Barry PhilipsLos Angeles is widely known for Hollywood glamour, luxury neighborhoods, and beautiful coastlines, but hidden beneath the city’s glamorous image are eerie abandoned places filled with mystery, history, and urban legends. From forgotten theaters to deserted hospitals, these abandoned locations tell fascinating stories of the past.
Exploring abandoned places in Los Angeles has become increasingly popular among photographers, history lovers, and urban explorers. These places offer a glimpse into old architecture, lost communities, and the changing face of the city. Some are fenced off and protected due to safety concerns, while others remain iconic landmarks remembered by locals.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top 40 abandoned places in Los Angeles, their history, what made them famous, and why they continue to attract attention today..
Top 40 Abandoned Places in Los Angeles
1. The Old Los Angeles Zoo
Located in Griffith Park, the Old Los Angeles Zoo is one of the city’s most famous abandoned attractions. It operated from 1912 to 1966 before the animals were moved to the newer Los Angeles Zoo nearby.
Today, visitors can still walk through the old cages, animal enclosures, and concrete ruins. The crumbling structures create an eerie atmosphere, especially during sunset. Unlike many abandoned places, this one is accessible to the public and has become a popular hiking destination.
The abandoned zoo is a favorite spot for photographers because of its strange combination of nature and decay. Trees grow around old cages, and graffiti adds modern layers to its forgotten history.
Many locals say the place feels haunted, though there is no confirmed paranormal activity. Still, the quiet, empty enclosures create a haunting reminder of how zoos once operated.
2. Hawthorne Plaza Mall
Hawthorne Plaza Mall was once a thriving shopping center during the 1970s and 1980s. Located in Hawthorne, it eventually declined due to competition from newer malls and economic challenges.
The mall officially closed in 1999, leaving behind empty stores, silent escalators, and dark hallways. It became famous for being used as a filming location for movies, music videos, and television shows.
Its abandoned appearance made it perfect for dystopian scenes in Hollywood productions. Despite redevelopment discussions over the years, much of the structure remained unused for a long time.
Urban explorers often considered it one of the most iconic abandoned places in Los Angeles because it captured the fall of American mall culture.
3. Linda Vista Community Hospital
Linda Vista Community Hospital in East Los Angeles opened in 1904 and served the community for decades before shutting down in 1991.
The hospital became famous for ghost stories and paranormal investigations. Many people claimed to hear strange sounds, see shadows, and experience unexplained events inside the building.
Its creepy reputation made it a popular filming location for horror productions. TV shows and paranormal documentaries frequently featured it.
Although parts of the building have since been renovated, its abandoned legacy remains strong in Los Angeles folklore. It is often considered one of the most haunted abandoned places in Southern California.
4. Murphy Ranch
Hidden in the hills of Pacific Palisades, Murphy Ranch is one of the strangest abandoned sites in Los Angeles. Built in the 1930s, it was rumored to be intended as a Nazi sympathizer compound before World War II.
The property included power stations, water tanks, and large concrete structures. After the war, the site was abandoned and gradually taken over by nature.
Today, hikers can reach the ruins by descending a long staircase. Graffiti covers many walls, and the structures are surrounded by overgrown vegetation.
Murphy Ranch attracts visitors because of both its unusual history and its isolated atmosphere. It feels like discovering a forgotten secret hidden in the city.
5. The Ambassador Hotel
The Ambassador Hotel was once one of the most glamorous hotels in Los Angeles. Opened in 1921, it hosted celebrities, politicians, and major Hollywood events.
It became historically significant because Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated there in 1968. Over time, the hotel declined and eventually closed in 1989.
For years, it stood abandoned as debates continued over redevelopment. Its famous Cocoanut Grove nightclub and luxurious halls became symbols of lost Hollywood elegance.
Though the building was eventually demolished and replaced by a school campus, it remains one of the most talked-about abandoned landmarks in LA history.
6. Sunken City
Located in nearby San Pedro, Sunken City is a dramatic abandoned coastal site created by a landslide in 1929. The landslide caused homes, streets, and infrastructure to collapse into the ocean.
What remains today are broken concrete slabs, graffiti-covered ruins, and stunning ocean views. It looks like a post-apocalyptic landscape beside the Pacific Ocean.
Although technically trespassing, many people still visit for photography and sightseeing. The location is especially popular at sunset because of its surreal beauty.
Sunken City is a reminder of how powerful nature can be and how quickly entire communities can disappear.
7. The Santee Alley Underground Tunnels
Beneath parts of downtown Los Angeles are old abandoned utility tunnels and forgotten underground spaces connected to historic districts like Santee Alley.
