I always enjoy going to Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) whenever I get the chance. Some parts of it are rough, but in the last decade or so it’s experienced a revival and is always a cool experience. It’s not as old as Boston or New York but it has a colorful history.
When you’re alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go . . . downtown
When you’ve got worries, all the noise, and the hurry
Seems to help, I know, . . downtown . . . ~ Petula Clark
Find things to do and where to stay in Downtown Los Angeles, here.
I love taking the L.A. Metro downtown to avoid having to park and it’s fairly easy to walk around at each of its stops. This post is a pictorial of some of its iconic buildings and sights.
The Central Library
The Central Library Goodhue building was built in 1926 and is a historic landmark. A new wing was added in 1993, named for Mayor Tom Bradley, making the entire complex (officially renamed the Richard Riordan Central Library) the third largest library in the United States for the number of books and periodicals. Read more about the Central Library here.
The Historic Biltmore Hotel
Just a few blocks from the Library is the historic Millennium Biltmore. It opened its doors in 1923 and was the site of the early Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences was founded in 1927 at a luncheon in the Biltmore’s Crystal Ballroom.
It was designed by the architectural firm of Schultze & Weaver with a mixture of Spanish-Italian Renaissance Revival, Mediterranean Revival, and Beaux-Arts styles. The Rennaissance Lounge inside is elegant and iconic.
Grand Central Market
One of my favorite things to do in Downtown Los Angeles is to have lunch at the Grand Central Market. The open structure was built in 1917 and celebrates the cuisines and cultures of Los Angeles. In recent years, a number of new restaurant vendors have been installed along with several that have been there for decades.
Years ago, it was simply a place to buy vegetables, and meat and have a quick lunch. The meat and vegetables are still available but the meat is now gourmet and the venue is a trendy place to hang out and network.
The Bradbury Building
The exquisite Bradbury Building, designed by Sumner Hunt, is just outside of the Grand Central Market. It was one of the filming locations for the original movie Bladerunner and is an architectural wonder. It is now a Coop workspace owned by Neuehouse and has a swanky cocktail spot called Wyman Bar inside for its members to network in.
Angel’s Flight
Across the street from Grand Central Market on Hill St. is Angel’s Flight, a small funicular railroad that originally opened on Bunker Hill in 1901 and closed in 1969 to make way for development. It was relocated in 1996 to connect Hill St. with California Plaza. It has closed and opened several times due to accidents and safety issues but is now open to the public.
Union Station
Union Station opened in 1939 and is still is the hub for transportation in Downtown Los Angeles. It was refurbished in 2021 for the Academy Awards and is gleaming and gorgeous. From there you can take an Amtrak train to points beyond or jump on the LA Metro subway, MetroLink, or board buses.
Old Movie Theaters
Downtown Los Angeles is home to many old and majestic theaters. Some have closed their doors , have turned into other businesses or used as filming location managers like the Million Dollar Theater.
Below are images of some of them. Click on them to view them full-size.
Art Deco buildings
There are stunning Art Deco-style buildings throughout the city of Los Angeles. The Eastern Columbia Building downtown is also known as the Eastern Columbia Lofts. It is a thirteen-story Art Deco building designed by Claud Beelman located at 849 S. Broadway in the Broadway Theater District.
It opened on September 12, 1930, after just nine months of construction.
Iconic Buildings
Los Angeles architecture varies from Spanish-style to Art Deco and everything in between. These old buildings have been Downtown fixtures since the early 20th century.
Quirky Places
If you are in Downtown Los Angeles near Pershing Square, make sure to visit The Last Bookstore. It will almost make you feel like you went down the rabbit hole in a Lewis Carrol novel.
Watch my Instagram reel inside The Last Bookstore, below.
Ann is a hero of mine. I wish I had attended. I have no good excuse and now I’m kicking myself. Great post, because it makes me wish I were there. GREG
Sorry you missed it Greg. We had a great time. Our group was small but it was lots of fun. Maybe next time!
Thanks for the great article and photos. I also want to mention the LA Conservancy does walking tours and events in LA to explore historical buildings and give you inside info on architecture, art, famous people and behind the scenes stories. LA has so many treasures and most people don’t know about them. We can all learn and enjoy!
Hi Tracy, Thanks for the info. You’re right. I’ve always wanted to go on the LA Conservancy tours but haven’t had a chance yet. I’m glad you liked the article and thanks for commenting.
Oh, man. You just barely scratched the surface on Downtown eateries, including Cafe Pinot (Pinot Cafe?) right outside the Central Library’s entrance on Flower St. That’s a little chi-chi. But there’s Phillipe’s, on Alameda, Yang Chow, in Chinatown, Homegirl Cafe, and my fave of all the wonderful places on Olvera St., Luz Del Dia, which is where all the locals go. Yum!
Oh Ann! I love it! Luckily I’ll be coming down there more often when I go to the library for their meetings. I love Philippe’s. I’ve eaten there several times but I love your ideas. I want to try them all. Thanks so much! Yum!
That market looks amazing! I have always wanted to visit LA. Someday! Thanks so much for the virtual tour. 🙂
Hi Kelly, I hope you have a chance to come out. The market is quintessential Los Angeles. I think you will enjoy it.
I do love going downtown and do not get there enough. I also am old enough to remember that song too! That looks like it was such a fun day! Wish I could have made it there.
Wish you could have come too Raquel! I was looking at your post about the Boysenberry Festival and it reminded me of when I worked at Knott’s Berry Farm doing melodramas in the 70’s. Very fun times and the boysenberries there are delicious!
Terrific article with info I definitely need since I am still new to LA area! You covered places definitely on my “To Do” list and it is just the push I need to go to those places….my favorites: libraries, old hotels and markets!
I hope you get a chance to see some of them. Downtown LA is fun and easy if you can take the subway. I always look forward to going there and would love to take one of the conservancy tours.