My Top 5 Photo Spots in Los Angeles for 2022
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been almost twenty years since I moved to Los Angeles from England. In that time, this city has truly become home. Over the years I’ve spent countless evenings chasing sunsets, photographing coastlines, exploring the streets after dark, and discovering viewpoints scattered across the city. Along the way I’ve met great people, found favorite locations, and built a real connection with Los Angeles through photography.
Even after all this time, there are still a handful of places I keep returning to again and again — locations that never seem to lose their atmosphere no matter how many times I shoot them. So whether you’re visiting from out of town, looking for new places to photograph, or simply searching for inspiration around the city, here’s my countdown of my Top 5 Photography Spots in Los Angeles for 2026.
5. Malibu
Malibu is one of those places where the mountains seem to fall straight into the sea. Stretching along the edge of the Pacific beneath the Santa Monica Mountains, the coastline offers everything from rugged cliffs and hidden coves to wide sandy beaches. Places like Leo Carrillo State Park, El Matador State Beach, Point Dume State Beach, and Zuma Beach are all worth visiting with a camera, but I always find myself coming back to the Malibu Pier.
There’s something about it that just works photographically. You can shoot directly from the pier itself, or wander a little farther south along the beach where the shoreline opens up into a series of rock formations that make perfect foreground subjects. Around sunset, when the tide is moving and the light begins to soften, slowing the shutter down can create beautiful movement in the water as the waves wash over the rocks beneath the pier. It’s one of those locations that never seems to give you the same image twice. Don’t forget to check the tides before planning a shoot.
To reach Malibu pier take the 10 Freeway from Los Angeles to Santa Monica, then follow signs for PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) route 1 north. Follow this road north for about 10 miles until you're in Malibu, the pier can be seen from the road as you travel. Parking is available along PCH right out front of the pier.
4. Manhattan Beach
About thirteen miles south of Santa Monica along the Pacific Coast Highway sits Manhattan Beach Pier, one of my favorite piers to photograph anywhere in the Los Angeles area. On the right evening, especially when the tide is working in your favor, it becomes an incredible location for long exposure photography.
The last time I photographed there, the conditions looked far from promising. A thick layer of fog had rolled in by the time I arrived, swallowing almost everything along the shoreline. I stayed anyway, hoping for a break in the weather, though by sunset I was close to packing up and calling it a night. Then, almost unbelievably, just after the sun slipped below the horizon, the fog began to clear within minutes. Suddenly the sky opened up into soft pastel tones that reflected beautifully across the wet sand and water below the pier. It turned into one of the most memorable blue hours I’ve ever experienced while shooting along the California coast.
The pier itself is very accessible for photographers, with two nearby parking lots and plenty of additional parking within a short walking distance.
3. Downtown Freeways
If you enjoy long exposures and photographing city lights after dark, then Downtown Los Angeles is hard to beat. The image above was taken from the 4th Street overpass above the 110 Freeway just after sunset, when the last traces of blue hour were still hanging in the sky and the traffic below had begun to turn into streams of light. It’s one of those classic Los Angeles views that feels cinematic every time you see it.
What I love most about photographing downtown is how quickly the skyline changes. This shot is already a few years old, and since then several new skyscrapers have appeared across the city, reshaping the skyline yet again. It’s one of the reasons I keep wanting to return — Los Angeles never seems to stand still for very long.
One thing worth mentioning for photographers planning to shoot here is to stay aware of your surroundings, especially after dark. Like many major cities, parts of downtown have changed considerably since the pandemic, and carrying expensive camera gear at night can draw attention. If possible, it’s a good idea to shoot with a friend or in a small group, particularly if you plan to stay out late for night photography.
2. Griffith Park
Griffith Observatory is one of those places in Los Angeles that never disappoints, whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning with a camera for the tenth. Not only do you have the observatory itself to photograph, but you’re also surrounded by views of Downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign, and the rolling hills of Griffith Park. If you’re willing to hike a little farther up into the hills behind the observatory, the views become even better.
The image above was taken from one of those higher vantage points, looking back toward the observatory with the Los Angeles skyline rising behind it. For this shot I used a Canon EF 70-200mm lens, which helped compress the skyline against the observatory and create a much stronger composition. Telephoto lenses work beautifully here, especially around sunset and blue hour when the city lights begin to glow beneath the fading light.
What I love most about Griffith Observatory is how many photographic opportunities are packed into one area. You could easily spend an entire evening up here moving between viewpoints, experimenting with compositions, and watching the light change across the city.
To reach this particular viewpoint, stand at the main entrance to the observatory and look toward the mountains behind you. Walk past the small parking area and you’ll find the George Harrison Tree nearby. From there, follow the trail uphill for around twenty minutes and the view opens up across the observatory and the skyline below.
1. Santa Monica
After living in Los Angeles for nearly two decades, Santa Monica still holds the number one spot for me — and honestly, I think it always will. From the bluffs overlooking the Pacific to the beach and the iconic Santa Monica Pier itself, there’s an incredible amount packed into one relatively small stretch of coastline. You can spend the afternoon shooting street photography along the promenade and bluffs, then head down to the beach for sunset as the light begins to soften across the ocean.
For photographers who love beach sunsets as much as I do, Santa Monica is hard to beat. The pier makes a perfect focal point, especially during the spring and autumn months when the setting sun lines up beautifully behind it. March, April, September, and October tend to offer the best conditions for that classic California sunset composition with the sun dropping directly alongside the pier structure.
One thing many visitors don’t realize is that the famous Southern California summer weather isn’t always ideal for photography. The clear blue skies can sometimes leave sunsets feeling a little empty, especially if you enjoy dramatic clouds and atmosphere in your images. Personally, I find fall, winter, and spring to be the best seasons to shoot here, when storms and changing weather patterns bring more texture and color into the sky.
Santa Monica is also one of the more convenient photography locations in Los Angeles when it comes to access and parking. The pier has several nearby parking lots, and there’s also a large parking structure just off 3rd Street only a short walk from the beach and pier entrance.
I hope I’ve given you some ideas if you’re planning a trip out here or are just local looking for something new. Next up, I’ll list some of lesser known “secret” spots around Los Angeles so be sure to sign up for my newsletter below and check back soon!