Everybody wants to visit Los Angeles. You know, even the sun sets in LA every single day. Sports, cinema, food, parties, art – Los Angeles has everything. It also has a collection of unique landmarks that can’t be found anywhere else.
Only in LA can you find the Hollywood Sign. Only in La La Land can you find the Walk of Fame. What’s so great about LA? The following legendary landmarks in Los Angeles for starters. Carrying around heavy bags and backpacks? Use a luggage storage service in LA and get ready to see the sights.
Angels Flight Railway
LA has a slew of catchy nicknames. The city of Lost Angels is easily one of the slickest, though the jury is out as to who exactly invented it. The series of churches and missions in SoCal probably inspired the name. If so, they also inspired the Angels Flight Railway.
This is a landmark railway that originally operated from 1901 to 1969. It features two cars, Olivet and Sinai, that run in opposite directions. Angels Flight Railway has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, like Perry Mason and The Muppets Movie (2011).
Bradbury Building
LA has several iconic features. Palm trees, Hollywood (more on that later), taco trucks, dense traffic – the list goes on and on. LA’s skyline, however, is easily one of its finest features. It stands out even amongst the likes of New York or Chicago.
Structures like the Bradbury Building greatly contribute to LA’s unique aesthetic. This historic structure was originally built in 1893. Over the years, the Bradbury Building has been updated and renovated countless times. It’s also served as a set in many iconic films.
The Broad
There are two things Los Angeles has no shortage of, and that’s smog and artists. For decades, people have moved to LA in pursuit of acting careers, musical roles, and opportunities in the classical art scene. Through it all, The Broad has stood tall.
The Broad is perhaps the most popular Contemporary Art Museum in Los Angeles. More than 2,000 works of art are housed here at any given moment. The Broad also features a selection of rotating pieces that change every week or every month.
Describing a visual arts museum with words is a little funny. Seriously, the exhibits here are almost beyond explanation. Some rooms will warp your perspective. Others will challenge your perception. All will leave a lasting impression on you.
The Getty
To further our point about being huge in LA, we present the Getty Center. A venue like this typically only appears in movies and people’s wildest fantasies. Actually visiting a place with hundreds of art pieces, an extensive library, and more is a dream come true.
What do we mean by “more”? For starters, the Getty Center’s architecture is a massive draw in and of itself. There’s a sizable garden filled with lush flowers and intricate topiary pieces. Both indoors and outdoors, the Getty Center has plenty to offer.
Griffith Observatory
They say that the stars shine especially bright in LA. Depending on where you’re stargazing, that might just be light pollution. All the more reason to visit the Griffith Observatory. This state of the art facility is the place to admire the cosmos.
Thousands of people flock to the observatory whenever a Solar or Lunar Eclipse commences. Inside, the observatory houses a collection of astrological artifacts. Last but not least, the observatory provides a sky-high view of LA County.
The Hollywood Sign
It’s crazy to think how much of an impact 9 white letters have on the world. The Hollywood sign is often imitated but never duplicated. The story goes that the Hollywood sign was built in 1923 as an ad for a real estate venture.
People have come and gone, but the Hollywood sign remains after all these years. It’s nestled atop Mount Lee, in case you’d like to visit. The hike up to the sign is quite the experience, as is the view you’ll get at the end.
Little Tokyo
California is a state that embraces all walks of life; no matter which groups or ideas you identify with, Cali has something for everyone. Several enclaves have cropped up over the years. We’re talking Little Mexico, Little Italy, Little Saigon, and, of course, Little Tokyo.
Little Tokyo is a large district that truly lives up to its name. It’s a haven for Japanese culture and a place created by SoCal’s Japanese citizens for SoCal’s Japanese citizens. However, everyone is welcome to immerse themselves in Little Tokyo’s culture.
Book stores sell mangas that are read from right to left. Restaurants prepare authentic Japanese dishes. Special ceremonies coincide with Japanese holidays. All of these factors contribute to Little Tokyo’s status as a National Historic District.
Staples Center
There’s something else that LA has no shortage of – sports fans. Go to any neighborhood and you’ll see Angels stickers, Dodgers plaques, Kings flags, and Laker’s tattoos. Sports aren’t just a pastime out here, they’re a passion. Enter the Staples Center.
Thousands of NBA games have unfolded at this iconic venue. This is the place where the Lakers, the Clippers, and the Kings train. Even if you aren’t crazy about sports, a trip to the Staples Center is a must.
Union Station
LA is more of a car city than a train city. That’s the case these days, at least. Union Station harkens back to a bygone era – the 1930s. Back then, LA’s population wasn’t nearly as dense as it is today. Trains were much more prominent, as were train stations by extension.
Union Station combines Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture, making it look incredibly distinct. Murals and granite sculptures can also be located here.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Walt Disney is a name that hardly needs an introduction. After all, millions of people travel to Anaheim each year in search of “the happiest place on Earth”. Well, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of the most harmonious places on Earth.
Talented musicians from places both near and far perform here. If you have the opportunity, attend one of these performances. You haven’t experienced LA until you’ve been serenaded by a world-class choir.