Los Angeles State Historic Park is a broad green strip on the north side of Chinatown, on land once used as a rail yard. The park is simple, but its open lawns give a rare bit of breathing room near downtown and good angles on the city skyline.
It works best as a pause between Chinatown, Union Station, and the Los Angeles River edge. The history is mostly in the setting rather than in displays, so come for the space, the views, and the contrast with the dense streets around it.