Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Happy Birthday Los Angeles!
Did you know today is the 226th birthday of El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles -- aka L.A.? The old bitch is looking pretty good for her age!
Although the city did not incorporate until 1850, September 4th, 1781 is the date that 44 Mexican pobladores set out from San Gabriel with a military escort to settle alongside a great river -- then called the Rio de Porciuncula, later to be rechristianed the Los Angeles River.
LAist was there on Sunday, despite the near-paralyzing heat, to celebrate the occasion with Los Pobladores 200 -- descendents of the original 44, who still make the nine-mile trek from the San Gabriel Mission to the Los Angeles River every year. The LA Times was also there (but we covered it better).
LA City Nerd made up a list of 225 Ways to Celebrate L.A.'s Birthday last year, but we see no reason why you can't try your hand at a few ways this year. Our favorites include:
1) Visit The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Palms. (It's Werner Herzog's favorite!)
2) Eat a traditional Ethiopian meal in Little Ethiopia.
3) Visit the only Mission in Los Angeles, located (naturally) in Mission Hills.
4) Take one of the LA Conservancy's Walking Tours; they conveniently feature Angelino Heights as a destination.
5) Explore Westwood by foot: start at the Wilshire/Gayley intersection and work your way up to Sunset Boulevard, making sure to stop for a breather in UCLA's Sculpture Garden.
Of course, the best way this week to celebrate the birth of the best city in the world would be to say a friendly hello to your neighbors, conserve energy while the heat wave is still raging, and patronize some small, local-run businesses and restaurants.
Sponsored message
What are your suggestions for honoring L.A.'s birthday?
We might go home and make a model of a mission out of sugar cubes and popsicle sticks, but that's just us.
Photo of El Pueblo Plaza de Los Angeles by The City Project via Flickr.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
