From the iconic Santa Monica Pier to the oldest roadway in the city, Los Angeles` most renowned landmarks illuminate the individuals, places, and activities that drive this flourishing metropolis.
As someone who has long lived in Los Angeles, I’ve enthusiastically explored the city’s major attractions and learned the narratives behind them. In this guide, we’ll examine my top selections, ranging from globally famous locations to quietly hidden gems.
Oh, before we delve in, be sure to check out my guide on where to lodge in Los Angeles. Picking the correct hotel is crucial when you want to see landmarks in different areas of the city. All right, let’s get to those LA landmarks!
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21 Famous Los Angeles Landmarks
Hollywood Sign
A location embraced around the globe, positioned dramatically high on a hillside in Hollywood.
📍 Google Maps | Website
LA’s most iconic landmark can be seen from across the city, but your top views are near Hollywood, as expected.
You`ll find many notable locations in Hollywood, centered on Hollywood Boulevard, which is home to the Walk of Fame. Interestingly, to see the sign, you`ll need to head away from Hollywood Blvd. Go to either one of the north-facing cross streets or to the viewpoint in the Ovation Center.
Seeing the best view of the iconic Hollywood Sign requires traveling further uphill into the Hollywood Hills region. The renowned Griffith Observatory offers panoramic perspectives of the landmark and surrounding cityscape, while Lake Hollywood is a classic locale for picturesque photographs capturing the Sign. To get in closest proximity, check out a walking tour to Hollywood`s iconic sign.
💎 Hidden Gem: Taking a hike to view the unique sign at Wisdom Tree offers a picturesque scene of Southern Californian nature. Read more on notable hiking routes in the region at this location.
Santa Monica Pier
Enhance your day at Santa Monica Beach with cuisine, carnival games, entertainment, and the globe’s sole solar-powered Ferris wheel.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The Santa Monica Pier opened to the public in 1909, and the amusement park opened 21 years later. It’s been thrilling visitors ever since. Laughter from the retro-styled amusement park carries on the salty-sweet sea breeze. Everywhere you look, there is something worthy of observation.
The pier is one of the most well-liked things to do in Santa Monica. Many locals frequent the region, despite the tourists and TikTokers (who tend to gather south of the pier, near the stairs guiding to the boardwalk).
Parking in the garages between Ocean Ave and 3rd Street avoids much of the busy weekend traffic congestion.
Olvera Street
The oldest street in Los Angeles is lined with intriguing historical sites and offers fantastic tacos.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Los Angeles had notoriety long before the entertainment industry came to town. Olvera was among the earliest roads documented.
The city`s original structures for firefighting, worship, performance, and other uses have been gathered as the El Pueblo Historical Park. It`s on the southwest end of Olvera Street. Visitors are welcome to tour the area`s fascinating history within the places it occurred.
Griffith Observatory
This long-established preferred locale provides spectacular perspectives of the night sky, urban landscape below, and the nearby Hollywood Sign.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The Griffith Observatory, a notable landmark on my list of recommended attractions when visiting Los Angeles, is situated within Griffith Park in the neighboring foothills. Whether hiking through the park`s trails or taking an organized tour of Griffith Park, visitors will want ample time to soak in the view
Griffith Observatory has exhibits that engage the curiosity of astronomy enthusiasts and young minds alike. Families can easily spend a few hours here, taking advantage of the cute cafe for snacks or a light midday meal.
Admittance is complimentary, but tickets must be acquired for planetarium presentations within the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Bold curves of brushed steel against the bright blue sky make this Frank Gehry-designed marvel a photographer’s preferred subject.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a striking structure of silver located on the corner of Grand Avenue and 2nd Street in downtown Los Angeles. Making the most of your time in the area could involve pairing this destination with The Broad or MoMA, two excellent free museums situated less than a block away.
Music aficionados will want to explore the scheduled events at the Los Angeles Philharmonic`s home venue, the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Nonetheless, attendees should be aware tickets aren`t affordable.
