LA River Eco Tour and Secret Stair Hike
LA River Eco Tour and Secret Stair Hike
The LA Rive Eco Tour and Secret Stair Hike is meant for travelers and locals that want to see a part of LA that 99.9% of people will never find. You won't find this route in a guide book or with any other tour company. It is a one of a kind route the combines the history of the LA River, LA transportation, ecology, urban planning, architecture, cult organizations, and more into an experience that you won't forget.
While other tourists are riding around in celeb homes vans, you'll be getting a taste of what truly makes LA special.See LA in a Day tours specialize in off the beaten path experiences. Secret stair hikes, Malibu wine tastings, and True Crime history are just a few of our favorite things to cover. Please check out some of our tours!
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Los Angeles River
The river is also a great place for bike riding, grabbing a bite to eat, or doing some bird watching. You'll know the best places for each by the end of the tour.
1 hourLewis MacAdams Riverfront Park (formerly Marsh Park)
At our meeting point, we will learn about the people that have battled to make the river accessible. What started with pair of wire cutters and a rock n roll mindset, eventually morphed into the Friends of the LA River Organization. It wasn't always possible to walk or bike along the river like we can today. The river is undergoing a transformation and the Friends of the LA River Organization have had a vital role in the recent development.
25 minutesCorralitas Red Car Trail
Did you know LA used to have great public transportation? I know, it's crazy, but it's true. Here, you'll walk along an abandoned stretch of old trolley car lines and learn how we lost one of the world's best transportation systems.
20 minutesEcho Park
This is where the hike really takes off. Up into the hills you'll go, using secret stairs and forgotten paths. There's beautiful early 1900s architecture and views of LA landmarks like the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory. Echo Park is one of LA's older neighborhoods and the hills provided seclusion for occult organizations and self-sustaining religious compounds. The stairs, hills, and trails all lead to a secret swing with a great view of the LA River and LA's Eastside.
45 minutesElysian Valley
The final stretch takes us back by the LA River. In this last section, you'll see where new restaurants, shops, spas, apartments, and pocket parks are popping up along the river. Los Angeles has massive plans for the future of the LA River. What we see now reflects the beginning of a $1.6 billion plan to revitalize and renaturalize the LA River. Who knows what the LA River will look like 100 years from now? It could be as alien to us as our river would be the Indigenous people of LA 500 years ago.
10 minutesSpoke Bicycle Cafe
One of LA's best spots for breakfast or lunch. This is a great spot to go before or after the tour. You can also rent a bike here and spend some more time by the LA River.
15 minutesIncluded
- Bottled water
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This is a 4.4 mile hike over 3hrs. Guests must be able to walk up and down several hills and staircases.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.