Walking: it’s good for your health, it’s zero-emission and it’s a great way to get to know a neighborhood from the ground up (pun intended). Now that the weather is slightly more cooperative, it’s a good time to get out there and pound the pavement.

Here are 11 great walking tours to help you get started. The tours are perfect for people hoping to get to know a new neighborhood, or for those who live in the area and want to learn more about it.

• Union Station Art Tour: learn about historic Union Station’s art and architecture with Metro Art Moves and visit spaces not generally open to the public. The tours take place on the second Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m. To reach Union Station, take the Red, Purple, Gold or Silver Line, or use Metro Bike Share. Many Metro and municipal buses also serve the station. Metro Art Moves tours are free and open to all ages.

• Art Deco Walking Tour: learn how Art Deco made its way to L.A. The tours take place every Saturday at 10 a.m. from Pershing Square, which is easily accessible via the Red/Purple Line Pershing Square Station, Metro Bike Share and multiple Metro buses. This tour is operated by the Los Angeles Conservancy and costs $15 for adults and $10 for youth. Paid reservations are recommended.

• Historic Downtown Walking Tour: get an overview of downtown L.A. history and architecture. The tours take place every Saturday at 10 a.m. from Pershing Square, which is easily accessible via the Red/Purple Line Pershing Square Station, Metro Bike Share, and multiple Metro buses. This tour is operated by the Los Angeles Conservancy and costs $15 for adults and $10 for youth. Paid reservations are recommended.

• Haunted Tales Tour: perfect for October but also great any time of year. Hear about the dark side of downtown L.A. (Parental guidance is advised.) The tour meets at 6:30 p.m. at Pico House, located a short walk from Union Station. This tour is operated by Downtown LA Walking Tours and costs $17 for adults, check their site for operating dates.

• Red Line Art Tour: learn about the artworks in Red Line stations with Metro Art Moves. The tours take place on the first Saturday of each month from the Red Line Hollywood/Highland Station and on the first Sunday of each month from Union Station. Both tours meet at 10 a.m. Metro Art Moves tours are free and open to all ages.

• Heart of Hollywood Tour: learn about the history of Hollywood and see the most iconic buildings on the Walk of Fame. The tour meets at 10:30 a.m. at Pantages Theatre, which is right across the street from the Red Line Hollywood/Vine Station. This tour is operated by Real Los Angeles Tours and costs $20 for adults. Tickets must be booked in advance. Check their site for operating dates.

• Culver City Walking Tour: see the studios where many of Hollywood’s movies were actually made. The tour route starts just a short walk from the Expo Line Culver City Station or you can hop on a Culver City Bus. This tour is a free self-guided tour.

• Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk Tour: get to know hidden stories and the salty past of this beachfront artist’s community. The Venice Beach area is served by Metro Rapid 733 and various other bus lines and Metro Bike Share. The tour is operated by Venice Beach Walking Tour and starts at $40. There are multiple tours daily, check their site for specific dates, times and meeting location.

• Murals of Venice Walking Tour: check out the murals, historic and modern architecture and contemporary and controversial public art around Venice Beach. The Venice Beach area is served by Metro Rapid 733 and various other bus lines and Metro Bike Share. This tour is a free self-guided tour.

• Highland Park Heritage Trust Walking Tour: explore the Sycamore Grove area of Highland Park, one of Los Angeles’ oldest neighborhoods. The tours take place every other month on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Meet at Sycamore Grove Park, located a short walk from the Gold Line Southwest Museum Station. This tour is operated by Highland Park Heritage Trust and costs $10.

• Historical Santa Monica Pier Walking Tour: great if you’re looking for a short walk and some historical knowledge about the Pier, located less than a five-minute walk from the Expo Line Downtown Santa Monica Station. The area is also served by Metro and municipal buses and both Metro and Breeze bike share. The tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and noon. This tour is operated by the Santa Monica Pier and is free to the public.

Have you been on any of these walking tours? How were they? Or do you have some other tours to recommend? Let us know in the comments. Happy walking!

BONUS

Saturday, Oct. 21: Join Metro commissioned artist Walter Hood for a free walking tour along the Santa Monica Palisades to explore the inspiration behind his future sculptural artwork at the Expo Line’s Downtown Santa Monica Station from 10 a.m. to noon.

Walk to Dodger Stadium from Chinatown Station: this one isn’t a walking tour, but it’s a way for you to get around crazy downtown traffic if you’re going to playoff games!

Walk to Rose Bowl Stadium from Memorial Park Station: also not a walking tour, but it’s a way for you to skip area traffic if you’re heading to concerts or UCLA football games. The same route also works if you want to ride a bike instead.

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