Some were originally used for transportation, storage, and infrastructure during early city development. Over time, many were sealed off or forgotten.
These underground spaces have inspired urban legends, mystery stories, and exploration myths. While public access is restricted, they remain part of LA’s abandoned underground history.
People are fascinated by the idea that an entire hidden world exists beneath the busy streets above.
8. Hotel Alexandria
The historic Hotel Alexandria opened in 1906 and was once considered one of the finest luxury hotels in Los Angeles. It attracted wealthy travelers and social elites during the city’s early boom years.
As downtown changed, the hotel declined and large sections became neglected and abandoned. Its grand ballrooms and old architecture still reflected its former beauty.
Though parts of the building have since been restored, it spent many years as one of LA’s most haunting forgotten landmarks.
Its faded elegance makes it a symbol of old Los Angeles and the rise and fall of downtown luxury culture.
9. Rancho Los Amigos Hospital Abandoned Campus
Part of the Rancho Los Amigos medical campus in Downey became abandoned after newer facilities replaced older buildings.
The site included empty wards, outdated medical rooms, and deteriorating infrastructure. Because of its eerie atmosphere, it became popular for film production and urban legends.
The abandoned medical campus reflected how healthcare facilities evolve over time, leaving behind large forgotten spaces.
It also became a point of interest for paranormal enthusiasts who believed hospitals often hold strong emotional energy from the past.
10. The Pacific Electric Railway Ruins
The Pacific Electric Railway, once known as the “Red Car” system, was a massive public transit network that connected Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
As car culture expanded, the railway declined and many stations, tunnels, and tracks were abandoned. Today, some forgotten tunnels and rail remnants still exist across the city.
These ruins symbolize the transformation of Los Angeles from rail transportation to highway dependence. Historians often point to this shift as one of the most important changes in the city’s development.
Exploring these remnants offers a fascinating look into how LA once moved before freeways dominated the landscape.
Comprehensive List
| No. | Abandoned Place | Location | Known For | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Los Angeles Zoo | Griffith Park | Old animal enclosures and abandoned zoo cages | Public hiking site |
| 2 | Hawthorne Plaza Mall | Hawthorne | Empty shopping mall and filming location | Partially redeveloped |
| 3 | Linda Vista Community Hospital | East Los Angeles | Haunted hospital stories and horror filming | Renovated sections |
| 4 | Murphy Ranch | Pacific Palisades | Rumored Nazi compound ruins | Hiking destination |
| 5 | Ambassador Hotel | Mid-Wilshire | Old Hollywood glamour and RFK history | Demolished and replaced |
| 6 | Sunken City | San Pedro | Landslide ruins near the ocean | Restricted access |
| 7 | Santee Alley Underground Tunnels | Downtown Los Angeles | Underground mystery tunnels | Restricted access |
| 8 | Hotel Alexandria | Downtown Los Angeles | Historic luxury hotel ruins | Partially restored |
| 9 | Rancho Los Amigos Hospital Campus | Downey | Abandoned medical buildings | Limited public access |
| 10 | Pacific Electric Railway Ruins | Across Los Angeles | Old railway tunnels and tracks | Scattered remnants |
| 11 | Los Angeles Herald Examiner Building | Downtown Los Angeles | Historic newspaper headquarters | Renovated for media use |
| 12 | Coco Palms Motel | South LA | Forgotten roadside motel | Mostly abandoned |
| 13 | Lincoln Heights Jail | Lincoln Heights | Historic abandoned jail | Preserved but unused |
| 14 | Devil’s Gate Dam Tunnels | Pasadena Area | Hidden underground tunnels | Restricted access |
| 15 | Hollywood Pacific Theatre | Hollywood | Grand abandoned movie palace | Awaiting redevelopment |
| 16 | Sears Building Boyle Heights | Boyle Heights | Massive former department store | Closed and under redevelopment |
| 17 | Morrison Hotel | Downtown Los Angeles | Historic hotel linked to music history | Renovation efforts |
| 18 | Cocoanut Grove Remnants | Former Ambassador Hotel Site | Legendary nightclub remains | Demolished |
| 19 | Angels Flight Old Station | Downtown Los Angeles | Historic railway station remains | Partially preserved |
| 20 | Hawthorne House of Horrors | Hawthorne | Urban legends and ghost stories | Abandoned property |
| 21 | The Underground Subway Terminal | Downtown Los Angeles | Old Red Line transit terminal | Restricted access |
| 22 | Baker Block Site | Downtown Los Angeles | Historic commercial ruins | Mostly redeveloped |
