Street-Corner Surprises: A Los Angeles Street Art Guide
Tips: This guide was first updated in 2019. Each update has addresses and large mural stops. Think of each wall as a new potential surprise, Los Angeles street art is always changing.
Street murals are bold, stylish, and highly photogenic. These pieces turn an otherwise ordinary sidewalk into the perfect spot to take a picture. LA is a street art mecca.
Murals can be found at almost every corner of the Los Angeles street art district in Downtown LA, trendy West Hollywood, the Venice Art District, and even some freeway walls and alley storefronts. If you look closely, you might find hidden gems amongst the sea of marketing.
Famous Instagram walls are scattered across the city. Each artwork adds to LA's energetic, colorful, and restless character. Inspiration is everywhere, and that is what makes LA so special.
LA is full of street art murals and each work has the potential to inspire just as much as any work in a museum.
Street art has a special meaning for creative professionals. It showcases the true essence of the city and reflects the urban environment, identity, and sentiment, all in a public space.
All aboard for a street art adventure in Los Angeles!
SAfety, The most popular street art locations in Los Angeles can be found in three major areas: West Hollywood and Westside, the Downtown LA Arts District, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
► West Hollywood & Westside
This district is one of the trendiest in Los Angeles and is home to numerous unique shops and designer boutiques. It is not uncommon to see celebrities and fashion designers in the area, and it is the perfect location to spend a leisurely day shopping and looking for new murals to photograph.
◉ Pink Wall
Address: 8221 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Why it is famous: The Pink Wall is one of the most photographed places in Los Angeles, and the back of the Paul Smith store on Melrose Avenue is known to be a favorite spot for fashion bloggers. Paul Smith shops are located all over the world, and each location has a different design. For some reason, the Pink Wall has become a popular choice for many, and it goes well with almost any outfit.
Tip: It is very common to find large groups of people taking pictures there, and the staff at Paul Smith are known to control the number of people who are allowed to take pictures there. Since this is a popular photo stop, be prepared to wait.
◉ Made in LA
Address: 8025 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Why it is famous: The Made in LA wall is one of the most recognizable symbols of Los Angeles. The phrase 'Made in LA' holds a greater significance than a standard souvenir picture because the city is shaped by an ever-changing flow of migrants.
It is located on the side wall of the Cisco Home furniture shop that faces the alley.
Silver Retna Mural
Location: 140 S Orlando Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90048
What makes it special: Just off Melrose Avenue, the most robust street art is concealed within alleys and driveways alongside businesses. This mural, located on the back wall of Gallery Brown, was created by Los Angeles artist Retna, featuring his distinctive script which is often likened to an extraterrestrial alphabet. It has become known as a favorite for many who enjoy fashion.
Tips: Within Los Angeles, Retna has painted many murals that are similarly styled, but in different color schemes. One found on the front wall of Craig's which is located at 8826 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, and another at 625 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 which is a collaborative mural that includes both an elephant and script along with Shepard Fairey and Kenny Scharf.
Angel Wings
Location: Numerous places in Los Angeles: each set of wings is unique.
What makes it special: The Global Angel Wings Project was initiated by local artist Colette Miller in 2002 in the Arts District of Downtown LA. This project was a reaction to the anger and sadness found in the world. It served as a reminder that each person can become an “Angel of the Earth” and share love, peace, and kindness as well as hope, care, and empathy. The wings have also been displayed in Mexico, Kenya, France, and Australia.
Hollywood: 7373 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (Aroma Cafe)
WeHo: 8401 W 3rd St. (near Beverly Grove, on the side wall of St.
