The Brief

Welcome to LAist City Treks, a series of easy hikes and walks that will help you explore the parts of Los Angeles and SoCal that we rarely get to see — or only see through the car window. Expect to get about 5K steps, and plenty of photos for your social media channels. Keep scrolling, because you'll also find three recommendations for grabbing a quick bite to eat once you're finished.

Where are we headed?

Why now?

Recently, the Anaheim City Council approved a $1.9 billion plan by Disney to expand the Disneyland resort. But Anaheim is so much more than the Magic Kingdom. This stroll is the best way to take in the area's many sights: It boasts public art and great architecture — including several monuments on the National Register of Historic Places — and is home to a terrific food hall.

Quickly, what can I expect?

• Route conditions: Flat and paved
• Difficulty: An easy 1 on a scale of 1 to 5
• Distance: 3 miles
• Dog friendly: Yes, except in businesses like the Anaheim Packing District
• Parking: Street parking, free
• Bathrooms: At the Pearson Park trailhead, and at businesses along the way (so consider bringing along a few singles to tip in exchange for using the facilities)

Map it!

OK, let’s get started …

Before there were Mickey hats, there were orange trees — 12,000, to be exact, which were uprooted to make room for Walt’s theme park. This route focuses on the area east of Disneyland known as the Packing District, where oranges and lemons — plucked from Anaheim’s miles of citrus groves — were boxed up and shipped to the rest of the country.

What better place to start than Anaheim’s first official city park at the junction of Harbor Boulevard and W. Sycamore Street?

Why this might look familiar

There are plenty of places to just relax and watch the wildlife in this park.

(

Paul Haddad

/

LAist

)

This park is busy with friendly birds who don't mind sharing the road with you.

(

Paul Haddad

/

LAist

)

Established in 1927, Pearson Park boasts several Mission Revival buildings that will remind you of San Diego’s Balboa Park. The only honking you’ll hear in this serene place is from waterfowl. I was accompanied by a noisy pair of geese along a meandering pathway, all of us headed to the large pond on the north end.

Exit the park at its northeast corner, home to the oldest public sculpture in Orange County.

Tell me about this art

This art work honors vineyard workers.

(

Paul Haddad

/

LAist

)

One side of this freestanding column commemorates Polish actress Helena Modjeska, who established Anaheim’s first artists’ colony in 1876; the other side depicts four vineyard workers representative of the city’s early agricultural era.

As you leave the park, turn right so that you are now heading south on N. Lemon Street, one of many allusions to Anaheim’s once thriving produce industry. Our trek through history continues with Anaheim’s oldest residential district. To get there, turn left on Lincoln Avenue, then right on N. Anaheim Boulevard, and then left onto E. Center Street.

Before there was a Mouse House …

As you walk down Center Street, you’ll pass S. Melrose Street and S. Kroeger Street, on your right. Both blocks make up the Kroger-Melrose District —part of the​ National Register of Historic Places — and are worth exploring if you want to log a few extra steps. They contain several Craftsman and California Bungalow homes that make up, according to the Craftsman Perspective, “Anaheim’s most cohesive unit of every Twentieth Century housing stock,” with some Victorian homes dating to the 1890s.

This place used to be a hub of activity back in the day.

(

Paul Haddad

/

LAist

)

At the end of Center Street is an old Union Pacific Railway Station, where boundless crates of fruit began their journeys across the U.S. — juicy spoils that advertised the West Coast as the best coast.

How did the produce get to this train station? By another train, of course! You'll see these old tracks up ahead: Turn right on S. Atchison Street and soon you'll walk past Citrus Park, on your left. Then, turn west onto E. Broadway, left on S. Olive Street and right on E. Santa Ana Street.

Tracking the past

As you walk along Santa Ana, within one block you’ll notice the sudden appearance of railroad tracks jutting into center of the street.

First laid down by Southern Pacific in 1899, this spur was a key conveyance for the Anaheim Orange & Lemon Association to transport its bounties.

Trains bearing citrus fruit once roared through this part of town.

