Saw Francis Mercier here and holy moly, what a venue! I'll admit, I was a little nervous driving in. GPS had me cutting through Skid Row, and when it said I was close to the venue I thought, "wait.....we really about to party here?!" Thankfully, California Plaza has its own parking structure and once you pull in, everything feels safe and organized. Parking was $10 cash or $17 card at my event. From there it was a breeze, just hop in the elevator straight up to the venue. The DJ stage was beautiful, sound and lighting were amazing, and there were plenty of spots to chill if you needed a break. Bathrooms were clean with plenty of stalls (longest line I waited in was maybe 2 minutes, which is nothing for a packed show). The VIP area looked pretty underwhelming. Personally, I wouldn't bother with VIP tickets here. Overall though, fantastic night, incredible music, and I'd definitely come back for another show! read more

California Plaza - Francis Mercier, this was taken on 2nd floor - Music Venues Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Recently saw Camel Phat here and thought it was ok. The positive is parking was $10 and at the venue, lots of room to move around and good views of downtown. Negatives were I wasn't a fan of the sound system here and the attendees were all local L.A or Westside people that were here to be seen. It wasn't an EDC vibe, but more of a networking event with DJ's in the background. The loud conversations everyone was having and the sound system being centered in one area just made it lackluster. I've been a Camel Phat fan since the beginning or at least 2018/2019 so to see all their sets go off on You Tube videos then come to this was a little disappointing. Not their fault, just the crowd drowned out the sound. Sometimes the L.A. crowd is such a bummer. read more

California Plaza - Camelphat 05/10/25 - Music Venues Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Ok. Here's a pickle~I should have read a fellow reviewer below me who rated this Plaza 3-stars. I asked a few biz around the plaza to find zero parking validation. I explored~Starbucks (not my usual coffee house, but was trying for validation), Earl of Sandwich and Poke Bar. I was excited when I found out that 'Earl of Sandwich,' was located in this plaza along side 'Poke Bar,' as a part of my Scavenger Hunt event, I wanted to visit. I knew parking wasn't free, but did they have to be pricier than 'Walt Disney Concert Hall?!' I felt that's unnecessary because this plaza isn't even a tourist site: true it's located within the tourist attraction block, but it still isn't a tourist location such as 'Walt Disney Concert Hall, or the entire section of Downtown Los Angeles' 'The Music Center.' I think there should be some biz offering parking validation for local tourists such as myself. I may still make another trip here because there were several other restaurants I want to check out, I guess I will need to run for those next time!!!! read more

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A tad of a warning, they're renovating the plaza this summer so it's under construction. Too bad they had to that!!! It looked so pretty, it was a peaceful place in the area (we need that) and now Grand Performances lost their venue. Sad! So, try to avoid the place, it's all a construction zone, some stores and restaurants opened, but for now it's not peaceful anymore! read more

Many people who work in the financial district come here for lunch and it can get packed. Though after 3, it's pretty much bare. Lots of security guards around and the place is clean. I usually use the parking here when I come to visit the Broad which validates parking here if you ask the gift shop. If you go to the Broad, it's $8 to park here instead of $12 in their own personal garage. It's located in Bunker Hill near MOCA, Disney Hall, The Broad and Grand Central Market. They also have free concerts here as well. It's great for people watching, it's near Angel's Flight that was closed and Angels Knoll which was in 500 Days of Summer. read more

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*** California Plaza rocks LA summers. *** last summer i paid $100/pp to see the Wei Shen Dance Company at the Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown. then the next wknd, i sat outside on concrete in CA Plaza's amphitheater to see the Chinese Dance Company free of charge. yeap, the free performance was better. so what did i learn? you don't get what you pay for? well yes, when it's CA Plaza at least. my experiences here have all been good. CA Plaza has a remarkably nice fountain. they can seat 1000 to 2000 in the theater, and there's an area for movie screenings. Starbuck's and fine dining is steps away. i saw a film on the horrible effects of war and rape on many African woman last yr. it was very insightful; we are so fortunate. i also saw an amazing world music group. and this year there's reggae 10Jul, yay! ;) see grandperformances.org for all events. *** how can i not give CA Plaza 5-stars? *** read more