Here are the locations of Regis Wine & Liquor:
WeHo: 8430 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
WeHo: 7850 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (in front of Fairfax High School)
Westside: 8801 Santa Monica Blvd (Santa Monica Blvd & Palm Ave)
K-Town: W Olympic Blvd and Irolo St (near Normandie; with an orange wall)
K-Town: 701 S Catalina St, Los Angeles, CA 90005 (next to Robert Kennedy School/RFK School)
DTLA: Arts District, 453 Colyton St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
DTLA: Angel City Brewery, 216 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (at the corner of Traction and 2nd)
DTLA: 662 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021 (at the Lyft station)
DTLA: 446 Main St (between 5th & Winston)
DTLA: near 4th Place and Hewitt, on a silver gate, Art Share
DTLA: 566 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (Africa Wings, created for the man shot at 6th and Pedro in Skid Row)
DTLA: The Bloc LA (with the WRDSMTH + Colette Miller Angels Wings Mural)
DTLA: 633 W 5th St #840, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (OUE Skyspace LA; two wings, one on each side of the observation deck, including one behind the slide)
DTLA: 267 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (with Pet Stop and Angel Wings Water Station DTLA)
Glendale: 400 W Cerritos Ave, Glendale, CA 91204 (at Glendale Transportation Center; wings made from recycled car tires)
Glendale: 1368 E Colorado St, Glendale, CA 91205 (near Heaven Garden flower shop)
Pasadena: 459 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
Pasadena: 480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103 (at the Pasadena Children’s Museum)
Pasadena: 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101 (at the Pasadena Convention Center)
◎ Love Wall
Location: 8549 Higuera St, Culver City, CA 90232
What makes it special: New York street artist
The famous wall features the word “Love” against a red backdrop. Though simple, the wall has a great deal of power.
° Dream Big Butterfly
Address: 621 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Why it stands out: This fashionable photo opportunity features all sorts of colorful butterflies with the words, “Dream Big.” The venue's cheerful atmosphere is light without being overdone. Street parking can be difficult at this location, so be prepared to spend a fair amount of time looking for an open spot.
° Bleeding Hearts
Address: Multiple locations across Los Angeles
Why it stands out: Colorful heart walls by artist J. Goldcrown bring instant joy to those who view them. Locations include Alfred Coffee Beverly Hills, Brentwood Country Mart, Cafe Gratitude DTLA, and Alfred Coffee in the Alley.
° The Mondrian Wall
Address: 1660 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles
Why it stands out: The front of Artist & Craftsman Supply is styled after Piet Mondrian, a Dutch artist. The design is bold and fitting for an art supply store, which has a variety of drawing and craft materials for those who want to be inspired.
° California Dreaming
Address: 3423 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Why it stands out: “Made in LA” is perhaps the more recognized phrase, but “California Dreaming” carries a just as strong connotation. The soft pink and pale blue colors represent the California sky.
It could even be said that it is more recognizable than the Paul Smith Pink Wall.
◎ Hello Wall
Address: 8251 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (Carrera Cafe Wall)
What makes it unique: Part of the appeal of this wall is that the design changes regularly. One of the past versions had a La La Land theme. One notable visitor had two dogs with her to pose with the wall, and other people even asked to lend them for their photos.
◎ 4,300-square-foot mural by Kobra
Address: LGBT Youth Center & Annex, 1220 N Highland Ave. (between Lexington & Fountain Avenues), Hollywood
◎ Technicolor Ooze
Address: 8850 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
◎ Chris Uphues Wall
Address: 310 N Stanley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
▶︎ Venice – Abbot Kinney
Close to Venice Beach, Abbot Kinney Boulevard is one of the most iconic creative districts in Los Angeles. California palm trees line the street, which is dotted with art shops, furniture boutiques, coffee shops, and food trucks. Over the past few years, a number of designer stores have opened, causing the area to shift from a primarily lifestyle-creative focus to a more fashion-driven business mix.
The primary draw remains the same: come to browse, eat, grab a coffee, and of course enjoy the murals that fashion bloggers love. Notable spots are Intelligentsia Coffee, the TOMS flagship store, The Piece Collective’s cottage painted yellow and white, and restaurants Gjelina, The Tasting Kitchen, and The Butcher’s Daughter.
◎ Sea Walls by Tristan Eaton
Location: 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
At Gjelina
Address: 1349 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice
Unique Feature: Gjelina’s chic eatery has had its former leopard wall swapped for a whale ocean mural by LA street artist Tristan Eaton.
Love Wall
Address: Multiple locations around LA
Unique Feature: Wherever J. Goldcrown’s heart murals pop up, a splash of happiness is guaranteed.
