29 Photos of What Life in Los Angeles Looked Like in the 1970s

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 11/20/2024 in wow

The 1970s are known for being simultaneously hot and chill, two qualities also very much associated with LA.

As a result, Los Angeles in the 70s was a place of sun, fun, and everything that comes with both in the United States. From traffic jams under a cloudless blue sky to skateboarders gliding along the sand, here are 29 photos of what life looked like in 1970s Los Angeles.

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1.
Traffic on the Sunset Strip, Los Angeles, 1979.
2.
Cruising Van Nuys Boulevard in Los Angeles; 1972. By Richard McCloskey.
3.
Girl with rollerskates at Venice Beach (L.A.) in the 1970s.
4.
Los Angeles high school guys, 1976.
5.
Valley girls and boys, Los Angeles, 1970's.
6.
La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, 1975.
7.
“My dad in East LA right around 1970, freshly immigrated from Mexico at the age of 21. Proud of his heritage and hasn’t changed.”
8.
Super Bowl helmet carts. Los Angeles, January 14, 1973.
9.
Induction ceremony for Army volunteers, Los Angeles, CA 1977.
10.
“My friend’s cool 70's rollerskating LA dude dad.”
11.
Robert Plant playing soccer in a speedo in an LA park in the 70's during a tour appearance stint.
12.
“Growing up in the SoCal 1970's.”
13.
“Mom getting ready to go on stage, 1970's Los Angeles.”
14.
Rogie Vachon, NHL goalie for the LA Kings in the '70s, enjoys a cigar before a game in The Forum.
15.
An exhausted L.A. firefighter collapses, circa 1970.
16.
Frank Zappa with his parents in his home in Los Angeles, 1970.
17.
Quaalude and Coke. Billboard in Los Angeles, 1974.
18.
A young skateboarder in Los Angeles, 1974.
19.
Los Angeles International Airport. 1970's.
20.
An elderly man in a grocery store, Los Angeles 1976.
21.
“Both my grandfathers in a rare joint appearance, LA 1975.”
22.
"Abandoned baby sleeping in desk drawer at Los Angeles Police station", 1971.
23.
Roller skating couple at Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace in Los Angeles, 1979.
24.
A woman and a dog spotted in Los Angeles, 1970.
25.
The SSGLC, (Society for Senior Gay and Lesbian Citizens), celebrates their new home at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Circa 1979.
26.
Hot rod enthusiasts gathered at a Texaco Service Station in Northridge, Los Angeles, Ca, with a KMET radio billboard in the background, 1970s.
27.
Couple playing pool at Christian nightclub, (the first one in the US), in Los Angeles, California, 1971. Photo by Harry Chase.
28.
Participants at a benefit dance for the International Children's School posing together, Los Angeles, CA, 1974.
29.
Los Angeles, 1972.

1.
Traffic on the Sunset Strip, Los Angeles, 1979.
2.
Cruising Van Nuys Boulevard in Los Angeles; 1972. By Richard McCloskey.
3.
Girl with rollerskates at Venice Beach (L.A.) in the 1970s.
4.
Los Angeles high school guys, 1976.
5.
Valley girls and boys, Los Angeles, 1970's.
6.
La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, 1975.
7.
“My dad in East LA right around 1970, freshly immigrated from Mexico at the age of 21. Proud of his heritage and hasn’t changed.”
8.
Super Bowl helmet carts. Los Angeles, January 14, 1973.
9.
Induction ceremony for Army volunteers, Los Angeles, CA 1977.
10.
“My friend’s cool 70's rollerskating LA dude dad.”
11.
Robert Plant playing soccer in a speedo in an LA park in the 70's during a tour appearance stint.
12.
“Growing up in the SoCal 1970's.”
13.
“Mom getting ready to go on stage, 1970's Los Angeles.”
14.
Rogie Vachon, NHL goalie for the LA Kings in the '70s, enjoys a cigar before a game in The Forum.
15.
An exhausted L.A. firefighter collapses, circa 1970.
16.
Frank Zappa with his parents in his home in Los Angeles, 1970.
17.
Quaalude and Coke. Billboard in Los Angeles, 1974.
18.
A young skateboarder in Los Angeles, 1974.
19.
Los Angeles International Airport. 1970's.
20.
An elderly man in a grocery store, Los Angeles 1976.
21.
“Both my grandfathers in a rare joint appearance, LA 1975.”
22.
"Abandoned baby sleeping in desk drawer at Los Angeles Police station", 1971.
23.
Roller skating couple at Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace in Los Angeles, 1979.
24.
A woman and a dog spotted in Los Angeles, 1970.
25.
The SSGLC, (Society for Senior Gay and Lesbian Citizens), celebrates their new home at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Circa 1979.
26.
Hot rod enthusiasts gathered at a Texaco Service Station in Northridge, Los Angeles, Ca, with a KMET radio billboard in the background, 1970s.
27.
Couple playing pool at Christian nightclub, (the first one in the US), in Los Angeles, California, 1971. Photo by Harry Chase.
28.
Participants at a benefit dance for the International Children's School posing together, Los Angeles, CA, 1974.
29.
Los Angeles, 1972.