The Great Wall of Los Angeles
Date: June 13, 2026
Time: Mural 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Lunch: Aroma Coffee and Tea 11:15 AM -12:30 PM
Meeting Location: Valley Glen Community Park
6150 Atoll Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91436 · Los Angeles, CA
Free parking on the streets surrounding the park.
(It’s a small park so you are sure to see us. From the park we will take a short walk to the mural.)
"Save a tree" and some gas by taking public transportation or carpooling:
LA Metro Trip Planner
Carpool Link
Difficulty: Slow paced easy walk, lots of stops, less than 2 miles total
Bring: Water, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes.
The Great Wall of Los Angeles is a cultural landmark. It spans over a half mile, making it one of the largest murals in the world. UCLA artistic director Judith Baca employed over 400 students of various ages and backgrounds. Judy’s goal was to paint the history of Los Angels, "but not the one they teach in history books.” She collaborated with artists, historians, ethnologists, scholars as well as countless community members. Judy spent months each year interviewing community members to get their personal history and perspectives of events that were sometimes told to them from parents and/or grandparents. In the summer months from 1974 to 1983 they painted the cement walls of the Tujunga Wash, a tributary to the Los Angeles River. The mural begins in prehistoric times and continues to the 1984 Olympics. Sections depict the early gay and lesbian rights groups, events and notable personalities in the queer community. The mural is not finished with plans for another half mile. It's difficult to describe the breath of the Great Wall, so let see it for ourselves.
Many large pine trees provide shade in the adjacent linear park. We will take our time to appreciate the artistry of the works, learn and share our thoughts. Don’t rush!
After the walk we will go for lunch at Aroma Coffee and Tea
4360 Tujunga Ave., Studio City, CA 91604, It’s just an 8-minute drive.
Click here for more information: Great Wall Institute
Questions, click here: Russell Hammerl
