Perhaps the most unrealistic and at the same time seductively beautiful images of downtown Los Angeles were used in the television series LA Law: crystal-clear, blue skies and sunshine seemed to be the daily forecast. On the big screen, Blade Runner presented future Los Angeles as perpetually dark, polluted and dreary. Neither image is correct. The city's air quality is gradually improving, making the dreary future less likely, but it's still a rare day that's clear enough to see the nearby mountains. It's not all that far to the beach and fog sometimes makes its way inland. Mornings can be hazy, and summer afternoons hot.
These days, downtown L.A. is almost like a studio backlot, with eight of 2007's summer movies including scenes filmed downtown, according to the LA Times. Add television programs, commercials and other filming, and downtown may be the easiest place to find a film crew working in the city.
Now, let's move on to the real Los Angeles. We start near the intersection of Grand Avenue and 4th Street.