Silver Lake's Hidden Painted Stairways: Private Walking Tour

What your day looks like

Embark on an exciting journey through the hidden staircases of Silver Lake, a vibrant and beautiful section of East Los Angeles with 52 historic stairways adorned with vibrant colours and geometric patterns. These stairways are reminders of a time when the city installed them to serve as direct routes for pedestrians to get down the hills to school, markets, and transit lines. On this private walking tour, you will step past bright swatches of yellow, orange, purple and green; past painted red hearts and another colourful decor as you ascend higher up Silver Lakes’ famous painted staircases, decorated by local artists. Here you will find a mix of old and new – and part of the neighborhood’s revival are these fabulous staircases which have become the shining star of Silver Lake. Back in the day, the city was alive with the sounds of trolleys, buses, and trains, and these stairways played a significant role in connecting people to their destinations. Nowadays, they are used as an alternative to gyms, providing a killer workout while taking in the beautiful sights of Silver Lake. Attractions along this route: - Upper Swan Stairs: One of the most famous murals in Silver Lake is the "LA Jet Aime" mural. Enjoy not just this picture-worthy spot, but the views of DTLA at the top. - Silver Lake Recreation Center: At the heart of this neighborhood, the recreation center sits on the southern side of the Silver Lake Reservoir. - Lower Swan Stairs: In the first part of the three sets of Swan Stairs, all three were painted by Evelyn Leigh, who was commissioned in 2015 by the city. - Middle Swan Stairs: The second installment of the Swan Stairs, the middle set utilizes triangles and bright colors to entertain climbers. - Lower Micheltorena Stairway: Though these stairs are due for renovation, they represent the old and new melding together, as is characteristic of the neighborhood. - Descanso Stairway: The crumbling stairs are the main access path for people in the neighborhood and provide beautiful views of the Silver Lake Reservoir.