Large Old Los Angeles Road Map, 1945: Automobile Club of Southern California, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Route 66

The “Los Angeles & Vicinity, 1945” map, produced by the renowned Automobile Club of Southern California, is a captivating artifact from the dawn of the postwar era. Its original title immediately evokes the bustling energy and rapid transformation of Los Angeles at a pivotal moment in history. Created in 1945, this map captures the intricate web of city streets and highways that defined Southern California’s urban landscape as the automobile revolution reshaped daily life and the city’s physical form. The map’s precise cartography offers a rare window into the heart of Los Angeles and its surrounding counties, making it an exceptional piece for collectors and enthusiasts of urban history.

What distinguishes this city map is its remarkable detail and scope, encompassing not only Los Angeles County but also Orange County and the western reaches of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The map is centered on the legendary Route 66, a symbol of American mobility and aspiration, and meticulously charts the arteries that powered the region’s explosive growth. Major thoroughfares such as Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood Boulevard, and Pacific Coast Highway are elegantly rendered, offering a visual narrative of the city’s evolving connectivity and the central role of the automobile in shaping its neighborhoods.

This map is a veritable tapestry of Los Angeles’ most storied neighborhoods and landmarks. From the glamour of Hollywood and the elegance of Beverly Hills to the vibrant communities of Pasadena, Glendale, and Santa Monica, each area is distinctly marked, reflecting the diverse character of the metropolis. The inclusion of significant civic and cultural landmarks—such as the Los Angeles Civic Center, Exposition Park, the Los Angeles Coliseum, and Union Station—underscores the city’s emergence as a major cultural and economic hub in the mid-20th century.

Nature and recreation are beautifully integrated into the urban fabric, as seen in the depiction of expansive parks like Griffith Park, Elysian Park, and Exposition Park. The map also highlights the shimmering waters of Echo Park Lake and Silver Lake Reservoir, as well as the meandering course of the Los Angeles River. These green spaces and waterways provided essential respite and recreation for city dwellers, and their prominence on the map speaks to the city’s unique balance of urbanity and nature.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the map’s esteemed creator, was a trailblazer in producing authoritative road maps for motorists. Their attention to detail and commitment to accuracy are evident in every aspect of this 1945 edition. For collectors, historians, and anyone with a passion for Los Angeles, this map is not merely a navigational tool but a work of art—an enduring testament to a city in motion, on the cusp of becoming the world-renowned metropolis we know today.

Streets and roads on this map

• Adams Blvd
• Alameda St
• Atlantic Blvd
• Beverly Blvd
• Brand Blvd
• Broadway
• Central Ave
• Crenshaw Blvd
• Figueroa St
• Florence Ave
• Garfield Ave
• Glendale Blvd
• Gower St
• Hollywood Blvd
• La Brea Ave
• La Cienega Blvd
• Los Feliz Blvd
• Main St
• Manchester Ave
• Olympic Blvd
• Pacific Coast Highway
• Pico Blvd
• Rosecrans Ave
• San Fernando Rd
• San Pedro St
• Sepulveda Blvd
• Slauson Ave
• Sunset Blvd
• Vermont Ave
• Western Ave

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Inset maps of Downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach
• Los Angeles Civic Center
• Exposition Park
• Los Angeles Coliseum
• Los Angeles Airport
• Griffith Park
• Hollywood Bowl
• Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
• Santa Anita Park
• Los Angeles Harbor
• Union Station
• Elysian Park
• Lincoln Park
• Echo Park Lake
• Silver Lake Reservoir
• Los Angeles River
• Hollywood
• Beverly Hills
• Pasadena
• Glendale
• Santa Monica
• Long Beach
• Inglewood
• Burbank
• Alhambra
• San Gabriel
• San Pedro
• Culver City
• Pacific Ocean coastline
• Catalina Island (offshore, labeled)

Historical and design context

• Created in 1945 by the Automobile Club of Southern California, a trailblazer in authoritative road maps for motorists.
• Focuses on Southern California, specifically Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the western parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
• Centered on the historic Route 66, symbolizing American mobility and aspiration.
• Offers a detailed depiction of the system of roads and highways in Southern California as of 1945.
• Provides a snapshot of the urban and transportation landscape of Southern California in the immediate post-World War II era.
• Large-format, detailed city street map with clear labeling of roads, neighborhoods, and key features.
• Reflects the growth of automobile culture and suburban expansion in mid-20th century Los Angeles.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This is a very large map that must be ordered at a large size, so that you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.