Los Angeles is synonymous with famous people, internet sensations, and contains many entertaining and Instagramable spots. Each street has something unique and captivating. Each street has something cinematic and captivating and every section has its own street art. LA is known as La La Land for its picture worthy and sparkling skyline which allows every section of the city to glow, and also possesses incredible street art and culture. Murals and picture worthy walls are everywhere.
This will detail six famous picture locations in Los Angeles. Each provides more than a simple photo opportunity. These useful suggestions will help you create a unique LA experience.
Melrose Avenue
💡Highlight: A concentration of famous Instagram walls
Avenue of Melrose, by Miss Tang Bu Zhi
For those who love fashion, Melrose Avenue is a place you must visit. There are luxury stores, independent designer boutiques, vintage stores, health cafes, and photo walls. Start with a nice brunch and then enjoy a full day of shopping and photo taking.
Smiley Wall
Photo by Emily🌻
Anya Hindmarch is a luxury boutique and popular photo stop called the "Smiley Wall" because of their window display which has a big yellow laughing emoji (which later changed to a red heart). Next to it is the famous tea shop Alfed Tea with a cherry blossom pink exterior and a pink milk tea which many people loved.
Paul Smith Pink Wall
Pink Wall (Paul Smith) Via Instagram
The Smith Wall is believed to be the most Instagrammable location in all of Los Angeles.
The bright pink exterior of the building looks good in almost all lighting conditions. The parking lot side of the building changes colors periodically and was painted in rainbow colors in early 2018. The street side has always kept the classic pink color. Made in LA WallMADE IN LA Wall via Instagram @carol.eats The Cisco Home furniture store has a plain and gray wall painted with MADE IN LA on its side. The industrial style of the wall is a nice contrast to the bright and colorful walls of the surrounding buildings. Unlike most photo walls, this one is notably tall. Shoot from across the street to capture both a full-body portrait and the wall’s graffiti in a single frame. Rainbow Wall Rainbow Wall via Instagram @iaiagermani The Rainbow Wall across the street is especially distinctive: its rainbow is not painted, but woven from ropes in different colors. That texture gives photographs extra depth. Stand beneath the rainbow arch and experiment with a sequence of poses for an easy series of shots. Photo Tip In the morning from 10:00 to 12:00 is recommended since there will be fewer people and the morning light will be optimal. The wall from Paul Smith is very crowded and may even have security there. Also, if you have a DSLR camera, you might only be able to use your phone for photos.📍 Location: Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90046 Melrose Avenue Melrose Avenue is a place where young people in Los Angeles go to shop. There are local stores selling unique and trendy clothes. In addition to the shops, you can find flagship stores, galleries, vintage shops, and even upscale restaurants. There are also lots of options to eat.
This street is quite the gem, as it has something for everyone.
OUE Skyspace Observatory
💡Highlight: It has the highest observation deck in Los Angeles
Looking over Los Angeles is the glass observation deck by Bai Er Lei
Occupying the 69th and 70th floors of the Federal Bank Building, the Skyspace observatory is arguably the highest open-air viewing platform in California, and one of the highest in Los Angeles that you can access without taking a flight. In addition to the stunning panoramic views of Los Angeles, the glass slide that goes from the 70th to the 69th floor is a major attraction.
Instagram @msdoncellita Angel Wings photo spot other popular blogger
When you arrive at the 70th-floor deck, the first thing you’ll want to do is get in line for the famous Angel Wings mural. There are two wings murals, one up higher than the other, but you’ll have to choose one for your shot. Try to snap a picture of the sunset, but that may be tricky. And for your crowning achievement, brace yourself for the headline attraction: the Sky Slide. The ride is only 10 meters long, but the view when looking down through the glass is surprisingly thrilling.
@jeffrey_xiong Sky Slide
After you ride the slide, you’ll reach the 69th floor, which has another open-air observation deck that’s 360 degrees. There’s seating up on the rooftop, and there’s also a café if you’d like to get a drink. Don’t forget to stay until it’s dark, because that’s when the City of Angels becomes a neon wonderland.
Photo tip:
If you want the best pictures of the skyline during day and night, visit between 17:00–18:00.
Since the transparent slide is brief, request an associate to linger at the exit to prepare for a photo opportunity.
📍Address: 633 West Fifth Street #840, Los Angeles, CA 90071
⌚Business hours: 10 am - 10 pm
💰Estimated price: $25 per person (Sky Slide extra)
Griffith Park
💡Highlight: A location where La La Land was filmed
Griffith Observatory by Rui Rui
Also popular with Los Angeles residents for escaping the city on weekends, Griffith Park is also a great location for photographers and content creators. The park has numerous easy to access attractions, and most will prioritize a stop at Griffith Observatory. From the summit, visitors enjoy views of the city with the famous Hollywood Sign in the background. If you have time, make sure to walk to the recently popular La La Land filming location for a nice photo.
Observatory exhibition Rui Rui
Also be sure to spend time at the east side of Griffith Observatory before rushing up to the exhibitions. There is a lot of fascinating information on displays about astronomy presented in 3D. The dome theater is a must see and is designed to make you feel like you're in space. It features a 360-degree view of celestial bodies and is a visual experience you won’t want to miss.
