Downtown Los Angeles, or DTLA combines trendiness and historical value with its hip restaurants, cultural attractions, contemporary museums, street art, entertainment options and architecturally rich buildings. The city charms over 22 million tourists a year with its nightlife, photo-worthy scenes, travel must-sees, food and culture. From popular filming locations to trendy markets and eccentric street art, the city is packed with hidden gems in every corner.
For those who live in Los Angeles or other parts of California and haven’t had a chance to explore DTLA and appreciate all it has to offer, now is the perfect time to see the city. Even if you’ve already been to DTLA, you’re bound to discover a new place or corner you haven’t seen before! DTLA is easily accessible via metro and is one of the most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods in Los Angeles. No matter where you’re at in California, you can easily hop on a train to Union Station and head out to DTLA for a fun-filled day! The main Metro exits in Downtown are Union Station, Grand Park, Pershing Square and the 7th St/Metro Center, which all run on the red or purple line. You can even get off directly at Chinatown on the yellow line. Explore locally, take day trips to cities you haven’t seen, and use this time to rediscover the beauty California has to offer.
Downtown LA’s vibrant blend of old and new buildings, skyline views, amazing murals from local artists and historic value makes it one of the most photo-worthy areas in California. DTLA is also a hotspot for filming locations and has been featured in several movies from La La Land, Terminator and Rush Hour as well as older classics like Grease and Blade Runner. Artists from around Los Angeles showcase their talent by painting murals throughout the city, giving the DTLA Arts District its reputation for unique graffiti and photographic walls. From the architecture of the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad Museum to the magical bookstore and urban street art in the Arts District, you won’t find photo opportunities like this anywhere else! Get your camera ready and document memories that will last you a lifetime.
By Kinya Claiborne & Thy Nguyen, STYLE & SOCIETY
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia, Bobby McGee, Donnell Spencer Jr., Carl Gerard
620 W. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
With its distinctive glossy white tunnels that resemble a photographic light box, the Second Street Tunnel has gained the title of being “LA’s Most Recognized Landmark No One Has Heard Of”. The 1500 foot long tunnel was built in 1924 to relieve congestion in the Third Street tunnel and has since become a widely filmed and photographed tunnel. It is one of the most famous movie locations as well as a popular location for several car advertisements. The Second Street Tunnel can be seen in films such as Blade Runner, Terminator, Rocky IV, Kill Bill, Transformers and many others. Many artists such as Cardi B, The Weekend, The Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi, and Ke$ha have also shot music videos in this tunnel. It served as the set for designer Michelle Mason at LA Fashion Week in 2004 and the Elysium/Audi Party at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards. Next time you’re in Downtown Los Angeles, make sure you stop by this tunnel and follow in the footsteps of these iconic Hollywood celebrities!
234 S. Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
Photo Credit: Carl Gerard
The Downtown Los Angeles skyline can be seen from miles away all throughout California and is one of DTLA’s most notable sights. The closer you get to the city, the better the skyline views. While there are many skyline views, one of the best perspectives is the Third Street Bridge. The Third Street Bridge is located directly next to the Bunker Hill Tower Apartments. You can access the bridge from the concrete spiral stairs on the northeast corner of Third Street and Figueroa Street. The Wilshire Grand Center is the tallest building in the skyline as of June 2017, standing at 1,100 feet high. It is the tallest building in California, West of the Mississippi River and the 14th tallest building in the United States. You can see the majority of the buildings perfectly from the Third Street Bridge and get several skyline shots that will instantly up your Instagram game.
111 S. Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
The Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of the most iconic buildings in Downtown Los Angeles and is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and Los Angeles Master Chorale. It was designed in 2003 by Frank Gehry and has since hosted events such as the world premiere of The Matrix Revolutions and Idol Gives Back with Ellen Degeneres. Its stainless steel with a matte finish has been seen on television in Collateral starring Jamie Foxx, Iron Man, Furious 7, and Get Smart. Rascal Flatts, II Divo, Kelly Clarkson and other great musicians have held performances here. This is one pit stop in Downtown LA you need to visit.
221 S. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
The Broad Museum is one of the world’s leading collections of postwar and contemporary art and is home to over 2,000 works of art. This two-story museum is one of Downtown’s greatest attractions and one you cannot miss. This contemporary art museum is like no other with its unique architecture and interactive installations. Popular installations at The Broad include Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog and Under The Table, a 10-foot tall table and chairs installation by Robert Therrien. This museum offers free general admission and several photo ops that will last you a lifetime.
