Many of modern aviation's advancements are rooted in Los Angeles history—so we consider our childlike giddiness over the roar of a jet engine to be an appreciation of local culture. With dozens of airports of all sizes in Southern California, watching planes take off and land is practically a spectator sport. From ocean-crossing jumbo jets at LAX to legacy aircraft in Van Nuys, these are the best places to go plane spotting in LA.
In-N-Out near LAX
You can scope out landing planes either at the beloved burger spot or the runway-adjacent park across the street. You'll find yourself almost directly underneath the airliners' final approach, so hopefully you don't mind your Double-Double with a side of jet fumes.
9149 S Sepulveda Blvd
Photograph: Michael Juliano
Dockweiler State Beach
This South Bay beach is the perfect spot to take in sun, surf and sand—oh, and the occasional jumbo jet flying directly overhead. Dockweiler sits less than a half-mile from the Los Angeles International Airport runway, perfect for spotting all of those over-the-ocean departures.
S Marine Ave, north of Imperial Hwy
Clutter's Park
This strip of sidewalk harbors nothing more than a few benches and a couple of telescopes, but the narrow park has the perfect hilltop vantage point of LAX's southern runway.
E Imperial Ave at Sheldon St
Photograph: Michael Juliano
Santa Monica Airport
SMO is an incredible place to celebrate LA's rich aviation lineage—it was the birthplace of the commercial airline-pioneering Douglas DC-3—but most importantly, Santa Monica Airport's public observation deck is the best place to hear the roar of jet engines only feet from an active runway. Consider visiting the nearby Clover Park and its faux control tower if you have kids.
3223 Donald Douglas Loop South
Van Nuys Airport
Make your way down an alleyway off Woodley Drive and you'll find this runway-adjacent, fenced-in parking lot, complete with a few benches and a shaded picnic area.
Waterman Dr
94th Aero Squadron
There are more than 1,000 arrivals and departures each day at the Van Nuys Airport—and you can watch all of them with a cocktail in hand at the adjacent 94th Aero Squadron.
16320 Raymer St
Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Michael Zara
What about the Theme Building at LAX?
Though the Encounter restaurant inside the building closed in December 2013, the rooftop observation deck was open from 8am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. However, the area is currently closed for construction until further notice.
What about the Proud Bird?
The aviation-themed restaurant closed this month to undergo a 10-month renovation; expect it to reopen by the end of 2016.
