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're watching the budget and you only have one day.
Short answer
Is Watts Towers worth it?
Watts Towers deserves a place on most first itineraries.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
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.
- 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.
Is it a fit?
Go if
You're 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're traveling as a couple
As a couple, Watts Towers is an easy yes.
You're 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 ↗