| 23 | Nike Missile Site LA-96 | San Vicente Mountain | Cold War military remains | Hiking attraction |
| 24 | Venice Beach Graffiti Ruins | Venice | Forgotten structures near canals | Partially abandoned |
| 25 | Marineland of the Pacific Site | Palos Verdes | Former oceanarium ruins | Redeveloped area |
| 26 | Pasadena Star-News Building | Pasadena | Historic newsroom building | Largely unused |
| 27 | Hawthorne Municipal Airport Hangars | Hawthorne | Old aircraft storage structures | Limited use |
| 28 | LA River Industrial Warehouses | Vernon Area | Empty industrial factories | Mostly abandoned |
| 29 | The Old Spahn Ranch Area | Chatsworth | Historic ranch with dark history | Mostly erased |
| 30 | The Peanut Farm Ruins | South Central LA | Forgotten farming remnants | Urban decay site |
| 31 | Griffith Park Abandoned Merry-Go-Round Storage | Griffith Park | Forgotten amusement storage | Closed off |
| 32 | San Fernando Road Power Plant | Northeast LA | Industrial abandoned plant | Restricted access |
| 33 | Belmont Tunnel | Westlake | Historic railway tunnel | Sealed and abandoned |
| 34 | Westlake Theatre | MacArthur Park | Historic abandoned theater | Restoration proposed |
| 35 | State Theatre | Downtown Los Angeles | Grand historic theater | Closed and deteriorating |
| 36 | Tower Theatre Back Sections | Downtown Los Angeles | Hidden abandoned theater areas | Partially restored |
| 37 | Rosslyn Hotel Old Wings | Downtown Los Angeles | Forgotten luxury hotel sections | Partial occupancy |
| 38 | Pacific Ocean Park Ruins | Santa Monica Area | Abandoned amusement park remains | Mostly demolished |
| 39 | Santa Susana Field Lab Structures | Near LA County | Abandoned testing facilities | Restricted access |
| 40 | The Old Zoo Picnic Caves | Griffith Park | Hidden abandoned cave enclosures | Public access hiking site |
Why Abandoned Places in Los Angeles Fascinate People
Los Angeles has experienced rapid growth over the decades, leaving behind many forgotten structures. Economic shifts, natural disasters, changing neighborhoods, and urban redevelopment all contributed to these abandoned spaces.
People are drawn to abandoned places because they create a strange mix of nostalgia and mystery. They represent untold stories, hidden history, and sometimes even paranormal legends. In a city known for constant reinvention, abandoned buildings serve as reminders of what once was
Comparison Table of Top Abandoned Places in Los Angeles
| Abandoned Place | Known For | Current Status | Popular With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Los Angeles Zoo | Old animal enclosures | Public hiking site | Photographers, hikers |
| Hawthorne Plaza Mall | Empty shopping mall | Partially redeveloped | Urban explorers |
| Linda Vista Hospital | Haunted hospital stories | Renovated sections | Paranormal fans |
| Murphy Ranch | Nazi compound rumors | Hiking destination | History lovers |
| Ambassador Hotel | Old Hollywood glamour | Demolished | Historians |
| Sunken City | Landslide ruins | Restricted access | Photographers |
| Santee Alley Tunnels | Underground mystery | Restricted | Urban legend fans |
| Hotel Alexandria | Luxury hotel ruins | Partially restored | Architecture lovers |
| Rancho Los Amigos Campus | Abandoned hospital buildings | Limited access | Paranormal explorers |
| Pacific Electric Ruins | Old railway remains | Scattered remnants | Transit historians |
Safety Tips for Exploring Abandoned Places
Exploring abandoned places can be exciting, but safety should always come first.
Avoid trespassing on private property without permission. Many abandoned sites are dangerous because of unstable floors, broken glass, asbestos, and weak structures.
Never explore alone. Bring someone with you and let others know your location. Wear proper shoes, carry a flashlight, and avoid entering sealed or restricted buildings.
Respect the history of the place by not damaging structures or removing artifacts. Responsible exploration helps preserve these locations for future generations.
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Conclusion
The top abandoned places in Los Angeles reveal a side of the city many tourists never see. Beyond the fame and glamour lies a hidden world of forgotten hospitals, silent malls, ruined hotels, and mysterious underground tunnels.
These places are more than just empty buildings—they are pieces of history that reflect changing times, economic shifts, and the evolution of one of America’s most famous cities.
Whether you are interested in photography, architecture, history, or urban legends, abandoned places in Los Angeles offer unforgettable stories waiting to be discovered. They remind us that even in a city built on reinvention, the past never fully disappears.