W Gen Thad Kosciuszko Way Los Angeles, CA 90012
Photo Credit: Carl Gerard
Right under The Broad Museum lies another popular filming location you may not have known about! The Lower Grand Tunnel is located on Grand Avenue and West Gen Thad Kosciuszko Way. It has been featured in films all throughout Hollywood including The Terminator, The Dark Knight Rises, Batman Forever and Austin Powers in Goldmember. The tunnel is also used largely for fashion shoots, car photoshoots and car commercials such as Audi, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai. When you visit the tunnel, you will most likely see tons of cars and cameras no matter what time of day it is. The skylight in the tunnel provides perfect light for all your shots when the sun shines down into the tunnel. Be sure to check out this notorious film and photoshoot location on your DTLA adventures!
200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Photo Credit: Donnell Spencer Jr.
Head over to Grand Park for a change of scenery and for some relaxation time. Grand Park has been around since 1966 and is located in the civic center of Los Angeles directly across from City Hall. Take in some beautiful scenery as you sit by the fountain drinking your Starbucks and enjoying the weather at the park. You can walk around, have a socially distant picnic with your friends, and see City Hall. Grand Park even has events such as yoga in the park, disco nights, summits, food trucks, concerts and food festivals! They have a great Fourth of July Fireworks Show, a New Year’s Eve block party and fireworks show and Winter Glow during the months of December and January. Winter Glow is a collection of light interactive installations that will satisfy your desire to see some Christmas lights. The fountain at Grand Park is the biggest fountain in Downtown Los Angeles with lights that change colors every night and make for a perfect picture!
135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Photo Credit: Bobby McGee
The Music Center is one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States located in the Bunker Hill district of Downtown Los Angeles. It includes the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Mark Taper Forum,Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Ahmanson Theater. The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Center Theatre Group all frequently hold performances, plays and concerts at the Music Center. The plaza includes a huge fountain, a coffee shop, big screens, and restaurants. There are even stairs and glass walls where you can take trendy pictures that will make you feel like you’re in New York rather than Downtown LA.
Grand Central Market & Angel’s Flight
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013 & 350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
Grand Central Market is a bustling open food hall located in Bunker Hill that has been around for over a hundred years. Residents would ride down on Angel’s Flight and shop for groceries since 1917. Today, Grand Central Market has close to 50 vendors with new vendors constantly joining the community! It is home to some of LA’s most popular restaurants including Eggslut, Lucky Bird, Ramen Hood and more. The newest addition to the family is The Donut Man. Whether you’re looking to grab some fresh fruit, a quick bite or a full meal, the food options are endless at this food emporium! Satisfy your craving for Mexican food, Thai food, breakfast sandwiches, pasta, pizza and more. There’s even a little grocery store on the lower level and vendors that sell clothing and other various merchandise. You definitely donut want to miss out on coming here for an amazing dining experience.
Next door is Angel’s Flight, the world’s shortest railway located in the California Plaza across from Grand Central Market. It’s a short ride between Hill Street and Grave Ave on Bunker Hill. It costs $1.00 each way or you can spend $2.00 for a roundtrip ride and souvenir ticket. There is a $0.50 discount for TAP Metro card users. Angel’s Flight has been part of the Hollywood scene for over 100 years. Its debut film was Good Night Nurse in 1918 and has served as a location for movies we all know and love such as The Muppets and La La Land. Transport yourself to a different era as you take a ride on this classic railway!
630 W. 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90071
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
The Los Angeles Public Library has been around since 1926 and is a historic DTLA landmark. It is the largest publicly funded library system in the United States and the third largest public library in the United States in terms of books and periodical holdings. The interior of the library has chandeliers, statues, a four part mural and several other remarkable features. The exterior of the library is equally eye-catching and has hidden gems such as fountains, gardens and statues all around the area. Next time you’re in Downtown, be sure to check out the library and a book!
453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Photo Credit: Donnell Spencer Jr
Josh Spencer began selling books and other things online, focused on books and opened a small bookstore on 4th and Main Street in 2005. In June 2011, he moved the bookstore to the Spring Arts Tower. The Last Bookstore is a former bank vault that was converted into a two-story Instagrammable bookstore. There are books on both levels as well as in the former vault. Josh Spencer wanted to create a bookstore with artistic displays that would convert Instagram visitors into book purchasers. You can find books ranging on just about every topic from old childhood classics to books on history and racism. Upstairs you can find the lit up book tunnel, the book circle and even some art from the Spring Arts Collective. The Spring Arts Collective is made up of art installations, mini galleries and gift shops on the second level of the bookstore. The second you walk into the bookstore, it will feel like you stepped into a world of fantasy, fiction, history and magic. It’s a reading wonderland and every book lover’s dream! You can even sit on the chairs, benches and couches and read as you lose yourself in a whole other world.
