The Arroyo Seco Historic Parkway follows the SR 110 freeway corridor from downtown Los Angeles to Pasadena, California, recognized as the first freeway built in the western United States. Opened in 1940 as the Arroyo Seco Parkway, this six-mile route pioneered the freeway concept that would reshape American cities and today carries National Scenic Byway and National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark designations.

The parkway winds through the Arroyo Seco, a seasonal waterway whose tree-lined channel creates an unexpectedly green corridor through the urban landscape. Original design features from the 1930s remain visible, including the narrow lanes, tight curves, short merge ramps, and Art Deco-influenced bridges and tunnels that distinguish this road from later freeway construction. The driving experience feels markedly different from modern freeways, with design speeds and lane widths reflecting an era when 45 miles per hour felt fast.

Notable landmarks along the route include Dodger Stadium, the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, Heritage Square Museum’s collection of relocated Victorian-era buildings, and the approach to Old Town Pasadena. The Lummis House, a hand-built stone residence constructed by journalist Charles Fletcher Lummis in the 1890s, sits just off the parkway and is open to visitors.

The route is accessible year-round but is best experienced during off-peak hours when traffic allows appreciation of the historic road design. Weekend mornings and holidays provide the lightest traffic. The surrounding Arroyo Seco neighborhood offers hiking trails, the Audubon Center, and access to the Rose Bowl area in Pasadena.