Los Angeles is one of the most iconic places on the planet. With all the big stars living in the city, it’s easy to forget that besides Hollywood, the area has some fantastic spots that are perfect for Instagram shots. We take a look at the places you shouldn’t miss when visiting the land of the stars.
Image by Luka Mjeda from Pixabay
Beverly Hills Hotel
This glamorous establishment has you feeling like a celebrity from the moment you step onto its ruby carpet. It’s been a favorite place for the rich and famous for over a century.
With its timeless appeal, the ‘Pink Palace’ makes for luxurious backdrops that you’ll want to snap on your camera. To get the perfect stylish image, put on some evening wear to theme your pictures.
Alfred Tea Room
When walking into the Alfred Tea Room, your eyes instantly draw to the large neon sign above the counter declaring ‘Tea, yes, you, maybe.’ The pink powder design creates a relaxed atmosphere while you drink the creatively crafted drinks.
Some popular ones include boba milk tea and matcha latte to draw you into the mood. It’s a quaint place that’s ideal for Instagram snaps.
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
Santa Monica Pier
If ever there was a place to try out Facetune’s golden hour selfie tips, this is it. The pier is an eye-catching spot with a colorful Ferris wheel at the end of the dock. It’s a popular place that attracts tourists from far and wide.
When the sun starts to set, it creates a beautiful hue of golden yellows contrasted by a blue sky and the ocean below. Pictures of the brilliant attractions will give your Instagram account plenty of punch.
Don’t forget that there’s a beach off the one side with some bright lifeguard towers and even more opportunities for the golden hour selfie.
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Élephante Restaurant
This bustling Oceanside restaurant is any photographer’s dream. The decorations inside transport visitors into a southern Mediterranean vibe without having to leave Los Angeles. Custom-made furniture and creative ethnic touches provide a lot of inspiration with beautiful views out across the Pacific Ocean.
Griffith Observatory
A well-loved attraction, the Griffith Observatory offers some of the best views of LA. It sits on the south-facing slope of the Hollywood mountain in Griffith Park and provides endless photo opportunities. It’s a perfect place to experiment with different angles and lighting effects. The beautiful domed architecture makes it even more appealing as a backdrop for stunning pics.
The Hollywood Sign
Of course, one of the first stops that most people make in Los Angeles is La-La land, the famous Hollywood sign—situated on Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains. It brings to mind instantly the glitz and glamour of the movie industry and celebrity sightings.
There’s nothing that symbolizes the fame and fortune of Los Angeles more than the iconic white signboard. Even though the famous words are photographed by everybody visiting the area, it’s still an absolute must for any Instagram professional.
Venice Crosswalk
Made famous by several big picture productions, the crosswalk is one of the most Instagram-worthy places in LA. The suspended letters spelling out Venice are just begging to be photographed.
Be careful when you’re trying to take the perfect snap. It’s quite a busy intersection, and you’ll probably have to try your shot several times while avoiding traffic. The crosswalk is a great place to take photos during the day and at night when it lights up against the dark sky.
Palm Tree Parade
One of the first things that come to mind when thinking of Los Angeles is the row of waving palm trees that line the streets. Snapping a photo with them in the background is an absolute must for influencers.
They’re dotted all over the city, so you might want to take a drive through the streets until you find a spot that gives you the perfect photo opportunity. If you’re going to spoil yourself, hire a chauffeured convertible and take a slow drive through the streets, taking snapshots of yourself in the car with the palms in the background.
Venice Canals
A Little-known fact is LA has canals where you can hire a gondola and spend a few hours floating through the suburbs. It’s a hidden gem, and it’s easy to miss them if you don’t know where they are. Just off 25th St between the neighborhood of houses, you’ll find the four quarter-mile long channels.
Originally these were founded by tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney in 1905 with the vision that it’d be a beach resort town. That never transpired, and many of the canals were filled when there was an increase for roads, but a few remain to be enjoyed and photographed.
The Bradbury Building
This architectural landmark was made famous by the many movies and TV shows that are filmed on the premises. Featured in blockbusters such as Blade Runner and 500 days of summer, it’s famous for its unique architecture.
Consisting of a light-filled glass atrium, ornate iron stairways, and impressive brick construction, it’s one of the most picture-worthy places in LA. There are restrictions on where you can wander around the premises, but it doesn’t stop you from getting some distinctive shots.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame
You can’t help but feel nostalgic as you wander down the sidewalk where hundreds of entertainment celebs have left their mark. It spans 15 blocks and has more than 2500 stars emblazoned, honoring many famous actors, producers, directors, and musicians. Some of the names are of celebrities still alive, but many are of those who’ve passed away.
The walk of fame brings back memories of old movies and the pioneers that made Hollywood what it is today. It’s a definite must to visit and take some close-ups of your favorite celebs stars for your Instagram page.
Union Station
The historic station is one of the most beautiful in the Western United States. It’s also the largest passenger rail terminal in the county. Retro art deco and Mission revival architecture make it an ideal space for artsy photographs. It’s commonly referred to as the “last grand railroad station built in America.”
