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Union Station in Los Angeles
Architecture · Downtown LA

Union Station

Los Angeles's grand 1939 rail terminal, a soaring blend of Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission, and Art Deco design. Often called the last of America's great train stations, it remains a working transit hub and a cinematic architectural icon.

Why visit

Union Station is a free, awe-inspiring window into Los Angeles's golden age of travel, with architecture grand enough to stop you in your tracks the moment you enter. It is also exceptionally practical, doubling as the city's central transit hub, and its photogenic halls and gardens make it a rewarding stop whether you are passing through or visiting on purpose.

Union Station is one of downtown Los Angeles's most beautiful public spaces, a place where travelers and admirers alike can pause beneath towering ceilings and walk across acres of patterned floors. Its cavernous waiting hall, leather seating, wrought-iron details, and richly tiled accents capture the romance of mid-century train travel, while light pours in through tall arched windows. Tranquil garden courtyards offer shaded escapes just steps from the bustle of the concourse.

Still very much a living transportation center, the station serves Metro Rail, Amtrak, and Metrolink trains, so visitors share the space with everyday commuters. That blend of function and grandeur is part of its charm, and it has made Union Station a perennial backdrop for films, photo shoots, and special events. Even if you are not catching a train, it rewards a slow, camera-in-hand wander.

History

Union Station opened in 1939, consolidating the passenger operations of several competing railroads into a single grand terminal and arriving near the tail end of America's great railway-building era. Designed in a Spanish Colonial Revival and Mission style with Art Deco and Streamline Moderne touches, it has been celebrated ever since as one of the country's last monumental train stations and is widely recognized as a Los Angeles architectural landmark.

Insider Tips

  • ✦Pair your visit with historic Olvera Street directly across Alameda Street.
  • ✦Explore the often-overlooked garden patios for a peaceful break.
  • ✦Visit on a weekday for the best light and fewer crowds.

Photo Tips

  • 📸Capture the main waiting hall's high beamed ceiling and arched windows for grand symmetry.
  • 📸Shoot the garden courtyards for a quieter, greener contrast to the concourse.
  • 📸Look down at the patterned floor tiles and up at the chandeliers for striking detail shots.

Before You Go

  • ✓Consider arriving via Metro Rail, since the station is a major transit hub with easy connections.
  • ✓Be respectful of working travelers and platforms when photographing the space.
  • ✓Check ahead for any special events or filming that may limit access to parts of the station.

Visiting with family

Kids love watching the trains and exploring the vast halls and gardens, making it an easy, low-cost outing. Hold hands in busy areas and keep an eye on platforms during peak commute times.

Where to Eat Nearby

🍽️ Wexler's Deli inside the station🍽️ Philippe the Original (nearby)🍽️ Olvera Street eateries across the street

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Union Station FAQ

When was Union Station built?

Los Angeles Union Station opened in 1939, blending Spanish Colonial Revival and Mission styles with Art Deco and Streamline Moderne details. It is often called one of America's last great train stations.

Can you visit Union Station without a train ticket?

Yes. The station is free to enter and explore, and many visitors come just to see the architecture, gardens, and waiting hall. You only pay if you board a train.

Is Union Station still a working train station?

Yes, it remains a busy active hub serving Metro Rail, Amtrak, and Metrolink. Visitors share the space with everyday commuters and travelers.

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