A Guide to the Best of Southern California : TIP-OFF : View to a Skyline

IN LOS ANGELES, our myriad breathtaking views are ever-changing, our skyline and cityscape mercurial, as new buildings continually rise from the ground. Even recent arrivals to the city can’t help but be aware of the fact that downtown, still in its high-rise toddlerhood, is currently in a state of construction flux. Seasoned residents have watched it grow from its vertical infancy in the late ‘50s, when earthquake regulations were in force, and the 27-story City Hall, the tallest building downtown, exceeded regulations. As downtown continues to grow skyward, it becomes increasingly difficult to locate places from which to get a good view of something. But for a leisurely look at downtown, there is small, immaculate Everett Park, at the top of the Everett Street cul-de-sac just a few blocks past Elysian Park Avenue and just a few blocks up from Sunset Boulevard; there’s even picnic tables.

For closer views in the same direction, a drive along a residential street called Figueroa Terrace offers an impressive sight at every corner, particularly where it intersects with White Knoll Drive, where there are no distracting power lines. To reach Figueroa Terrace, heading toward downtown on Sunset, turn left on Figueroa, left on Alpine Street, then right on Figueroa Terrace. To exit, turn left at White Knoll and proceed down the hill, bearing right to Sunset Boulevard.

For an always interesting look at our civic work-in-progress, investigate the view from MOCA plaza, at 250 S. Grand Ave. New buildings and construction provide exciting viewing, providing one’s back is kept to Bunker Hill Towers.