Let’s take a trip back to when buildings looked like they were straight out of The Jetsons. Bright neon signs, swooping rooflines, and space-age shapes once defined a bold new era in design. That style? It’s called Googie architecture—and Los Angeles was ground zero for it.
Googie (pronounced “goo-ghee”) isn’t just a funny-sounding word. It’s a real architectural style that exploded after World War II, inspired by the Space Race, car culture, and the rise of the American diner. Think of buildings that look like flying saucers, boomerangs, or rocket ships. They were designed to grab your attention, especially if you were speeding by in a convertible.
Googie architecture is a fun, futuristic design style that started in Los Angeles. This list highlights 10 must-see buildings that still show off its bold shapes, neon lights, and space-age vibes.
In this article, we’ll break down the top 10 most iconic examples of Googie architecture in Los Angeles—from diners and gas stations to airport landmarks. Whether you’re into architecture, LA history, or just want a cool photo spot, these buildings are worth checking out.
1. Johnie’s Coffee Shop on Wilshire Blvd
Johnie’s Coffee Shop is one of the most recognizable examples of Googie architecture in Los Angeles. Located at the corner of Wilshire and Fairfax, this former 24-hour diner is hard to miss with its bold blue neon lights, slanted roof, and dramatic glass façade. Designed in 1956, it was originally part of the Coffee Dan’s chain before becoming Johnie’s in the 1960s.
Johnie’s Coffee Shop on Wilshire Blvd is located at 5757 Wilshire Blvd Ste 102 Los Angeles, CA 90036
While it no longer serves food, Johnie’s lives on as a popular filming location. You’ve probably seen it in movies like The Big Lebowski or Reservoir Dogs. Its eye-catching Googie design continues to draw photographers, tourists, and anyone curious about LA’s mid-century history. Even empty, it still makes a statement.
2. Theme Building at LAX
The Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport is one of the most iconic examples of Googie architecture in Los Angeles. Built in 1961, its design was meant to capture the excitement of the Jet Age. The building’s flying saucer-like center is suspended between two massive arches, making it look like it could lift off at any moment.
Theme Building, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located at 201 World Wy, Los Angeles, CA 90045
This futuristic landmark once housed a restaurant with panoramic views of the runway and skyline. Though the restaurant is now closed, the structure remains a symbol of LA’s optimistic, space-obsessed era. Its bold design is so memorable, it’s become the unofficial logo of LAX and a proud piece of Googie history.
3. Pann’s Restaurant in Inglewood
Pann’s Restaurant has been serving up food and style since 1958, and it’s one of the best-preserved examples of Googie architecture in Los Angeles. Located in Inglewood, it was designed by the famous architecture firm Armet & Davis, who helped define the Googie movement. The building features slanted rooflines, boomerang shapes, stone walls, and eye-catching signage.
Pann’s Restaurant is located at 6710 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
What makes Pann’s special is that it’s not just still standing — it’s still operating, and the interior looks much like it did decades ago. Bright colors, retro booths, and big windows give it that classic mid-century feel. Whether you’re there for the food or just to soak in the vibe, it’s like stepping into a time capsule of LA’s postwar optimism.
4. Norms La Cienega
Norms on La Cienega Blvd is a textbook example of Googie architecture in Los Angeles. Built in 1957 and designed by Armet & Davis, the same firm behind Pann’s, this diner features bold angles, floor-to-ceiling glass, and a massive neon sign that juts out over the sidewalk like a rocket launch pad. It’s architecture that was made to be seen from a moving car.
This location is not just famous — it’s protected. The City of Los Angeles officially designated it a historic-cultural monument, ensuring its place in the city’s architectural legacy. Norms is still open 24/7, serving up classic diner fare in a space that feels like a scene from a vintage postcard.
5. Capitol Records Tower
The Capitol Records Tower is one of Hollywood’s most famous landmarks and a striking example of Googie-influenced architecture in Los Angeles. Built in 1956, the 13-story circular tower was designed by architect Welton Becket to resemble a stack of vinyl records. Though technically classified as Modernist, its futuristic shape, bold lines, and space-age flair put it in close company with Googie design.
