ARCHIVE—this is the 2011 route for the Big Parade, for reference only. The route for Big Parade IV will be announced on May 15, 2012.
This is the Day One Guide for the Big Parade, 2011. Download the timetable for more details on the routes and tours. Visit the map page for a bigger view.
Please note times are APPROXIMATE. Our accurate position will be mapped via Twitter. Follow here. See Day Two here.
The loops are the simplest way to join. The main loop of each day is five miles, and has the most variety.
Remember, there are tons of unlisted stops along the way - neighbors, music, art, , history, surprises!
You can join us for any length at any of the join points - or use Twitter to see our route updated at five minute intervals.
Bring food, water, sunscreen.
The basic timetable:
8AM, SATURDAY: Bottom of Angel’s Flight Stairway in downtown Los Angeles. (351 Hill Street, Hill bet 3rd and 4th Streets.)
•BIG PARADE BEGINS
•LOOP ONE BEGINS, 1.5 MILES: •Theme: Urban Planning, secret tunnels, lots of spirals, utopian Los Angeles.
•DOWNTOWN SEGMENT BEGINS, 5.5 MILES
•Transit info: Metro Bus 4/81 and others. Metro Red Line Pershing Square.
9:15 AM : KID’S LOOP, 1.3 miles, Metro Red Line Civic Center station (101 S Hill St.)
•THEME: California History, old Los Angeles, Union Station
11:00AM - Late Morning Join Point: Chinatown Metro Gold Line Station, 901 N. Spring Street.
•Segment/Loop Two Begins. Theme: Freeways, Mystery Traverses, the Arroyo Seco, Unknown - and amazing - walkways. 1.6 miles
•Downtown Segment ends.
12:15PM - LA River segment join point/Segment Two Return Point, NE corner Figueroa and San Fernando Rd.
•Begin a walk up LA River, visiting the new “pocket parks” and observing wildlife.
•Segment Two walkers - return via Lincoln Heights Metro Gold Line Station (one stop to Chinatown.)
1:00 PM - Lunch Break at Steelhead Park along the LA River. LIVE MUSIC! Bring your own food/water. No facilities.
3:00PM - MAIN LOOP OF THE DAY: Echo Park. Meet: Fix Coffee Shop, Baxter St. at 2100 Echo Park Avenue
•Loop is 5.5 miles of the most beautiful and historic stairways in Los Angeles.
•Visits with neighbors.
6:00PM - FINAL LOOP, Angelino Heights. Meet: Lot 1 Café, at 1533 W Sunset Boulevard and Lavetta Terrace.
•Two miles, Victorian Architecture, Echo Park Lake.
8:30 PM - Arrive at Music Box Park for outdoor screening of Laurel & Hardy’s Oscar-winning Music Box short; food trucks should be available. This is a party, so Invite your friends!
• Return to start via Metro Bus 4.
