As you know, I went on a tour of the LA River a couple weekends ago — an eye-opening trip that gave me a look at the many sides of LA that I just don’t get to see often (or ever), even as a long-time resident.

If every LA resident had the opportunity to take this tour, I think the landscape of our city would change pretty rapidly — and that the “emerald necklace” of parks around the river that LA Mayor Villaraigosa talks about could become a reality sooner rather than later.

Thus: Here’s a pictoral tour to whet your appetite — with info on how you can tour the river first-hand at the bottom of the post.

Sepulveda Basin in San Fernando Valley

The Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) brochure calls this spot “A lush soft-bottom stretch. Almost Tom Sawyer-like — and the closest to what the river once looked like.”

Try to ignore the dams, the bridges, and the concrete that looks like it was carelessly slapped onto the banks. Instead, check out this bird by an abandoned shopping cart, relatively unafraid.

Glendale Narrows

Birds are cute.

FoLAR’s description:

“In the shadows of the Griffith Park and Elysian Park hills.

“Site of most of the first new parks and bike paths, [a]long a cobblestone-bottom stretch with abundant greenery and wildlife.”

Arroyo Seco Confluence

FoLAR describes this area as “”The original water source for the pueblo. A grim, hard-to-find site — but slated to become a history-themed park that will link the LA River and Arroyo Seco Greenbelts.”

I wonder how the graffiti artists even find this place, where the grass manages to grow through the concrete embankment –

LA State Historic Park (aka The Cornfield)

FoLar’s description: “Site of a hard-fought and crucial battle for River revitalization — and of the new Los Angeles State Park, which brings a grand outdoor public space to downtown LA.”

Here, a park ranger gave us a lil informative talk about the area (The park rangers are hiring, btw).

Downtown Bridges

No, this is not a pretty place. It’s a smelly place, literally, where the most disenfranchised residents of our city live.

FoLAR’s description: “Historic concrete-arch-bridges — the best spots to view the gritty River downtown (site of movie scenes from Grease and Terminator), and to imagine the LA River Greenway that will link downtown and east LA through the city’s historic and civic center.”

More pictures (and the same pics in bigger sizes) here.

We didn’t make it to the last stop — Maywood Riverfront Park — but maybe you will, if you take the next tour. The next bus tour happens March 24 (cost: $55, or $45 for FoLAR members); the next car-caravan tour happens May 19 (cost: $30 $25, or $20 for FoLAR members). Sign up here — You can pay via paypal :)

Update, 5/12/07: The next tour of the LA River happens on Saturday, May 19.