Los Angeles watches inauguration

In Los Angeles, an enthusiastic crowd filled the Nokia Plaza at L.A. Live to watch Obama’s inauguration on big-screen televisions.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

It was a time for hugs and tears for Tonja Buckner, left, Kory Williams, Joy Brown Price and Iris Bigsby, who watched the swearing-in from Williams’ Los Angeles home.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Don Burkley and Shirley Wilson are among spectators at L.A.’s Nokia Plaza.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Dauleece Boyd, left, Michaelann Logan and others cheer at EsoWon Books as Barack Obama enters the stage to take the oath of office. About 75 people gathered at the Leimert Park bookstore to watch the inauguration.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Students at Frederick KC Price School cheer as Barack Obama is pronounced president. Students and residents watched the inauguration ceremony in the school’s gym.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Obama is the focal point for patrons of 326 Bar at the Farmers Market in Los Angeles.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Mildred Osbourne, 68, is among smiling Obama supporters watching the Washington festivities from L.A.’s Foshay Learning Center.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

In L.A., the 326 Bar crowd watches as Obama takes the oath with one hand on a Bible held by wife Michelle.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Angela Herrera, Michael Karpen and his daughter, Bella Rosa, 3, came to Vinaka Cafe in Carlsbad, Calif., to watch the Obama inauguration because they wanted to be “out in public,” Herrera said. “It’s an event!”  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

The Bridge movie theater in Westchester opened its doors early Tuesday for a big-screen viewing of the inauguration. Audience members applaud as Obama’s name is announced at the start of the ceremony.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the Democratic Club of Laguna Woods celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama. That’s just a life-size cutout of him that this fan is standing with.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)