Best Historic Landmarks In Los Angeles
Some of Los Angeles' most noteworthy historical landmarks date back as far as the early 1900s. From nationally recognized gifts of friendship to iconic places frequently featured in TV and film, these historic landmarks make for some pretty camera-worthy moments.
Korean Friendship Bell
3601 S. Gaffey St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 548-7705
www.laparks.org
Located inside Angels Gate Park lies a historic-cultural monument made up of a gigantic bell that sits inside a temple-like stone pavilion. The bell was a gift from the Republic of Korea in honor of friendship between two nations. Modeled after the Bell of King Seongdeok, it is known as one of the largest bells in the world. With gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island in the distance, the Korean Friendship Bell has become a popular place for weddings, picnics and photo opportunities. The pavilion has even been featured in a couple scenes in the "The Usual Suspects" film.
The Hollywood Sign
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 258-4338
www.hollywoodsign.com
Sitting in the middle of the city, the Hollywood Sign is one of the most well-known landmarks in LA and the world. Representing the glitz and glamour that is Los Angeles, as well as the entertainment industry, it is viewable from almost all parts of the city and has been written about, talked about, and featured in countless books and movies. What was once created as a real estate advertisement for a new development in 1923 has over the years been saved many times over from deterioration and today is one of the most iconic symbols of LA.
Venice Canals
200 Linnie Canal
Venice, CA 90291
www.discoverlosangeles.com
The Venice Canals were fashioned after the canals of Venice, Italy and were built in 1905 by tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney, who founded the city to create a Venice of America. At one point, the beautiful Venice Canals were graced with authentic gondolas brought in straight from Italy. The man-made Venice Canals span across four blocks with the Carrol Canal, Linnie Canal, Howland Canal and Sherman Canal each running east to west from the Grand Canal to Eastern Canal, each of which runs from north to south. The Venice Canals were placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and declared a Los Angeles historic-cultural monument a year later. Now it has become a popular tourist attraction with historical significance.
The Hollywood Bowl
2301 Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90068
(323) 850-2000
www.hollywoodbowl.com
As easily one of the most historic and well-known landmarks in Los Angeles and the country, The Hollywood Bowl is home to years of concerts from the best and most well-known artists that have toured through it. Opened in 1922, artists such as The Beatles, Elton John, John Mayer, and the Doors have made their way to play to throngs of fans. Home to the LA Philharmonic in the summer months, it also houses the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and is well known for its band shell, or the bowl that covers the stage.
TCL Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 461-3331
www.tclchinesetheatres.com
For more than 75 years, the TLC Chinese Theater has been an iconic Hollywood landmark located along the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame. Originally named after showman Sid Grauman, the Chinese Theater became recognized as a historic and cultural landmark in 1968 before being renamed twice in the years that followed. Cement handprints and footprints immortalize more than 200 Hollywood legends including the likes of Judy Garland, Shirley Temple, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Robin Williams, Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks, Richard Gere, Harrison Ford and the cast of "Harry Potter." After converting the original theater to IMAX, the Chinese Theatre has since become the biggest IMAX auditorium in the world, seating as many as 932 people.
Bradbury Building
304 S. Broadway St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 626-1893
www.laconservancy.org
Known for its stunning architecture, the Bradbury Building became a designated historic landmark in 1977 after being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. As the oldest commercial building in Los Angeles, the building has become a popular filming location for films like "Blade Runner," "500 Days of Summer" and "Lethal Weapon 4," just to name a few. Among the building's most notable features are its open cage elevators, detailed ironwork, interior woodwork and stunning Victorian skylight. The lobby is open to the public, but the rest of the building is limited to occupants of the building.
Santa Monica Pier
100 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8900
www.santamonicapier.org
Designated as a historical landmark in 1976, the Santa Monica Pier first came to fruition in 1909 as a means for disposing treated sewage into the ocean. Masking the public utility of the pier, it quickly became known as the first concrete pier on the West Coast. It wasn't until 1915 that the local community expressed interest in turning the pier into a theme park. A year later, amusement entrepreneur Charles Loof made it happen by building a wider, adjacent pier with an amusement park and opened the doors to what is now known as Pacific Park. A few years later, the pier collapsed. By the 1930s, the Santa Monica Pier served as a city dance hall, lifeguard headquarters and even as the city jail for a short time. Over the years, the pier has undergone many renovations after nearly being destroyed. Since the completion of its latest renovation in 1990, the Santa Monica Pier has become a national icon offering a little something for everyone.
.
