A Guide to the World's Most Instagrammable Walls | La La Land, the City of Angels

La La Land debuted in movie theaters in mid-December of 2016. The film follows the life of a jazz musician named Sebastian and an aspiring actress named Mia. The film features enchanting scenery of Los Angeles and garnered much attention. The film won Best Actress and Best Director at the 89th Academy Awards in 2017 along with 6 other awards.

Numerous locations in Los Angeles are used for filming, none are as significant as Griffith Observatory.

Griffith Observatory hosts many cultural landmarks of Los Angeles and has appeared in multiple films and television shows. The most notable of these films is the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean and Natalie Wood.

La La Land pays homage to the earlier film as Mia and Sebastian visit the dome and have a romantic scene inside the planetarium. The scene is one of the most memorable of the film.

Griffith Observatory is one of the best locations to take photos in Los Angeles. The outdoor terraces overlook the entire city where all the streets and urban blocks are visible. The downtown skyline creates an exceptionally cinematic view at sunset. The view is among the best in the city near the Hollywood Sign.

Visiting the Observatory

The exhibitions inside the Observatory cover all eight planets in addition to a wider range of topics in astronomy. The observatory offers large public telescopes that visitors can use for free and that are used to observe stars and the Moon.

The dome theater simulates the experience of looking up into the sky. With 3D glasses-free technology, they watch a movie about the celestial objects that are in space, and it feels like they are sitting in a 360-degree theater.

More Practical Information about Griffith Observatory

Transport: Use the downtown DASH Weekend Observatory Shuttle and get off at Griffith Observatory.

Cost: Free

Closed Monday, Tuesday to Friday 12:00–22:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–22:00.

Location: 2800 E. Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Griffith Observatory

It is located on top of a hill in the northwestern part of Los Angeles and has an impressive view of the whole city.

Exhibits talk about the different planets and the universe as well as the dome theater which is sky-themed and shows 360-degree movies about the development of celestial objects and the theater uses 3D glasses-free technology.

Its outdoor terraces have views of the streets of Los Angeles, city blocks, and downtown skyscrapers.

The public eye for observation opens free after dark. In addition to the Moon, there are visible stars.

Your Own Moment from La La Land

Re-creating La La Land. by WendyW 

Los Angeles at Night. by WendyW 

Griffith Observatory marks the musical’s emotional high point. Sing and dance Sebastian and Mia from the top of the hill where the city is located to where they are located in the same place. The sequence became the film’s signature scene and inspired its iconic poster image.

Cafés have expressively painted their walls, even updating some murals on a regular basis. An example of one is located at 8221 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood. The wall used to be painted with a La La Land theme, but it was said to be altered to a Coachella Music Festival theme. Regardless of if the La La Land mural comes back, it is a picture that remains in the minds of those who have seen the movie.

Further La La Land Filming Locations

Griffith Park

Griffith Park.

La La Land film still.

The Hollywood Sign.

Griffith Park is the largest urban park in Los Angeles. After a party in the Hollywood Hills, Sebastian and Mia see a spectacular view of the San Fernando Valley and sing “A Lovely Night.” This was filmed at Cathy’s Corner on Mount Hollywood Drive.

The iconic Hollywood Sign is located in Griffith Park’s hills. The sign itself is gated but visitors still have access to the hills and surrounding areas of Hollywood. They can enjoy open vistas of Los Angeles which, after nightfall, includes city lights.

The park features the observatory, a zoo, the Autry National Center, and Victorian-era station houses. There are trails for walking, and activities like hiking, golf, horseback riding, and miniature train rides.

Transport: Antelope Valley Line to Glendale Metrolink Station.

Opening hours: 6:00–22:00; the hiking trails are closed after sunset.

Address: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

In La La Land, Griffith Park is where the main characters dance during “A Lovely Night”. Their famous starry dance also takes place in the observatory located within the park. In addition to its ties to cinema, Griffith Park features an observatory, zoo, the Autry National Center, Victorian station-style buildings, walking trails, hiking, golf, horseback riding, and a miniature train.

The Light House Café

Still from the movie La La Land

The Light House Café. by WendyW 

The Light House Café, located in Hermosa Beach, has hosted jazz performances since May 1949. Pioneering artists such as Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Art Blakey, and Cannonball Adderley have played here.

In the movie, it is the jazz bar and restaurant where Mia and Sebastian go at the beginning of their romance.

Address: 30 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Hermosa Beach

One of the eight best beaches in Los Angeles, Hermosa Beach and its pier offer fishing and sunset watching along the Pacific Ocean.

After leaving The Light House Café, Sebastian walks along the pier and sings “City of Stars.”

Hermosa Beach

Another filming location for La La Land is Hermosa Beach. After exiting The Light House Café, Sebastian strolls along the pier and sings “City of Stars.” Located nearby is the popular Hermosa Beach Pier, which is lined with restaurants offering stunning ocean views—perfect for a romantic dinner and sunset.

Angels Flight

In a montage, Mia and Sebastian ride the famous Angels Flight funicular on Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles. The Bunker Hill railway has been closed since 2013, but the filmmakers managed to get permission to film there for one day.

Built in 1901, Angels Flight was an integral part of the hillside railway system that once existed in downtown Los Angeles. You will get a nostalgic view of the city thanks to its quick route.

Location: 351 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Angels Flight

In the film La La Land, Mia and Sebastian have a romantic date and span a kiss in one of the wooden boxes. Angels Flight has been operating since 1901 and is known as the shortest railway in the world. Each mini wooden box is made of vintage wood making every lap very charming.

Conclusion

Traveling to a location inspired by a film is very appealing. The scenes that amazed or moved us do not vanish once the credits roll. We can visit the scenes, take pictures, and relive the memories. This is a great way to show respect to a classic and keep the films emotional pull alive.