City Hall
4.5
Architectural BuildingsObservation Decks & TowersCivic CentresGovernment Buildings
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
After an impressive seismic rehabilitation, completed in 2001, the beloved 28-story landmark can withstand an earthquake up to magnitude 8.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
Downtown Los Angeles is a busy metropolis of towering buildings, bustling streets, and industrial warehouses. There is a distinct multiplicity of cultures here with a growing influx of business professionals and hipsters. Many call the evolution of Downtown over recent years gentrification. New lofts, bars, hotels and restaurants are popping up regularly. Downtown is home to some of the very best restaurants in the city leading the LA foodie scene, plus it is the location of cultural and sports venues including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Staples Center, and the Coliseum at the University of Southern California.
How to get there
- Civic Center/Grand Park • 4 min walk
- East LA Civic Center • 4 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,182 within 3 miles
Attractions
671 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
355 reviews
Excellent
168
Very good
138
Average
40
Poor
6
Terrible
3
bookrec
The Villages, FL209 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
Sent an email twice to get a tour time, then called and they said they are doing tours. Gave me a phone number which gave me voice mail. No one callled back. Said they had self guided tours so we went anyway. Self guided means you go up to Observation Deck look at a picture to see what the surrounding buildings are. TAKE A PASS.
Written October 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joaniemaria
Eldridge, IA5,170 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
We visited the Observation Deck at City Hall. It is one of the best free views of downtown L.A. we entered through the east door. You must get a visitor badge and go through security. Take the elevator to 22nd floor. Then take another elevator to the 26 floor, then walk up steps to the 27th Observation Deck floor. You can see LA from each direction… north, south,east and west. Even though it was a hazy day, we still saw the immediate area around city hall. The architecture of the building is Art Deco and historic. Be sure to visit the 3rd floor on the way down to see gifts given to the city and more cool architecture. This is a great free activity in downtown, and only available Monday-Friday.
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
InnaYYZ
Toronto, Canada1,496 contributions
Aug 2019
Came for the free views of the city from the building's observation deck. The views are not quite as those from the OUE Skyspace, but at City Hall, they are free,
Written August 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline L
Los Angeles, CA2,637 contributions
Jan 2012 • Friends
I recently did a photography journey through downtown and wandered into City Hall. I asked the guards if there was anything to see and they recommended the 27th floor observation deck. It is open to the public til 5 p.m. Wow, what a treat!! Amazing views of downtown are a photographer's dream and there were plenty to be had from up there. Besides the views, the 3rd floor also has great hallways to photograph and tapestries that line archways in the ceilings. It's definitely worthy of a stop while in downtown!
Written January 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explore1952
4 contributions
Los Angeles city hall is recognized around the world for it's distinct architecture. This world famous landmark opened in 1928. There's a lot of history here as free tours of this building will take you from the basement level all the way to the top observation level for spectacular city views. Tours will also take you to the heart of city government, the mayors office and city council chambers. This is a must see while touring Los Angeles.
Written July 10, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian S
Phoenix, AZ794 contributions
Oct 2019
You have to go through a lot of security and have your bags checked but it is worth it. Great views from the top. It is free to get in. Pay attention to the instructions on how to get to the top. It takes several elevators and a little walking. But it is worth it.
Written November 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MCEBY
Canandaigua, NY254 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
The observation deck on the 28th floor gives a terrific 360 degree view of Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Access to the deck is through the North Main Street entrance. Go though the security screening to the information desk. There you will be given a pass. It is free. After visiting the observation deck, go to the third floor and view the rotunda. Third floor is also the location of restrooms. LA City Hall has been used in a number of movies and for those that remember the original 1950's Superman series, the observation deck is where he always took off from.
Written April 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dana Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA1,199 contributions
Mar 2022
Once the biggest building in Los Angeles, the City Hall building still inspires and still serves the great city of Los Angeles.
Written March 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Los Angeles Sites Not to Miss
Los Angeles, CA9 contributions
Sep 2019
The Los Angeles City Hall is beautiful to see and close to GRAND CENTRAL MARKET, DISNEY HALL AND CIVIC CENTER...and if you're up for a short 15 min. walk there's historic UNION STATION & OLVERA STREET where you can dine on some of the best Mexican food ever!
Written September 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blc45reb
Perth, Australia2,819 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Great building from the out side but the views from the viewing deck are fantastic.
The public entrance is from the Main Street side, you have to go through the standard metal detectors then register, must have photo ID for this. Once you have your visitors badge, you can make your way to the elevators. There are two rides one to 22nd floor then next one up to the 26 floor. After that it is up one flight of stairs to the 27th floor( if you come out on the 26th floor, go right, then right,you will find an elevator that runs 26-27floor.
The view from the 27 floor are quite stunning, while there was a reasonable amount of smog about, you could make out the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory. There are sign boards showing the names of main buildings.
This is a must see for anyone.
The public entrance is from the Main Street side, you have to go through the standard metal detectors then register, must have photo ID for this. Once you have your visitors badge, you can make your way to the elevators. There are two rides one to 22nd floor then next one up to the 26 floor. After that it is up one flight of stairs to the 27th floor( if you come out on the 26th floor, go right, then right,you will find an elevator that runs 26-27floor.
The view from the 27 floor are quite stunning, while there was a reasonable amount of smog about, you could make out the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory. There are sign boards showing the names of main buildings.
This is a must see for anyone.
Written July 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, does anyone know how long the tour lasts for?
Written March 6, 2020
Hi
I'd like to go up to the observation deck and have read that you have to register and show id. What sort of id do they accept. I have a photo drivers license but my mum doesn't, we don't want to carry he passport with us, does it have to be photo id? Do they accept photo copies of passports?
Written July 19, 2017
Hi, it has to be a photo id. no photocopies are accepted.
Written July 23, 2017
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing