Who needs tall buildings for a view of Los Angeles? So many pull-off opportunities - with parking - in the hills along Mulholland Drive from the 101 to the 405. Elysian Park affords great views of Downtown Los Angeles (especially the bridge over the 110)...and Dodger Stadium. Or go south to the Palos Verdes Peninsula for a view looking north towards L.A... Griffith Observatory, as mentioned, is a great view of everything from Westwood (on a clear day, the ocean or even Catalina Island) to Downtown and beyond.

If you really want a view of Los Angeles, go to Mt. Wilson. 5280 ft above sea level. That's where most of Los Angeles tv and radio transmitters are (above the Pasadena area). You'll see almost everything south as far as San Diego (on a clear day). Don't even ask about public transportation there...