A walk through Old L.A.
North Figueroa is Highland Park’s original main street — and a stretch of historic Route 66. Here’s how to get here, and what to look for once you do.
Leave the car at home.
Highland Park Station
At Marmion Way & Avenue 58, a block from Figueroa and steps from the Tuesday market.
Avenue 50 to York Blvd
About 13 blocks of North Figueroa — easy to walk end to end.
If streets could talk.
Fifteen mosaic panels set into the sidewalks of North Figueroa illustrate Highland Park’s past: Tongva life along the Arroyo, Charles Lummis’ cultural imprint, the Chicano political surge of the Vietnam era, bygone general stores, trolleys, and an incline railway to a hotel atop Mount Washington.
Designed by the SWA Group and crafted by artists Wick Alexander and Robin Brailsford as part of LADOT’s Highland Park Streetscape Project, with support from the L.A. Neighborhood Initiative, the Highland Park Ebell Club, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, the North Figueroa Association and others. The NFA’s executive director, Misty Iwatsu, put it simply: the mosaics “show new generations what Highland Park is and how we got here.”
The Mother Road turns 100.
Figueroa is a stretch of historic Route 66, and 2026 marks the highway’s centennial. The Route 66 Main Street of America Centennial Caravan set out from Santa Monica on June 6, 2026 on a 20-day drive to Chicago — with a scheduled Highland Park stop to visit Chicken Boy and other local landmarks.
Chicken Boy stands on the roof of Future Studio at 5558 N. Figueroa St.
Highland Park Veterans Memorial
The Highland Park Veterans Memorial stands where North Figueroa meets York Boulevard. On Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, the community gathered there for a Day of National Remembrance hosted by the Benjamin Franklin High School JROTC, honoring all who served and sacrificed.
U.S. Navy · SEAL Team OneCommander Robert Ramirez IIINavy SEAL Museum tribute
U.S. Marine Corps · 1968Andres SorchiniOne of the many faces from the Vietnam Roll of HonorWall of Faces
Relighting the landmarks.
The NFA’s district identity work keeps Highland Park looking like itself — from the sidewalk mosaics to the Angels Walk Highland Park stanchions and the relighting of the Highland Theatre and Manning’s signs.
Make a day of it.
Lummis Home & Gardens
The hand-built stone home of Charles Lummis, one of the figures pictured in the Figueroa mosaics.
Heritage Square Museum
Victorian-era homes and buildings preserved along the Arroyo Seco.
Southwest Museum
The historic hilltop museum founded by Charles Lummis.
Los Angeles Police Museum
Housed in the historic Highland Park police station.
Highland Park, on screen.
With its historic luster and picturesque architecture, Highland Park has long been a favorite backdrop for commercials, films and TV. We welcome productions — and ask that the proper steps be taken when filming within the BID.
All filming in Los Angeles is permitted through FilmLA, the nonprofit that coordinates on-location permits for the City. Permits are issued in accordance with each jurisdiction’s policies, including Highland Park’s.