Oct. 10, 7:15 a.m.
My wife drops me off at the start of Washington Boulevard in Whittier, next to a large metal truss bridge that’s part of the 4.5-mile Whittier Greenway Trail, a commuter and recreation path. Carrying a backpack of water, first aid supplies and (too few) snacks, I head off in a neon-lime technical training hoodie with UPF 20+ sun protection and some old stretchy hiking pants.
I figure out where to start. Washington Boulevard begins near State Route 72, at an intersection where five streets meet: Washington Boulevard, Whittier Boulevard, Pickering Avenue, La Cuarta Street, and Santa Fe Springs Road. I did not expect to need to consult my GPS for a marathon walk down one street, but here I am among morning commuters, looking like a lost tourist.
7:38 a.m.
Walking allows me time to observe small details I could only notice from the sidewalk. Like the variety of pedestrian crosswalk buttons across an area. (They come as small silver cylinders and large round black buttons.) I notice the differences in each city’s street signs. Montebello’s has the decorative flair of a rose. The city was once replete with fields of 150 varieties of roses, and sales of the flower was one of the city’s largest businesses until industrial development began there in the early 1900s.
I am pleased by just how much plant life I spot, yellow lantana, a yellow daylily, and a hulking pine tree. I begin counting every dog I see and every honk I hear.
I document Nos. 3 through 7 as I navigate busy Norwalk Boulevard near the border of Sante Fe Springs and Whittier. Drivers wait in turn lanes through multiple light changes, expressing anxiety in short loud honks. In my voice note to myself, I say, “I hope I don’t get hit by a car,” and mean it.
8:11 a.m.
I navigate the crosswalks of the 605 Freeway on- and off-ramps. They feel more like an afterthought than a path for humans. Drivers pay them little mind as they rush onto what’s otherwise known as the San Gabriel River Freeway. I pause to appreciate its eponymous waterway one-tenth of a mile from the freeway, a river I frequently hike along.
9:41 a.m.
I arrive in the aptly named Commerce, where the sidewalks and any sign of pedestrian life quickly disappear. This is the place of industry. Starting in the late 1880s, large rail companies built their main lines through the area, which brought factories. The city was named to match its purpose. I pass warehouses selling freezers, wholesale party supplies, and furniture.
10:27 a.m.
Things in Commerce start to perk up after I walk under the 5 Freeway. I spot a small black-and-white house — the first housing I’ve spotted here — that appears to have been recently flipped. It features Neutraface, sometimes called “gentrification font.” Then more housing, a hardware store, and some restaurants. There’s even a vegan popsicle shop named Vegano by Stick Station, where I reward myself for hitting my eighth mile with a frozen fruit treat.
11:44 a.m.
11 miles in, I consider quitting. I’m in either Commerce or Vernon, and I’m choking on the air. There is concrete as far as the eye can see. The trucks are deafening.
4:30 p.m.
We hit 18 miles while taking in the architecture of Harvard and Western Heights, where racist restrictive covenants once barred people of color from living. Residents fought this, and by the 1980s, Western Heights became one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the U.S.
5:20 p.m.
Lindsay and I stop outside Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Mid-City to appreciate the Yuppets, mostly Black puppets created by artist Gary Jones that are displayed in the front window. Almost 40 years ago, Jones told The Times that his adult puppet show, focused on materialism and greed, was a response to seeing the “overwhelming wealth and greed contrasted with the problems of the homeless and the needy” in Los Angeles.
6:11 p.m.
Lindsay and I enter Culver City, where we pass dozens of palm trees, including several along the Culver City’s “Walk of Fame” that are wrapped by yellow metal structures called “surrounds.” They display tidbits about movies filmed in studios here, like the 1952 musical “Singin’ in the Rain.” It was filmed at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios on this very boulevard.
7:51 p.m.
Outside of the Culver City DMV, we see extremely cool space-themed mural. Why this was painted at one of the most avoided places in any Angeleno’s life, I do not know. “This is astro-nuts,” I shout. I have four miles to go, I have been walking more than 12 hours. My whole job? It’s to walk. I have already started taking Tylenol for my foot and knee pain. I’m delirious, full of joy, high on the sights of Los Angeles.
9:39 p.m.
After 27.4 miles, passing over four rivers and under six freeways, spotting 23 dogs (including a bulldog in a bike basket) and hearing 18 honks, I am standing in the ocean. It feels like I’ve lived through three days over the past 14½ hours.
Conclusion:
What did this mega walk teach me? Washington Boulevard might not have the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Sunset or other thoroughfares, but it is occupied by every type of L.A. resident in every type of income bracket. I saw RV encampments and historical homes, panhandlers and influencers, bicycles and Cybertrucks. Walking east to west in America’s most populous county, I was reminded — we’re all here.
FAQs:
Q: What inspired you to walk the length of Washington Boulevard?
A: I wanted to experience the city like never before and understand the diverse communities along the way.
Q: What did you learn from this experience?
A: I learned that Washington Boulevard is a microcosm of Los Angeles, with people from all walks of life living and working together.
Q: What were some of the most memorable moments of your walk?
A: I enjoyed spotting unique street art, trying local eateries, and interacting with people along the way. I also experienced the contrast between industrial areas and historic neighborhoods.
Q: What advice would you give to others who want to explore Los Angeles?
A: Take a walk! It’s a great way to discover hidden gems and connect with the community.