You can find more details about complimentary tours of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in my guide on things to do in downtown Los Angeles.
Capitol Records
The world’s first circular office building housed a studio where famous superstars like Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, and Elton John recorded hit songs.
📍 Location tool | Site
The Capitol Records building was constructed during Hollywood`s Golden Age and is a beloved landmark in the Hollywood landscape.
The 13-story tower has become a common B-roll shot for shows & movies set in LA. And it often has a brief (but dramatic) cameo in high-budget disaster movies.
💎 Noteworthy Location: Aficionados of silver screen history or atmospheric antiquated structures should visit the Hollywood Tower. It’s an notoriously spirit-filled apartment complex two blocks north of Capitol.
Disney adults will identify it as the inspiration for the (now defunct) Hollywood Tower of Terror thrill ride at Disneyland. You’ll find more info in our guide to the best activities to engage in Orange County.
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
A Art Deco masterpiece welcomes you to the best in modern live entertainment with an atmosphere of old Hollywood grandeur.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The Pantages Theatre is the last playhouse constructed by vaudeville impresario Alexander Pantages. This longstanding venue on Hollywood Boulevard is overlooked by many visitors. Naturally, the theater scene in Los Angeles isn`t generally what this city is most renowned for.
The point is, less notoriety doesn`t equate to lower quality. Every performance I`ve seen at Pantages has been superb, and ticket prices here start at about half of what you`d pay for the equivalent show in New York City.
💎 Hidden Gem: The Frolic Room is a favorite local dive bar next door. It attracts a fun crowd and curious looks from theatre patrons, and I highly recommend a visit after your show.
Venice Beach & Boardwalk
Spend time strolling along a lively boardwalk, walking on the sand, or leaning against a palm tree soaking in the eclectic beach scene of LA.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Venice Beach is peculiar in the best possible ways. It gained fame as a home for counter-culture and has gone through a few style renovations during the years. However, the branding may shift; Venice is a gorgeous beach with a lot to provide.
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` Below are some of the best gluten-free dining establishments that are entirely safe for celiac sufferers, bakeries with completely gluten-free baked goods, and all the logistical issues that come with visiting Seattle
TCL Chinese Theatre
This Hollywood icon is beloved by film fans and is where Hollywood stars immortalize their hand and footprints in cement.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The renowned TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood attracts many visitors. It’s unquestionably the most popular attraction among the multitude of options in Hollywood.
Movie premieres in this Los Angeles theater have been the stuff of legends since the 1930s. And they still shut down Hollywood Boulevard for days at a time. Most people stick to the outside. I’m here to tell you that they’re missing out.
The TLC Chinese Theatre`s sound and picture quality are top-tier, earning it favor among local film enthusiasts. Should you meet one, they`ll likely refer to it as `Grauman`s,` honoring the original name. I wouldn`t advise questioning them on that.
👉 Pro Tip: This location on the Hollywood Walk of Fame sees the most visitors. The best way to view the courtyard with fewer crowds is to get tickets for a screening ending 20-30 minutes before sunset.
La Brea Tar Pits
Take a trip into prehistory through one of LA’s most famous landmarks.
Considering the primary draw of the La Brea Tar Pits is a life-sized depiction of a mammoth family tragedy, it’s a bit wild how popular this place is.
However, there is also a museum there. And a variety of engaging and educational dino-related activities. And a lovely park with many walking paths, sculptures, and trees… so perhaps not quite as wild as one might think.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Pose in front of a must-see LA photo opportunity and browse an extraordinary collection of art in this mid-city museum.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Known locally as ‘LACMA’ (pronounced ‘lock – ma’), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is among the finest museums in Los Angeles. It’s undergoing renovations until late 2024, but the galleries are still open.
Urban Light is an installation of antique street lamps that is arguably LACMA’s most famous artwork. It’s neither in the building nor subject to an admission fee. It’s outside, where the museum faces Wilshire Blvd.
