Itinerary: Elysian Park

On the shore of the Los Angeles River, Elysian Park serves up one of California’s most prominent historical landscapes, having been the area’s gateway for the first European explorers.

In 1769, Spanish explorers establishing the mission trail entered the area, where Father Juan Crespi saw the possibility for a settlement. Described by Crespi as a “spacious valley, well-grown with cottonwoods and alders, among which ran a beautiful river from north-northwest,” the city’s oldest park was once home to the ancient Yang-na village and Shoshone tribe. Often in political upheaval, the park saw Dodger Stadium replace the Chavez Ravine neighborhood; later it was split by the Pasadena Freeway.

Present-day Elysian Park and its acres of rolling greens, the Chavez Ravine Arboretum and the majestic Avenue of the Palms have been preserved for future generations of picnickers, hikers and those wanting to delve deep into L.A.’s rich past.

Thursday

In 1950, the Mexican American communities of La Loma, Bishop and Palo Verde that formed the neighborhood of Chavez Ravine were uprooted to make way for construction of Dodger Stadium. Learn about that era by reading Don Normark’s “Chavez Ravine, 1949: A Los Angeles Story” photo book. Normark captures the life, spirit and upheaval of los desterrados, the uprooted. Depicting rural L.A. life, the book recounts Normark’s year photographing the boroughs of what was called a “poor man’s Shangri-La.”

Find “Chavez Ravine” and other books on Los Angeles at Book Bound (1545 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles; open Wednesdays through Fridays, 2 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, noon to 8 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 6 p.m. [213] 481-0802).

Friday

Fans of old-fashioned diners will get a kick out of the LAPD memorabilia-lined walls at the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club Cafe (1880 North Academy Drive, Los Angeles, 90012; open daily, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. [323] 221-5222).

Since 1932, the training and recreation site for thousands of LAPD members has been used as a film location and houses the historic landmark Rock Garden, store and cafe, “the safest restaurant to eat in all of Los Angeles,” according to general manager Bud Arce. After lunching on Academy Burgers and Hot Squad club sandwiches, visit the club’s store. Where else can you find LAPD squad car Hot Wheels toys or the “Code 7” LAPD Cookbook, featuring a recipe for Judge Lance Ito’s Favorite Curry Rice?

Tucked discreetly behind the main academy building are the lush Grand Canyon-motif Rock Garden and chapel, set amid pines and concrete rock waterfalls built in 1948.

Saturday

Put on your walking shoes and take a jaunt into Victorian-era Los Angeles on the in-depth Elysian Park Tour, sponsored by the Echo Park Historical Society in conjunction with the Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park. Led by guide and committee president Scott Fajak, the two-hour walk will focus on the historic Freemont Gate entrance to Elysian Park. Trace the origins of the L.A. River, its early history and sites, the park’s pigeon farm, the Pasadena Freeway, Chavez Ravine and the Elysian Park Auto Camp. (Two-mile Elysian Park tour, free; 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday; meet at Park Row Drive East at North Broadway, just west of the bridge over the L.A. River; information at [213] 481-0815 or visit https://www.echopark.net.)

Sunday

Conclude your weekend tour of Chavez Ravine on a bicycle at Elysian Valley Gateway Park (2914 Knox Ave., corner of Blake Avenue, Los Angeles) with access to the L.A. River Bike Path.