A bird's eye view of the City of Angels

September 4th marks the founding anniversary of Los Angeles. This legendary city, the capital of the stars, arose on a site long inhabited by Native Americans, and in 1781, the Spanish founded a settlement there called "Village of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Angels."

Today, for many, Los Angeles symbolizes a carefree life; for others, it's a vast metropolis not quite fit for normal existence. On the City of Angels' birthday, we invite you to view spectacular aerial photographs of the city.







Aerial view of downtown Los Angeles. Photo taken with a fisheye lens from the Goodyear blimp.

A detailed shot of skyscrapers in downtown Los Angeles.



Aerial view of the swimming pool in the center of the "City of Angels."



Staples Center before Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals basketball championship between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns.



The US Bank Tower towers over the other buildings.



An interesting geometric pattern in the Francisco Street parking lot.



Traffic on the 10 and 110 freeways during rush hour.



The all-seeing eye of advertising keeps a close eye on the area from Macy's Plaza.



The intersection of the 10 and 110 freeways during rush hour.



The setting sun casts a golden glow over the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.



A tilt-shift lens allows you to see South Los Angeles from a new perspective.



The sun, peeking out from behind the clouds, illuminates neighborhoods in the southeast of the city.



Tall shadows cast on buildings in downtown Los Angeles.



Through a tilt-shift lens, the Staples Center, L.A. Live, and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel appear different.



The sun sets over downtown Los Angeles.



The Staples Center is illuminated during the basketball game between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns.