250 S. Grand
MOCA Website
Walking north on Grand Avenue, you'll find the Museum of Contemporary Art on the right. One of several museums located downtown, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) features art works created starting in the 1940s. This sculpture by Nancy Rubins outside their entrance exemplifies my reaction to much of their holdings, the male figure giving the universal gesture for "I don't get it." If you're a fan of contemporary art, the museum's holdings include thousands of creations in all media, and selected items are on view year round.
Even if you aren't interested in the art, the MOCA gift shop carries some nice, handmade gift items that might make better souvenirs than another lousy t-shirt.
Next door to MOCA on the upper level is the California Plaza Watercourt, a pretty public space that hosts free summer concerts and performances.
Continue north on Grand Avenue.
MOCA also has locations at the Geffen Contemporary 152 North Central Avenue in Little Tokyo and the Pacific Design Center at 8687 Melrose Avenue.