Downtown Los Angeles Arts District – Graffiti and Mural Tour
When we did our first graffit/mural tour back in 2010, it was a treasure hunt for unique urban art that often vanished soon after it appeared.
What a difference the years have made. The Los Angeles Graffiti and Mural scene- especially in Downtown LA- has been undergoing a renaissance the past few years, fueled by an absolutely amazing cadre of local artists, joined by some of the best from around the globe. Your guides, all local street artists themselves, are eager to introduce you to this vibrant world, give some understanding into technique and history, and share the work of their friends and fellow artists.
Schedule
Thursdays 10:30 AM
Saturdays 10:30 AM
Sundays 10:30 AM
Private tours available 7 days/week
Tour Length
2 – 2.5 hours
Approximately 2 miles of slow paced walking
Cost
$18/person
Where
The Downtown LA Arts District.
Tour starts at the corner of Colyton and Palmetto (527 Colyton St, 90013 for the purpose of mapping.)
Your guide is a real artist and longtime member of the Arts District Community. Living and creating art in the area for decades, each one is an expert on the history, culture, art, and artists that made the Arts District an important part of the Los Angeles creative community for decades.
The tour includes over 100 individual works of art, from building sized murals to amazing hidden treasures that you would never find without a knowledgable expert leading the way.
The tour starts with a wealth of information about urban art history and technique, as you view works from local masters and globally recognized talents.
In addition to the amazing art, the group will visit other iconic spots such as ArtShare, The Container Yard, Arts District Co-op, The American Hotel, Joel Bloom’s Spot, and the former site of Al’s Bar.
The tour ends back where it started, giving you a chance to browse the Arts District Co-Op or head to one of the many dining options in the area (your guide will be happy to give suggestions.)
How far do we walk? Approximately 2 hours of walking at a slow pace, covering about 2 miles.
Does the tour start on time? Yes. We suggest arriving at least 10 minutes early to insure you don’t miss the beginning. There are benches to sit on at the start.
What if I’m late? The guide will still be near the start for the first 15 minutes of the tour, showing the art work on Colyton/Palmetto. If you are unable to locate them, you can try calling 310-503-2365 (though we may not be able to pick up if leading a tour.)
Are masks required? LA County regulations currently require the wearing of a mask by all participants.
Gratuity/tip? Tips are always appreciated by our guides, but never required. If you want to demonstrate your appreciation to the guide for that job well done, a tip is very welcome.
What if it rains? We still happily do the tour in the rain (murals actually photograph much better under dark skies.) We’ll even bring a few extra umbrellas for those wthout. Only in the event of severe weather (does that even happen in LA?) will we cancel a walking tour.
Will we see art by (insert name here?) You may. If its in the Arts District, you’ll likely visit it. But the routes can vary slightly, so if you expected a particular piece of art, and didn’t get to see it, your guide will gladly point you in the right direction after the tour (or break the news gently if that piece is long painted over.)
Policies
- Please arrive 10 minutes early as the tour starts on time.
- Just tell the guide your name. No need to print out the ticket or confirmation email.
- ACTIVITY TAKES PLACE RAIN OR SHINE: The activity runs regardless of weather conditions. In the rare situation where we are forced to cancel the event, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability) or offered a full refund.
- ACTIVITY TAKES PLACE OUTDOORS: Dress appropriately for the weather.
Cancel/Rescheduling Policy
- We understand that your plans sometimes change. That is why we try to be as flexible and accommodating as possible.
- Prior to 72 hours before tour time, a full refund can be given.
- Sorry, no refunds within 72 hours of tour start time. Our guides need to get out of work and other commitments to lead the tours, so we commit to paying them whether guests show up or not.
- Up to 24 hours before a scheduled tour you can reschedule for a different date. We only allow one reschedule per booking.
The tour starts at the corner of Colyton and Palmetto in the Los Angeles Arts District. You can use the address of 527 Colyton St , Los Angeles 90013 for the sake of mapping, but please don’t go knocking on the door to the building looking for us. We don’t own it. We’re artists, not multi-millionaires.
There is a small green space with park benches in front of the building, at the corner. Your guide will meet you there at the tour start time.
There is free street parking in the area (Seaton, Colyton and Palmetto.) If you can’t locate a street spot, there are pay lots:
498 Seaton St
405 S Hewitt St
12 56 Palmetto St