Take a look across Wilshire from the sidewalk bordering Urban Light. You’ll see the bold red and chrome facade of Petersen Automotive Museum. This is yet another renowned Los Angeles landmark.
Chinatown Gateway Monument
Welcome to Chinatown with a spectacular sight – two 40-foot-long dragons perched 43 feet above the street in a battling stance over a pearl.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The Chinatown Gateway Monument is casually known as the Chinatown Dragons. This extraordinary monument honors the Los Angeles Chinatown community and provides a warm welcome to visitors.
The dragon entryway also symbolizes “cooperation, harmony, and prosperity for the Community and the City.” Few people realize that if you turn around when passing through the entryway, you’ll be looking directly at City Hall.
Getty Center
Find what speaks to you in an elevated art museum and garden with views stretching from the Pacific Ocean to downtown Los Angeles.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Come to the Getty Center to view thought-provoking works of art housed in a striking architectural marvel. Native plant gardens with pebbled walkways, splendid views, cute cafés, and an enjoyable shuttle ride await. Best of all, general admission is complimentary (excluding a $20 parking fee).
The Getty Center serves as a functioning landmark in the most LA way possible (parking fee notwithstanding). When you pass the Getty going north on the 405, traffic is probably about to clear up some.
Many brake lights stacking up near the same southbound exit off the 405 in Los Angeles mean expect a wait there. The nearest gas station sits on Sepulveda Street (exit Getty Center or Sunset Blvd).
Universal Studios Hollywood
Explore the natural habitats of Jurassic Park and the magical corridors of Hogwarts in a globally renowned theme park.
📍 the Google Maps website | the organization`s website
Universal Studios Hollywood isn’t merely a theme park, it’s a small city. Technically an “unincorporated region,” called Universal City.
After leaving the city, we decided to do a brief home-stay and return to our old stomping grounds in Nob Hill.
While a theme park may stretch the definition of a landmark somewhat, Los Angeles has gained a reputation for stretching many things, perhaps due to its popularity as a location for yoga. Before visiting the park, be sure to check out our guide to California theme parks to learn more.
👉 Pro tip: To view the park from above, visit Blair Drive.
Union Station
A artistic blend of Art Deco and Mission-style architecture reflects the spirit of those who created this place.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Grand ceilings, ornately patterned floors inlaid with marble, multiple fountains, abundant palm trees… Union Station presents public transportation in an impressive manner.
As LA’s primary transit hub, Union Station is objectively a good place to begin for those seeking to avoid traffic jams, which also saves time and money. From Union Station, you can catch a train to Santa Monica, Hollywood, or virtually anywhere in downtown LA.
Hollywood Bowl
A storied amphitheater that allows you the chance to see the world’s top performers making musical history.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The Hollywood Bowl has been a legend among legends for 101 years. It’s a stage people dream of performing on. Witnessing your favorite artist achieve one of their dreams? Unforgettable.
Audiences have been enthralled by one-of-a-kind live performances at the Hollywood Bowl for a century. Music legends like The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Adele, Jay-Z, and others have awed crowds on the Bowl`s stage.
Additionally, the seating possibilities and services here are truly exceptional. Browse their present calendar and purchase tickets without hesitation!
Sunset Strip
Well-known (and infamous) clubs, bars, and music venues are what drive the longtime appeal of this destination for nightlife experiences.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Winding along the base of the Hollywood Hills, Sunset Boulevard is the type of place where legends are born.
Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, AC/DC, Johnny Depp, and many more played and partied on the Sunset Strip. Whisky-A-Go-Go, The Roxy, the Rainbow Room, and the Key Club were just a few of their haunts. Some also began journeys with sobriety in AA meetings at that last one (now closed).
Tulum is generally safe to travel right now. That said, visitors should check the latest travel guidelines, exercise increased caution with respect to petty offenses, and update themselves on the latest public health situation.
🛎️ Exploring Hotel Options? West Hollywood offers numerous quality hotels! Those located on the southern side of Sunset Strip frequently provide spectacular views over the Los Angeles Valley. I recommend the Pendry West Hollywood, which boasts a rooftop pool.
