Los Angeles is a stunning destination, with its glimmering Pacific Ocean, palm trees, and vibrant people. It's home to world-class galleries and murals, as well as some of the best taco stands, juice bars, and Michelin-starred restaurants in the country. From picturesque beaches to beautiful urban landscapes, here are the 19 best places to take photos in Los Angeles. The parking lot on the corner of 9th Street and Broadway offers a magnificent view of the downtown skyline from the easily accessible rooftop.
Capture this epic neon backdrop of “Jesus Saves” in your frame. At the luxurious InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, located on the campus of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), you can find “Penetrable” by Jesús Rafael Soto, with suspended plastic hoses that you can walk through. Hold the camera as high as you can and shoot at your feet for a unique perspective. The “Batcave” of Bronson Canyon is a tunnel through which hikers pass.
Natural sunlight against a dark interior makes it the perfect place for photographs of silhouettes. For any type of moving shot, make sure that the shutter speed is high so that the subject is not blurred. Echo Park has a lot of great views, but the best one has to be from the north end of the park, looking toward the center. At dawn or dusk, this place is one of the best for capturing that iconic L.
A. shot from Hancock Park neighborhood on Windsor Boulevard, between 4 and 6.You'll need a zoom lens for that; smartphone cameras simply won't do the eye justice. A few kilometers north of Malibu, El Matador Beach has some of the most interesting rock formations on the California coast. My favorite spot is the cool arrowhead arch right next to the water. Create a bright natural frame for portraits at golden hour for a beautiful glow in your photos. Chris Burden's “Urban Light” at LACMA is one of the most photographed places in Los Angeles.
Composed of 202 restored old cast-iron streetlights, go in the morning or after a storm to capture something magical and similar to what you see in the image below. The Hollywood Bowl viewpoint offers one of the most spectacular views in all of Los Angeles. You can see most of Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) in the distance. To see beautiful light trails on the Hollywood Highway, carry a tripod and place the camera on extended exposure. On your way to Venice Beach, you'll see the “Venice” sign placed on Windward Avenue. This is a fun place to play with different compositions, so be creative and emphasize words like “pretty” in your frame. The Ace Gallery on Wilshire Boulevard is one of Mid-City's hidden gems.
It's free and open to the public and my favorite piece by Swiss artist John M. Armleder is this wall of neon pink circles. For this shot you'll only need your camera and a friend. The Tunnel of Light at Weller Court Shopping Center has become an Instagram favorite for Angelenos. The constantly changing bands of light create a fluid and dynamic space for photos. Angel City Brewery located in Arts District has some of the best beers in town and it's an incredibly cool space outside covered with murals and street art.
You can find this bleeding heart on the corner of Alameda Street. The Santa Monica Pier is perhaps one of Los Angeles' most iconic places to visit. It's also a perfect playground for photography - go under it just before sunset and take advantage of long shadows and magnificent light. No list of best photo spots in Los Angeles is complete without Hollywood Bowl viewpoint offering views of downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), Hollywood sign, and even ocean depending on visibility. Echo Park also offers plenty to do - Dodger Stadium and Elysian Park are very close by. Finally, don't forget about Hollywood Walk of Fame - it's a true icon of fame and celebrity.