California Plaza - Music/Performance Stage - Music Venues Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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What a great venue for outdoor performance!!! Holiday season... beautiful decoration in the courtyard. Feeling the holiday spirit now~ Love the holiday music. Lots of seating area. Feel free to bring a picnic basket and enjoy the show!!! read more

California Plaza - Music Venues Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Such a bummer that the Angels Flight Railway is currently out of commission. Cause, if you reach the top of Bunker Hill, you're gonna find something pretty neat called California Plaza. You'd never suspect something so serene that surrounds the base of the two unique skyscrapers, One California Plaza and Two California Plaza. In the courtyard, there's a man made mini waterfall, which spills into a small lake, with an elaborate dancing jet fountain nearby that shoots drops of water into the air. Plants and flowers are found circling the area as well. Trust me, the kids just eat this stuff up. There are benches and tables to bask in the sun or just have a peaceful break in the middle of your long work day. You catch the right breeze and temperature, then you're gonna feel pretty darn good. I miss working in DTLA, cause this was a spot that I'd frequent from time to time. Originally, there were plans to include a third skyscraper called Three California Plaza, which would be another tower office building. That idea never panned out, but there are a few spaces that are leased, such as a Famima and a few restaurants nearby such as Blue Cow Kitchen & Bar, Grand Cafe, and Noe Restaurant & Bar. California Plaza also links to the LA Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Omni Hotel. What's also really cool about this place is Grand Performances, which are FREE summer events that are held here. More like concerts, they're on as first come first served basis. It does get packed at times, so it's best to come early. I believe they allow you to bring refreshments (YES to alcohol) and snacks. It's a real treat and you Yelpers sure love things like this, based on all your positive reviews. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/grand-performances-los-angeles) When I think about California Plaza, I'm sure 2Pac and Marlena Shaw would agree with me that this plaza has some real "California Love" and "California Soul." read more

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I guess people come here to see performances but I came here to EAT and I was truly surprised by the selections. Totally something eats wise for everyone. I came for a lunch at Starry Kitchen (if you haven't had them already YOU MUST) but my other fav Mendocino Farms is here. There is a Famima, Panda Express, Starbucks (of course), Johnnies Pizza and others. On our quick walk around the plaza to find our lunch spot we passed many fountains and outdoor seating areas. The day we went was rainy but I can see how this would be the happening spot during normal sunny and warm California weather. Other convenient finds are things such as a full service salon, doctors offices and several training centers. The Omni Hotel is near by as well as the Walt Disney Concert Hall and MOMA (where you can find Lemonade as a lunch spot). Apparently the bench Tom and Summer sat on in the movie 500 Days of Summer is here at a place known as "Angels Knoll" but I was jumping for joy when I saw Angels Flight Railway with my own eyes. I suddenly stopped jumping once Isabel F. told me it didn't run in the rain. I later found out this was a lie. How dare she?! We parked in the California Plaza parking Structure that is EXPENSIVE! AMEN Starry Kitchen validates (I'm assuming other eateries do as well but I'm not 100% sure) so we only had to pay $3.00. But before the validation ticket was in the total was $29.00! Outrageous! We were not there well under 2 hours. With eats like Starry Kitchen and the excitement of Angels Flight, I will happily return to this destination plaza in the near future. Maybe I'll catch a "performance" but whatever it is for I will be sure I visit a place that validates! read more

