The 1928 civic centrepiece of downtown LA, a 32-storey Art Deco tower with a stepped pyramidal crown that has appeared in more films and television shows than most LA actors — Dragnet, Superman, L.A. Confidential. The observation deck on the 27th floor is free and gives one of the best 360-degree views over the basin, from the harbour to the Hollywood Hills.
Free guided tours run on weekday mornings and cover the rotunda, the council chambers, and the construction history. Bring photo ID; security is the same as a court.