Mural Behind Wylie Wilson Boutique
Address: 490 Santa Clara Ave. (between Electric Avenue & Abbot Kinney), Venice
Love Berto Mural
Address: The Otheroom, 1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice
So Far So Good
Address: 1118 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Roosterfish
Address: 1302 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Aviator Nation
Address: 1224 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Innocent Wonder
Address: 1317 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
▶︎ DTLA – Arts District
Downtown LA has changed dramatically, and the Arts District, much like Abbot Kinney, is a hub for creative culture. A number of charming cafes, eateries, and indie shops call the area home, including the first Los Angeles location of Blue Bottle Coffee, Stumptown Coffee, and Blacktop Coffee. The well-loved Angel City Brewery is also here, and the surrounding streets are adorned with some of the best murals in the city.
Tips: The Arts District is notorious for difficult parking.
Finding parking may take some time, and circling the blocks might be necessary.
Polka Dot Wall
Where: The Springs, side wall of the rear parking lot by Imperial St, DTLA Arts District
Details: The mural features polka dots and is attributed to street artist The Most Famous Artist. The mural is located behind The Springs, a wellness center that also offers yoga, plant-based food, and cold-pressed juices. There are also several other murals at the front and back entrances, which makes stopping by the Springs worth it beyond the polka dots.
The Heart of Los Angeles
Where: Across DTLA and Koreatown, each heart has a slightly different design.
The Angel: Angel City Brewery, DTLA, north-west corner by Traction Ave. Angel City Brewery is a 27,000 square feet local landmark located in the Arts District. It is close to The Pie Hole, Wurstküche (known for its rattlesnake-and-rabbit sausage), and Salt & Straw.
Other locations: Head + Heart (across from STAPLES Center, Downtown LA), Angel Dust (Pico Blvd & Flower St, Downtown LA), Cornerstone (Olympic Blvd & Olive St), Luck (Alvarado St & 8th St, MacArthur Park), Blown Head (110 Fwy & Pico Blvd, Downtown LA), So Tall (29th St east of the Coliseum, Exposition Park), Giant Tears (Wilshire Blvd & Westmoreland Ave, Koreatown), Foxy (Fox Hills Dr & Pico Blvd).
Details: The Heart of Los Angeles is one of Los Angeles’s most iconic street art series, created by artist Tiphanie Brook (aka antigirl) together with Mike Polson.
It shows their love for the city and is based on Brooke’s reply to Milton Glaser’s 1977 “I Heart New York” logo. The collection quickly became a hallmark of LA street art.
◎ ArtShare LA
Location: 801 E 4th Pl (at S Hewitt St), DTLA Arts District
What’s special about it: This colorful building by Insa is one of the most recognizable in DTLA. The black base and bold colors leave a huge mark, even though the colors and patterns are often updated.
◎ ROW DTLA
Location: 777 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
What’s special about it: ROW DTLA is a lifestyle and entertainment hub in the Arts District, featuring LA fashion and other creative boutiques. Smorgasburg LA hosts a daytime market with international food vendors (e.g., gua bao and giant Taiwanese fried chicken) and other regularly changing food vendors. The site has two well-known photo ops in addition to its other tenants.
◎ Peace Goddess & Girl with Bubbles
Location: E 3rd St & Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013
What’s special about it: Peace Goddess has been removed.
◎ UNTITLED by VYAL + RISK
Location: 707 E 4th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013
◎ Hopscotch City of Angels
Location: 580 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
◎ Audrey Hepburn – Free Humanity
Location: 425 S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
▶︎ Special Recommendation: Artist Tristan Eaton
LA-based street artist Tristan Eaton has work all over the city and is especially worth looking for.
Retna has also worked with another renowned artist, El Mac, on several walls. D’Face is another artist you can check out if you would like to see some distinctly comic-book-inspired work.
▶︎ Concluding Thoughts
Countless incredible pieces of street art still remain in Los Angeles, waiting to be discovered on the city’s streets, whether in its alleys or other unanticipated locations. The addresses listed in this guide serve as a great starting point to gauge LA’s street art scene, but it is best to remain open-minded: the most surprising street art finds usually become the most unforgettable ones.
Los Angeles trip: If you're visiting Los Angeles, you might consider getting the Go Los Angeles Card. It offers entry to a variety of popular sights, including Universal Studios, along with other major attractions.
Additional guides to consider: Go Los Angeles Card guides to attractions; Who should get the Go Los Angeles Card?; Los Angeles attractions you need to see.
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