California Plaza - On walls but don't stick out so I got lost trying to get unlost - Music Venues Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I work near this area, so I come by here all the time. They've been doing a lot of construction recently, so it's not the most pleasant place to spend time around. However, if you can look past the construction, it's not so bad. They used to have summer concerts, and Angel's Flight also boards from the upper level. It's really close to Grand Central Market where you can get tons of great food. Unfortunately, since most of the shops cater towards weekday employees, the plaza is pretty empty during weekends. However, during the day it has a good selection of restaurants, from Panda Express, George's Greek grill, Saffron Indian food, Earl of Sandwich, Starbucks, Pressed Juicery, Corner Bakery, and a bunch I'm sure I forgot. Once the construction is completed, I'm sure it'll be a nicer place to be. read more

The California Plaza, home to downtown Los Angeles iconic California One and Two high-rise buildings, has a lot to offer. To begin with, you have a number of shops for the local workers including Mendocino Farms, Famima, Starbucks, a shoe shine place, two salad places, Dan's Deli, and much more. It borders MOCA, the KPMG and Wells Fargo towers, and some nice mixed-use developments. A water court greets you next to MOCA, and seems to run at all hours. At odd hours you may find senior citizens crawling the place, going for walks from their nearby apartments/condos. They're usually among a sea of suits and those rockin' their business casual look. It's part of this concrete jungle that is Bunker Hill and downtown LA, so you'll be likely to love it or hate it. At certain times of the year you'll find interesting things here. In the summers, you'll find the Grand Performances on the stage on the lower level. In the winter, you'll find a beautiful Christmas tree in the same spot with decorations to marvel at. It'll go good with some hot chocolate, because you'll feel a cold breeze here moving through at most hours of the day. Many people love coming here to sit and talk with others, gaze out to the historic downtown, or eat lunch. I've seen picnics out here, along with weddings, photographers, and parties. There's also some ducks that like to come here and check out the pond along with folks like yourself. Parking is an issue here during business hours. You'll find street parking pricey for those who don't have access to the parking garages, but the metro is a great option since it stops nearby at Persing Square and 4th. Apparently, this is the place to be. read more

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Every summer California Plaza plays a host to some eclectic musical performers. I've been fortunate enough to see some amazing Latin musicians including Poncho Sanchez, Kinky, Plastilina Mosh, and last but not least Ozomatli. Grand Performances at California Plaza are absolutely free of charge (gotta love that!) and they attract a diverse energetic and friendly crowd. Its described as a block party with food, raffles, booths, a beer garden and concerts throughout the day. To get to the venue take 4th street exit off the 110 fwy head over to Olive and there's a parking structure that charges $8. If you want to be cheap like me park for half that at Angels Flight. http://www.yelp.com/biz/8uZQ9_pH5iJsiSN_YIozuw?hrid=0Be9lHzodDBn8itdEMBuKA Bring your blanket, foldable chairs, and picnic baskets. They have a variety of food from thai, japanese, chinese, mexican, and american. Located in the center of several buildings downtown you are minutes from listening to a lecture at Moca, playing by the many water fountains, admiring the height of the Wells Fargo building, or looking for beer outside the Omni hotel. Unfortunately the Omni Beer Garden only had 3 choices: Miller, Bud Light, and Chardonnay. No thanks! (minus -1 star) So on to the show.....Today I got to see Ozomatli play and boy did they play. They had everyone up on their feet dancing, laughing, and singing along. They rocked the house like they do everywhere and anytime they play. Ozo played classics and some of their new stuff. All of which I enjoyed and Im kicking myself for not owning their new cd yet. At the end of the show they joined the crowd on the floor and did some impromptu performances. I love these guys!!! Grand Performances will host more shows this summer. According to their website http://www.grandperformances.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/season_schedule.overview its music that will have you moving to the beats. read more

