If you’re looking for the most Instagrammable places in LA to fill your feed with beauty, then look no further. Here’s our ultimate photo guide.
1. Hollywood Sign (Canyon Lake Drive)
One of the most famous photo locations in the world!
Of course the Hollywood Sign is top of the Instagrammable places in LA list!
There are so many options when visiting the Hollywood Sign, such as the Hollywood Sign Hike which is easy enough to do on your own.
Otherwise you can opt for a tour such as the Hollywood Hills Hike, or a Beverly Hills and Hollywood Helicopter Tour!
The easiest option is to drive to Canyon Lake Drive first.
Here you can park and walk around/up the hill towards Mulholland Highway for a closer shot and probably the most popular of the Hollywood Sign Viewpoints.
With the Hollywood sign been based high up on a hill, the surrounding views are incredible.
Plus it was such a great feeling to finally visit the Hollywood Sign, and put a big tick on our Los Angeles bucket list!
2. Hollywood Sign (From Behind)
Again, there are so many options when visiting the Hollywood Sign, such as the Hollywood Sign Hike which is easy enough to do on your own.
However, to get to this unique viewpoint offering some awesome photo opportunities, we took the Brush Canyon trail, which is a moderate 1-2 hour hike.
A really great view of the Hollywood Sign on this trail, is from the Tyrolian Tanks viewpoint, a wide flat area where you get a great face-on view of the shining white sign.
Hike another approximately 1/4 mile and a few hundred feet of elevation, to the back of the Hollywood Sign, and you will be rewarded with the most spectacular view.
Sprawling out below you, miles and miles of breathtaking views over Griffith Observatory and Los Angeles City with the iconic lettering of the Hollywood Sign framing the bottom of your view.
3. Tom LaBonge Panorama
Definitely one of the best Hollywood Sign viewpoints for sunset is the Tom LaBonge Panorama.
We parked in the Greek Theatre car park, at the southern end of Griffith Park, and hiked the moderately challenging trail from there.
On arriving at the Tom LaBonge Panorama you will greeted with breathtaking 360 degree views, that stretch as far as the ocean on a clear day.
You will also get great views of Griffith Park and many famous points of interest such as the Griffith’s Observatory and one of the Best Hollywood Sign Viewpoints.
This has to be one of the most Instagrammable places in Los Angeles, as well as a perfect spot to enjoy a picnic whilst getting some great photos.
4. Runyon Canyon
Runyon Canyon is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Los Angeles. Covering 160 acres, at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains in LA, it gives amazing views over Hollywood.
You get sweeping vistas from Catalina Island to the Santa Monica Mountains. As well as great views of the iconic Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory.
Great in the day, but also a calm spot for sunset, Runyon Park is one of my favourite things to do in Los Angeles as you can be up and round in an hour and it offers some really inspiring photo opportunities.
5. Griffith Observatory
Located on the south slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, the Griffith Observatory offers spectacular views across Hollywood and the City of Los Angeles.
The crown jewel of LA’s Griffith Park, this 1930’s Art Deco structure is popular with tourists and locals alike. Housing an extensive array of space and science related displays.
This is perfect for anyone who loves Art Deco buildings or just wants spectacular views over the city of Los Angeles . Another of the most Instagrammable place in Los Angeles.
I would recommend the popular Griffith Observatory Guided Tour for those of you that want to know more about this amazing building.
6. Hollywood Boulevard (Walk Of Fame)
Now the walk of fame may be an easier shot if you want to duck down with a star and grab a quick photo on your phone.
However, if you’re looking to squeeze two people in the frame, and have to set up a tripod, this proves pretty difficult.
Hollywood Boulevard is one of the busiest streets in LA, and in the end we had to resort to something different. We found a palm tree to lean up against, and captured the famous Hollywood theatre writing in the background.
If you take the Los Angeles Sightseeing Hop-on-Hop-off Bus this will be one of your stops. The bus lets you explore Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica Pier and Beaches. With options of a 24, 48 or 72 hour pass.
Definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in LA. Although don’t get your hopes too high for the perfect ‘star’ photo.
7. LACMA
The Urban Light Sculpture is a much easier shot than the Walk Of Fame.
Located at LACMA, or Los Angeles County Museum of Art, this large-scale assemblage of restored street lamps from the 1920s and 1930s has really become popular for photographers.
Widely regarded as one of the most Instagrammable places in LA, beware you can only use a tripod from outside the walkway of the museum.
8. Beverly Hills
Any trip to LA is not complete without driving through Beverly Hills.
Within the county, there is Beverly Gardens Park which has beautiful fountains and rose gardens. Plus an illuminated Beverly Hills sign that you can get a postcard photo in front of as a token of your visit.
You can also visit The Beverly Hills Hotel, set amongst beautiful tropical gardens, with it’s famous ‘The Beverly Hills’ sign embedded across one of the walls.
With so many photo opportunities to choose from, we opted for the popular palm tree road shot.
Home to many Hollywood celebrities, you may even get a selfie with one of your favourite movie stars if you’re lucky!
9. Venice Beach
Known for its bohemian spirit, Venice Beach is always buzzing.
The Venice Boardwalk is the site of funky shops, street performers and colourful murals. Of course then there’s also the famous skate park and Muscle Beach outdoor gym!
For us we took a walk along the boardwalk from Santa Monica at sunset and captured a few playful shots amongst the palms.
But you could spend hours photographing the sites of Venice as there are so many things to do in Venice Beach.