(

Paul Haddad

/

LAist

)

Repurposing, done right

Follow the rail line to the northeast corner of E. Santa Ana Street and S. Anaheim Boulevard. Here, you'll find another Mission Revival beauty, the original Packing House in the Anaheim Packing District. Turn right onto S. Anaheim and enter the Packing House’s driveway, which will lead you to former loading docks that have been converted to restaurant patios.

Inside the warehouse is a bright and airy space with food stalls, beckoning you to grab a bite or quaff a local brew. (If you're hungry by this point, consider Adya, which serves up Indian street food, or the Kroft, which specializes in sandwiches and poutine.)

The whole complex is a textbook example of how to reimagine an old structure while preserving its integrity.

A closer look at the entrance to the Anaheim Packing House: Inside is a modern, vibrant food court. But the outside remains true to its roots.

(

Courtesy Anaheim Packing District

)

A vintage image of the Anaheim Packing House. The reuse stays true to its past.

(

Courtesy Anaheim Packing District

)

Which you're finished exploring the food hall, reorient yourself back on S. Anaheim Boulevard and continue north (walking away from E. Santa Ana Street.) Continue north on Anaheim, then turn left on W. Center Street Promenade. You'll find two pleasant blocks of dining, shopping, and modern street art.

The 100 block includes the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center, which is backdropped by a 1908 Classical Revival building that once housed the Carnegie Library. Look for Carnegie Plaza rooftop sign.

Little park, big history

We have one last stop before we had back to our starting point. Proceed left on S. Clementine Street to its intersection with W. Elm Street. On the southeast corner is a small park. Despite its name, Little People’s Park has an outsized history in Anaheim.

In the 1970s, the neighborhood’s large Latino population protested the tactics of Anaheim’s largely white police force, culminating in an uprising here in 1978.

This noted mural may be worn in some places, but is no less powerful.

(

Paul Haddad

/

LAist

)

To memorialize the moment, Chicano artist Emigdio Vasquez painted a 300-foot mural on the wall of the market on the north side of Elm. After decades of sun-bleaching, the mural was updated in 2023, incorporating key figures and flashpoints in Mexican American history. (The city of Santa Ana just announced it will save another one of Vasquez' murals, called Chicano Gothic, as part of a renovation project.)

If you want to see the mural, turn left on elm and walk nearly to the end of the block. After taking in the mural, backtrack, and now stay on Elm as you walk through the intersection with S. Clementine Street. In two blocks, you'll hit Harbor Boulevard. Turn right onto Harbor Boulevard and walk back to your starting point in Pearson Park.

With apologies to Disney, this was a real-life California adventure, yet no less magical.

Done! Where to eat

LAist's Associate Editor for Food and Culture Gab Chabrán recommends the following three places in the area to grab a bite:

Adya

Adya is a fast casual Indian food stall located in the Anaheim Packing House and is known for putting a modern twist on favorites such as chicken tikka masala and their luscious chicken kebabs, and an assortment of freshly made naans (butter, garlic, goat cheese and keema).  

The Kroft

The Kroft is also located in the Anaheim Packing House, and known for its sandwiches in particular and its comfort foods in general. Fried chicken, cheese steaks, an entire menu of loaded fries, and smash burgers. But if you can only try one thing on the menu, make it the porchetta sandwich.

Tacos los Cholos

You'll have to drive to this one after you're back at your car, but Tacos los Cholos is worth the added mileage: They've been called the best tacos in Southern California. You'll also find burritos, quesadillas ... and keto tacos, too. Save room for the churro cheesecake.

A refrigerated warehouse operated by Lineage Logistics has burned in Boyle Heights for nearly a week. Public health officials are urging residents nearby and downwind to protect themselves from the smoky air.

But what exactly is in the air is still unclear.

Authorities say they’ve cleared the most hazardous materials — ammonia and lithium-ion batteries — from the fire zone. A spokesperson for the L.A. Fire Department said foam insulation, wood pallets of food, and solar panels on top of the 500,000 square-foot building continue to smolder.

Materials including plastics, electronics and even rotting meat are likely burning, which means the pollution particles emitted “tend to be highly enriched with toxic organics, toxic metals, that are above and beyond what just normal, day-to-day air pollution would look like,” said UCLA air pollution researcher Yifang Zhu.

