Downtown Los Angeles - California Historic Route 66 Association

Broadway was the original path of The Mother Road into downtown L.A. Along the way, it passed just two blocks from L.A.'s historic Plaza, the birthplace of Los Angeles and home of the 1822 Plaza Church and world-famous Olvera Street.
At the time of Route 66's designation in 1926, its terminus at 7th & Broadway was the busiest intersection in the world. After its extension to Santa Monica in 1936, Route 66 avoided the heart of downtown and instead proceeded west on Sunset Boulevard through L.A. neighborhoods Echo Park and Silver Lake.
The original heart of Los Angeles’ entertainment scene, the bustling Broadway corridor was lined with vaudeville venues and ornate picture palaces which hosted many film premieres. During the street’s heyday, Broadway also welcomed locals and travelers with grand department stores, restaurants, and neon-lit shops.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Broadway Theater and Commercial District, Broadway features over a dozen historic theaters, stunning architecture, and vintage neon signs that harken back to the early golden age of cinema.
Today, the district is undergoing a renaissance – offering trendy restaurants and bars, art galleries, hotels, lofts, and revitalized theaters hosting concerts, screenings, and other events. Walking Broadway gives you a direct link to the excitement and glamour of the past, making it an essential stop for anyone exploring Los Angeles and Route 66.

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