Downtown LA is not just about the skyscrapers, but they sure are an important part of the city's skyline. For the most part these tall buildings are the heart of the city's financial district. The tallest building in Downtown is the First Interstate World Center which is 73 stories high. A good view on the district is offered by the elevated park around the 55 story 333 Hope Street Building. Shopping and dinning: When it come to shopping in LA, Downtown will definitely be the right place to hunt for a good bargain. Anything from electronics to clothing, from art treasures and jewelry to toys or plants can be found at one of the biggest shopping districts in the country. Another interesting thing about downtown is the great mixture of cultures which offers the visitor a big variety of dining choices like, the oriental restaurants of Little Tokyo and Chinatown or the Mexican cuisine at Olvera street. History: Many people might be surprised to find out Los Angeles has quite an interesting past behind it's glamorous 'show business' appearance. Downtown LA is the birthplace of Los Angeles more than 200 years ago. In 1542 Spain sent Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo to map the coast of California to look for a safe route to the Atlantic, and later on, in 1777 the Pueblo de Los Angeles was established. After 40 years of Spanish rule, Mexico had broken with Spain, beginning 25 years of Mexican government. 1848 was the year when the pioneers of the gold rush hoisted the American flag over the pueblo of Los Angeles. In the late 1800s, new ideas and technology came to the city. In 1876 Southern Pacific Railroad arrived in Los Angeles. The telephone and electricity were soon to follow and the first cable car was built along 2nd street in 1884. That same year Doheny found oil in the area and the city entered a new era. Los Angeles was becoming a metropolis. In 1902 when Huntington launched the Pacific Electric Railway, people began moving into the suburbs, and in Hollywood Charlie Chaplin was making silent movies. During the 1920s more oil was discovered and Los Angeles became the state's largest city. In 1932 the city was hosting the olympic games and the city's first freeway, Pasadena Freeway, was completed in 1940. During this time Downtown was becoming the city's true center and in the 1970s banks and businesses developed downtown LA into the largest banking center of the West Coast. Downtown Sightseeing Angel's Flight Welcome to the world's shortest railroad! Angels Flight is one of the most popular historical sites in LA and is only 315 feet short! It was built in 1901 by Colonel J.W. Eddy, a lawyer and a friend of President Abraham Lincoln, to serve the people of LA who wanted to get from Grand Central Market to the upper-class housing area at the top of Bunker Hill. Union Station Built in 1939 and is considered to be "The last of America's great rail stations." Union Station is uniting the three different railroads under one roof. Union Station is also a home to an excellent artwork and has one of the most beautiful interior architecture design in Los Angeles. Broadway Broadway, between 3rd and 9th Street, is the first and largest Historic Theater District. The fancy architectural and decorative design of the early movie theaters on Broadway reflects a unique combination of architectural history and commercial marketing. Today Broadway is a district of discount clothing shops as well as jewlery, electronics and more. Olvera Street The setting for holiday celebrations and Mexican style dancing and music. Olvera street was named after the first County Judge, Agustin Olvera, in 1877. Avila Adobe, the city's oldest brick house resides in Olvera street.