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This is a gem among the financial district of downtown Los Angeles. It is located in the same structure as the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Omni hotel, and several corporate towers. To get here, just walk/drive uphill from Pershing Square, and there you are. Parking is mostly street parking, and be mindful of the signs and meters. I like the plaza, as it is upscale and well maintained. During the day, you'll see a lot of finance professionals taking a coffee of lunch break. At night, it is a bit more desolate, but heavily guarded by security. There are restrooms here open during the day, and security can open them for you at night. The stage here hosts a wide array of events and displays. The holiday season usually has a Christmas and Hanukkah display. Summer time brings free concerts, and you get Los Angelenos from all parts of the county coming here to enjoy the show. This is a cool little hideout to bring a significant other and just enjoy the serene atmosphere. Just no funny stuff, as security will be on your case ;-) read more

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Like some other Yelpers here, I discovered this place after taking the Angels Flight. At first I thought that you simply take that trolley up, then have to walk back down again, and that was the end of everything. But - things got way better than that! After getting off the Angels Flight and paying our fee of 50 cents, we discovered that there was much more to this area. We were basically on a suspended walkway that leads down to the Grand Performances area of the California Plaza, and this area was overall very beautiful, including the walkway itself. Along it, there's little water fountains and whatnot, and it all alone overlooks the bigger water fountain. Place is very, very well kept, and we saw a few security guards and such walking around back and forth to keep an eye on things. Also, looking towards Hill Street, the walkway looks over part of Downtown Los Angeles, particularly the scene many people are so familiar with from "500 Days of Summer." So basically, this walkway is located right above Angel Knoll's Park. The views in general was breathtaking! Anyhow, the California Plaza itself is cool, and from what I observed, many people who work at the nearby Financial District come here for their lunch breaks and meetings. There were quite a number of tourists as well walking around like we were (of course, we count as local tourists at least). Here, you could find businesses like Starbucks, Panda Express, USPS, some pizza place, and a few cafes. It was a great atmosphere as a whole, and there was something so comforting about the place. read more

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Great space right smack dab in the middle of downtown la . Spread out our food and beer in the stadium seating , and enjoyed some Ozomatli :) read more

California Plaza - Music Venues Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Came here for the summer outdoor concert series for the first time! Easy parking, eatery options, clean huge bathrooms, awesome outdoor stage, and great ambiance! Love that the concerts are free! Got here around 6pm and a handful of people were already picnicking so keep that in mind. By the time the concert starts it's very packed. The best place to sit is the stairs or the 2nd level areas with plenty of room to spread out. Will def come again! read more

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I was staying at the Omni hotel on the California Plaza. Oct 21/2020... I went on the plaza all dolled up and was going to take a picture with a view of the city, not the plaza. Out of nowhere, two security guards approached me and asked me to leave because I was about to use my tripod. They said that someone else had to take my picture. Why??? I am alone and can only use my tripod. 2 minutes later as I was walking back to the hotel I bumped into 3 people who were taking random pictures for their Instagram on the plaza. Can someone please explain to me what happened there? read more

This is one of my FAVORITE spots in LA. I have never been to a concert in this area, but just love spending time here. It is right across from the Grand Central Market, and just a walk up the stairs next to Angel's Flight (you can see where the 500 Days of Summer park scene was shot from going up the stairs). Such a beautiful sight to see! If you are a city person and want to see somewhere beautiful, go here! You will have an amazing view of downtown, and when you look up, you will see the amazing skyscrapers! I am someone who just loves architecture and beautiful buildings, so this spot became my favorite very fast. The plaza itself is gorgeously designed, and has many food/drink areas to visit! There are man-made lakes and waterfalls all around this plaza. It is very serene! Tip: Come during the holiday seasons! The plaza is decorated for Christmas during this time and is even more magical than usual. I visit LA relatively often, and always go to this spot every time! IT IS A MUST! :) read more

This is a business plaza between the MOCA and the Omni hotel. It caters primarily to the 9 to 5-ers in the financial buildings on Grand Ave. Half of the storefronts are vacant (likely due to high rents) and only the best restaurants and stores last for any serious amount of time. It looks nice enough with fountains and stone walkways, but overall is only full near the restaurants. At night, there isn't a soul to be found. read more

