If there’s anywhere in the world that screams Instagram it would have to be popular culture capital Los Angeles. Every day without fail there will be a picture of the city on my Instagram feed, from the modern downtown to hipster Venice. Wherever you are in the city there is opportunity to snap a cool shot. However, I’ve rounded up the most Instagram worthy spots in Los Angeles ..
The Most Instagram Worthy Spots in Los Angeles
Melrose Avenue
If colour and art are what you’re searching for, Melrose Avenue is the place for you. Stretching from Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverley Hills all the way out to Silver Lake, the Avenue is lined with all sorts of eateries and shops. In short, there are plenty of places to spend your money. If you don’t want to part with your hard earned cash however you’ll also find some of the best street art in Los Angeles. You can see the famous Paul Smith wall and one of Kelsey Montague’s ‘What lifts you’ wing murals. Easily one of the most Instagram worthy spots in Los Angeles.
Venice
Venice Beach is the place to go in Los Angeles if you are looking for somewhere to be creative. The free-spirited Venice Boardwalk with its funky shops, street performers and murals, Abbott Kinney Boulevard which features foodie hotspots, alongside stylish boutiques and coffee bars, and the peaceful Venice Canals are all worth a visit and a photograph! If you need a short break from all the snapping, I would recommend grabbing an ice cream from Salt and Straw!
Griffith Observatory
For one of the best views in LA be sure to head up to the Griffith Observatory. This is perched high upon a hill overlooking Hollywood and beyond to the rest of the city. The observatory itself is beautiful. It is a vision in white which sparkles in the bright Californian sunshine. I personally think that it is very interesting once inside. It offers a number of fun and interactive exhibits aimed at everyone. The highlight, however, is found when you ascend to the observatory rooftop. You will be met with panoramic views of the sprawling city below.
Hollywood Boulevard
What would Los Angeles be without Hollywood… And what says Hollywood more than the world famous boulevard? With more than 2,600 stars embedded into the sidewalks there is more than enough opportunity to take a great insta shot!
Hogsmead Universal
I couldn’t visit Los Angeles without taking a trip to Universal Hollywood. Having visited the Harry Potter Studios in London, I was most excited to see the village of Hogsmead with its snow topped rooftops. It was a curious sight to see in California. I also couldn’t wait to indulge my sweet tooth in Honeydukes sweet shop!
Rodeo Drive
Make sure you pay a visit to Beverly Hills before you leave LA. You can’t miss a picture of the 90210 signposts or a stroll along luxurious palm-lined Rodeo Drive. You may not be able to afford its lavish labels, but there is a Sprinkles ATM on Santa Monica Boulevard. I think it definitely makes up for leaving Rodeo Drive empty handed!
Hollywood Sign
Have you even been to LA if you don’t get a shot of the world famous Hollywood sign? To be honest it’s way smaller than you think it’s going to be so the best way to get a good picture is to take a hike up to it. There are plenty of hiking routes to chose from, or if you aren’t too fussed about getting up close you can get a pretty good picture from outside the Griffith Observatory!
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier has got to be one of LA’s most iconic landmarks and features in so many films and TV shows that I couldn’t list them all. The pier is over 100 years old and is home to Pacific Park, a family amusement park, an Aquarium, video arcade and lots of eateries. During the summer the pier is also venue to outdoor concerts and movies. Whether you photograph the pier from the vast sandy beach below or whilst you’re on it, you are sure to end up with some iconic LA pictures!
LACMA
Attracting nearly 1 million visitors a year the Los Angeles County Musuem of Art (known as LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States and holds work spanning the history of art and from all across the world. One of the most popular and instagrammed art installations at LACMA, locates directly in from of the museums entrance on Wiltshire Boulevard is Chris Burden’s Urban Light. The multi-tiered installation consists of 202 antique cast-iron street lights and attracts photographers and visitors for day and nighttime photo shoots!
The Last Bookstore
If you’re looking for something other than street murals and iconic landmarks, then head Downtown to California’s largest book and record store. Since opening in a downtown loft back in 2005, the store has grown into a 22,000 square foot labyrinth of books and records. You’ll find yourself greeted by books suspended in flight, bursting out of a bookcase, travelling through tunnels built of books and much much more. Instagrammable? Yes I think so!
OUE Skyspace
When visiting somewhere new I always like to find the tallest tower and take in the destination from a birds eye perspective. The Skyspace offers just that – unique 360 degree views of the city including landmarks such as Capitol Records, the Dodger Stadium and Hollywood Sign, and on a clear day you can even see as far south as Catalina Island. If the views aren’t enough, why not take a ride on the Skyslide nearly 1000 feet above Downtown LA. Would you be up for that?
The Bradbury Building
Possibly one of the most beautiful buildings I saw on my west coast adventure, the Bradbury Building dates back to 1893 and is an architectural landmark and five story office building located in downtown Los Angeles. The building was commissioned by gold mining millionaire Lewis Bradbury and that is certainly apparent when you get inside and see its grandeur. Visitors are granted access to the first landing only but this is more enough for you to get an impression of the building and to take in the beauty of its late nineteenth century atrium!
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Final Thoughts – The Most Instagram worthy spots in Los Angeles
I hope that you enjoyed my post on the most Instagram worthy spots in Los Angeles. If you have any ideas of thinks to add, let me know. I would love to hear from you.
Other posts that may help you:
- Best Food in California (As Eaten by Me!)
- Hotel Republic San Diego: A Review
- How to spend 3 days in San Diego
- How to spend 3 days in San Francisco
Thank you for reading and I hope that you enjoyed the post! If you have any questions about our visit to Los Angeles or California in general, please do get in touch in the comments below.
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Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