She said air quality indexes may capture the concentration of particulate matter in the air, but not necessarily the specific toxins in them.

“You'll have almost like a double jeopardy in a sense that the levels [of particulate matter] are higher, and the toxicity is also higher,” she said.

Measuring heavy metals or volatile organic compounds requires special monitoring equipment, Zhu said.

“It’s very difficult to measure,” she said.

But she suspects at least some types of health-harming heavy metals are likely to be in the smoke.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado on Monday called for more specifics about what is in the smoke.

People “shouldn't have to guess about what they're breathing or rely on rumors, scattered information and updates, and incomplete information,” she said at a news conference. Jurado, whose council district includes Boyle Heights, added that data from regulators, such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District, should be released in clear, understandable language in English and Spanish.

The South Coast AQMD told LAist before Jurado spoke that the agency has monitors that measure particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, but not other types of pollutants. The agency said it has set up additional monitors at Eastman Avenue Elementary and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School. The agency added that the Environmental Protection Agency is also monitoring air quality at the fence line of the facility. LAist has reached out to the EPA for details.

Zhu added that even when the fire is eventually put out, the cleanup can kick up even more pollution — a lesson learned through her research after the L.A. fires.

“ I think people really need to take precautions,” Zhu said, emphasizing that those closest to the fire and downwind should avoid being outside as much as possible, keep windows closed, run a HEPA or MERV 13 air filter, and wear an N95 or similar mask otherwise.

UC Irvine toxicology professor Michael Kleinman said if thawed meat is also burning, that could lead to further toxic gases being released.

Experts urged precautions, especially if you smell smoke.

“ For people who are very close to the fire, like the firefighters themselves, they have exposure to both particulate matter and potential toxic gases, and that's why you'll see them wearing respirators,” said UC Irvine chemistry professor Suzanne Blum. “But once you're some feet away from the building, then the primary concern is the particulate smoke that is coming from this fire.”

As the Boyle Heights warehouse fire burns into its sixth day, SoCal residents are increasingly concerned about the air quality and potential health risks that come with breathing in the smoke. So, what alerts have been issued so far and how can residents be prepared?

Both Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency on Saturday, a designation that helps California coordinate with local agencies to make sure there are enough resources for the firefight and residents who have been affected after a fire started at a cold storage industrial facility. Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis said at a press conference Monday that  the county is "delivering supplies, air filters, and air purifiers" to local households.

Los Angeles County public health officials and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) also issued a particle pollution advisory that remained in effect until today. Affected areas included: Central Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, East San Fernando Valley and Northwest San Bernardino Valley.

Although recent air quality readings appear as “moderate” to “good” on South Coast AQMD’s website, the fire is still burning and might be for a few more days.

So what can SoCal residents do to protect themselves?

If the air quality index reads “good” or “poses little to no risk” in some areas, hazardous ash can still be present. If you see ash on your car, or windowsills, you might want to stay inside if possible. In “moderate” or yellow zones, unusually sensitive people are also recommended to avoid longer periods outside.

In the next few days, some might notice windblown ash floating in the air or coating outdoor surfaces. These particles are otherwise known as “fine particulate matter,” which consists of soot, burned plastic and perhaps even traces of the spoiling frozen food from inside the warehouse.

Why that matters

Too much exposure from these materials may cause temporary irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. If you suffer from health issues that are exacerbated by poor air quality, like respiratory illnesses, you may be affected by these conditions even more.

Four expert tips to protect yourself and your family:

• If you smell smoke or see ash, try to remain indoors with the windows closed. If you can’t, consider stepping outside with an N-95 mask, and refrain from engaging in any rigorous physical activity. 
• In your homes, also avoid using whole house fans (air conditioning is okay), as they can bring in the polluted air from outdoors. 
• If you have an air purifier, this is the time to use it. 
• Avoid using fireplaces, candles and vacuums, as they can introduce toxins into the clean, indoor environment.

For more guidance on precautions following the fires, visit Los Angeles County’s public health website for more. South Coast AQMD’s website also has more healthy and safety tips.

Updated June 22, 2026 at 16:22 PM ET

Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi has broken the record for most World Cup scoring.

