We're back for our fifth open street event of 2023, CicLAvia—Koreatown meets Hollywood! Join us on Sunday, August 20th, from 9am - 4pm as we transform the streets of Koreatown and Hollywood into a public park for the day.
Koreatown and Hollywood are ranked 1st and 7th, respectively, in population density in LA County. The area also boasts many places to eat, architecture to admire, and landmarks to see along this route. Check out this list of local gems to help plan out your day.
Local Businesses + Local Eats
Hollywood Farmers Market
1600 Ivar Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Founded in 1991 and located on Ivar and Selma Ave is the Hollywood Farmers Market. Currently open on Sunday’s from 8am - 1pm, the Hollywood Farmers Market is a hotspot for fresh produce, food vendors, and artisanal crafts. From local families to professional chefs, this market is a place for all to enjoy its 160+ vendors.
Amoeba Music
6200 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Located a block away from our route on the corner of Argyle Ave and Hollywood Blvd is Amoeba Music. With three locations located in California, Amoeba Music is one of the world’s largest independent record stores and hosts many intimate live shows of different genres. They will also be having a DJ at their booth in the Hollywood Hub and will also be handing out Amoeba promotional items like coupons and fans!
Cactus Taqueria #1
950 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Cactus Taquerias has been serving authentic, homemade Mexican food for the past 25 years through their multiple locations throughout the Los Angeles area.
Astro Burger
5601 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Astro Burger is an independent, family owned restaurant that has served the area breakfast, lunch, and dinners since 1974.
Coin de Rue
125 N Western Ave #113, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Check out Coin de Rue for a place to grab a sweet treat, study, or just relax in the ambience of this new dessert cafe and bakery.
California Market
450 S Western Ave #1, Los Angeles, CA 90020
One of the more popular grocery stores located in Koreatown which offers traditional Korean goods and hot/cold grab and go foods as well. Serving the prominent Latino community in KTown as well, this market offers a variety of Hispanic eats alongside Korean meals.
Han Bat Seol Lung Tang
4163 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Known for their Korean Oxtail bone broth soup and excellent customer service, Han Bat Seol Lung Tang has been considered one of the best soup places in the area.
Love Hour
532 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
A restaurant, a bar, a place to hang out, a community. Love Hour is a hot spot known for their food, drinks, and music during a late night out in KTown. They’ll have a special activation happening in their parking lot during CicLAvia!
MaDang Courtyard
631 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Opened in 2010, MaDang Courtyard is a 3-story mall with many places to eat and spots for entertainment. It is considered a visual representation of Seoul, South Korea thanks to the hustle and bustle of nightlife it fosters.
Art + Architecture
Hollywood / Vine Station - Art by Gilbert (Magu) Lujan
6270 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Throughout the LA Metro system one may notice that no two stations are the same when it comes to the art displays. Let’s take a look at Hollywood and Vine Station first. This station takes its influence from Hollywood glitz and glamor with its palm tree columns and film reels attached to the ceiling. The art piece titled, “Hooray for Hollywood”, assists commuters and tourists in capturing the essence of Hollywood before setting foot on the street.
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Located in the heart of Hollywood is the Pantages Theatre. The Pantages started off as a local movie theater and vaudeville performing center in 1930 and transitioned to showing only live performances in 1977. The Pantages Theater is one of LA’s leading establishments for live theater and presents large scale broadway shows such as Disney’s The Lion King and Wicked.
Capitol Records
1750 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Right above our Hollywood Hub is the Capitol Records building. Described as the world’s first circular office building, this record label has hosted recording sessions for many popular artists such as: Katy Perry, Paul McCartney, and the Beastie Boys.
"Hollywood Jazz" mural by Richard Wyatt, Jr.
Side of Capitol Records Bldg, 1750 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
This mural near Hollywood and Vine shows many popular 20th century jazz musicians such as: Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and more.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Boulevard, Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Originated in the late 1950s, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is still an iconic landmark for tourists and locals alike. With 2,700+ stars, many entertainers consider this to be a significant career achievement. Are you able to find your favorite stars? Fun Fact: Muhammad Ali is the only star to not be on the ground but on the side of a building so that, “No one can walk over [him]."
Hollywood Forever
6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Open from 8:30am - 4pm and approximately 2 blocks from the route is a fully functioning cemetery where many famous actors and actresses are laid to rest. Some notable stars here are Mel Blanc, Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone, and Rudolph Valentino. Throughout the summer season you can enjoy live music and movies out on the lawn as well.