OK, so I just realized that I automatically associate this place with its summer series, "Grand Performances" so read my review on that. California Plaza is simply the beautiful venue that allows it to happen. A wonderful place to eat your lunch during the day, and a great way to soak up the aura of LA at night. City skyscrapers. A stage set-up with dancing water fountains and light shows in sync with the band playing. Famima. This DTLA community music performance venue is what the Grove or the Americana wishes they were but will never become. read more

Free outdoor Summertime concerts in Downtown Los Angeles....AND you can bring booze and picnic gear! Woohoo!!! Every year my fiance and I get together with our friends for at least a few of these concerts, and we've always had a blast. Some highlights have been: Caravan Palace, Kinky, Sidestepper, and we're looking foward to next weekend's Miquel Atwood Ferguson, Pacha Massive as well as Nortec Collective later on in August. Yeah, so the music is great... and the vibe is one of community and celebration. Everyone is up and dancing, sharing, and it's great to be able to look out and see such a majestic view of the downtown area and surrounding mountains. One of our favorite ways to spend an evening! If you don't want to pay $7 or so bucks for parking, I recommend taking a bus or one of the metro lines... which is what we usually do. After the concert, you can continue to take the party on down the street to one of the numerous liquid lounges and restaurants in the area. Oh, and I also recommend getting there at least a half hour early if want to setup a picnic space. Besides the Hollywood Bowl, Grand Performances aka California Plaza... is one of the best outdoor venues in the city. So, definitely put one or more of these concerts on your "to-do" list... don't be one to miss out on such a wonderful experience! read more

California Plaza is beautiful! My friend told me about this place so I came here with my mum to show her that downtown LA can be beautiful :) We took Angel's Flight Railway to get here from Hill St. and it was so nice to be greeted with a beautiful water fountain and colourful flower beds. It is surrounded by dining tables and chairs, so you can eat and enjoy the view. There's also a stage for music performances, but I have yet to attend one. Walking around the area, there are many different eating options--and most of them sound really good! Most recently I went to Mendicino Farms and loved it. Other options are: Starry Kitchen, Famima, Panda Exprses, Starbucks, a pizza place, etc. They even have a USPS if you need to mail something! You are also right next to the Omni Hotel and MOMA (which also has a cafe). If you haven't been, this is definitely worth checking out. If you're driving, you can find parking in one of the public parking lots around the area (around $5-6) or you can do what I did and take the metro. Just take either the red or purple line from Union Station and get off at either Civic Ctr or Pershing Sq. read more

A serious of free concert/performance art held annually at the downtown LA California Plaza. For those who are in the know, Ozomatli had played numerous time already at this event and attract the biggest crowd. This year is no exception as they open this season along with Yohimbe brothers and dengue fever. Sadly I did not catch DF, I thought YB was really great, but OZO ROCKS!!! YEA!!!! Ozo live show is 20x better than their studio recording... seriously... Check out www. grandperformances.org if you are in the LA area. You can find other performers to your liking. That's all I wanted to say. Now I'm going to bed because I am very tired from dancing to Ozo. read more

I love my Cal Plaza. Especially in summer when the Grand Performances start. Free concerts, movies and dance performances in the open air. Perfect for cheap date night and a couple of places have started serving booze so if you didn't picnic and bring a couple of bottles you can just belly up to one of the bars and git yer drank on. My fav is the booth upstairs stage left. Mixed cocktails and they use Fever Tree mixers! read more

What a romantic place. I came here for a Grand Performance event and can't think of a better venue. We brought some snacks, lots of water--it was still hot at 8pm! We watched the show and in the back drop was the fountains-perfect hand holding atmosphere! read more

When this plaza isn't being a host for free summer concerts for the local crowds, it serves as a relaxing outdoor courtyard for business people alike to take a break from their cubical and sit at a table by the fountain and enjoy a sandwich for lunch or a iced coffee under the hot California sun. I went there today, Saturday, because my friend had to work and I needed an escape. It was pleasant to see families taking pictures of their kids, some just learning to walk, and others with 3 hats stacked on their heads playing by the pond. They were already setting up the chairs and had the stage ready for tonights saucy concert. If we are here late enough, I'm sure we'll stop by to listen as what normally would be a peaceful night for this downtown business area turns into a vibrant dance club under the stars. read more

