A Little Reminder: City Hall Observation Deck

By Eric Richardson
Published: Thursday, November 15, 2007, at 01:42PM

Historic Core and Southwest Eric Richardson [Flickr]
Downtown Skyline Eric Richardson [Flickr]

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — There are some topics that I think deserve a post every six to nine months, just as a refresher. It’s been ten months since I last instructed everyone to go check out the Observation Deck at City Hall, so it’s due for a mention. As I wrote last September, this is a spot that I think too few Downtowners know about or take advantage of.

Tuesday I saw clear blue skies outside and headed for the Deck to take some photos. There was one other lady up there at the time, a juror who happened to come take a look while wandering during her lunch break. It was her first time up, and she agreed with my comment that it might just be the best view in the City.

You can see my full set of shots, or a few more favorites (and details on how to visit) after the jump.

Fundamentals for those of you interested in taking a look for yourself… The Deck is open during normal City Hall hours (9am - 5pm or so). Just tell the security desk that’s where you want to go and they’ll write your visitor badge for floor 27. Take the elevator to 22 where you switch to a different set. Take that one to 26, then walk up the fancy marble stairs to the Tom Bradley Room.

LAPD Construction Crane and the Eastern Columbia

LAPD HQ Crane in front of AT&T Center and Eastern Columbia

Burn Area at Griffith Park

Griffith Park Burn Area

LAPD Headquarters Construction

LAPD HQ Construction


Comments

1
Dunne's Ghost writes:

The top of the old TransAmerica tower is being enclosed. Farewell to the cockroach, if you know what I mean. There once was a wood deck and Japanese themed roof garden one level below the long gone Tower Restaurant. The night after I got back from a year in Vietnam, friends and I had one fine dinner there. Afterward, we went out on the deck to take it all in. I hope there will be some sort of new public facility on either or both levels there at the top of AT & T. The view of Downtown and the mountain backdrop from up there easily outclasses that from atop City Hall.

# on Nov.15.2007 AT 02:14 PM
2
Will Campbell writes:

During the “Faces of Sunset” photo exhibit in the enclosed pedestrian walkway connecting City Hall to City Hall East a few months ago my wife and I took the elevators up to the top and went up from there to the Tom Bradley room and enjoyed the views to ourselves. I was half-tempted to sneak through one of the small access doors that lead to more stairs up to the rooftop above the deck but I didn’t want to push it.

# on Nov.15.2007 AT 04:37 PM
3
skidrowdude writes:

Thanks for the “refesher” E- I will go soon. I did not know that the observation deck was there.

As always, I enjoy your blog,

E

# on Nov.16.2007 AT 02:19 PM
4
steve (Yoga DVD Video ) writes:

How does griffith look these days. I might wannna shoot there but I am down in San diego so I can’t see. Anyone have recent pics they can email to me?

Namaste,

Steve

# on Oct.14.2008 AT 09:03 AM

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