Los Angeles astounds with its oozing cultural diversity and a myriad of photogenic places. You can spend day and night photographing one of the most remarkable cities in the world. Yet while Instagrammable options are plenty, there are only a few iconic photo spots in Los Angeles you can’t miss.
Last updated: September 23, 2024
Iconic Photo Spots in Los Angeles
Oh, Los Angeles! There is no other place like this sprawling city on the Southern California Coast. Classic and wild, impeccable and flawed – the famous La La Land is a city of many hats and the most photographed landmarks in the world.
Home to Hollywood, Los Angeles intermixes the extravaganza and exuberance of the movie industry with the laid-back culture of a coastal city. There is pitiless negligence and glamor of the 20th century, expressed in eye-catching architecture and street art of the city.
But the true nature and spirit of Los Angeles shines through its iconic photo spots. Whether it’s a classic hotel or a world-famous attraction, the capital of Hollywood doesn’t shy away from expressing its uniqueness in many photographic landmarks. For those who are eager to find them, here are the 12 iconic photo spots in Los Angeles.
12 CLASSIC PHOTO SPOTS IN LOS ANGELES
1. Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Beach and the Santa Monica Pier are two of the most visited and photographed places in Los Angeles. Whether you’re dreaming of an iconic photo with the Santa Monica Pier in the background or a classic picture of Pacific Park’s vibrant colors cutting through a reddish sunset, the place guarantees some of the best photo spots in Los Angeles.
Every stretch of the land, every corner of the pier ensures unforgettable moments and saturated images that will make any overused Instagram filters fade.
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
2. Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign is one of the most famous iconic photo spots in Los Angeles. The massive white letters symbolize the essence and unprecedented character of the city. Featured in countless Hollywood movies, the familiar sign lures every visitor aiming for a stunning Los Angeles photo collection.
Fortunately, the iconic landmark can be seen from afar and from many neighborhoods of LA. Thus, you don’t need to search for a specific address or walk uphill to feast your eyes on the 45-feet-tall letters. Yet an exceptional photo asks for hiking and shedding some sweat. You can find the best places to photograph the Hollywood Sign in our article 10 Best Hollywood Sign Photo Spots.
3. Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame hardly ever presents ideal conditions for photography. And yet, it’s one of the most sought-after iconic photo spots in Los Angeles. The classic sidewalk with embedded brass stars attracts millions of visitors wishing to pose in front of the stars of their favorite celebrities.
Address: Hollywood Boulevard, Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
4. Griffith Observatory
Taking your own stunning photos of Los Angeles is often the main reason to see the capital of Hollywood in person. Interestingly, though, just a few visitors realize how many of those classic pictures are shot at the Griffith Observatory. The iconic structure sits on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood and is among the best photo spots in Los Angeles.
Locals and visitors organize their special photoshoots on the ground of the Griffith Observatory. Fashion bloggers admire its massive white walls that provide a crisp, undisturbed background to the image. Travel photographers also hasten to the Griffith Observatory to capture the views of downtown Los Angeles and the famous Hollywood Sign. Even night photographers regard the place as one of the best photo spots in Los Angeles to shoot the starry sky.
Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
5. Rodeo Drive
Fashion and photography go hand in hand on Rodeo Drive. One of the world’s most exclusive luxury destinations, it’s also one of the iconic photo spots in Los Angeles. American classic movie Pretty Woman certainly plays not the last role in it. But can you blame the movie for this? Hollywood doesn’t do mediocre things. And it surely doesn’t choose mediocre shooting locations for its blockbusters.
Address: Beverly Hills, CA
6. The Beverly Hills Hotel
The iconic five-star hotel has seen some of the biggest names in the world over the past century. It has been used as a shooting location and featured in some of the most prominent publications.
Famous for its legendary service and notable guests, the Pink Palace, however, is hardly affordable for the majority of average visitors. Yet, there is no charge for popping in by the hotel entrance and snapping a few photos of the iconic Los Angeles scenes.
Address: 9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
7. Venice Beach Boardwalk
The Venice Beach Boardwalk strikes as the place where people from all walks of life come together. Hipsters, bodybuilders, street performers, avid beachgoers – you can’t find any better place to capture the cultural diversity of Los Angeles.
Address: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
8. Venice Sign
While the Hollywood Sign is a symbol of Los Angeles, the Venice Sign celebrates the free spirit of Venice. Set at a busy intersection, the iconic sign spans across Windward Avenue at Pacific Avenue. Despite the heavy traffic, this photo spot is popular with locals and visitors alike.
Address: Pacific Ave & Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291
9. Getty Center
The Getty Center entices connoisseurs of art and history and surprisingly photography. The central museum in Los Angeles, it offers remarkable opportunities for photographing incredible architecture, lush outdoor gardens, and spectacular city panoramas.
Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
10. “Urban Lights” at LACMA
The outdoor “Urban Lights” installation is a highlight of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, at least according to its picture-thirsty visitors. The exhibit features 202 vintage street lamps and has rightfully become one of the most iconic photo spots in Los Angeles.
Nestled in front of the museum entrance, the place seems to exist independently. Moreover, it’s free of charge to visit and is open any time of the day.
Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
11. The Last Bookstore
A regular bookstore is probably not the most ideal place to take great photos. But The Last Bookstore is not an average book sanctuary. Decorated with book arches and perfect round windows, the vintage bookstore is hands down one of the favorite photo spots in Los Angeles.
Its distinct book tunnels and cosy nooks power your imagination and creativity as a photographer and storyteller. Even non-book lovers can’t skip this photogenic place while strolling down the streets in downtown LA.
Address: 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
12. Venice Canals
The Venice Canal Historic District is the American answer to Italian Venice. Built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney, the place features six man-made canals with fetching bridges and narrow walkways on both sides.
Address: Venice, CA 90292
Although the Hollywood Sign is indeed iconic, it isn’t a particularly good photo spot, since it is so far away that it is difficult to get a good shot of the sign without hiking for miles uphill.
The Venice canals and the Venice Boardwalk are intriguing locations to explore, but aren’t ideal photo spots.
The Getty Center is great, but the original Getty Villa in Malibu is much more photogenic, resembling an ancient Roman villa in its prime.
The Griffith Park Observatory is wonderful, but if you want a view of the downtown skyline from that location, you have to wait until you have a super-clear day (such as following a rain or strong winds), or else the smog/haze tends to obscure the view.
And while on the walk of Fame, Be sure to visit the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (now renamed TCL). It’s free for court out front is filled with the footprints and handprints of countless Hollywood superstars, from Clark Gable to Marilyn Monroe to the Star Trek cast, that all preserved in cement where the stars left them.
Extremely photographic locations that were left off the list include the Huntington Library and Gardens, the Palos Verdes cliffs with its ocean views (including the Point Vicente lighthouse and Wayfarers Chapel), and The Los Angeles County Arboretum.
Author
Hi Fred,
The places you mentioned are great indeed. Each of them have a plentitude of spots that look oh so incredible in pictures. In this article, though, I was focusing on the classic, iconic destinations within the Los Angeles area. I have other blog posts devoted to hidden gems and popular locations, including the Hollywood Sign (both hiking and photographing) and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.