The View from City Hall
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —
The observation area at City Hall is one of those things that I think too few Downtowners have taken advantage of, perhaps because they just don't know that it's there. From City Hall's vantage point in the Civic Center you're treated to amazing views of the Downtown skyline, Disney Hall and the Historic Core. On very clear days you can even spot water in the Harbor. It's one of those things you would think the City would mention on its web site, but if it's there I sure can't find it.
You might notice that the masthead for blogdowntown comes from this shot taken from that very spot. I'm also a fan of this shot of the Music Center and Civic Park, so I'll link to it just for fun.
The observation area is open to the public during normal business hours. To get there, head to City Hall and tell the security guard where you're going. Take the elevators to the 22nd floor, get off and change to the other bank which will take you to the 27th. Walk up the ornate steps to the Tom Bradley Room and then out the doors either in front or to your left.
LA City Nerd on September 21, 2006, at 10:07PM – #1
Eric, the veiw from the 28th floor is remarkable. It is on this outdoor observation deck that you learn about the LA Press Club supporting the Lindbergh Beacon, the Kiwanis-supported Bell, and other bits of information from the outdated and sometimes indecipherable guide-panels that show the views of Los Angeles in the 1970s. This history lesson is not on purpose, but it's because the placards have not been updated in 25 years! Won't someone update the water-damaged panels? Tom LaBonge? Eric? Someone? Perhaps it's a project of the City Nerd.... hmm...
Well, I'm put the idea out there. Let me know if you need help doing it... whoever "you" are.
shannon on September 21, 2006, at 11:23PM – #2
city hall is a stunning building that no one knows about. The Conservancy has a tour of the building once a month and I always encourage my tourgoers to take it too. If you go check it out you must also visit the 4th floor....all of the hallways are lined with historic photos from the Central Public Library's Historic Photo Collection.
Fred Camino on September 22, 2006, at 08:21AM – #3
It's really sad that the city doesn't make any attempt to make stuff like this known... like you said I can find no mention of this on the city's website. Seems like something that could easily instill a sense of civic pride if only people knew it exists. Anyways now they do, but my question is, what are City Halls normal business hours when you can visit? 9-5 on weekdays? Is it open on weekends?
LA City Nerd on September 23, 2006, at 10:44AM – #4
Fred- Hours of operation: here.
Sometimes, you can get in on the weekend. I've never done it though.
Scott Mercer on September 23, 2006, at 03:06PM – #5
Almost as good, maybe even better, is the roof of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, which I discovered while on jury duty. Free to get in, you just go through security. (It's the patio outside the cafeteria, which is open to the public. But please, for the love of Pete, don't eat there! That is, unless you have a long-held craving for the food of your junior high school lunch room.)
Not as high as the City Hall deck, but fairly high, and you still get the skyscrapers of Bunker Hill looming over you a bit, while peering down on the streets below you. Plus, you're closer to Bunker Hill there than at City Hall. Try it.
Carlos on March 22, 2007, at 07:44AM – #6
Hey buddy do you know of any other buildings besides these in the downtown area where anyone can go and get a glimpse of the city. I remember when I was in junior high I went to the ATT Building but I am not sure if that is still possible????
David Kennedy on March 22, 2007, at 08:46AM – #7
Try the Bonaventure Hotel. There is a cheesy bar on the top. The rides up the elevators are good, too. There's also the old Transamerica building in Southpark, which is now the new AT&T building.
Kenarch on March 23, 2007, at 04:07AM – #8
Being from New York (here 28 years though) I can't understand why the US Bank tower and possibly the 777 Fig (or Flower?) tower don't have observation levels. NY has the Empire State, Rockefeller Center and of course had the WTC observation decks, among others, and they are hugely popular and at least in the ESB case, big money generators. The view from the 73rd floor of the US Bank tower would be something people would pay to see... or is it just too smoggy here too many days??? That's a sad commentary!