Watts Towers
Simon Rodia's towering folk-art sculptures of steel, mortar, tile, and found objects in South LA's Watts.
The call
Worth it if you are watching the budget and you only have one day.
Why
- 01
An astonishing one-of-a-kind outsider-art monument — 17 interlaced spires hand-built over 33 years from scrap and broken crockery, a UNESCO-worthy testament to obsession.
Our read - 02
It's off the standard tourist path in a residential South LA neighborhood, with limited hours and guided-tour-only access to the base, so it rewards intentional art and history seekers.
Our read
Is it a fit?
Go if
You are watching the budget
Watts Towers earns the spend, even on a tight budget.
You only have one day
Short trip or not, keep Watts Towers.
You are traveling as a couple
As a couple, Watts Towers is an easy yes.
You are traveling solo
Solo, Watts Towers is an easy yes.
Plan it well
- Cost
- Tour ~$8; grounds free to view
- Timing
- Check the limited open hours and tour schedule before going.
- Booking
- The towers are accessible only by guided tour; verify availability ahead.
- Allow
- 1-1.5 hours
- Accessibility
- Grounds viewing is level; the guided base tour involves uneven surfaces.
- Getting there
- Drive to Watts; Metro A (Blue) Line to 103rd St/Watts Towers is nearby.
Consider instead
Sources and method (2)
- 17 interconnected sculptural towers built single-handedly by Italian immigrant Simon (Sabato) Rodia from 1921 to 1954 using steel rebar, concrete and found objects; tallest reaches 99.5 feet. en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Designated a National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark in 1990. en.wikipedia.org ↗
- parks.ca.gov ↗