I'm reviewing this for night time--I think this place is dreamy. You know those romantic scenes in movies where there's either a very lovey dovey scene going on, or there is a part of the movie with just incredibly romantic music playing that makes you feel SO happy for them? Well, this place is like that...except that it's like for you! I love it here. It's very New-York movie type of place, except that it's in LA which I suppose makes it more 500 Days of Summer than anything else, LOVE. Must be incredibly nice to be here during the day, but oh so romantic at night--prim and proper. Most of the businesses close, except for Famina (?) & Starbucks of course. I like that. I love the heart-shaped flower thing, the water, the lights...oh so romantic. I love that it leads into the Angel Knolls Park & the little trolley. LOVE! SO ROMANTIC It's a great place to come and walk and sit after a date, it's so pretty--for coffee or bring ice cream. Hell, you can even bring take-out (my boyfriend and I did this once--and it's okay because you can literally be there as late as you want [except that they tie the chairs to the tables], and I guess that's because of the hotel scene). This place is so special to me,I love it. so beautiful Also try sitting by the Water Court, so fun and different! splish, splash read more

AWw! Raul looked cute in his t-shirt, lol :) As always, it was a great OZO show! I missed the previous performances but it sounds like they were good! Cal Plaza had a great vibe! It's nice to see there are fun & FREE events in Los Angeles!! read more

Most definitely a great spot for the grand performance to be held. There's lots of space to sit, dance, and even picnic while watching the performance. This is also a good spot to come and eat, especially during jury duty!!! Two thumbs up for dtla!!! read more

Discovered this place after taking Angels Flight. There is a stage here for summer musical performances. During the daytime there are fountains shooting up water giving it a serene feeling to it. There is outdoor seating to enjoy your lunch or just catch up with a friend. The atmosphere is very casual yet soothing. One can also do some great thinking here. However, sometimes do smoke here so it also becomes a place of second-hand smoking. The restrooms here were also surprisingly clean. Overall, I think this is a great place to go to enjoy your lunch or hang out with a friend. It's also not too far from Angels Knoll if you want to be in a "park." This has truly become one of my favorite places in DTLA. read more

I've been coming to California Plaza since 2009 for the Grand Performances concerts. It has been awesome getting to see so many great bands for FREE!!! They've recently added bike valet which is great because I remember locking mine up to a railing when I used to take to train up to union station and then bike to the plaza. The restrooms are in good shape and there's plenty of parking ($8) underneath during the events. Having the fountain as a backdrop to the stage is fantastic. This is a spectacular venue and is excellent for the community! read more

California Plaza - Cumbia dancing @Los Masters Plus concert. - Music Venues Near Me - Los Angeles, California

What a great location in Downtown LA! I went for a picnic and a reading of Bukowski by Grand Performances. I'm tellin' ya kids. This is a great date. Take the train to Pershing Square. Have a drink at La Cita before or after the show (Grand Performances are free in the summertime. Yeah!) and then take Angel's Flight to the top of the hill. (50 cents or 25 with a metro pass!) and haul you picnic to the seats. Get there early as these events are possible. Enjoy your food (and your booze on the DL) and then stop at the Redwood or hit the train home. Or that aside, it's gotta be a nice spot to go and have your lunch if you find yourself downtown. 5 contented sighs! Hah. Hmm. MMM. Haa. Nnnnnmmm. read more

