What to do and see in Central L.A, California (CA): The Best Architectural Buildings

April 16, 2022 Alice Mieles

Hollywood beckons to tourists who long for a brush with Tinseltown glamor. Tour movie studios, slip your hands into the famous prints at the TCL Chinese Theatre, or indulge in a celeb sighting at one of LA’s white-hot nightspots. Spot your favorite star while shopping at The Grove, or forget all about the famous eye candy as you take in the iconic artwork at The Getty Center. For a different type of star-gazing, peek through the telescopes at the Griffith Observatory.
Restaurants in Los Angeles

1. Union Station

800 N Alameda St Downtown, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2177 +1 800-872-7245 http://unionstationla.com
Excellent
46%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,826 reviews

Union Station

Los Angeles Union Station is the main railroad station in Los Angeles, California, and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western US. Union Station is a major transportation hub for Southern California, serving almost 110,000 passengers a day. The station is the hub of the Amtrak's California regional routes, Amtrak's long distance trains, Metrolink commuter trains, several Metro Rail subway and light rail lines, buses and coach services. History: Established in 1939. Built in 1939, Union Station combines Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Mission Revival and Streamline Moderne styles. The architecture team included John and Donald Parkinson who also designed Los Angeles City Hall and other city landmarks. Originally intended as a transcontinental terminus station for the Union Pacific, Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Railways, the station was a major hub for troop movement during World War II. The station's historic 161,000 square foot terminal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and the station was restored in 1992. Beginning in the 1970s, growing use of Amtrak and expansion of local and regional rail revitalized the station as a major transportation hub of Southern California. Metro acquired the station in 2011, managing the property that currently serves as a transportation hub for Metro, Metrolink, Amtrak and other transportation services as well an urban mixed-use development site.

Reviewed By ShermanOaks2019 - Los Angeles, United States

Enjoy beautiful architecture - great dining in the station or less than a block away famous Philippes French Dip Sandwich - or great Mexican Food at Olvera Street. If you have time take a quick trip to Santa Monica or to Hollywood & Vine and dine at Musso & Franks, or Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel by the pool.

2. 849 Building

849 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014-3206
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

849 Building

3. Bradbury Building

304 S Broadway Downtown, Los Angeles, CA 90013-1224 +1 213-626-1893 http://www.laconservancy.org/locations/bradbury-building
Excellent
53%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 623 reviews

Bradbury Building

Famous 19th-century Italian Renaissance building in downtown Los Angeles.

Reviewed By overeasy

I did a very quick visit here years ago, but was thrilled to come back again. This is a truly special building, which is why it has appeared in many movies and TV shows. My fav was "Demon With A Glass Hand," an original Outer Limits episode with Robert Culp. I saw that show over 50 years ago and even then was enthralled by the location. You can only go on the ground floor and up the stairs to the first level, but that is enough to let you understand how beautiful this place is. Read the history, which is fascinating as well. It's open on the weekends and you'll have more of a chance to nab a parking spot on the street then, too.

4. Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple

505 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013-1720 +1 213-626-4200 http://hhbt-la.org/
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple

5. City Hall

200 N. Spring St. between First and Temple, Los Angeles, CA 90012-4801 +1 213-485-2121 [email protected] http://www.lacity.org/RESTORE/index.htm
Excellent
47%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 345 reviews

City Hall

After an impressive seismic rehabilitation, completed in 2001, the beloved 28-story landmark can withstand an earthquake up to magnitude 8.

Reviewed By TPAT75 - Oulu, Finland

Beautiful building that offers great views over the city for free! So take some time to visit here if you're in downtown.

6. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

555 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2707 +1 213-680-5200 [email protected] http://www.olacathedral.org
Excellent
56%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 543 reviews

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

Located in the midst of downtown Los Angeles, only the second cathdral to be built in a US city in the past 50 year, the structure has been compared to Notre Dame in its magnificense.

Reviewed By ShermanOaks2019 - Los Angeles, United States

Easy parking- beautiful modern sanctuary. Great cafeteria where you can sit outside. Close to Disney Hall and the Los Angeles Music Center.

7. Walt Disney Concert Hall

111 S Grand Ave Inglewood Can Day Has Was Year Day Was, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3034 +1 323-850-2000 http://www.laphil.com/
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,038 reviews

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, this concert hall is designed to be one of the most acoustically sophisticated in the world.

Reviewed By dcm_boticelli - Orlando, United States

LA Phil under Gustavo Dudamel is one of the greatest orchestras of the world and Disney Hall is an ideal place for their magical performances.

8. Bullocks Wilshire Building

3050 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010-1106 +1 213-738-8240 http://www.swlaw.edu/campus/building
Excellent
67%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Bullocks Wilshire Building

9. Fine Arts Building

811 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017-3408
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Fine Arts Building

10. Oviatt Building

617 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90014-1605 http://oviatt.com/
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
9%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Oviatt Building

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