Paramount Pictures
5555 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Founded in 1912 Paramount Pictures is the fifth-oldest film studio in the world and second-oldest in the United States. The Paramount Lot doubles as the headquarters for the entertainment corporation as well as a popular filming location for many movies and tv shows such as Forrest Gump (1994), The Truman Show (1998), and Barry (2018-2023).
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
340 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
The KFC bucket shaped building on Western and Oakwood Ave is considered a “misunderstood landmark” in Koreatown.. What makes this building stand out is the style of design architect Jeffery Daniels used called programmatic/novelty architecture, buildings designed in unusual shapes, typically for what their purpose is made for.
Gangnam Pocha art mural by @heyjinie
528 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
You’re definitely in Koreatown when you come across a mural of LeBron James eating at a Korean food truck. Gangnam Pocha, roughly translated to “Food cart in Gangnam” is a place to grab food and drinks with groups of friends late into the night, be sure to stop by after the event!
Wilshire / Western Station - Art by Richard Wyatt and Pae White
3785 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
The next LA Metro Station on this list is the Wilshire / Western Station with art installations by Pae White and Richard Wyatt. “People Coming and People Going” by Richard Wyatt shows the diversity of the people of LA while “The Beppins” by Pae White provides seating for the many users at this station.
The Wiltern
3790 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Located on Wilshire and Western is a 12-story Art Deco emerald green building known as the Wiltern Theatre. Built in 1931 the iconic building got its name from the intersecting streets it resides on, Wilshire Blvd and Western Ave. The Wiltern is one of the very few remaining buildings from the Art Deco design style in LA. While it originally served as a place for vaudeville entertainment, it is now a hot spot for concerts and live shows.
Wilshire Blvd Temple
3663 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
One of the many houses of worship located on the route is Wilshire Blvd Temple. Constructed in the early 1900s, it is home to one of the largest Jewish congregations in Los Angeles.
Wallis Annenberg GenSpace
3643 Wilshire Blvd Level 3, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Neighboring the Wilshire Blvd Temple is the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace. This establishment focuses on wellness, connection, and learning through the programs they offer in technology, art, and much more.
Wilshire / Normandie Station- Art by Frank Romero and Mitch Dobrowner
3530 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Another LA Metro station we’ll touch on is the Wilshire / Normandie Station. Here you will see the “Festival of Masks Parade” by Frank Romero and landscape photography “Untitled” by Mitch Dobrowner.
Gaylord Apartments
3355 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Named after Wilshire Blvd’s namesake, Henry Gaylord Wilshire, is the Gaylord Apartment building. This 13-story Italian Renaissance-style apartment building was once considered home to actor John Barrymore (Drew Barrymore’s grandpa) and then-presidential candidate Richard Nixon.
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
3300 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Completed in 1929 is the Immanuel Presbyterian Church reflecting the French Gothic Revival style of architecture. Because of its unique design, this church has been used as a shooting location for multiple movies like: The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), John Wick, and Sister Act 2 (1993).
Wilshire / Vermont Station- Art by Bob Zoell
3183 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
The last LA Metro station we’ll cover is the Wilshire / Vermont Station. Here you will find multiple columns with tiles designed and placed by artist Bob Zoell. The overall design of this station is unique due to it having to run both the Metro B Line towards North Hollywood, and Metro D Line which goes further into Koreatown.
Lakers Mural by @never1959
682 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Located just a block away from Wilshire Blvd and Vermont Ave in a LADOT Parking Lot is a Los Angeles Lakers mural by @never1959. On this mural you can see many past and current legends who were once part of the team including Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and LeBron James. The focus of this mural was to shine light on the iconic duos the Los Angeles Lakers have had throughout their time.
Bullocks Wilshire Building / Southwestern Law School
3050 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
One of the oldest Art-Deco architecture buildings in Los Angeles is the Bullocks Wilshire Building, now owned and operated by Southwestern Law School. After enduring many damages during the 1992 LA Riots, Southwestern Law School purchased and restored much of the building, preserving the aesthetics and design of the original along the way.
We can't wait to see you all at CicLAvia—Koreatown meets Hollywood on August 20. Don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list so you don’t miss out on updates on future events.
These events are made possible by contributions from people like you. To support more open streets, consider making a tax-deductible donation here today!
Photos courtesy of: See LA, Jesse Boy Eats, LA The Blog, Trip Advisor, Koreatown Los Angeles, Koreatown LA Directory, Eater LA, The Infatuation, Discover Los Angeles, The Beauty of Transport, Jon Endow, Daily Bruin, Variety, Wikipedia, iStock, Koreatown LA Directory, Reddit, Metro Art, Facebook, Annenberg GenSpace, Metro Art Los Angeles, Martin Turnbull, Hollywood Locations, CODAworx, Man One Art, and Pinterest.
