Los Angeles Landmarks for Locals

By GillianS
updated 3 months ago

If you're an L.A. "local" (you've lived here for more than a year) there are certain images and landmarks that you can call up when among fellow Angelenos (no matter where you are) that will not only get you 'cred' but you will immediately feel a sense of camaraderie with these strangers who you probably don't even like that much. These are some of those big and mostly ugly things.

Citicorp Plaza

725 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90017

Overlooking the 110 Freeway and viewed by approximately 250,000 people every day, this Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra mural – titled Harbor Freeway Overture – has been up since I first moved to L.A. and will always hold a special place in my heart. The way that violinist Julie Gigante (really? Gigante?) and former concertmaster Ralph Morrison peer down on passing motorists is creepy and reminds me that no one cares aboout chamber music. Except Kent Twitchell .

Bob's Big Boy

1407 W Glenoaks Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91201

I will grant that Bob’s Big Boy, uh, big boy is more universal than to just be termed an LA landmark, what with it’s memorable pop culture appearances, including Austin Powers but its looming presence over a quintessential and authentic drive-in diner is worth mentioning. This boy, who has stood in the same place for over 50 years (much like that dude by the 7-11 near my house), is everything I could ever want in a man: perpetually youthful, consistently rock hard and always offering up a cheeseburger.

Superior Poultry CO

750 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Believe it or not (I didn’t), there are a few locations with similarities to this Chinatown landmark, meaning, there are a few rooster roofs throughout the city. I don’t know why. I don’t even know if we eat roosters or if we only eat the chickens. All I know is that every time I see one of these, I think it’s great and it reminds me of that tasty rooster sauce that they have at Chinese restaurants.

LA Barca Restaurant

2414 S Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90007

This is a more obscure landmark on the LA cityscape, but near this tasty and frequently raucous Mexican restaurant (they have those awnings over the booths that everyone loves because it feels like you’re eating in a little cabana..especially after a few margaritas and barbs at the expense of nearby sorority girls) is a really spectacular mural of the late Pope John Paul II. It might not be the most true to life, but you can tell that it was painted with the sweat and tears of the faithful. And Jesus.

PS: I’m told this mural has actually been painted over. Yes, Los Angeles is now officially doomed.

University of Southern California

3601 Trousdale Pkwy Los Angeles, CA 90089

If you see one of those maps of Los Angeles where it’s a drawing and supposed to be like art instead of a useful map, one particular structure might stand out as a little unfamiliar and kind of ugly. That structure is on the USC University Park campus and it’s called VKC (it stands for Von Kleinschmidt Center if you really care…no, I don’t know who Von Kleinschmidt is, I think I missed that day at orientation). What it amounts to is the skeleton of a globe on top of a brick tower. I think that might be where the bells are for the bell that rings once an hour, sometimes, except when it doesn’t. It’s ugly, but it’s ours. Fight On.

Pink's

709 N La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038

The sign for world famous hot-dog stand “Pink’s” is totally iconic, not in a cool local way but in a touristy, gaudy way. It’s the line outside Pink’s that is bafflingly long and worth noting to other Angelenos. Every time I drive by this kind of greasy and surprisingly mediocre place, I am amazed that so many people will wait in line for these hot dogs! I mean, they’re OK, but a LINE? In the RAIN? Are you serious? No, you’re tourists. What. Ever.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art-Lacma

Los Angeles, CA 90001

When I first saw this new(ish) art installation at LACMA, by way of the new(ish) Broad Contemporary, I thought it was probably temporary rather than contemporary. That is, I thought it was actually street lights waiting to be installed rather than an art exhibit. Much to my amazement, and pleasure, it IS an exhibition. It kind of just looks like a few rows of streetlights, but when it’s all lit up at night, it’s really pretty cool. And you can run around betwixt them if you’re so inclined. It’s like one of those fountains where the kids run around with no shirts on in the summer. Only, you should probably keep your shirt on.

Thai Town Express

5501 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028

I dismissed the Pink’s Hot Dog, but the Thai Town Hot Dog is actually worth noting. It’s on the corner of Western and Hollywood Blvd, across from a giant shoe store and one of those cool looking public housing projects with all the colorful tiles. But, the best part about this large, peeling, plaster hot dog that has Thai Town Express emblazoned across it, is that there is no way you will get a hot dog at the Thai place that sits below. But, I’m pretty sure they sell car insurance.