Waiting for sunset at the observatory by YangYangiiiiii
From 5:30 to 6:00 is the best
As the platform fills, all eyes await the same single moment. It is the moment where the sun fully sets, and the lights of Los Angeles turn on, illuminating the city like a field of stars.
The romantic dance scene between the two leads in La La Land is iconic. It was shot at the Griffith Park location that has come to be called Cathy’s Corner. If you have time, take the two-kilometer hike to capture the vibe of this scene and dance away!
Photo Tip
If you want to catch some great portraits, aim to be here between 5 and 7 pm as this is widely considered the golden hour for photography! You’ll also find this spot highly recommended for photographing the Hollywood Sign and for wide-angle shots of LA after dark.
Location: Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA
Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 12 pm to 10 pm, Saturday to Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm
Cost: Free (except for the dome theater)
Griffith Observatory
Located on a mountaintop in the northwestern part of Los Angeles, providing an excellent view of the whole city.
There are exhibitions on planets, space, and other branches of astronomy.
The dome theater evokes the open sky. Visitors can experience films detailing various stages of the evolution of celestial bodies in 360 degrees. Thanks to glasses-free 3D technology, the films portray the universe as close to the viewer's perspective.\n\n- The outdoor deck reveals a view of the ordered roadways, dense urban structure, and skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles.\n- Free views of the moon and stars, as well as the outlines of the moon, are offered at the observatory after dark.\n\nSanta Monica Beach\nHighlight: End of Route 66\n\nGao Shan Jing Xing captures Santa Monica Beach.\n\nSanta Monica Beach features a unique blend of urban cool and coastal chill. It also happens to be the end of Route 66, and is one of the more distinguished beaches in Southern California.\n\nRoute 66 sign via Instagram.\n\nWithin the neighborhood is the most active part of the area known as Third Street Promenade. Street performers sing throughout the day as they encourage participation from passersby. Wooden benches located along the ocean, as well as the Route 66 sign, are the perfect tourist trap props for a photo-op.\n\nLiang A Lun's Pacific Park\n\nSanta Monica Pier, at the end of the road, resembles something that would be a part of a typical American cartoon. Pacific Park spans the beach and is generally vibrant and filled with activity. The park's classic carousel and solar-powered Ferris wheel offer excellent backgrounds for photographs. The amusement park is also a popular choice for families.\n\nPhoto Tip:\nAnticipate a wait at the Route 66 sign as it is a widely visited photo area. You may also have visitors in your photo.
To help minimize the crowd in your photo, have your photographer crouch and take the picture from below.
📍Location: 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
⌚Opening hours (Pacific Park): Weekends and holidays from 11:00 to 23:00; Mondays to Fridays from 11:00 to 19:00
💰Average cost (Pacific Park): for ages 8 and above $28.95; for ages 7 and below $16.95
Santa Monica Beach
·It is the beach that lies nearest to downtown Los Angeles, and is the end point for North America’s Route 66. Its views of the ocean have been enticing to Hollywood filmmakers for decades.
·It is a highly popular beach for families from Los Angeles as well as for couples who want to spend some time by the water.
·When it gets dark, the over-the-ocean Pacific Park, which is built over the beach, lights up with a glow of fun activities.
·California-style bands often perform in themed events in this area making it a popular first beach stop for tourists visiting Los Angeles.
Angels Flight
💡Highlight: A reconstruction of a railway that is over a century old
Carriages of Angels Flight by Liang A Lun
Angels Flight was originally a commuter railway that went up and down the steep Bunker Hill. Due to the success of the movie La La Land, this railway, which is referred to as the shortest in the world, was closed for nearly four years and then reopened as a landmark in the City of Angels.
La La Land film still
Photo tip:
It is a vintage-style railway with an exterior painted in orange, yellow, and black
For a La La Land film experience, couples can step inside, sit on the wooden benches and take a romantic photo called “Angel’s Kiss”.
📍Address: 351 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA, United States
⌚Hours: 06:45–22:00
💰Cost: $1 per person
Angels Flight
Angels Flight is a La La Land filming location, where Mia and Sebastian have a romantic date and kiss inside a wooden carriage.
Angels Flight has been in operation since 1901, making it the shortest railway in the world. The vintage orange, yellow and black carriages offer a short, but atmospheric ride.
Urban Light
💡Highlight: Instagramable street lights
The Urban Light installation consists of 202 street lamps designed by American artist Chris Burden, and is a must-stop for fashion influencers.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is one of the best museums in America and is located next to the Urban Light installation.
Tip: Visit the Urban Light installation after dark to capture the best photos when the lamps are lit.
In pictures, the white plaster columns paired with the warm yellow glow can create an atmosphere similar to ancient Greece.
📍Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles,
⌚Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 11:00–17:00, Friday 11:00–20:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–19:00, closed Wednesday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
💰Price: Adults $15; seniors and students $10; children free
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art comprises of five buildings, along with three sculptures outdoors, an art library, an art resource center, a large lecture hall and a theater. With 10,000+ works of art, it is the largest encyclopedic public museum on the West Coast of the United States. The column free spacious gallery with ample natural lighting provides an opportunity for the setting to be used for contemporary art.