Messi made the record goal, his 17th, during the first half of Monday's game against Austria. It was a heated match. Austria attacked relentlessly, and Argentina relied on its defense and on goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez. And, near the end in stoppage time, Messi scored again, finishing off at 2-0.

The team captain started off the World Cup with a bang: in the opener against Algeria, Messi scored a hat trick: three goals. A rare feat in soccer. He has scored all five goals for Argentina this World Cup. With the win, Argentina advances to the knockout round.

Messi hails from the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, an area known for producing excellent players. He faced challenges at an early age: he had a hormonal growth deficiency, which was difficult to treat in his hometown, given the severe economic crisis facing Argentina in the late 1990s. By 2001, the Messi family had decided to accept an offer for him to join La Masia, FC Barcelona's youth academy, in Spain. Messi was 13 years old.

It was at Barca that he rose to fame and developed his unique style of walking the pitch, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to jump on the ball, dribble skillfully past his opponents, and score.

Argentina's Lionel Messi, now the all-time World Cup scoring leader, celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group match against Austria.

(

Francois Nel

/

Getty Images

)

Although a legend of Barca and European soccer, he often expressed a desire to play for the Argentine national team in a World Cup. He got his chance in his 20's, but it wasn't smooth: he was widely seen as a foreigner who had not paid his dues in the Argentine soccer system. His measured, calculating style of play was often misunderstood in South America, where players tended to have a quicker, more aggressive technique.

There were several World Cup attempts that were disappointing, and after the 2016 World Cup, he announced he would not be playing again. "It's over," he said outside the locker room, visibly shaken. "I tried so hard, it is unbelievable, but it hasn't worked. Me and this team are through."

The tides turned under the leadership of Argentine Coach Lionel Scaloni, and Messi led the team to a Copa America victory in 2021. Argentina won the World Cup the following year.

This is Messi's sixth World Cup and he's considered one of the best players in soccer history.

Messi also surpassed Brazilian superstar Marta, who had scored 17 goals at the Women's World Cup.

Copyright 2026 NPR

More than two dozen state historic parks are free through the end of the year in honor of Juneteenth — and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the free “special edition Historian Passport,” which typically costs $50, as a rebuke to President Donald Trump’s attempts to “rewrite the past,” according to a news release by the governor’s office.

Since his inauguration, Trump has ordered staff working at all National Park Service locations to remove any content that casts Americans in a negative light from parks, monuments and memorials.

“California doesn’t hide from hard truths and uncomfortable history — in fact, we embrace it and learn from it,” Newsom wrote.

Until July 6, Californians can download the state historic park pass for free and use it as many times as they want through the end of 2026. The pass gives free entry to state historic parks for up to four people.

The Historian Passport grants entry to more than 30 state historic parks, including parks like Olompali and Malakoff Diggins which, rather than just providing outdoor recreation, also have an educational emphasis on the state’s history.

Jack London State Historic Park in Napa Valley, California.

(

Ablokhin

/

Getty Images

)

Many of these parks tell the story of the state’s cultural or indigenous history, from missions and museums to temples and the site that sparked the California Gold Rush.

Newsom made a similar move to make state parks free for Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, in response to Trump’s decision to eliminate the holiday from the list of fee-free days at national parks across the country, replacing it with his birthday on Flag Day.

How to get your free Historian Passport for up to four people

You must make an account with the state’s reservation site ReserveCalifornia.com to obtain a Historian Pass. Then, visit the site’s Advance Passes page and select “Special Edition Historian Passport” from the dropdown menu, which will show as costing $0. No payment information is required.

After checking out, you’ll receive an email with an attached PDF version of your Historian Passport.

The state recommends you print off this PDF to present at any California state historic park for free entry, although you may just be able to show the image on your phone too.

Bear in mind that cellphone service may be poor at many state historic parks, so it’s worth screenshotting the PDF to save it as an image on your phone in case you’re unable to search your email.

Looking for free entry to other state parks that aren’t included in the Historian Passport? Consider checking out a parks pass from your local library, which provides these passes as part of the California State Library Parks Pass program.

KQED’s Carly Severn contributed to this report.