Bradbury Building
Tour a historic landmark registered in the National Register of Historic Places, transported back in time through a skylit atrium and ornate cast-iron railings.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Built in 1893, the five-story Bradbury Building`s plain exterior belies its magnificent interior. The central atrium features lovely natural lighting alongside elegant stone and ironwork that lend it a romantic gothic atmosphere.
Across the street lies Grand Central Market. Grab a meal – it`s one of the top spots to dine in Los Angeles.
Korean Bell of Friendship
This serene cultural monument offers an escape from the hectic city with views over San Pedro and down the coast of south Los Angeles County.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The Korean Bell of Friendship sits majestically atop a cliff adjacent to the Los Angeles harbor in an elegant pavilion. Measuring 12 ft high, this bell makes for an impressive sight.
Expect no crowds, plenty of grass, and ocean views stretching as far as the eye can see from Long Beach on a clear day if you plan a visit to the Bell of Friendship. Such panoramic ocean scenes make this a lovely spot for a picnic, leisurely stroll, or simply a tranquil break in the fresh air.
There are five annual ceremonies at which the bell is rung: New Year’s Eve, Korean American Day (January 13th), Independence Day, Korean Liberation Day (August 15th), and Constitution Day (September 17th).
🏀 Calling All Ballers: You also get an ocean view from the basketball courts SW of the parking lot. It is fantastic for pics & video (but miss the wrong shot, and your ball may end up in the ocean).
Rodeo Drive
Experience luxurious shopping and fine dining in an iconic Beverly Hills neighborhood renowned for its glamour and extravagance.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Upmarket boutiques, bougie eateries, and palm trees entwined with twinkling lights comprise the iconic Rodeo Drive. The juxtaposition of genuinely wealthy shoppers and would-be influencers posing as affluent for social media creates great people-watching.
For the most part, long-time LA residents who can afford shopping here will delegate the task. Or they arrive with a film crew (keep an eye out for those if you follow reality TV).
- Aynen Dürüm (Muhafazacilar Sokak, Grand Bazaar) – Excellent choice for a quick kebap lunch where you choose your meat and then customize toppings yourself from fresh herbs and pickles
Watts Towers
Gain perspective on past, present, and future Los Angeles through this unique work of art.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Watts Towers is an honored National Historic Landmark that re-opened to the public in 2022.
Italian immigrant Simon Rodia spent over three decades crafting a collection of 17 enormous sculptures, using materials found locally or donated by the community as a tribute to his new home and the people he shared it with.
Watts Towers has endured a complicated history. Yet it stands as a reminder that creativity and passion endure, sometimes against all adversity. The monument also stands in a complex locale. By which I mean it is both reputed to be dangerous and difficult to access.
FAQs about Los Angeles Landmarks
How many landmarks are in Los Angeles?
You will find beaches near you if you’re staying anywhere on the coast, and you can even bring your snacks to avoid extra expenses.
What is LA’s most beloved landmark?
LA’s most iconic landmark is the Hollywood Sign.
What is the most visited place in LA?
Universal Studios Hollywood is the most frequented place in LA, and the Hollywood Sign is the most popular attraction overall.
What are good LA landmarks for kids?
What is a famous landmark in Los Angeles?
The landmark sign, art center, and famous movie park are among the most renowned landmarks in Los Angeles.
What are the most important landmarks in Los Angeles?
Olvera Street and Griffith Observatory are among the most important landmarks in Los Angeles.
What are some historical landmarks in Los Angeles?
The historical El Pueblo park surrounding Olvera Street, the Bradbury Building, and the TCL Chinese Theatre are some noteworthy landmarks located in Los Angeles.
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What a great way to end our tour of the top Los Angeles landmarks! You now have a good list to choose from for your trip. I hope you enjoy your time there.
For additional ideas for your upcoming LA trip, check my summary of the best one-day journeys from LA so you can experience even more of what Southern California has to offer.