929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
Broadway was the principal entertainment center in Downtown Los Angeles and is the only large concentration of movie palaces left in the United States. It is a six block street that contains twelve movie theaters built between 1910 and 1931. The surviving theaters on this block are the Million Dollar Theater, Roxie Theater, Cameo Theater, Arcade Theater, Los Angeles Theatre, Palace Theater, State Theatre, Globe Theatre, Tower Theatre, Rialto Theater, Orpheum Theatre and the United Artists Theater. Several events, screenings and concerts are still held in these theaters today.
The United Artist Theater is a flagship theater built for the United Artists Motion Picture Studio. In 1990, the theater was converted into a church, but was converted back into a hotel and auditorium in 2013. The auditorium is now used as a concert venue, theater and has three bars. Performers such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Celine Dion have held concerts at this venue. Walk along the Broadway Theater District as you’re exploring Downtown Los Angeles and soak in the architecture and history it has to offer!
943 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
Chinatown has been one of L.A.’s most popular tourist destinations since June 1938 and is located in Downtown Los Angeles near the city’s civic and cultural center. You can find the hottest restaurants and bars, Bruce Lee’s old studio, art galleries and more! Stop by the Chinese American Museum, keep your eye out for the Twin Dragons gateway at the entrance,and the Bruce Lee statue at the Central Plaza. The Chinatown Central Plaza is filled with vivid colors and patterns, hanging lanterns and amazing architecture. It’s picturesque at every corner and so unique that no two photos will be the same! Walk into the little shops and grab yourself some souvenirs. Once you’ve finished exploring, head over to one of the several restaurants around. Some of LA’s most popular restaurants like Howlin Rays and Phillipe’s French Dip are around the corner or grub on some authentic Chinese food at places like Yang Chow or Foo Chow, the famous restaurant from Rush Hour. Stop in for some cocktails at General Lee’s or Grand Star Jazz Club. No matter where you go in Chinatown, you’re guaranteed to have the time of your life!
125 Paseo De La Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
Olvera Street is a colorful Mexican marketplace that is full of culture, history and shops. It is known as “the birthplace of Los Angeles” and was created in 1930 to preserve the customs and trades of early California. You can stroll along the brick road and take in the historical buildings as you browse through the handmade pottery, wallets, leather and art. With the mariachi music playing and the beautiful sights, it feels as if you’re actually in Mexico. While you’re there, the Cielito Lindo taquito stand is a must. They have the most delicious and authentic taquitos in all of Los Angeles! Olvera Street is a historical landmark of Los Angeles that you need to visit next time you’re in town.
335 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
If you’re in the mood for some authentic Japanese cuisine and fun shops, Little Tokyo is just the place for you! Little Tokyo has been around since 1905 and is one of the last remaining three Japantowns in the United States. The entire plaza has Japanese lanterns hanging from the buildings and makes for a picture perfect moment! It has over 15 authentic ramen places, sushi, shabu shabu, yakitori and tons of dessert. Daikokuya is the best ramen spot in LA and while the wait is usually long, it’s worth every second.
Little Tokyo has bakeries that sell Japanese pastries, a grocery store, Honeymee, and a mochi ice cream shop called Mikawaya. Once you’re done eating, check out one of the museums or head to one of the Japanese gardens. The James Irvine Japanese Garden is located in the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and there is also a garden on the rooftop of the DoubleTree Hotel. Be sure to check out Weller Court and the Little Tokyo Galleria for some shopping. As you’re walking around, make sure to keep your eye out for the pink staircase and pink mural with blue eyes. It’s located near the Non Factory Skateboard Shop and will give your Instagram feed the pop of color you’ve been looking for. There’s also a Daiso, a Sanrio store, an arcade, purikura photo booths, karaoke bars and bowling alleys nearby! Little Tokyo has it all and will leave you wanting to take a trip to Japan as soon as you leave.
