Disney Concert Hall
TripSavvy / Christian Hundley
The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles is Frank Gehry's ship of stainless steel waves sailing down Grand Avenue at the corner of 2nd Street. Since it opened in 2003, the building has become one of LA's most recognizable and most photographed landmarks. There are audio tours available, and you can climb around and explore the building on your own.
The entrance faces northeast, so mid-summer mornings or twilight after the sun has set are the most photogenic times to shoot the entrance and not have it be too much in shadow, but the building is photogenic from other angles. This view is from the southeast facing north. Hidden behind the steel curve near where the people are walking is a stairway that goes up on top of the building for some more cool photo opportunities.
Advertisement
Griffith Observatory
TripSavvy / Christian Hundley
Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park overlooking Downtown Los Angeles is worth a visit to see the views of the city and the Hollywood Sign, as well as the Observatory itself.
There is a museum inside the Observatory, and of course, the entire sky overhead to observe from various telescopes, but the building and the views are worth the drive, even if you don't have time to do more.