You can't mention the Santa Monica Airport without bringing up a bit of controversy. To its neighbors, it's a noisy, dangerous nuisance. But for those of us who don't live underneath its flight path, SMO is an incredible place to celebrate LA's rich aviation lineage; it was the birthplace of the commercial airline-pioneering Douglas DC-3. Above all, its public observation deck is the best place to hear the roar of jet engines only feet from an active runway.
Good for: Reliving your childhood giddiness over planes taking off and landing.
For that moment when: You need a break from the 405/10 interchange traffic—or a unique place to eat your lunch.
In case you're hungry: Typhoon