Union Station

It is almost impossible not to mention this iconic building that stands on your left: Union Station, Los Angeles’ historic main train station. Opened in 1939, it marked the peak of America’s railroad era and remains the largest passenger station in the western United States. It’s often called “the last of the great railway stations.” Its architecture is captivating, a bold blend of Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission Revival, Art Deco, and Streamline Moderne, designed by father-and-son architects John and Donald Parkinson. Inside, the soaring ceilings, marble floors, travertine walls, arcades, and patios evoke both California’s Hispanic heritage and the modernist style of the 30s. But Union Station also has a darker side: its construction wiped out the old Chinatown, displacing thousands of residents without adequate relocation. Today, the station is a major multimodal transport hub, connecting long-distance and regional trains, metro lines, and buses, and it remains central to the city’s daily life. It’s also become a cinematic landmark, appearing in films such as Blade Runner, Speed, and Catch Me If You Can. Facing the station, at the top of the stairs to your right, is the equestrian statue of Antonio Aguilar, honoring the legendary Mexican singer and actor known as “El Charro de México.” Unveiled in 2012 in Placita de Dolores, the bronze sculpture by Dan Medina shows Aguilar in traditional charro attire, mounted on a rearing horse in a dramatic pose. The statue celebrates Mexico’s equestrian traditions, ranchera music, and the strong ties between Los Angeles and its Mexican-American community, while also highlighting Aguilar’s journey as an artist who came to the U.S. seeking his chance and became beloved on both sides of the border.