The Complete Guide to Street Art in DTLA’s Arts District
Edited on
Maddie (Left) and Moose (right) enjoy some of LA’s fabulous art offerings. #FreiheitBerlinLA
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I’m fortunate enough to live in the Arts District in bustling Downtown Los Angeles. The LA street art scene is one of the most vibrant in the world and showcases this better than the street art in DTLA’s Arts District. Every day while walking my dog, I’m surrounded by vibrant murals, cool graffiti, slick stencils, and cool yarn bombs. A few years ago, I started taking pictures of this amazing street art and sharing it on my Instagram. It became rather popular, so I thought I should share it on this blog for the world to see.
Whether you’re visiting LA for the first time or you live here and you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path activity, you’re sure to love this guide to Los Angeles street art.
A Guide to Graffiti, Murals, Yarn Bombs, and Other Street Art in LA
One of the big things I’ve been meaning to get around to is creating a mapped database of street art in Los Angeles. Having lived in The Arts District for eight years, I’ve seen a lot of street art come and go. And having an adorable French bulldog, I’ve walked past these stunning murals, yarn bombs, stencils, graffiti art pieces, and sculptures many, many times. In April 2018, I began taking photos of my Frenchie pup, Maddie, posing in front of street art in Los Angeles. I was turning these photos into my own little bound photo book collection with the help of Chatbooks. By April 2020, I had over 20 hardcover photo books, 610 different street art photos, and a very well-trained French bulldog who had completely mastered “sit” and “wait.”
Heart Graffiti, Los Angeles near Willow Studios
Where Can I Find Murals In Los Angeles?
If you Google DTLA street art, you’ll find several “best of” LA graffiti and mural sites and a Wheelchair Accessible Tour of Street Art in LA’s Arts District, but you won’t find a comprehensive database of every mural LA has to offer. Given the transient nature of street art, I was always a little bummed that nobody was cataloging these amazing works of art online for the world to see. So, with my newfound copious leisure time, I’ve taken the liberty of uploading these photos and pinning them into Google Maps. You can now click on each pin, see the photo, find out exactly where the best graffiti artists are putting up their work, and plan your own walking tour to check out LA’s thriving art scene.
For those with mobility issues, I highly recommend exploring the area around The Container Yard as there are always large-scale murals and wide-open sidewalks and streets that are easily navigated in a wheelchair or scooter. The perimeter of their property is filled with some of the best Arts District mural work painted by the world’s top Street Artists. You can find a ton of graffiti wall art, stencils, yarn bombs, and awesome LA murals in this few-block area as well as the areas around Traction Avenue at The American Hotel extending down to Angel City Brewery (Alameda Ave & 3rd Street), and around Mateo Street just north and south of 7th.
As you will see on the map below, some of the art is located down alleys and other less accessible areas. Please exercise caution when exploring! Since the pandemic, some of these areas have become homeless encampments and are not safe to walk through. Crime has increased in DTLA over the past few years, and it is best to stick to high-traffic areas and stay alert.
Keep in mind, Downtown Los Angeles street art, like street art everywhere, is only temporary, and some of the graffiti, murals, and other public works of art have since been covered up. But many of these pieces still exist. Especially the larger Los Angeles murals by some of the more famous graffiti artists like Christina Angelina, Shepard Fairey, WRDSMTH, Tristan Eaton, David Choe, and RISK. The streets of LA are like a living museum with ever-changing exhibits… If people relieved themselves in the middle of museums.
LA Iconic Street Art Kobe Bryant Mural Los Angeles – Alameda & 4th Street (NOT 4th Place)
Photographing Street Art in DTLA
All of my Los Angeles mural photos feature my adorable French bulldog, Maddie, who is quite cooperative and photogenic… unless she sees something delicious like a half-eaten cheeseburger in the gutter. Then she’s done with the murals of Los Angeles, and I’m desperately trying to wrangle trash out of her mouth. Ah, city living!
I hope you check out our photos and enjoy playing around with the map below. Most of the LA street art I’ve included is in the Arts District, Los Angeles Flower District, Los Angeles Fashion District, and Los Angeles Jewelry District, but you’ll find a little bonus art in Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice, Mid-City, and East LA areas. Full disclosure, the map still has a few kinks I’m trying to work out, so please bear with me as I adjust some pins and try to figure out a system to add artists’ credit attribution.
