I make a trip to Los Angeles this week. I was wondering if someone could give me some spotting locations. I've got some locations from magazines, but a personal A.nutter account is always helpful. LAX has been talked to death, so I really need help with the other 4...ONT,LGB,ONT,BUR

View Large View Medium Photo © Chris Starnes

View Large View Medium Photo © Dean Heald

View Large View Medium Photo © AirNikon

View Large View Medium Photo © Ralph Duenas - Jetwash Images

View Large View Medium Photo © Mike -Rotor- Nowak

View Large View Medium Photo © Ben Wang

View Large View Medium Photo © George W. Hamlin

View Large View Medium Photo © Michael Arcellana

  

wow, that picture you have of BUR in the bottom left is so old, that's when I worked there back in 1990 and opened BUR for Southwest. Maybe not exactly then, but we opened 4/16/90. United at the time had gates A7, A8, A9, Delta had A6, SWA had gate A5 and the only jetway at the time or anytime for that fact for Burbank, Continental was A4, AmWest was A3, Alaska was A2 and TWA had A1. USAir still had the entire terminal B. Back to spotting, I have found two great locations for BUR. The top of the parking garage just across from about where the nose of the AmWest and CO planes are parked in your picture is a great spot to watch landing and traffic taking off, but, the tower does obstruct part of the view. To watch landing traffic, there is a viewer area adjacent to the threshold just off of Vineyard Ave which is just to the west of the airport. On the contrary, if you sit in the Amtrak parking lot you can sit just under departing a/c.

As for Long Beach, I believe there is a restaurant that has a viewing deck for customers, I am not sure though if it is airside or landside though, and as for the others, I am not too sure about ONT/SNA as for great viewing opportunities.

BUR - You can shoot from the parking garage next to the terminal . That's where the Chris Starnes shot was from. You can also try on the streets near the runways, but beware of police. Burbank has its' own department.

LGB - The main shooting area is in the parking lot of Devry. There is a fence, but it is not too high. You will be right on a taxiway and have a good view of the runway.

SNA - There are multiple spots, but the main is in the parking lot across from the terminal. It is not a problem to spot here. AirNikon's shot is from there. Michael Arcellana's shot looks like it is from the terminal.

ONT - Never been, and there aren't a ton of shots in the DB from there, so good luck finding a spot if you go.

-Matt

For LAX try the In n out on Sepulveda and Westchester Parkway. Also you can try the end of the runway on Aviation BLVD after the 105 (heading North). Those are the best spots I can think of.

At LAX, go to west imperial ave. It runs parralell with the runways and there are benches to sit on and watch. The road is elevated very nicely and you get incredible views.

for LGB:

1. the parking lot next to Devry (same area to drop off FedEx packages for shipment)

2. the parking lot behind the Marriott hotel. the planes are so close to you as they taxi by (especially the UPS B767's)

3. the restaurant on top of the main terminal (its upstairs from the ticket counters (so no need to have to go thru security). if its a nice day (which normally it is) you should be able to sit on the patio area.

~B6FA4ever

Quoting LAXdude1023 (Reply 3): For LAX try the In n out on Sepulveda and Westchester Parkway.

Yes well, whatever you do stay around In-N-Out to spot! I walked over underneath the flight path last Saturday with my friend and the cops came over in no less than 2 minutes. Pretty scary as this was my first time caught. They were nice about it though and told me I could keep taking pictures. Of course, I left as soon as they were gone.

Quoting WakeTurbulence (Reply 2): ONT - Never been, and there aren't a ton of shots in the DB from there, so good luck finding a spot if you go.

Archibald runs around the airfield from the main terminal and you should have no problem getting shots from there. The lot at the Southern California Auto Auction in Fontana has some great shots, but you have to be a dealer to get in there.

Thanx guys, I really appreciate your help.  

Will this spoil my LAX spotting?

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2006/11/airport_checkin_1.html

Go to Van Nuys. I fly out of there. Lost of GVs, Challengers, Falcons, etc.

You could go up to Palmdale (PMD) while there is not a lot of traffic, what you get a chance to see is unparalleled. U-2's, F-117's, and B-2's are not uncommon. On the weekend the Blackbird Park is open and Mojave is 30 minutes north and Victorville is thirty minutes east.