12 Instagrammable Places in Los Angeles

Angeles Crest Highway is a scenic byway that offers stunning views of mountains and sunsets that explode with pink, red, and orange hues. It opened in 1929 and was originally built as a fire access road, but it officially opened as a highway in 1956. Today, it's famed for its twisting, climbing road through pine forests and mountain ridges. From these roads, you can see for miles and photograph the entire LA valley, which is sure to blow up your Instagram feed. Among the most popular lookout points are the Mount Wilson Observatory and the Chilao Flats. It runs just north of and above the Greater LA area from La Cañada Flintridge.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the LA Philharmonic and is famed for its quirky and unique architecture that's sure to draw attention on your feed. The structure was designed by famed architect Frank Gehry and was built as a gift to the people of the city with an endowment from Lillian Disney. It sits on South Grand Avenue in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and was built to provide an acoustic depth not heard in other, similar halls, though it took time to adjust. It's also designed with reflective surfaces that brilliantly gleam in the sun.

The Bradbury Building is a historic building that's known as an architectural landmark and offers a gorgeous, naturally lit atrium with walkways and ornate ironwork. The Bradbury was built in 1893 and rises 5 stories above the ground. It's the oldest standing commercial building in the central downtown area and is considered an architectural and historic gem. Outside, the architecture is Romanesque in design, but the interior reflects the height of Victorian splendor, even today. The building, which is among the most photographed sites in Los Angeles, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.

Union Station is the main railway station in Los Angeles and among the largest, most grandiose terminals in the Western US, making it an ideal Instagram photo op. It's also a historic location that currently sits on the National Register of Historic Places. The station first opened in the 1930s and still holds much of its original art deco charm, combined with Streamline Moderne and Mission Revival styles. It also hosts a number of sculpture installations and public art murals, all created by local artists. These are as sure to light up your Instagram feed as the architecture and grandeur of the station itself, which is located in northeastern Downtown LA.

The downtown Arts District murals are a major attraction for art lovers and offer plenty of photo opportunities to add wonder and color to your Instagram feed. What's most interesting about the Arts District murals is that they're constantly changing and evolving, so if you visit, you can go back in a few months and potentially see something entirely new. The murals are created by some of the most important up-and-coming artists both from the fine-arts and street-art communities. They have taken the idea of graffiti and made it into something beautiful and wondrous to behold. Best of all, they're free to view.

The Angels Flight Railway is a historic landmark that lets you ride on a miniature funicular railway on one of 2 cars on a shared cable. It's located in the Bunker Hill district downtown and measures just 2.5 feet across. It's a family-friendly attraction that's quite inexpensive, so it's a unique and fun experience for everyone. Originally built in 1901 at a different location, the railway was dismantled in 1969 and sat in storage until 1996 when it was restored at a new location just a half-block away. Over the years, it has appeared in a wide range of film and TV productions, and it's sure to be a conversation starter on your feed.

Hollyhock House is one of America’s most famous buildings and Los Angeles’ only UNESCO heritage site. The home was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and it is now the centerpiece of the Barnsdall Art Park. Built in 1921, it is a wonder of modern architecture, incorporating classical and Mayan themes.

Visiting the house, you can explore its many rooms and courtyards. Docents lead tours and provide insightful info on Wright and American architecture while explaining what makes the home so innovative and appealing. If you’re a fan of art and the LA sun, you don’t want to miss Hollyhock House and the surrounding art park.  

The Korean Friendship Bell is a massive bronze bell and pagoda given to LA as a gift from Korea in 1976. Intricately decorated and weighing in at 17 tons, the bell tops a panoramic viewpoint in Angels Gate Park.

Visit the Korean Friendship Bell for multiple photo ops in one. The bell and pagoda itself are beautifully decorated and surrounded by greenery. From the pagoda, you can also get an excellent view of the Pacific. Pack a lunch and enjoy a day at the park or stop by after a visit to nearby Long Beach.