Don't go downtown during rush hour, which is basically all the time. But if you do make it, stop at this little tourist block that was the original center of Los Angeles in Spanish-owned times. Amidst the souvenir shops (Mexican wrestling masks! Scarface posters!) is Mr. Churro, where you should get a caramel-filled churro. You can also eat at one of the good Mexican restaurants here, or you can go a block over and get the amazing lamb French dip sandwich at Philippe's, the sawdust-covered counter restaurant that's been around since 1908. Or drive a few blocks to Langer's, where to everyone's shock they make a better pastrami sandwich than any deli in New York City. The secret is that L.A. is actually more Jewish than Manhattan.

Walk off lunch by heading to the curvy, metal Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the new church — who knew they were still building churches? — that redefines Catholic grandiosity by using restraint.

• 1. Mr. Churro
  15 Olvera Street, Los Angeles, CA 10012; 213-680-9036 34.05721-118.238226
• 2. Philippe's
  1001 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; 213-628-3781 34.05955-118.236918 philippes.com
• 3. Langer's Deli
  704 South Alvarado, Los Angeles, CA 90057; 213-483-8050 34.056269-118.27668 langersdeli.com
• 4. Walt Disney Concert Hall
  111 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012; 323-850-2000 34.055051-118.24961 laphil.com
• 5. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
  555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; 213-680-5200 34.057721-118.244944 olacathedral.org