No offense to Museum Row or museums in general, but I’d much rather spend a day admiring the architecture around the city, or walking through areas filled with street art. While I’ve made some exceptions during my travels, it’s usually hard to find the necessary 4-hour block to fully admire a museum’s art collection. Fortunately, a lot of the Museum Row area in LA is filled with outdoor art, available 24/7:
*Levitated Mass: this bewildering piece has been around since 2012, when a massive boulder was carried on an even bigger truck from Riverside. It’s a surreal sight now, but even more so when it was being transported around town. It was such a big deal that they made a documentary film about it! The most dramatic way to see it is to enter LACMA via the park at the corner of Fairfax and 6th St (although this entrance closes at dusk).
*Urban Light: two-hundred and two antique street lamps illuminate the area outside LACMA every night – and attract newlyweds in search of a photo session every day. I love walking in between all the lamps whenever I’m around the neighborhood. It’s a beautiful piece.
*Berlin Wall Segments: across the street from Urban Light, you’ll see the longest stretch of the Wall outside of Germany. Some of the segments include original graffiti from the Cold War days. Make sure to check out both sides of the Wall!
5900 Wilshire Boulevard
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Find your way with 135 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Pacific Wheel" is a ferris wheel in Los Angeles' Santa Monica Pier. I love the surprising views from it and the fact that it's solar-powered!
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"HD Buttercup" is a furniture and home decor store in a historic Los Angeles building that also hosts a bread museum - the original site of Helms Bakery...
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The "Santa Monica Stairs" in Los Angeles is one of my favorite stairways for some outdoor activity. I find is inspiring because the the fittest go there!
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"Venice Beach Skatepark" in Los Angeles is the birthplace of skateboarding. This skatepark has two giant pools, a spot for tricks and even a live webcam!
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Part of The Big Lebowski was filmed at this otherwise unassuming community in Los Angeles, 'Faircrest Heights'.Please remember this is a private residence.
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The "405 and 10 Intersection" in Los Angeles is one of the busiest in America. This intersection is so famous, it even has its own facebook page!
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"Los Liones Canyon Trail" one of my favorite hiking trails in Los Angeles. It always makes me feel as if I've escaped city life and gets my heart pumping.
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"Watts Towers" in Los Angeles is a national landmark, built by a talented Italian immigrant over the duration of 30 years. They remind me of Antoni Gaudi.
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The "Sunbathing Sea Lions" in Los Angeles' Marina del Rey are huge, playful and charming, but they can also be dangerous. The fishermen know their names!
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"Kippy's" in Los Angeles makes healthy, vegan coconut milk ice cream and it's my #1 favorite local spot. I go there as many as 5 times a week!
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"Father's Office" in Los Angeles is an upscale gastropub with 'bar food' prepared by acclaimed chef San Yoon. The vegatarian in me is in for a treat here!
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"Museum of Flying" in LA's Santa Monica is in the neighborhood's very own private airport. It's quaint, interesting and made me appreciate planes more!
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135 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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