlink fence, other pedestrians and limited sidewalk space.


Off of North Broadway, one can run up some hills into Elysian Park. I will have to try that on the next run.

North Broadway slowly turns into Chinatown. Close to the dragon gate entrance of Chinatown, the streets are full of people buying vegetables, eggs and other goods sold from trucks on the street or laid out on blankets on the sidewalk. It always is fun to run under the dragon gates and through the prosperity blessing.

Verging back to North Spring, stay to the West side of the street if you are bothered by homeless encampments.  As you continue down Spring, you will see the Los Angeles City Hall and an unofficial local dog park. Spring turns into shops, restaurants and becomes filled with people walking their dogs and starting their Saturday mornings. I wanted to get an hour in so I ran to where Spring and Main meet and back up again.