The Top 5 Must-See Historic Sites in Town

Regardless of if you are local or planning to be soon, playing tourist in LA is a must for all who live here. With a bevy of historical sites to see, we thought we would round up our favorites for you to check out. Venture out into the rich history of this buzzing town and discover the intersections of past and present.

Historic LA Site #1 Eames House

Located in Pacific Palisades, Eames House was built by Charles and Ray Eames in 1949. It has a glass exterior with large, color-blocked panels that give it its unique Mondrian-style architecture. You can reserve your visit for $10 to tour the exterior and imagine how the Eames moved around during the 40s.

Historic LA Site #2 Heritage Square Museum

If you’d like to learn about LA’s Victorian architecture and lifestyle during the mid and late 1800s, visit the Heritage Square Museum. Tour the living history museum and learn more about life during the Victorian age, the Pasadena Church, Palm railroad station, and early residences.

Historic LA Site #3 Getty Villa

As most Angelenos know, the Getty Villa came to be as a result of J Paul Getty’s enthusiasm for collecting Greek and Roman antiquities in the 1950s. The villa, however, was built in 1974 and featured Roman-style homes of the 1st Century AD. It’s an excellent place to observe unique architecture and a collection of over 40,000 exhibits.

Historic LA Site #4 Los Angeles City Hall

The LA City Hall’s construction took place in 1928.  It features classic pillars, monumental steps, and contemporary and classical art décor, making it one of the most significant landmarks in the city.

Historic LA Site #5 Venice Canal Walkway

A quiet and relaxing place, the Venice Canal has been a stable for Abbot Kinney since 1908, inspired by the canals in Venice, Italy. Visit the area and walk on quaint bridges as you awe the designed building surrounding the area.