The Figueroa Bridge: Complete with pedestrian and bike lanes this bridge is the best vantage point to take spectacular photos of downtown L.A. It spans about 1,200 feet and cost a whopping $60 million to build. It isn't the first bridge on this spot; it replaces one that was built in 1928. Take a trip in the center of the curving bridge and you'll find several strange egg-shaped sculptures.

Legend has it that Architect George Wyman initially refused mining tycoon Lewis Bradbury’s offer to design this iconic building. That is, until the ghost of Wyman’s late brother Mark intervened by telling him to take the job. What the specter probably knew is that this Italian Renaissance Revival masterpiece would eventually be a prime shooting locale for dozens of films (Bladerunner, Chinatown, Lethal Weapon 4, The Artist, etc.), TV shows, and music videos.

This DTLA fixture has been around since 1917. Although the landscape of L.A. has changed since then, the market still is a gathering place for vendors from the Southern California region to sell their products. You can find the freshest produce, handmade crafts of all types, and even Berlin currywurst! Business hours are 8 AM to 10 PM seven days a week. With beautiful SoCal weather, any season is sublime.

Housed in the Spring Arts Tower in Downtown L.A. and boasting 22,000 square feet of space, this haven of books is one of the last bastions of the written word on real paper. While the name of the store might be somewhat hyperbolic, it is a sign of the takeover by digital media. With modern art, book sculptures, and a multi-level interior space supported by Doric columns, this is a bookstore that you must plan spending at least a couple of hours in.

PARKing by Banksy: Another provocative and timely piece by Banksy. This particular piece is situated in an L.A. neighborhood where a group of residents are, indeed, attempting to raise funds to convert a nearby parking lot into a playground.

Eli Broad was the philanthropist who put up an astounding 140 million bucks to finance this artistic endeavor. The angular, geometric building was opened in 2015. Its collection numbers 2,000 pieces, all contemporary works from the international art community including Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, and Roy Liechtenstein. General admission is free to the permanent exhibits.

Here’s Frank Gehry doing what he does best—creating beautifully abstract structures that appear inspired by scrap piles of sheet metal. For this particular job, Gehry goes to town on Walt Disney’s dollar to create a highly functional concert hall for the L.A. Philharmonic (the sound quality here is fabulous) with his signature space-age stamp.

The Wishing Tree: A sidewalk tree grows in Little Tokyo and in 2011 it became the bearer of the hopes and aspirations written on small, color pieces of rectangular paper. Started by Naoko Ikeda, the owner of the local Blooming Arts Gallery, this wishing tree is inspired by the Japanese Tanabata Festival which takes place in July. Any wish can be made here - from world peace to the requited love.

Next to the famous Union Station a Mexican marketplace thrives. Here you can buy handmade traditional Mexican clothing, accessories, and edible goodies. Several restaurants and stands sell locally grown chopped fruit. Don't forget to try seasonal fruit with a dash of lime and ground red pepper. Sometimes, you can see live events in the plaza. Olvera Street is within walking distance of other attractions such as Chinatown and Union Station.

Established by the inventor of the French dip sandwich, Philippe’s has been a local favorite since 1908. The downtown location was opened in 1951, and it’s fostered a neighborly camaraderie among its patrons over the years despite the fact that it’s commonly packed to the hilt. I suppose great, affordable food and coffee for a dime brings out the best in people.