Your TL;DR Travel Guide to the Iconic HiFI Landmark in LA
TL;DR: Located in Los Angeles’s Historic Filipinotown, the Eastern Gateway is a must-see landmark the next time you are in the area. Plan to spend just a few minutes checking the arch out on Beverly Blvd. While you are in the area, consider visiting some of the local shops or Unidad Park for a more robust day-trip.
- About Historic Filipinotown
- Why The Eastern Gateway is Special
- How to See the Talang Gabay
- Explore More of Los Angeles
On a previous visit to Los Angeles, it occurred to me that I hadn’t yet seen the Talong Gabay – the Eastern Gateway. I did take a few wrong turns on my drive, but I still was able to find the landmark fairly easily. Decorated with vibrant colors and parol icons, the Gateway lived up to the hype. You only need a few minutes to check it out, so I would consider planning out a few other things to do in the area (I give some suggestions below!) to really round out your trip.
Read on to see how you can visit this iconic landmark for yourself!
About Historic Filipinotown
Historic Filipinotown, aka HiFi, is a neighborhood in Los Angeles, centered around Temple Street and Beverly Blvd. Previously called Little Manilla, HiFi grew in the 1920s as more and more filipino immigrants moved into the area. By the 1950s, filipino families were able to purchase land and the area continued to grow as a home for the Filipino-American community. During the Obama administration, LA’s Historic Filipinotown was inducted as a Preserve America community, which helped solidify its historical importance.
Why The Eastern Gateway is Special
After many years of advocacy and planning, the Eastern Gateway was unveiled in May of 2022. The Eastern Gateway is an 82-ft wide arch was constructed to honor the Filipino-American community. Designed by Eliseo Art Silva and Celestino Geronimo Jr., this landmark stands as a representation of the community’s spirit and resilience. The designers also wanted the arch to commemorate the many who served as frontline workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Named the Talang Gabay, meaning “our guiding star,” this archway is a significant landmark spotlighting the Filipino American individuals in Los Angeles.
How to See the Talang Gabay
Address: 1557 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90026
Stretching across Beverly Blvd and Belmont Avenue, the Eastern Gateway is hard to miss. If you want to get out and snap a photo, then you should be able to pull over to the side of the road where there is free street parking. As a bonus, while you are driving through Hifi, keep an eye out to see some unique features on a few of the lamp posts and bus stops.
Since you only need a few minutes to check out the archway, you can also check out Bahay Kubo for a bite or visit the Gintong Pamana Mural in Unidad Park. You’re also just a short drive away from Chinatown, Koreatown, or Little Tokyo if you’re hoping to add in a few additional landmarks.
While you are making your way around Los Angeles, you should definitely consider taking a small detour to check out the beautiful Talong Gabay. Not only is it a beautiful piece of artwork, it also represents the resilient spirit of the Filipino-American community making it a truly special landmark. For history-lovers, those hoping to immerse themselves in culture, or those in the FilAm family, this is a must-see. Let me know how your trip to Hifi went!
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