Chromatic Cascade Wall by Jen Stark: 1828 Conway Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
The Arts District is one of the hottest neighborhoods in Downtown Los Angeles with its eye catching murals, street art and industrial buildings. The neighborhood began as a vineyard, grew into an industrial center for manufacturing and railroads and is now home to creatives in art, technology and architecture. The Arts District has unique, fun and Instagram worthy walls on just about every street! Whether you’re on the hunt for the popular angel wings by Colette Miller, the inspirational WRDSMTH quotes or the Chromatic Cascade wall, you will find endless street art that will have you snapping pictures all day long. The Arts district is also home to urban coffee shops, trendy bars, Urth Caffe, and some hole-in-the wall art museums like Hauser & Wirth or Over The Influence. Take a break and stop into Salt & Straw for the most delicious ice cream you’ll ever taste in your life. While you’re there, be sure to keep your eye out for the colorful steps on the Fourth Street Bridge!
300 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
One Santa Fe is a small plaza in the Arts District with murals and artwork that are bound to make you fall in love. You can stop here for a quick bite at EdiBol or Cafe Gratitude, grab some ice cream at Van Leeuwen’s, get your nails done or check out a bookstore! You’ve surely seen rainbow heart walls and WRDSMTH walls all around LA and if you’ve wanted to take some cute pictures of yourself, now’s your chance.
901 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles CA 90013
Photo Credit: Kinga Sarabia
Iwan and Manuela Wirth, alongside Manuela’s mother Ursula Hauser, founded Hauser & Wirth in 1992 in Zurich. In March 2016, they opened an art gallery in Downtown Los Angeles in the Arts District. The gallery sits in the former Global Mills complex and has approximately two to three exhibits being simultaneously displayed. The artwork is a mixture of contemporary art and historical collections that tell a story. The plaza also includes Manuela, a restaurant that uses fresh produce from its garden right next to the restaurant as well as a bookstore and gift shop that sells artwork and fun, miscellaneous accessories. The two exhibits currently on display are Lucio Fontana Walking the Space: Spatial Environments 1948-1968 until September 13, 2020 and August Sander: New Women, New Men and New Identities until July 19, 2020. The museum is free general admission as long as you book your reservations online in advance. Don’t forget to check out the green wall on the East side of the building for some fun shots! There are plenty of photo ops throughout this entire area so have your camera ready and dive into a world of art.
777 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Photo Credit: Carl Gerard
Located a few streets down from the main neighborhood of the Arts District, The Row DTLA is a trendy district with retail outlets, pop-up shops, galleries and exhibits, restaurants, coffee shops and office spaces. This is the perfect place to come if you need a new workspace or want to work and get fresh air at the same time. The Row is the home of Smorgasburg, the largest weekly open-air food market in America with the best food vendors from all over Los Angeles. Eat until you drop, hang out with your friends in the Beer Garden, listen to live music and shop to your heart’s content every Sunday. The Row has also held events such as pop-up Christmas museums and Haus of Creep, an interactive haunted Halloween show last year. Look for the Instagram worthy walls around The Row including this pop art, comic style “You Are Going To Be Fine” mural by Leta Sobierajski. You can find this art next to Poketo and snap some pictures by the artwork right next to the parking garage.
150 N Myers St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Photo Credit: Donnell Spencer Jr
The Los Angeles River flows nearly 51 miles from Canoga Park to its mouth in Long Beach and has been featured in entertainment for years. Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Chinatown, Grease, Drive, American Horror Story and Amazing Race have all been shot at the LA River. Kanye West, Maroon 5 and Good Charlotte have also filmed music videos at this iconic landmark. The First Street Bridge and Fourth Street Bridge are popular photoshoot locations that will add a pop you didn’t know you needed to your Instagram feed.
The main entrances to the LA River have been closed off. To get down to the river, type in the address of the Color Graphics building and park your car in the lot. You can also get there by driving to First Street and Mission, turning left on Mission, turning left right before the freeway entrance and accessing the parking lot. From there, you will need to venture across the train tracks, find the broken gates, climb the wall and scale down the wall to the river. Be careful of the broken glass as you’re climbing down and don’t worry, it looks a lot steeper than it actually is! Once you’ve climbed down the wall, you can capture amazing shots and walk along the river. The river is mostly dry, but is beautiful if you can catch the flow. You can even ride your bike and skateboard down to the river. Once you’ve taken in all its beauty, head back up to the parking lot and snap some train track shots. The trains are still running so be weary and look both ways! There’s even a beautiful skyline view from the parking lot.
