Atlas: Views of Los Angeles

I’ve agonized over publishing this. Because what I’m about to share is not just the L.A. cheat code; how to look cool on a date and how to make the good nights great, the key to dunking on any LA-hating out-of-town visitors.

It’s also the premium on real estate, restaurant reservations, hotel rooms and likes. It might be the only way to visually wrestle with how damn big this city is, the vast sweep of humanity we attempt to describe with the words Los Angeles. It’ll humble you, stoke the flames of your dreams and ambitions and maybe even convince the person you love to marry you.

I’m talking about views. If you’ve been in LA long, you likely know a few of these, but if not, keep this guide handy. With it, you too, can turn to your friends at some point in the night and say the four magic words: “I know a spot.”

My picks trace the neighborhoods I’ve lived and worked in for 2 decades and here I present them in chronological order of discovery. One is a hike and another is a driving range. Some places you’ll know. Another burned in the Palisades fire, and a few of them I still feel possessive of.

But I only know these places because someone shared them with me. So take them and call them yours too. Look cool, as I have, leading friends around darkened corners to unexpectedly beautiful sights. Listen to everyone get quiet and giddy and laugh too loud. Take a breath and feel it catch in your throat.

Most of these places are more beautiful at night, so be courteous. Don’t park crazy, obey the laws and help keep these places public with your quiet, respectful presence.