A group of friends recently embarked on their fourth annual big walk, taking 37,000 steps forward and one step back as they traversed Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Having previously tackled the lengthy Western Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, the group chose a more manageable 15.5-mile route along Pico this year.
Though not as grand as their prior adventures, Pico Boulevard offered ample opportunities for conversation, reflection, and exploration.
Starting their journey at 9 a.m. on the outskirts of downtown, they completed their trek about 9½ hours later, reaching the sandy shores of Santa Monica.
Along the way, the walkers encountered friends, made new connections, and rediscovered familiar areas of their shared hometown.
The group’s guiding principles remained simple: select a long Los Angeles street ending at the ocean, starting from the opposite end where a special marker is located.
Pico Boulevard commenced at a striking giant Coca-Cola bottle outside a historic bottling facility, a notable piece of Streamline Moderne architecture.
The journey picked up momentum when, just two miles in, they joined CicLAmini—a car-free festival—taking over the street and feeling a unique sense of freedom.
Participants appreciated the availability of portable toilets, something a frequent walker in Los Angeles knows is hard to find.
At eight miles into the walk, the group decided to pause for lunch in Pico-Robertson, a neighborhood bursting with diverse dining options influenced by the late food critic Jonathan Gold.
Though they preferred to dine together, a lack of public green spaces near Pico required the group to split up and sample various local restaurants.
Highlights included Pizzeria Sei, Factor’s Famous Deli, Jeff’s Gourmet Sausage Factory, and The Rooster, showcasing the culinary diversity along Pico Boulevard.
In contrast to their previous walking routes, Pico proved to be pedestrian-friendly, offering sidewalks for nearly the entire journey.
Several segments of the boulevard are imbued with history, like the sidewalk engravings near Bonnie Brae Street, depicting Victorian houses reminiscent of the neighborhood.
As they reached eastern Santa Monica, they discovered painted timelines on the sidewalks, providing historical context about the area leading to the Pacific Ocean.
However, the group learned that exploring beyond Pico was not straightforward; visible gates blocked access to neighboring communities between Arlington Avenue and La Brea Avenue, highlighting contentious city council issues.
Their observations extended beyond the neighborhoods, as they noted unusual office building facades resembling Packard Well Site and Cardiff Tower, which concealed oil derricks and rigs within.
The Los Angeles Department of City Planning had identified these locations as significant remnants of oil production facilities nestled within commercial corridors.
Pico Boulevard uniquely serves only two cities—Los Angeles and Santa Monica—contrasting with other thoroughfares that stretch across multiple jurisdictions.
As the group progressed, they encountered a continuous blend of distinct neighborhoods, with signs indicating the intersection of Wilshire Vista and Little Ethiopia at Fairfax Avenue.
Their final pit stop was The Daily Pint, a local bar where the staff recognized their exhaustion as they entered, sweaty and laden with backpacks.
A prior customer had embarked on a similar journey as a humorous punishment for losing in fantasy football, but the group assured the bartender their walk was purely for enjoyment.
After a refreshing break, they continued toward the beach, where the sunset welcomed them at the Santa Monica Pier.
Pico Boulevard ends uniquely at the shore, with an elegant transition marked by eight steps leading down to S-shaped sidewalks, differentiating it from other lengthy streets.
This year, the walking group comprised 22 starters, with 19 finishing, including a courageous 4-month-old participant.
Circumstances felt different this time; the residual impact of January’s Eaton fire had displaced several members, and some still awaited their return to stable living conditions.
The shorter distance and reflective nature of this year’s walk fostered a contemplative atmosphere, allowing participants to cherish memories along the way.
Many of the walkers were long-time residents, familiar with older versions of the spaces they passed.
For example, a former coffee shop transformed into a nail salon was among the changes noted, as was Catch One, once a historic Black-owned disco.
The group also mourned the recent closing of Papa Cristo’s Greek Grill, a beloved establishment at Pico and Normandie, with its building now on the market for more than $5 million.
Yet, some venues like The Mint and The Apple Pan continued to thrive, having sustained their presence in the community for decades.
During a moment of respite, one walker shared a book of Mary Oliver poems, inviting others to listen and read aloud whenever they felt inspired.
They stumbled upon the poem “Yes! No!” emphasizing the importance of wandering slowly, observing the world while calling out affirmations.
With its theme of mindfulness resonating, the poem encapsulated their day.
Though imperfections marked their journey, it was rewarding, and they felt accomplished for once again taking on a long walk together.
The experience reaffirmed the importance of community, exploration, and the rich stories embedded in the streets of Los Angeles.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2025-05-27/walking-all-of-pico-boulevard-in-a-day