What makes it unique is the large number of vintage details such as brass windows, mahogany chairs, and tiled floors that transport you back in time. They offer guided tours, so you learn more about the station’s history and significance while getting the opportunity for some unique photos.
Being one of the oldest stations around, it was featured in many famous movies such as Pearl Harbor and Batman.
Micheltorena Stairs
If you’re looking for color and love, this stairway could lead you to the heaven of a perfect Instagram shot. Painted in rainbow shades and decorated with giant hearts, it’s one of the cutest places to take some photos.
You won’t see it from the street as it’s a little hidden away, but it’s basically across the road from the Alfred coffee shop in Sunset. You can play around with various poses on the stairs because each section has different colors and decor to change the photo’s feel.
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California Dreaming Wall
Who didn’t have dreams of being in the movies when they were growing up? This pink and white wall with the words “California Dreaming” written across puts into perspective one of the main reasons LA is the city of dreams.
The slogan is enormous, and you’d have to stand pretty far back if you want to fit the entire mural in the frame. Getting the perfect snap can be challenging because the wall is just off a busy road, so there are cars and people always moving around in front of the wall.
The Broad
Tourists head to the broad for Yayoi Kusama’s surreal infinity mirrors. The establishment has two, and if you’d like to see them, you need to reserve a time slot upfront. The one artwork called “The Souls of Millions, Light years Away” is more popular and truly remarkable.
With the twinkling stars and galaxies on the backdrop, you can’t but help sinking into the world of wonder. Take plenty of photos with or without you in the frame because it’s an awe-inspiring masterpiece that you’ll probably want to use in future posts.
Urban Light Artwork
This large scale production consists of over 200 historic street lamps dating from the 1920s and 1930s. It’s a must-see sight when visiting Los Angeles and makes for some great photos in the evening. When taking your snaps, crouch down and angle your camera upwards. The shining lights that appear behind you will create a natural halo effect.
The Getty Centre
The museum is one of the most photogenic places in LA because of its lush gardens, panoramic views of the city, and unique architecture. The inside boasts European and American artworks from the medieval ages to modern times.
It features the personal collection of oil tycoon J.Paul Getty who made it his life’s work to make art more accessible to the general public. The grounds contain 86 acres of pristine landscaped gardens and terraces, which offer plenty of photo opportunities to delight your Instagram followers.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The fantastic building designed by Frank Gehry makes a perfect backdrop for unique Instagram shots. The contours of the exterior of the auditorium create a surreal modern interface excellent for an artistic theme. The curving panels made out of stainless steel resemble silver sails, which you can imagine belongs to a Disney hero’s ship floating into the night.
Petersen Automotive Museum
Even if you’re not into cars, you’ve got to pay attention to the exterior of this structure. It has a cool modern façade created out of curved stainless steel ribbons, making it one of LA’s most eye-catching photo opportunities.
The museum itself boasts about 300 cars on display, including historically significant European and American classics and hot rods. Racecar enthusiasts will also enjoy the visit since the halls have many groundbreaking racing legend designs on show.
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Museum of Illusions
If you’re a fan of optical illusion art, then this museum is right up your alley. It offers a fun interactive experience that both kids and adults will enjoy. You’re not only a visitor at the establishment but a fully-fledged participant of the creative 3D paintings brought to life by several different artists.
You can practice a bit with angles at the various displays and integrate them to get some fascinating Instagram shots. It’s a unique experience that’ll transport you through a world of fantasy and imagination.
Museum of Neon
This is one of the only museums in the world that’s dedicated exclusively to electric media. It encourages learning and curiosity to the preservation and interpretation of neon, electric, and kinetic art. It allows visitors to explore all the fundamental concepts of physics and chemistry through creative design and technology.
Use the filter function on your phone to create some surreal psychedelic snapshots that’ll make your social media accounts pop. It’s a great retro throwback reminiscent of the 80s with its bright colors and cheesy designs. The Museum of Neon is in Glendale.
Grand Central Market
The market first opened in 1917 and has been in continuous operation ever since. It reflected the changing population of downtown as it went into the 1920s. Vendors included fishmongers, greengrocers, delis, and butchers.
However, that wasn’t all that was on offer, and even today, you can find anything from baked goods and cheese to coffee and flowers. If you’re looking for some cuisine and cultural food snapshots, this is a perfect place to go on a Saturday morning.
The market is busy and bustling with people. Bright colors and the occasional rays of light coming through provide a rare opportunity for photos celebrating the population’s diversity.
Final Thoughts
Los Angeles is a city of dreams that’s been drawing people from all over the world in the hopes that they can make it big. If you’re going there as a tourist, you’ll be spoilt for choice as to the vast number of places to explore. For Instagram influencers, photo opportunities are abundant.
There are several art-focused places to visit, stunning golden hour beaches, and even a museum of illusions to tickle your creative senses. Hollywood has something for everyone. If you’re looking for the perfect Instagram snapshot, you don’t need to go further than LA.
by Kyla Stewart
Kyla is a super-connector who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.Leave a Reply
Tags: instagram, los angeles, photography
