Famous Attractions Along the Los Angeles Marathon Route

Mile 2 of the marathon includes running near popular Olvera Street. Known as the "birthplace of Los Angeles," Olvera Street features historic structures, tree-lined walkways and a Mexican marketplace with cafes, restaurants, street vendors and gift shops. While you're there, enjoy great Mexican food, hear mariachi music and watch Mexican folkloric dancers.

Mile 3 of the marathon goes through Downtown Los Angeles and runs adjacent to Los Angeles City Hall. Since 1928, the iconic city hall building has towered over Los Angeles and serves as a monument to its era. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Los Angeles and has been featured in films and television shows.

Mile 4 of the marathon nears the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Designed by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, this world-famous concert hall is known for its striking exterior - with stainless steel curves resembling flailing sheets of music - and its state-of-the-art auditorium. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which performs classical music concerts throughout the year.

Mile 6 of the marthon takes runners through the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles and alongside the famous Echo Park Lake. A man-made lake with a towering fountain, Echo Park beckons visitors to ride the pedal boats and stroll its perimeter. Shady walkways, a cafe, and scenic views of the lake and surrounding neighborhood make Echo Park a pleasant place to visit.

Runners have the chance of running on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on mile 10 of the marathon. The Walk of Fame celebrates honors celebrities in film, television, music and other media with over 2,500 brass and terrazzo stars placed in the sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard. See if you can find your favorite celebrity's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX is a course marker on mile 11 of the marathon. It's one of the most famous movie theatres in the world, with footprints and handprints of some of Hollywood's most legendary actors and actresses cemented in its forecourt. You can see how your footprints compare to celebrities like John Wayne, Sylvester Stallone, or even Donald Duck.

Mile 17 runs through the Century City neighborhood of Los Angeles. The main attraction is the Westfield Century City - an upscale mall with several high-end stores such as Bloomingdale's, fabulous dining options, and entertainment.

Mile 19 of the marathon passes by Westwood Village and the Hammer Museum. This museum and cultural center has a large collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including works from Rembrandt, Moreau, and Van Gogh. The Hammer Museum also showcases contemporary art, graphic art and sculpture.

On mile 25, runners will pass Palisades Park, which has breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. It's a great place to catch a beautiful sunset from its sandstone bluffs. The park is great for picnicking as well, and has over 30 varieties of plants and trees.

The end of the marathon goes through Santa Monica, near the world-famous Santa Monica Pier. The pier has been featured in several television shows and films, and is a major tourism destination in Los Angeles. It has shops, restaurants, and even an amusement park, with a solar-powered ferris wheel that offers visitors a towering view over the ocean.