Plane Spotting at LAX: Best Locations To View Planes 

An Emirates Airplane landing at LAX and flying over In-N-Out.

Growing up and living in Culver City, I was just a few miles from the second busiest airport in the US, so we would go plane spotting at LAX. I used to go with my dad after picking up some of our favorite snacks. Now that I’m older, I’ve found a few places where you can go solo and/or even with kids! All the details for this free and fun activity below! 

In N Out LAX Plane Spotting

Animal style fries are on the table of an In-N-Out while a plane is in the sky.
View of In-N-Out from Airplane Landing Viewpoint.

What says, you’re in California more than In N Out? I don’t know, that’s as California as you can get. With that said, go in and order your meal and sit out at one of the many tables. Enjoy your burger while planes land in the background.

Airplane Landing Viewpoint

A plane lands at the LAX landing strip with a view of an engraved stone that says, Welcome to LAX.
Green grass and trees with a gray sky across the street from the LAX landing strip.
Jenn stands at the Airplane landing viewpoint to watch the planes fly into the runway.
An Alaskan airline airplane flies over the Airplane landing viewpoint as onlookers watch.

However, what I like to do and suggest doing if you’re an LA native or just a tourist experiencing the city is visiting Airplane Landing Viewpoint. It’s right across the street from In N Out and a favorite among both locals and visitors. 

You can see the planes land as they fly over you and onto the landing strip right across the street from the park. This is a great way to see and hear the planes close up and personal. I recommend bringing a picnic blanket to sit on or a foldable lawn chair. If you don’t want to pick up a burger then bring your own snacks! This is (in my opinion) the best place for plane spotting at LAX. 

Parking: Yes, metered and non metered street parking 
Address: W 92nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Note: Planes land from this viewpoint.

Clutter Park 

The LAX strip view from Clutter Park.
A green telescope in front of a fence at Clutter Park.
Photographers and onlookers sit at a bench at Clutter Park.

Now this place, Clutter Park is a core memory from my childhood. I would spend Saturday mornings with my dad watching planes take off to various destinations. It’s not necessarily a “park” but more of an outlook. You’ll see a landscape view of the entire runway. 

There are benches and tables available where you can just sit and enjoy a snack or sit down on one of the many benches. There are two telescopes there that are mostly occupied by children (perfect budget friendly activity to get them out of the house). This place is the core definition of plane spotting at LAX and a must visit!’ The night views of the planes is great at night because the runway lights up.

Jenn stands on a chair to photograph the planes taking off at LAX.

Parking: Free street parking 
Address: 423 E Imperial Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245
Note: It’s in a residential neighborhood, be respectful.  

Dockweiler State Beach

Just a 14 minute drive from LAX, Dockweiler State Beach is a great place to get a two for one deal. You look out and see the ocean yet look up and see the planes fly overhead as they cross the ocean. 

I recommend sitting out on the beach during sunset hour to view the planes. You can leave the LAX traffic behind and get some of the best views of the planes. 

Address: 12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293

405 Freeway

When driving down the 405 south, you will spot planes lowering in altitude and heading to LAX. This is an easy and simple way to see the planes if you’re heading southbound and planning to visit either Clutter park or the airplane landing viewpoint. 

Since there is almost ALWAYS traffic, cars drive slow so you won’t miss them. You can begin to see the planes when you enter the 405 south on Washington Blvd to La Tijera’s exit.  

When is the Best Time to See Planes? 

A plane flies overhead preparing to land.

The best time to view the planes with the most aerial traffic would be in the morning and early afternoons. This is when you’ll see frequent landings and departures depending on which park you choose to go to. 

When it comes down to weather, clear skies is what you want to have when viewing the planes. In LA this is easy with the average weather in the 70’s daily. Going right before sunset is also a great time to go plane spotting at LAX. 

FAQ’S 

  1. Where is the best place to spot airplanes at LAX? 
  • In N Out and Airplane Landing Viewpoint
  1. How many planes land at LAX every day? 
  • About 1500 planes land everyday, 1 plane every 55 seconds. 
  1. How many runways does LAX have?
  • 4 runways 
  1. Which direction do planes land at LAX?
  • East-West 
  1. What does LAX stand for? 
  • Los Angeles International Airport. In 1947 the X in LAX was added and it does not have a meaning. 
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Filed Under: Southern California, Travel

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