Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank, California

Warner Bros. Studios Burbank is one of the most famous filmmaking locations in the world and a central hub of Hollywood entertainment. Located in the city of Burbank, the studio has been producing movies and television shows since it first opened in 1926. Originally built by First National Pictures, the lot was later acquired by Warner Bros. after the success of the groundbreaking 1927 film The Jazz Singer, which helped usher in the era of talking pictures. Over the decades, the studio has grown into a massive production complex covering more than 100 acres and featuring dozens of sound stages, backlots, and production facilities.

Many iconic films and television shows have been created on the Warner Bros. lot. Popular series such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Abbott Elementary have all used its sound stages, while countless films connected to the DC Universe and other major franchises have also been produced there. The studio’s backlots include detailed city streets and neighborhood sets that can be transformed to represent locations around the world. A recognizable landmark on the property is the historic Warner Bros. Water Tower, built in 1927 and decorated with the famous WB shield logo. Although it no longer stores water, the tower remains an iconic symbol of the studio and of Hollywood filmmaking itself.

Today, visitors can explore the studio through the popular Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. The tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at how movies and television shows are made, allowing guests to walk through real sets, see authentic costumes and props, and learn about nearly a century of entertainment history. Because filming still takes place on the lot, each tour experience is slightly different, giving fans a unique glimpse into the ongoing magic of Hollywood production.

Levitated Mass at LACMA in Los Angeles, California

Standing on LACMA’s campus in Los Angeles, Levitated Mass is one of those artworks that stops you in your tracks, not because it’s flashy, but because it’s overwhelming in the most elemental way. Created by renowned American artist Michael Heizer, this monumental installation is a defining example of land art and minimalism, where scale, gravity, and space do most of the talking.

At the heart of the piece is a 340-ton granite boulder, suspended above a long, narrow concrete trench. Visitors are invited to walk down into the trench, gradually descending below ground level and passing directly beneath the massive stone. As you move through the space, the weight of the boulder above you becomes impossible to ignore. The experience is quiet, contemplative, and strangely humbling, encouraging awareness of your own body in relation to the immense natural mass overhead.

The story behind Levitated Mass is just as compelling as the artwork itself. The boulder’s slow, multi-night journey from a quarry in Riverside County to Los Angeles became a public spectacle, with crowds lining streets to witness its passage. That journey helped turn the sculpture into a shared civic event long before it was installed. Free to visit and open to all, Levitated Mass remains one of LACMA’s most powerful and memorable outdoor works.

Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California

Perched high on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood, Griffith Observatory is one of the most recognizable and beloved landmarks in Los Angeles, California. Offering sweeping views of the city below, the Pacific Ocean in the distance, and the iconic Hollywood Sign nearby, the observatory blends science, architecture, and cinematic history into a uniquely LA experience. Since opening in 1935, it has served as a public gateway to the cosmos, staying true to its mission of making astronomy accessible to everyone.

The observatory’s Art Deco design gives it a timeless presence, with its copper domes and white façade standing out against the rugged landscape of Griffith Park. Inside, visitors can explore a range of engaging exhibits that explain everything from planetary motion and solar eclipses to the scale of the universe and humanity’s place within it. The Samuel Oschin Planetarium is a major highlight, featuring immersive shows that combine cutting-edge visuals with compelling storytelling about space and science.

One of the most popular attractions is the Zeiss refracting telescope, which allows guests to observe the Moon, planets, and brighter celestial objects during evening hours. Even during the day, the observatory’s terraces provide unforgettable panoramas, making it a favorite spot for photographers, hikers, and tourists alike.

Beyond science, Griffith Observatory holds a special place in popular culture, appearing in countless films and television shows, from classic Hollywood movies to modern blockbusters. Free to the public and open year-round, it remains both an educational institution and a symbol of Los Angeles’ enduring fascination with the stars.

Griffith Observatory construction ca. 1930s

James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause (1955)

Griffith Observatory construction ca. 1930s