VNY

It takes a bit to find but the view is definitely worth it.

Tucked behind the remnants of some old industrial buildings is an observation area for the Van Nuys airport. It's open from dawn to dusk, free and available to anyone who wants to be close to the action. In fact, the only thing separating you from the rumble of planes is a simple chain link fence, pocked with portholes to provide an unobstructed view. 

Originally opened on December 17, 1928, the VNY airport averages 700 departures/landings per day. Non-commercial flights account for the majority of these flights, along with a sprinkling of training exercises. Given its location, it comes as no surprise the airport has developed numerous Hollywood connections. A young Norma Jeane Mortenson (Marilyn Monroe) worked onsite making drones during WWII. Frank Sinatra and his Learjet were also frequent visitors to VNY. And countless television and film projects used the location as a backdrop, perhaps most famously, for scenes from the 1942 Oscar-winning film Casablanca.

These days, anyone can stand alongside the airport's two runaways while a nearby speaker squawks live instructions from the control tower's personnel. Real action in real time. Just like in the movies.

"Here's looking at you kid. We'll always have ... Van Nuys." - (modified) dialogue from Casablanca