Airplanenut From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 649 posts, RR: 1 Posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 6215 times:
I'm going to be meeting my mom at LAX on Friday, and I get in a few hours early (guess who planned that one? ).
Anyway, it looks like I'll have a least a little bit of time to look (and shoot if I get outside). Are there any places that can be accessed easily from the terminal that are close enough to return to baggage claim once my mom gets in?
Thatplaneguy From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 82 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 6169 times:
Im not a local, and the last time I was there (in 2002). I used the roof of the car park next to the International terminal. I got views of take-offs and landings, but not ideal for good pictures, but you can get to all the terminals easily enough. If your a spotter its ok, but pictures can be taken, but its not the best location for that. Hope that helps. PS I wont give away my age by saying "I remember when...." Will I?
Aitek From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 60 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 6154 times:
there are two "main" good spots, one is off imperial know as "imperial hill" which is the street just south of airport that runs parrallel with the runways, its pretty good for some taxi shots, and some rotations. pretty much you go west on w. imperial then turn left on main, then immediate left onto e. imperial and go to the top of the hill, i think this map will work:
also there is the in-and-out spot off of sepulveda and 92nd street, good place to get a burger, and you can chill on the grass and have widebodys fly over your head, good for some wide angle "artsy" shots or whatever. dont try sneaking into the parking structure to good shots cause they will bust you. heres a link to that one:
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4536 posts, RR: 26 Reply 3, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 6148 times:
Quoting Thatplaneguy (Reply 1): oh i just read that you wanna be close to the terminal, heh. you got to take a taxi to those places at least, sorry, im an idiot.
Not necessarily.
Airplanenut,
Have your mom pick you up from Terminal One (Southwest Terminal). If you have a couple hours, you should have plenty of time to head down to In n Out for some lunch and great spotting. If you are not flying in to Terminal One, head over there because the In n Out is within walking distance from Terminal One. You then want to head outside and turn left to the very end. Turn left again at the end of the building and walk along the road that goes along the side of Terminal One. It will take you to an overpass. There are stairs that will lead you down to Sepulveda. At this point you should be able to see the In n Out. It's not a bad walk...5-10 minutes from Terminal One. It is right off the end of 24R.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
TWAMD-80 From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 1006 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 6079 times:
How is Imperial Hill for photography this time of year (light-wise)? I'll be in LA in a few weeks and if my time allows, which I think it should, I'd like to go over to LAX for some photos.
Tim
Two A-4's, left ten o'clock level continue left turn!
Jakbar From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 442 posts, RR: 27 Reply 6, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 6019 times:
I was just at Imperial Hill this past weekend, and it was great from sunrise to sunset -- with the exception of when the marine layer fog rolled in. In N Out is backlit this time of year, but it's still a great place to eat some awesome food and have airplanes buzzing over your head all day long.
I had never been to Imperial Hill before, and I must say that it is awesome. Go there if you have the opportunity.
NIKV69 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 6012 times:
If you like arrivals, the parking lot behind the Proud Bird is good. I enjoyed it. The sun was right behind me from 10AM and was good for a few hours. There is also old miltary aircraft on display.
Jakbar From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 442 posts, RR: 27 Reply 8, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 5989 times:
Quoting NIKV69 (Reply 7): If you like arrivals, the parking lot behind the Proud Bird is good
Just watch out for that one damn tree that always seems to get in the way. Kinda like those three poles, and the numerous trees, that get in the way at Imperial Hill.
UALDUDE From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 165 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (7 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 5972 times:
Quoting Jakbar (Reply 8): Just watch out for that one damn tree that always seems to get in the way. Smile Kinda like those three poles, and the numerous trees, that get in the way at Imperial Hill.
Amen! That tree is really annoying, I wish somebody would cut it down along with the poles on top of the Dobbs building in front of Imperial!
TWAMD-80 From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 1006 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 5896 times:
Quoting Jakbar (Reply 6): I was just at Imperial Hill this past weekend, and it was great from sunrise to sunset -- with the exception of when the marine layer fog rolled in.
Excellent that's definitely great to hear. I am looking forward to catching some heavies while I am out there. Regarding Imperial Hill, I think I found the right place on google maps in the link above - is that it in the upper right hand corner? How is the safety in this area? Also is there a mass transit system that runs from Seal Beach to LAX or close to there?
Quoting NIKV69 (Reply 7): If you like arrivals, the parking lot behind the Proud Bird is good.
I wouldn't mind checking this place out as well. Is it on the approach end of the 25's? Thanks for the replies and info!
Tim
Two A-4's, left ten o'clock level continue left turn!
NIKV69 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 5891 times:
Quoting TWAMD-80 (Reply 10): I wouldn't mind checking this place out as well. Is it on the approach end of the 25's? Thanks for the replies and info!
It is a restuarant on Aviation. From Imperial Hill go east and make a left on Aviation. It's on the right, you can't miss it. Big letters "Proud Bird"
Aircraft that are about to touch down on 25L go right past you. Go around the back there is a lot. Old aircraft are on display too. There was a heli that looked like it was parted out sitting right there.
Visityyj From Canada, joined Jun 2000, 519 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 5846 times:
Imperial Hill is the area between the two clumps of trees (dark brown) in the photo. El Segundo is not a high-risk area and the police patrol regularly. It's perfectly safe in the daytime. There is one bus line from LAX to Redondo Beach which stops at the top of the hill (Sheldon Street).
Benyhone From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 206 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 5836 times:
Regarding landing shots on 25L, shot from the Proud Bird...
Quoting Jakbar (Reply 8): Just watch out for that one damn tree that always seems to get in the way. Kinda like those three poles, and the numerous trees, that get in the way at Imperial Hill.
Just go a little further east into the Lot B parking lot. Same photo, no trees or poles.
Josh, I just missed you by a week - was at LAX the last week in January!
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