There’s no question that Los Angeles is one of the most popular places to photograph and be photographed—in the world. In fact, Guinness Book of World Records rated L.A. the 6th most Instagrammed city in the world last year. It’s easy to see why L.A. has been the backdrop, if not the focal point, for so many films, TV shows, and photoshoots. La La Land is a shutterbug’s playground with a seemingly endless selection of Instagrammable places in LA.
From her sunny beaches to iconic landmarks, hilltop vistas to colorful urban tableaus—she has more than one good angle, and she’s always ready for her close-up. Just walking around the neighborhood on any given day can make you feel like you’ve walked on to a film set…and sometimes you’ll find you actually have.
Whether you’re planning to post vacation photos from L.A.’s most famous destinations, or you’re looking for the best place to snap your next envy-inducing selfie, here are some of the most Instagrammable places in LA to fill your news feed:
With an amusement park, arcade games, carousel, and iconic entrance, this 100-year-old landmark is one of the most Instagrammable places in LA. Strike a pose in front of the “Route 66” sign, then take a ride on the Pacific Wheel for an aerial view of the coastline. No matter which direction you point your camera, you’ll find something worthy of posting to your carefully-curated account.
GQ called it “The Coolest Block in America”. Forbes called it “America’s Coolest Street”. Whatever name you choose to call it by, Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a can’t-miss stop on any Los Angeles photo tour. While some locals <clears throat> might tell you that this street’s meteoric rise in popularity has taken away some of its charm, it has also resulted in an explosion of shops, restaurants and galleries that look like they were made to be Instagrammed…because they were. From designer donuts to artisan ice cream cones to more murals than you can shake a selfie stick at, this mile-long street tops our Instagrammable places in LA.
Artist Colette Miller created the Global Angel Wings Project in 2012 “to remind humanity that we are the angels of this Earth”. Since then, the colorful street-level wing murals have multiplied to many locations across the city, and photos of people posing with them have gone viral. The L.A. Times even calls them “One of Instagram’s best-known backdrops.” One set of wings can be found at 8401 W 3rd St, Los Angeles 90048, another at 453 Colyton Street, and there are others sprinkled around the city. Search for more locations and get inspired with #globalangelwings on Instagram, and don’t forget to hashtag your own photos when you post them.
As with many of the locations on this list, a Griffith Park “photoshoot” can be customized to just about any Insta-personality. The iconic art-deco structure of Griffith Observatory offers a dramatic backdrop, sitting atop the mountain and overlooking the city below. From the lawn, you can see to the Hollywood sign, and if you’re up for a hike you can get an even closer look at it from the park’s trails. Every turn of this trail makes for some of the best Instagrammable places in LA.
Thanks to a recent makeover, Echo Park Lake has become a family-friendly recreation area on the Eastside of Los Angeles. Lush green palms, lotus flowers, bridges, fountains, and swan boats are framed by the downtown skyline, creating an unexpectedly-picturesque oasis in the middle of the city.
Far and away one of the most Instagrammable places in LA. This is as “Hollywood” as it gets, folks. Look down and you’ll instantly recognize the black terrazzo sidewalk inlaid with pink stars that cover 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard. Look up and you’ll see Grauman’s Chinese Theater towering overhead. Spiderman, SpongeBob and Marilyn Monroe impersonators will be standing by to take a photo with you, just prepare to be asked for a “tip” in exchange.
As the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, some of the greatest music ever played can be heard inside the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the building itself is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. Designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry, the stainless steel structure makes for a visually-intriguing subject, as well as a dramatic backdrop. Show off your cultural knowledge and appreciation for postmodern architecture with a photo of this modern marvel.
The Venice Canals Historic District offers a glimpse into the early 1900’s when developer Abbot Kinney planned to create a “Venice of America” modeled after the city of Venice, Italy. The narrow waterways are bordered by beautiful homes and a sidewalk that runs the perimeter. The white wooden walk bridges and plentiful palms and flowers provide a pictorial backdrop for photos of this charming neighborhood. It’s unique architecture and charm makes it one of the top Instagrammable places in LA.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is home to some pretty incredible works of art, and its outdoor spaces are no exception with magnificent sculptures, gardens, and building exteriors
just begging to have their picture taken. The Urban Light installation is one of the most popular – and easily recognizable — Instagrammable places in LA. The best part? No admission ticket is
required to visit Urban Light – it’s accessible and illuminated 24 hours a day. Come with your battery fully charged and get ready to impress your followers with photos from this famous
landmark. (Psst… On our LA City Tours, we cover LACMA and a whole lot more about L.A.’s museum scene here.)
–Shauna Murray
1/11/2018
