Our Guide to the Most Instagrammable Spots in Los Angeles

The Most Instagrammable Spots in Los Angeles

It’s here, it’s here! It’s finally here. We are so excited to bring you this guide to Los Angeles. But this isn’t a typical guide. It’s not really a traditional travel guide, nor is it specifically a mural guide to the city. Instead, we’ve given this one the unique slant of our favorite Instagram-worthy spots in LA! Do it for the ‘gram, right?

Now, I view this guide as very much a work in progress. Los Angeles is so beautiful, so colorful, and so vibrant. There are many more Instagram-worthy spots that we hope to highlight soon – after another trip to the city. But for now, we have thirty spots for you, centered mostly in three areas. To organize this guide, we’ve grouped the locations by neighborhood. This will also help as you plan your California adventures, as we all know how awful LA traffic can be!

In addition to the photos, descriptions, and addresses, at the end of this guide, we’ve included a handy map with all of these locations annotated.

So without further delay, let me introduce you to a colorfully curated collection of Instagram-friendly Los Angeles locations…

Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice

Sometimes dubbed the coolest block in America, it’s easy to understand why. Located very near Venice beach, this mile-long strip offers quintessential California cool. From the cafes to the shopping to the art galleries and more, this place is jam-packed with color and coolness. You’ll instantly feel more hip when you hang out here.

I personally could easily spend a day on this boulevard. I’d start with brunch at The Butcher’s Daughter, stroll along the street checking out murals and shopping, grab some afternoon ice cream at Salt & Straw or coffee at Blue Bottle.

My personal favorites in this area: the Aviator Nation primary wall and the James Goldcrown love wall.

Locations featured above: 

Aviator Nation primary wall – 1224 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Colorful geometric mural – 470 San Juan Ave, Venice, CA 90291

FUN mural at The Fun House – 1420 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Grey and black palm trees – 1118 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Love wall by James Goldcrown – 401 Santa Clara Ave, Venice, CA 90291

So Far So Good mural – 1126 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

The Butcher’s Daughter –  1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

What Lifts You angel wings – 1349 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Los Angeles Arts District Area

Now, this next area – what we’re calling the Los Angeles Arts District – is definitely the most gritty area. We are using this term to encompass not only the actual arts district area, but also the adjacent areas beyond its boundaries. This includes downtown Los Angeles, as well as Skid Row. It is important to note that while this area is in general going through a transition and renewal, we do recommend exercising caution and being alert when in urban areas such as these.

One thing that I love about this area is that there is a lot of true street art happening here. In other words, the art scene is still very organic and evolving. We noticed several groups of artists actively painting walls as we strolled through the area on foot on a weekday.

My personal favorites in this area: Jen Stark’s chromatic cascade mural and the Together typographic wall. In fact, this Jen Stark wall is absolutely one of my favorite walls ever!

Locations featured above:

Chromatic Cascade by Jen Stark – 1828 Conway Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Mix of blues and greens mural in Art Share L.A. – 801 E 4th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Rainbow burst and checkers mural – 700 Dock St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Rainbow of diamonds mural: 901 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (On Hauser & Wirth loading deck)

Together mural by It’s a living – 411 S Hewitt St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

You are going to be fine mural at Row DTLA – 746 Terminal Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021

West Hollywood / Melrose Place Area

Shopping, shopping, and more shopping! Dining and drinking and drooling! While areas of Hollywood can be a tad too touristy for our taste, there is plenty that we love about this area. Of all areas profiled here, this one is probably the most upscale. There are so many designer boutiques to browse. But mixed in all the commerciality is a vibrant creative scene, filled with art and food and drink.

However you choose to spend your day in this area, may I suggest the perfect way to end it? Sunset drinks on the rooftop at Mama Shelter. Sweeping views of the city (including the Hollywood sign!), great cocktails, delicious food — this place has it all! I do suggest getting there early, as it gets crowded. But if you get there early, you can grab a prime spot to watch the sunset.

My personal favorites in this area: the James Goldcrown love walls, the crocheted rainbows and peace sign, and Mama Shelter.

Locations featured above:

Alfred Tea (best tea and super cute) – 705 N Alfred St, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Butterflies mural – 621 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Crochet rainbows and peace and love – 680 N Laurel Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Flowers Hello mural (changes throughout the year) – 8251 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Girl Boss Gang mural – 8448 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

I have a reason to be happy mural – 8479 Melrose Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Love Wall by James Goldcrown – 7400 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Love Wall by James Goldcrown and Alfred Coffee in the Alley – 8509 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Made in LA –  702 N Laurel Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Mama Shelter (best patio bar and sunset view) – 6500 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Paul Smith Pink wall – 8221 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Pearl’s Finest Teas – 523 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Culver City Area

Now, let me preface this by saying that we have our friends Amy Tan and Alisha Johns to thank for helping us scout out these beauties! We might have skipped over this area entirely, but they encouraged us to stop by. And boy am I glad we did – if only to see another Jen Stark beauty and a Jason Woodside wall.

The Jen Stark art can be found at Platform, a super cool shopping center. Note that there are actually two Jen Stark pieces – one covering a big parking garage structure, plus another on a storefront of the shopping center. The parking garage piece is really cool because of its scale. Plus, you can climb the stairs inside the garage and peek your head out for some fun, unique photos. The Jason Woodside mural is outside of the shopping center, but just a block or so down the street.

While you are at Platform, refuel with a smoothie or bowl at São Acai or with a coffee at Blue Bottle. Or, you can get lunch at Sweetgreen followed by ice cream for dessert at Van Leeuwen.

Locations featured above:

Burst of color and shapes by Jason Woodside – 8970 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Chromatic Cascade on a parking garage by Jen Stark – 8850 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

A Few Extras

Now, until we return to LA to capture more Instagram friendly spots for you, we have some more not-to-be-missed extras. In fact, these two spots are two of my favorites from the whole trip!

Indeed, what encapsulates the whole theme of this guide better than a California Dreaming mural?! It’s big, it’s bold, it’s beautiful. Don’t miss it!

Along those same lines, be sure to check out this LA colorful square wall currently at Westfield Century City on the second floor. Act fast, though, as this art may be temporary while they undertake some construction projects. While you are there, don’t miss the Compartes Chocolates flagship store!

Addresses of locations featured above:

California Dreaming mural – 3485 S La Cienega Blvd suite b, Los Angeles, CA 90016

Color squares mural – 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067

In Closing

Before we go, we want to share a couple more resources that we love. First, you of course know that we love murals. And while we have included a few here, be sure to check out our friend Jenn’s extensive Los Angeles mural guide. Furthermore, the Goop LA guides are extremely useful.

Well, what do you think? Are you ready to head west and do a little California dreaming yourself? Which neighborhood in LA is your favorite?

What is it about that California state of mind that just sparks creativity? We can’t wait to go back! And when we do, rest assured that we will be adding to this guide.

More color, please!

Carrie

 

All photos by Maritere Rice