I have called Los Angeles home for a few months. During this time, I’ve been amazed with how much there is to discover throughout the different neighborhoods. I didn’t realize how much there truly was to see until I moved here and started to really immerse myself in the area. I began to discover great restaurants and cafes, beautiful landscapes, and the photography community that Los Angeles has to offer.
Los Angeles not only has a ton of great sightseeing and activities, but the weather is great. It is a mild climate that’s dry (for the most part). It can get pretty hot. However, there is access to beaches to easily cool off. Between the West Coast’s golden hour and the natural light, taking pictures seems to be acceptable at any hour of the day. If you’re an amateur photographer or a seasoned veteran, I can guarantee you’ll find something exciting to photograph in LA.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach has a lot to offer a photographer. Between the natural beauty of the beach and the opportunity for awesome portraits, this is a place you just can’t miss. A major attraction at Venice Beach is the Santa Monica Pier. This is a bustling activity hub with rides, games, and food. Nearby is the Venice Skatepark where there is always a plethora of skaters. The beaches are another wonderful place for photographing people going about their lives.
If you’re not into portrait photography, check out the Venice Sign for some great perspective, or the Venice Canals. For some architecture photography, the Clock Tower Building is one of my favorite landmarks to capture. If you wander around, you will definitely stumble upon the amazing street art Venice provides.
Places / Activities to Explore: little lunch coffee + snacks is a great location for a breakfast burrito, cup of coffee, and good atmosphere to import and edit your photos. Afterwards, take a stroll down Abbot Kinney Boulevard and explore the local shops.
Griffith Observatory Park
Some might think natural beauty is hard to come by in a busy city like Los Angeles, but the Griffith Observatory Park is here to prove you wrong! This gem is full of hiking trails, one of which leads you to the beautiful observatory. This gateway to the cosmos has amazing art-deco architecture and is perched at the top of a hill surrounded by an amazing view of LA. You can also get the perfect composition of the legendary Hollywood Sign. If you make your way to the highest views at Griffith Park, you can really feel the energy of Los Angeles and see its expansive nature.
Downtown LA
If you are into capturing cityscapes, downtown Los Angeles should be on the top of your list. There are an endless amount of places to explore for city compositions at the surrounding parks, parking structures, and places to eat. Capture the towering skyscrapers as they give a new perspective on the sprawling city.
For an even better look at this intricate place, hop on a helicopter tour. If a helicopter tour isn’t feasible, head to the sky slide where you can get an amazing view of LA from the glass deck. The Arts District has impressive street art and has been coined the most Instagrammable place in LA. After immersing yourself in art, head to the Crypto.com Arena to catch a game and catch a flick of some action.
Places / Activities to Explore: Take a photo walk to capture LA light trails. Check out the famous LACMA lights and then head inside for the art. Grab a drink at Verve Coffee. Eat your way through one of my favorite restaurants, Cara Cara, to experience great food with one of my favorite views of the city. But make sure you make reservations in advance to guarantee a spot.
In-N-Out Burger (LAX)
Nearly synonymous with Los Angeles, In-N-Out Burger is a staple that you need to experience at least once when visiting. There are numerous locations. Although, for the perfect post-travel stop, hit the one right near LAX. After picking up your animal-style meal, drive over to the Parking Spot Sepulveda and park on the top floor. Set up a long exposure shot and await the overhead planes for an amazing photo-taking opportunity.
Hollywood
If you are visiting Los Angeles, Hollywood is probably already on your list of places to go. So you’d be happy to hear that it is also a wonderful place to capture pictures. The Walk of Fame is an amazing spectacle by itself, just knowing the history makes you want to take a picture. Hollywood Boulevard is not only expansive, but it’s colorful. Interesting signs adorn the sides of buildings, ready to be placed in a photograph. Palm trees stretch down the road for an amazing perspective shot. Plus, there are plenty of quirky people ready to get their portraits taken.
Places / Activities to Explore: Check out Wood & Vine for a bite to eat, or try one of their signature drink. The TCL Chinese Theatre is a fun tourist spot where you can check out the signatures and handprints of your favorite celebrities.
Thoughts and Inspiration
As you can see, I’ve detailed quite a few of my favorite photo-taking spots. Although, this is just the tip of the iceberg in Los Angeles. There are a ton of more places to visit and road trips to be taken. Some notable areas that did not make this list are El Matador Beach and Pasadena City Hall. El Matador Beach has coves ready for exploration along with nearby restaurants and cafes. Pasadena City Hall boasts gorgeous architecture near the bustling streets of Pasadena. I highly recommend exploring these two places as well!
Although I’ve only lived here a short while, my passion for creating in this city continues to grow. I find myself inspired by the varying activities, beaches, and art. Between the hikes and riding my bike through the streets of LA, I have gained an amazing perspective. My passion and curiosity only continue to grow as I connect to a new community full of talented artists who are introducing me to new, exciting places and ways to photograph.
