If you’re navigating downtown Los Angeles, you might see the imposing tower of the Los Angeles City Hall rising in the distance. Now a good century over since its completion, the building used to be the tallest in Los Angeles. Today, it is the mayor’s office and this is where the City Council has its meetings. Particularly fascinating is the fact that the concrete in the tower was made with sand from all of California’s counties, and water from its 21 historical missions.

For a good distance, the vast blue sky is empty of anything but the striking tower of the City Hall, surrounded by verdant greenery. For those of you not satisfied with simply looking from afar, make your way to the observation deck, for a delightful panorama of the surroundings. What’s more, entry is free! If it looks familiar, perhaps you’ve seen it in one of the many films that were captured here, including “Diamonds and Pearls” and “V”.