Many cities around the U.S. and the world have one or two landmarks that are main symbols for their city. Paris has the Eiffel Tower/Arc de Triumph, London has Big Ben/The London Eye/St. Mary Axe, Sydney has the Sydney Opera House, Seattle has the Space Needle, San Francisco has the Golden Gate/Transamerica Building, New York has the Statue of Liberty/Empire State Building, etc. Here in LA we have many of these kind of landmarks, but which ones best identify with LA?

Staples Center
http://www.soulofamerica.com/images2/photosca2/Magic_statue_Staples_Ctr.jpg

Capitol Records Building
http://you-are-here.com/architect/capitol2.jpg

Watts Towers
http://route6walk.com/PastArticles/articleimages/120204PHOTOS/0210.jpg

Getty Center
http://academic.reed.edu/getty/survey/Im.Sur-04.s.jpg

Walt Disney Concert Hall
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1628471_b5b71461ad.jpg

Hollywood Sign
http://www.imagekandi.com/photo/images/Hollywood%20Sign.jpg

LA City Hall
http://www.mishti.ca/gallery/img/cityhall2.jpg

Santa Monica Pier
http://www.santamonicacollection.com/images/neighbor/pier.jpg

LAX
http://www.soulofamerica.com/images/photosca/la2/EncountersRestaurantLAX.jpg

Griffith Observatory
http://home.att.ne.jp/omega/myusjourney/GriffithObservatory.jpg

Chinese Theater
http://people.freenet.de/fotosausamerika/DreamHC/Seite85_IMG_OBJ0.jpg

Union Station
http://www.soulofamerica.com/images/photosca/la4/Union_Station_exterior.jpg

Library Tower
http://www.pcf-p.com/a/p/8316/8316-1.jpg

Bonaventure Hotel
http://www.matthewweathers.com/year2001/downtown_brian_jeff/bonaventure/tri-building.jpg

Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral
http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/images/misc/OutsideCathedral.jpg

Library/US Bank Tower. We might not have the biggest downtown. But that building is Los Angeles through and through. I'll put it to you like this: If the city of Los Angeles were a record, the US Bank Tower would be the spike.

without a doubt...the Hollywood Sign, the Chinese theater. Strong consideration for the Capitol Records Building. The Disney building looks like any other Gehry building. :)

I would say (top 3):

1. Hollywood sign
2. US Bank tower
3. LAX

1. Hollywood sign
2. Chinese Mann Thearter
3. Capitol Records Building

To tell everyone the truth, It can't be the Library tower, not everyone knows about skyscrapers

To tell everyone the truth, It can't be the Library tower, not everyone knows about skyscrapers

^^^ I agree. It's sad, but true :(

I would say the Hollywood sign above all others. The only problem w/ it is that it doesn't really represent all of Los Angeles but more a subset of L.A., but it is definitely iconic for at least part of the city.

The Hollywood sign by far.

Hollywood sign, for sure
Capitol Records Building
LAX
Chinese/Mann's Theater

IMO, if you put the Library Tower out first, people would guess LA correctly. But they'll be sure with Hollywood sign. Both are signature LA landmarks.

I would agree that the Hollywood sign is probably the most recoginzed, but it doesn't represent all of L.A. I know the Santa Monica pier isn't even in Los Angeles, but it's probably what most people outside of L.A. think of when they think of L.A. The beach lifestyle is one of the biggest stereotypes of Los Angeles living.

I would have to say........

1) The Capitol Records Building
2) The Hollywood Sign
3) L. A City Hall ( I love this building.)

Cheers!!

Hollywood Sign

Santa Monica IS LA, as is Beverly Hills. That's what's unique about LA is that many different cities make up what we know as Los Angeles.

I would say the best icons of the city:

1) Hollywood sign

2) LAX

3) Manns Chinese Theatre

1) Walt Disney Concert Hall. This is the building that has announced to the world LA is once again a major force in architecture and design. It is transforming what we think of downtown LA.

2. City Hall. A glorious art deco tower memorialized in the minds of millions from Dragnet.

3. Union Station. Another great artifact, this time less deco than Mission Moderne. These architectural treasures, be they cutting-edge or pastiche, constitute a huge inventory of Reasons to Love LA.

For some reason I have always thought of the restaurant at LAX as the LA icon, but I am heavily into aviation. The Hollywood sign is probably next, but many people who are outside of LA dont even know that Hollywood is in LA.

many people who are outside of LA dont even know that Hollywood is in LA.
:lol: Very true!
I'd pick Capitol Records building or Getty Centre :okay:

I've visited all these places in LA except Watts Tower - very cool :cool:

Hollywood sign, but skyscraper wise, the Library Tower.