I have seen some pretty cool concerts at California Plaza during past summers that make me look forward to their return every summer. I like to bring food and a blanket and have a picnic with friends there. There is always something interesting ... from music, to dance, to film. Other people's reviews have mentioned Ozo and I have yet to see them at California Plaza. I hope I will be able to catch their performance next year. The crowd is pretty chill. I had a run in with a woman once who got a bit angry because she wanted us to move our things off a chair so that she can move back and forth between two seats which was very strange but for the most part, people are pretty laid back. Definitely check out what is on the schedule. Even if you're not familiar with the people who are performing, go and see anyway. You never know. There was one year I caught a performance of theremins and that was pretty cool! Just make sure you go early so you can find parking and stake out some seats. read more

The words "Peaceful" and "Los Angeles" are not usually thought of in the same breath, much less the same sentence. However, California Plaza has got to be one of the most peaceful places that I have found in all of Southern California, only second to the ocean side of a peaceful dune along the Pacific. Once you enter the plaza, your senses can be overtaken by the water feature in the corner. Sit down with a refreshing drink and watch as the waters ebb and flow from the fountain and put on a show, second only to the waves at the ocean's shore. If you become overwhelmed with the hub bub of the city and need a refreshing place to relax, this quiet place should be high on your list. When I have visitors from out of town tell me how draining life in Los Angeles must be, I bring them here for a short respite. Most are amazed with the waterfall, not a common site within the confines of an inner city. It costs nothing to come and sit by the waterfall and rekindle those feelings of relaxation. (Of course, you have to drive there if you aren't already in the area, find a place to park or park in the lot, and hope that the elevator or escalators are working, BUT, it's well worth it!) And be sure to look into the summer concert series. An interesting and eclectic group of performers each summer. read more

I attended the free concert on Saturday at the California Plaza. They have singers from all over the world come preform here for free. The event is exciting and the place rocks with a lot of energy. There are water fountains to keep you entertained. Lots of shops and the views of the skyscrapers in downtown Los Angles. The music event I attended was a Qawali by a nephew of Nusrat Fathe Ali Khan. There was massive energy all around , the palce was packed and the parking cost was $8. read more

a variety of food choices @ the plaza or just across the street in the kpmg building, down the block near laphil/disney concert hall/lacma too plus the all necessary famima & starbucks! the only thing negative is there is no indoor seating for rainy days ~*~ w/ the various water installations, california plaza is definitely one of the nicer areas to sit and chat in downtown la read more

I worked here for over 8 years and never got tired of the plaza. You get a beautiful waterfall and amazing views of the city while you took a break from a busy day. There are plenty of restaurants nearby and they even have live concerts there in the summertime. Many times you even see celebrities. I've seen the main actor from the show 24. I saw the main guy in the show Queer as Folke and I saw Bruce Willis. I saw Ryan Seacrest, Michael Jackson's Lawyer, I think that's all in the 8 years I was there. Very fun. read more

This is my first review of a plaza. How dumb is it to review a plaza? But this one is totally worth it!! Every city should have a cool place like this. If you are in downtown LA, come check it out and just relax there for 10 minutes. It will be worth it. But more importantly, check the online schedule for awesome Friday performances by excellent local and international artists. This place offers incredible family experiences at no cost all-year-round. read more

I love Cal Plaza! I usually come here to check out concerts from Grand Performances, but the plaza would be a great place to have a quiet picnic and enjoy the prominent fountain (and occasional stage--that's right, people can perform IN the water!). Surrounded by the beautiful downtown skyline, this is one of the hidden gems of DTLA. read more

This is the go-to place for lunch if you work in the area, and it's a nice collection of restaurants, necessities, and occasional entertainment. I am a regular at Mendocino Farms, frequent Johnnie's for pizza, utilize the ultra-chill post office, make the odd appearance at Blue Cow, and take in any Grand Performances show that I can. In the last few weeks, I have enjoyed Magnetica Soldade, Les Triplettes de Bellville, and DJ Nu Mark, in the evening and lunchtime respectively. And even if there is no scheduled entertainment, the Water Court is a lovely display whilst you nibble on a sandwich or just meditate away from the office. Big time fan. read more