The Civic Centre, which is bounded by San Pedro, Figueroa, and First Streets, and by the Hollywood Freeway, is the administrative and political centre for most of the city and county, as well as for an array of federal agencies. The landscaping helps to soften its drab image – subtropical foliage is planted around the Arthur Will Memorial Fountain, and from fall through spring Los Angeles’ official flower, the bird of paradise, parades its striking orange plumes.

City Hall
Almost every TV and movie buff will recognize City Hall, even if it was moved from its looming position above the Civic Centre – the place has been filmed as often as Fabio. Its most notable appearances were in the old Dragnet series, as a symbol of law and order, and in the original Superman series, where it masqueraded as the Daily Planet newspaper offices.

More than 4000 pieces of marble in the rotunda floor depict a historic Spanish caravel, while the mosaic-tiled dome represents various facets of city government.