Clockwise from top left: MOCA outdoor art installation; the Angel's Flight funicular in Bunker Hill; Water Court at California Plaza.

If you like variety, follow me to an L.A. experience that will challenge your senses – not your purse. The walking exercise on this day trip approximates six miles; I took all day, but you can condense it in as few as four hours. Water, hat and sunscreen recommended.

L.A.'s Union Station.

Your first challenge is getting to a railway station: from Oceanside, purchase a $10 Metrolink return ticket to historic Union Station in Los Angeles. When you arrive, take a few minutes to view the train station ceiling and take photos.

A taste of L.A. history

As you exit the station, cross the street to El Pueblo de Los Angeles, where you can take a free 50-minute docent-led walking tour, Tuesday–Saturday at 10, 11 and 12 p.m. Tours start at Las Angelitas del Pueblo on the south side of the plaza, next to the historic firehouse.

Olvera Market.

After the tour, walk to Olvera Street (by then you’ll have picked up an area map) to discover restaurants, museums, and shopping galore. Find time to get ice cream, then continue to the end of Olvera and turn left at W. Cesar Chavez Avenue. The second street on the right will be Broadway. Stop and observe the magnificent Chinatown Gate. You could cross the street and walk through Chinatown; I recommend that for another day.

Post-mod architecture and MOCA

Continue on W. Cesar Chavez, then take a right onto Grand Ave. Stop and visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (closed Sunday). Opened in 2002, the postmodern architecture and fountains make this a worthwhile stop.

Next is the imposing Walt Disney Concert Hall. Self-guided audio & guided tours are offered by the Music Center most days. All tours are an hour long and begin in the Grand Avenue Lobby. Check for date availability.

At 250 S. Grand you’ll discover the Museum of Contemporary Art (free admission Thursday 5–8). Founded in 1979, MOCA is the only museum in Los Angeles devoted exclusively to contemporary art, with over 6800 works.

Still on S. Grand Ave, continue until you reach W. 3rd Street. Look to your left and enter California Plaza where the Watercourt’s located. Take your time and enjoy the fountain and water-jet display. Worth a stop and reflection.

Lunchtime: Grand Central Market

Continue your walk, and you’ve reached “the shortest railway in the world”: the funicular, which dates to 1901, when well-to-do Angelenos rode the Angels Flight Railway for a penny down to the best open-air shopping in town. It’s a short ride, only 300 feet up and down the hill — but currently closed, so you’ll take the steps down to Hill Street.

Grand Central Market, L.A.'s largest and oldest public market.

Facing you across the street is the perfect spot for your lunch break at the Grand Central Market, which dates back to 1917. It’s open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There’s a great variety of fresh-picked fruits and vegetables, meats, fish and poultry, exotic herbs and spices, fresh-cut flowers. Rest your feet! (Bathrooms aren’t the best here.)

Pope of Broadway, a depiction of actor Anthony Quinn by Eloy Torrez.

Murals, Little Tokyo and back to Union Station

Don’t miss a visit to the Bradbury Building at 304 S. Broadway to scope out the Renaissance Revival architecture. And at 242 South Broadway, the Victor Clothing Company’s 100-foot Anthony Quinn mural is worth a look-see.

Continue on S. Broadway, turn right at E. 3rd Avenue, then left on Central Avenue: you’ve reached Little Tokyo. Check both sides of the streets as you continue along Central Ave. Sights include the Japanese American National Museum and the Koyasan Buddhist Temple. Plenty of photo ops await.

You’re now getting close to the return trip home. From any point on Central, turn right and walk until you hit Alameda Street – not more than two blocks. Then continue onto Alameda, and Union Station’s on your right.

Catch the Metrolink back to Oceanside, and don’t forget to check times for your connecting train to San Diego. (Sit on the right side of the second floor for the views.)

If you've done this trip right, your feet are tired but your camera's full of memories. Til the next adventure!

~Michele