Downtown Downey
As the original city center and heart of Downey, the downtown district has plenty of historic charm. Take a stroll down Downey Avenue to spot some of the city’s oldest buildings, like the Bob’s Big Boy restaurant franchise (the oldest still operating Bob’s location!), the Downey Space Center, the historic Downey Theater cinema palace, and Stonewood Center shopping mall. Downtown Downey hosts events like the Saturday Downey Farmers Market year-round, plus seasonal celebrations like the Summer Concert Series at the Downtown Downey Promenade. Don’t miss photo ops by the iconic 1950s neon Downey Theater sign or next to the Route 66 milestone plaques along Florence Avenue.
Old River School
Just southwest of downtown Downey is the historic Old River School neighborhood. This district along the Rio Hondo River and Imperial Highway corridor still maintains its identity as a former school and orange grove area from Downey’s early agricultural days. Check out the Stonewood Shopping Center, once an elementary school built in the 1920s. Another highlight is the Downey Historical Society Museum, housed in an 1893 Victorian home that was relocated to serve as the historic society’s headquarters. Old River School has a slower pace than other parts of the city but still retains quintessential SoCal suburban charm.
Brookshire
Nestled between the 105 and 5 Freeways just north of downtown Downey is the quiet bedroom community known as Brookshire. This neighborhood has a heavy concentration of Downey’s aerospace engineering legacy, with many homes built to house NASA and Rockwell International aerospace employees. Although it doesn’t have many major attractions beyond Downey’s residential neighborhoods, Brookshire represents the suburban expansion of housing that occurred across Southern California’s valleys and flatlands post-WWII. Visitors can still spot mid-century modern architecture trends, like low angular ranch houses and sprawling boomerang-shaped homes throughout Brookshire.
Northwest Downey
Many locals refer to the large swath of neighborhoods northwest of downtown Downey as simply “northwest Downey.” This expansive residential area has notable districts like Sunrise Village and Carpenter’s Square inside its boundaries. It’s also home to commercial corridors like Firestone Boulevard, dotted with restaurants, grocers, and shops catering to the area’s primarily Latino residents. Northwest Downey has plenty of neighborhood parks and recreation centers for locals to enjoy, like Rio San Gabriel Park and Downtown Lions Park. Don’t miss Downey’s historic McDonald’s restaurant, the oldest still-operating McDonald’s in the world on Lakewood Boulevard!
Rossmoor
East of I-605 in southeastern Downey lies Rossmoor, one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city. Rossmoor began in the 1960s as a planned senior adult community and many retirees still call the neat rows of ranch homes and manicured lawns home. The neighborhood has a reputation for active adult living, with amenities like the Rossmoor Village Square Shopping Center and the Rossmoor Park neighborhood center. Guests can check out the Rossmoor Historical Society and Museum to learn more about the development of this master-planned leisure community. Kelly Park and Rossmoor Park also offer pleasant green spaces to enjoy the Southern California weather.
Rancho Los Amigos
Just south of Rossmoor, Rancho Los Amigos was also developed as a planned residential community for employees of North American Aviation and NASA. Many homes were built in the mid-20th century to house engineers working at the nearby Downey Space Center. Although it doesn’t have many major attractions, the neighborhood’s neat rows of ranch homes and atomic age architecture offer a glimpse into Downey’s storied aerospace history. Green spaces like the Rancho Los Amigos Golf Course and Rio San Gabriel Park give locals plenty of recreation options.
Gallatin
East of Downtown Downey is the small neighborhood of Gallatin, named after a historic ranch house built by Downey’s pioneering founders, the Gallatin family. Although most of the farmland was developed for residential housing over time, the homestead’s original adobe still stands as a museum. Gallatin is also home to the Rancho Los Amigos medical campus, which makes up a large percentage of Downey’s land area. Travelers can check out selections of the facility’s historic buildings during special community events at Rancho Los Amigos Historic District. The neighborhood also has the Gallatin Recreation Center and Park for visitors to better understand historic Downey’s agrarian roots.
Woodruff
The southwestern Woodruff neighborhood sits in Downey’s cherished southwest quadrant. Although it’s primarily residential, Woodruff has beloved institutions like Downey High School, the city’s first high school dating back to 1893. Soccer fans can catch a match at the Downey Adult Soccer Complex, while families often head over to Furman Park for weekend picnics. Woodruff is the perfect place to see well-kept 1950s and 1960s homes built during the postwar suburban expansion. Marvel at the iconic mid-century architecture of the Stuart Pharmaceutical building, today repurposed as the historic Stonewood Center mall.
Book a Bus With Us
At Charter Buses Downey California, we make it easy to explore Downey’s charming neighborhoods and beyond. Our charter bus rentals offer personalized and comfortable transportation for groups of any size headed to Downey attractions, LA landmarks, and points in between. Whatever brings you to Downey – a family reunion, corporate event, church retreat or school field trip – we’re here to handle the transportation logistics. Our modern fleet includes everything from spacious 56 passenger motorcoaches to compact 25 passenger minibuses. All our vehicles come equipped with amenities like free WiFi, USB chargers, TV monitors, DVD players, and comfortable reclining seats. Our team know the ins and outs of navigating Downey and neighboring Los Angeles areas. For groups looking to explore Downey’s top spots like the Columbia Memorial Space Center, Disney studios, Veranstaltungszentrum Downey Theater, Furman Park, Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, and more, let our charter buses be your transportation solution. Avoid the stress of LA traffic and parking by letting us handle the driving. You can relax and enjoy the cultural sights, historic neighborhoods, amusement parks, sporting events, and everything that makes Downey a can’t-miss SoCal destination. To learn more about our charter bus rentals for groups visiting Downey, California, call Charter Buses Downey California today at (213) 354-7131. We’re happy to help you customize the perfect transportation plan and vehicle for your upcoming trip!