Located just north of Hollywood Boulevard, the tower is still home to Capitol Records and continues to operate as a working studio. At night, the spire on top flashes “Hollywood” in Morse code — a subtle but fitting nod to the blend of technology and pop culture that defined the era. It’s not a diner or car wash, but it captures the same forward-looking spirit that makes Googie architecture so memorable.
6. Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank
Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank isn’t just a burger joint — it’s a living piece of Googie architecture in Los Angeles. Built in 1949 and later updated with Googie elements in the 1950s, it features a sweeping roofline, oversized neon signage, and a bold, asymmetrical design meant to grab attention from the road. The classic Big Boy statue out front adds to its nostalgic charm.
This location is the oldest surviving Bob’s Big Boy in America and still operates as a full-service restaurant. It even offers carhop service on weekends, keeping the drive-in tradition alive. Whether you stop for a burger or just want to snap a photo, it’s a fun, throwback experience that captures the heart of mid-century LA culture.
7. Los Angeles Car Wash on La Cienega
Even something as ordinary as a car wash got the Googie treatment in mid-century LA. The Los Angeles Car Wash on La Cienega features a dramatic swooping roofline that curves like a wave, bold signage, and exposed structural elements that make it feel more like a spaceport than a place to clean your car. It’s a reminder that Googie architecture was all about turning the everyday into something exciting.
Built in the 1960s, this car wash still operates and stands as a playful example of how far the Googie style reached beyond diners and coffee shops. The design draws your eye even when you’re just driving by, staying true to the Googie goal of catching attention in a car-centric city like Los Angeles.
8. Ship’s Coffee Shop (Formerly on La Cienega)
Ship’s Coffee Shop on La Cienega Boulevard was a standout example of Googie architecture in Los Angeles, designed by architect Martin Stern Jr. in 1963. Its eye-catching design featured a dramatic angular roof, expansive glass walls, and a neon sign that resembled a lightning bolt, all embodying the futuristic and bold elements characteristic of Googie style .
Although the La Cienega location was demolished in the mid-1990s, Ship’s remains a beloved memory among Googie enthusiasts. Its distinctive design and cultural significance continue to symbolize the innovative spirit of mid-century Los Angeles architecture.
9. United Oil Gas Station on Beverly Blvd
The United Oil Gas Station on Beverly Boulevard might be the most futuristic-looking place you’ll ever pump gas. Its dramatic, curved steel canopy and glowing lights make it look more like a spaceship than a service station. Designed in the early 2000s as a nod to Googie architecture in Los Angeles, it proves the style’s influence still reaches into modern design.
While not an original mid-century building, it captures the same spirit of movement, optimism, and eye-catching design that defined the Googie era. With its bold angles and sleek, space-age vibe, it turns a routine stop into a photo-worthy experience. In a city known for its cars and visual culture, it’s a fitting modern tribute to Googie’s legacy.
Why Googie Still Matters in Los Angeles
Googie architecture isn’t just about flashy signs and space-age curves — it captured the hopeful, forward-looking spirit of 1950s and ’60s America. In a time when cars ruled the road, television was booming, and space travel felt just around the corner, Googie turned everyday buildings into expressions of optimism and imagination. Nowhere embraced that spirit more than Los Angeles.
Today, the remaining examples of Googie architecture in Los Angeles offer a glimpse into a unique cultural moment. They remind us that even a diner, gas station, or car wash can be daring and creative. As the city grows and changes, preserving these bold designs helps keep LA’s story alive — one neon sign and upswept roof at a time.
Final Thoughts
Googie architecture isn’t just a quirky style from the past — it’s a visual record of Los Angeles during one of its most imaginative eras. These buildings reflect a time when design was daring, playful, and focused on the future. From diners to gas stations, Googie turned everyday places into icons, and many of them still stand as bold reminders of LA’s mid-century identity.
If you’re in Los Angeles, take the time to visit these sites. Snap a photo, grab a bite, or just admire the design. Each location on this list is more than just a building — it’s a piece of LA history. And with many Googie structures already lost to time, the ones still standing deserve to be seen and celebrated while they’re still here.
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