The Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway was dedicated on December 30, 1940 and holds the legendary reputation of being the first freeway to be constructed in the West.
The fact that this freeway was declared a National Scenic Byway in spite of being a highway as the classic definition of highways go, says volumes about what you can expect on a jaunt down this picturesque route. The parkway was built to connect Los Angeles and Pasadena and was originally designed by Spencer Cortelyou. At the time of its construction, the 8.2 mile long parkway was considered a revolutionary breakthrough in engineering, laying the foundations for the California Freeway System which was soon to follow. The freeway is also considered an apt representation of the cultural diversity in the region, connecting some of the most ethnically and historically diverse communities in all of Los Angeles.
The original stretch of the freeway is now considered to be obsolete and even dangerous by many modern drivers, while others revel in the excitement the steep curves, cramped driving lanes and risky discontinuous ramps offer them. Also, the six-lane freeway is not equipped with shoulders, an unthinkably dangerous flaw as per modern-day driving safety standards. The Arroyo Seco Parkway has even earned itself a degree of notoriety on account of its ramps never being fixed, despite reiterated demands by numerous motorists over the years.
During your trip down the freeway, keep your eyes peeled for the Los Angeles Memorial, Coliseum, the Shrine Auditorium which is a popular venue for several significant move and music awards, Chinatown and Staples Center, whose claim to fame is as the home of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. Movie buffs will be thrilled to know that this freeway has been a favorite with many television and cinema and has also shared the spotlight in many noteworthy productions.
All in all, if you are looking to view some of the most spectacular and eclectic vistas that California has to offer, while also experiencing first-hand the perils of the most talked-about freeway in the state, then a trip down the Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway will definitely be well worth your while.
The Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway
Los Angeles, CA
