Must-See Sites In Los Angeles California

The vast sprawl of Los Angeles is a blessing and a curse. With its range of architecture, canals and bridges, it’s hard to know where to start exploring. Here is a short guide of sites around LA you need to see.

1. Bradbury Building

Building

The Bradbury Building is the oldest remaining commercial building in Los Angeles. Even 100 years later, it is easy to see why its opening was so widely celebrated. The floors are made of glazed Mexican tile, the steps are lined with soft red marble, and pine banisters top the ornate cast iron sidings. But the most inspiring aspect of the Victorian architecture is the five-story atrium that runs along the entirety of the building. Businesses have come and gone through the Bradbury, and it now houses the office of the City Treasurer and the Internal Affairs division of the LAPD. This is a must-see place in downtown LA, which will give you a snapshot of the city in its glory days.

2. Venice Canals

Architectural Landmark

In the early 1900s a man named Abbot Kinney had a dream to create the Venice of America, equipped with canals and an Italiantown center. Unfortunately, investors of his day did not share his cosmopolitan spirit and Kinney was forced to cut his project short when he was unable to obtain funding. The canals were the only part of his vision to be realized. Over the years many of them have been drained and filled to accommodate the growing auto industry, and the few that were left fell into disrepair. The canals were renovated in 1992 and modern million dollar homes now line the waterfronts. These are especially beautiful at night, when the canals offer respite from the pounding traffic flowing through surrounding streets.

3. Ballona Creek and Ballona Creek Bridge

Bridge

Bicycle path along Ballona Creek, Los Angeles, California, USA.

The beginning of the Ballona Creek path is at the intersection of Jefferson and National. From beginning to end, the path runs about seven miles and ends at a bridge that will take you to Dockweiler Beach. If you don’t want to travel the entire way, there are plenty of exits and entrances from different streets along the way. It is the most direct way from West LA to the coast, and it’s a great scenic walk that will take you through Culver City and Marina Del Rey. Once you reach the bridge you have a few options: continue straight, farther out into the bay, and walk alongside sailboats and UCLA’s crew team. Or, you can make a left across the bridge and follow the path to Palos Verdes.

5. Watt’s Towers

Building

Tour guide at Watts Towers. Watts, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Sabato ‘Simon’ Rodia was an Italian immigrant who was determined to build an art piece that brought the community together. He began construction in 1921 and, after decades of working by himself, he completed the Watts Towers in 1955. The original triangle shaped lot has since been parceled off into a small park and amphitheater, and only a fraction of his work remains. Three primary towers are still in place, the tallest of which is close to 10 stories. All are adorned with shells and mosaic of all colors of the rainbow. Above all, it is the structural rhythm of the Towers that draws you in. Guided tours are offered Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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