If you have time you could even jump on the Santa Monica and Venice 3-Hour Electric Bike Tour which could be pretty fun!
10. Venice Sign
The famous Venice Sign is one of the most recognisable Instagrammable places in LA.
Hanging between a bustling intersection, this colourful, hanging city sign is a celebrated, local landmark.
It’s also one that people travel from around the world to take photos of. We happened to arrive after dark but it made for an even better grungy photo as the letters lit up in different colours and we hung out amongst the locals.
11. Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles is the most vibrant, artistic community we’ve visited, so it’s easy to find incredible pieces of art work when exploring the city.
You don’t have to search far and wide to find the stunning backdrops that fill your Instagram feeds.
We were a little short on time, so didn’t get to do a full LA wall art tour. However, stopped off at the huge California Dreaming mural located on the side of the Chinese Laundry Shoes building. (Which you can find on Google Maps.)
A lot of the popular wall murals can be found on Melrose Avenue, where there’s even a Melrose Instagram Tour!
Here you can pull shapes at one of the world’s most famous mural locations, and discover the (in)famous artists that brought them to life.
12. Drive-In Movie Theatre
The ultimate experience (and photo) of LA had to be at the drive-in movie theatre.
From growing up in a small town in England, watching a movie outside in a car was something we’d never had the opportunity to experience.
So after watching way too many high school movies, it was a dream come true to go on a date in the back of an American truck. To top it off, we captured this crazy shot watching Toy Story 4!
This photo was taken at Paramount Drive In.
13. Disneyland
If you don’t believe in fairytales, you will after visiting Disneyland!
An awesome few days in LA was finished by celebrating Lauren’s Birthday at Disney.
With photo opportunities at every corner, this magical adventure park is an awesome day out for adults or children.
Plus the Disney Castle is by far one of the most Instagrammable places in LA!
14. Pixar Pier
Another Disney shot, but this time from the California Adventure Park where you can find all of the Pixar rides.
Popular on Instagram lately in the famous Pixar Pier which lights up as the sun starts to set and capture the true magic of Disney in a photo you can take home to cherish!
15. Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica is a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles and is obviously the home of the famous Santa Monica Pier.
This historic pier, with its breathtaking views, is one of the most photographed locations in the world.
Once dark, we enjoyed a 40 minute walk along the boardwalk from Venice Beach to Santa Monica to see all the bright lights of the Pier.
This pier offers some perfect day or night photo opportunities and is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in Los Angeles.
If you take the Los Angeles Sightseeing Hop-on-Hop-off Bus this will be one of your stops.
16. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is one of California’s Channel Islands and lies south west of Los Angeles, about an hour by ferry.
This beautiful island is best known for its wildlife, dive sites, pretty coastal towns and its highest peak- Mount Orizaba.
For another one of the most Instagrammable places in Los Angeles you can hike the 2 mile Cat Harbor Overlook Trail for sunset.
Once you reach the top of the trail, there are stunning views stretching out over much of Catalina Island. As well as down to Cat Harbor, with all the small white yachts bobbing in the shimmering blue Pacific Ocean.
We visited on a beautiful sunny day and waited for sunset, which was absolutely stunning and well worth the climb and the wait!
17. Malibu
Malibu is a beach city in the Santa Monica Mountains region of California, just 30 miles (48 km) west of Downtown Los Angeles. Famous for its beautiful beaches and celebrity homes.
Visiting Malibu is one of the top things to do in Los Angeles, and with so many stunning beaches to choose from it’s a great place to get some stunning coastal shots for your Instagram.
I visited Point Dume Beach in Malibu and was not disappointed. With its clear blue water and soft golden sand, this picturesque beach has a lot of spectacular vistas.
It’s actually a popular filming location and has been used in Planet of the Apes, the TV series Son of the Beach, Modern Family, Scorpion and Bay watch so you know it’s photogenic!
18. In-N-Out
So maybe this won’t be on everyone’s Instagrammable places in LA list.
But again, coming over to the states from the UK, the fast food chains were something we’d really been looking forward to.
With endless recommendations to try the animal fries from In-N-Out, we grabbed a final shot with our takeaway order on the way to the airport!
The fries didn’t disappoint and neither did the photo.
For the true foodies visiting Los Angeles there are tours such as the Old Pasadena Food Tasting Tour, or the Downtown Food Tour, which are sure to get your taste buds moving!
Where To Stay In Los Angeles
Luxury – The Beverly Hills Hotel – Dorchester Collection
Known as ‘The Pink Palace’, this luxury hotel on Sunset Boulevard features the full-service La Prairie Spa and a beautiful outdoor pool.
Downtown Beverly Hills is just 1 mile away.
The bright and elegant rooms of The Beverly Hills Hotel feature marble bathrooms and 2 TVs.
There is also a minibar, coffee maker and ironing facilities included.
The Polo Lounge at the hotel is a popular dining place for celebrities.
Mid-Budget – Clean Modern Room
Clean Modern Room features accommodation with a shared lounge, free WiFi and a shared kitchen.
The air-conditioned homestay also offers a flat-screen TV, a seating area, washing machine and a bathroom with a bath and a shower.
Beverly Hills is a great choice for travelers interested in food, shopping and restaurants.
Budget – Empire Inn
Empire Inn is located in Los Angeles, just 5 miles from the centre.
It provides air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and all rooms include a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV.
South Los Angeles is a great choice for travellers interested in tourist attractions, sunshineand beach walks.
For other places to stay in Los Angeles, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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