Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Photo: Doug McClintock, Donwtown. All Images via: ##http://www.losangelesalleys.com##Los Angeles Alleys.##

One of the quiet debates that I hear in Los Angeles is whether or not our city is ugly.  Some argue that the design of our streets has taken the natural beauty of Los Angeles and made it ugly.  While there is some truth in this, I find there are so many beautiful streets and communities to more and balance out some of the ugliness in other areas.

Entering the debate is Jeremy Oberstein, known to some of you as a former contributor to LAist and current staffer to Councilman Krekorian, but he's also the creator of Los Angeles Alleys: The Book and Los Angeles Alleys: The Blog.  The Book is twenty pages of beautiful shots of some of Los Angeles' alleys and covers all corners of the city.  If you're interested in buying the book, you can at the above link, or can actually view the book in its entirety.  Buying the book isn't just a statement that you think Los Angeles is a beautiful place, but it also supports local artists and will doubtless be the most interesting coffee-table book you'll ever own.

The beauty of our streets may be up for debate, but apparently you can find some real gems in our alleys.

For more images, click here to see the entire book, or view three more favorite alley pictures after the jump.

Photo: Jeremy Obserstein in Los Feliz All Images via: ##http://www.losangelesalleys.com##Los Angeles Alleys.##
Photo: Justin Sangani in Mid-City. All Images via: ##http://www.losangelesalleys.com##Los Angeles Alleys.##
Photo: Elaine Layabout in Chinatown. All Images via: ##http://www.losangelesalleys.com##Los Angeles Alleys.##

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Give Input on Metro Sepulveda Rail Plan to connect Valley and Westside

Metro is still deciding between some low-performing monorail alternatives and some high-performing heavy rail alternatives. What do you want to see?

July 10, 2025

Whittier Councilmember Fernando Dutra Is New Metro Board Chair

Board Chair Dutra: "[Metro is] not just a train and a bus company. We also manage projects on the freeways... Our projects along the 5, the 605, 91, and 105 Freeway are very very important... I'll be focusing on making sure we keep our freeways moving freely."

July 9, 2025

Covina Residents Call on City for Protections from Immigration Raids

Community members took to city council to share their frustrations and demands.

July 8, 2025
See all posts