Visit LA Street Art
If you don’t want to sign up for a proper LA street art tour, you can plan your art tours of downtown LA with the help of my handy LA Arts District map. Until then, enjoy your virtual tour of the street art of Los Angeles.
If you have any questions on where to find a specific piece, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out through the Sick Girl Travels email address.
(Map might take a few seconds to load because there are a lot of images. Sorry!)
Great Books About Street Art
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the history of the Los Angeles street art scene I suggest the great books below.
FAQs About Street Art in DTLA’s Arts District
Where can you find the best street art in DTLA’s Arts District?
Start around The Container Yard, then explore Traction Avenue, East Third Street, and Mateo Street near Seventh Street. These areas feature murals, graffiti, stencils, and smaller street-art discoveries. Use the map in this guide to choose a cluster of nearby pieces rather than trying to cover the entire neighborhood.
Is it free to see the Arts District murals?
Yes. Murals visible from public sidewalks can be enjoyed without an admission ticket, making this a great budget-friendly Los Angeles outing. Guided tours, parking, and refreshments cost extra. Artwork inside private buildings or gated courtyards may require separate access, so don’t assume every photographed mural is publicly accessible.
Can you take a self-guided Arts District street art tour?
Absolutely. Use the mural map linked in this guide to select your favorite pieces and build a route around them. Check the distances between stops before heading out, since the map also includes artwork beyond the Arts District. Leave room for unexpected discoveries along the way.
How much time should you allow for an Arts District street art tour?
I recommend two to three hours for a relaxed outing with photography stops and a coffee break. If you’re adding galleries, shopping, and lunch, allow half a day. Travelers with limited energy can choose a few nearby murals and save another part of the neighborhood for a future visit.
Is the Arts District street art route wheelchair accessible?
Many murals can be viewed from sidewalks, but there isn’t one universally accessible route covering every piece. Uneven pavement, construction, driveway slopes, and obstructions can affect access. The area around The Container Yard is a useful starting point from my guide, but check current conditions and plan accessible rest stops.
What is the best time of day to photograph Arts District murals?
I recommend morning or late afternoon for more comfortable exploring and potentially softer light. The best lighting depends on which direction each wall faces, so some murals photograph better at different times. Bring water, check the forecast, and avoid planning a long outdoor route during the hottest part of the day.
Will all the murals in this guide still be there?
Not necessarily. Street art changes as walls are repainted, buildings change hands, and new work replaces older pieces. This guide also preserves photographs of artwork that may no longer exist. Treat the map as both a planning resource and an archive, and check recent photos before making a special trip for one mural.
Can you visit The Container Yard to see street art?
The exterior walls around The Container Yard are a highlight of this guide. Plan to view artwork from public sidewalks, and check directly with the venue before expecting access inside. A mural photo taken within the property doesn’t mean the interior is open for everyday sightseeing.
What is a good gallery to combine with an Arts District mural tour?
Hauser & Wirth at 901 East Third Street is a convenient addition. Admission to its gallery and garden is free, with no advance booking required for general entry. Its public areas are wheelchair accessible. Check the exhibition schedule before visiting. Hauser & Wirth visitor information and accessibility details
How can you enjoy Arts District street art without much walking?
Choose one small cluster of murals and arrange parking or a drop-off nearby. Keep your return journey short, schedule a seated break, and make additional stops optional. You can also browse the photographs through the map linked in this post when you’d prefer to explore the artwork from home.
What should you keep in mind when photographing street art?
Keep sidewalks, entrances, and curb ramps clear while taking pictures. Stay out of the roadway, respect private property, and avoid touching or climbing on artwork. When sharing photos, credit the artist whenever you can identify them. A location tag is helpful, but the person who painted the wall deserves recognition too.
Jenn Lloyd is a disabled travel blogger and television writer based in Los Angeles. After a successful career writing for shows like KC Undercover and The Thundermans, she launched Sick Girl Travels to share her experiences navigating the world with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and fibromyalgia. Having visited 40 U.S. states, 39 countries, and all 7 continents, Jenn offers inclusive travel guides with accessibility tips for those with mobility challenges. Her work has been featured on CNN, Huffington Post, and Consumer Reports. When not traveling, she enjoys fostering dogs, photographing street art, and spending time with her French bulldog, Miss Madelyn Pew.
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Americas, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Street Art, South America
Americas, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Street Art, South America
Americas, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Street Art, South America