One of the questions that I am asked the most is where some of the best places are to get a good composition of Los Angeles’ photogenic skyline or its sprawling metropolis.  I’ve always liked to keep some of these locations a secret, but in this blog post I reveal where my favorite places are.

This is by no means a complete list.  Everybody has their favorites, and possibly even different than mine.

1. Griffith Park

Los Angeles from Griffith Park

How to get here: Very simple.  From Los Feliz Boulevard, near the entrance to Griffith Park, follow the signs that lead you to the Observatory. [Google Maps]

Notes: This photo location is probably the most well known. Travel up the hill to the Observatory for the best views.  Really work the area.  Lots of different photo opportunities exist here.  Toward the west of the Griffith Observatory area, there are some great views of the Hollywood sign.  If you go upstairs above the Observatory building, you can get some great views of downtown Los Angeles with the sprawl that is Hollywood and the Miracle Mile leading away from it.  It is also good to try to get some architectural elements of the Observatory building in the frame as you take a picture.  This will give further interest to your photo. To the east of the Griffith Observatory area, you get get some great views of the Glendale area, and even of the San Gabriel Valley if it’s a clear day.  I like to do a couple of panoramas around the upstairs of the building.

Recommended time of day: Anytime.  But, you can get some amazing shots here at night that show the lights of the sprawling metropolis underneath you.

2. Hollywood Bowl Overlook on Mulholland Drive

Los Angeles from the Hollywood Bowl Overlook

How to get here: From the 101 Freeway north of Hollywood, get off on Barham Boulevard, then make a left to go over the freeway.  Turn left on Cahuenga, and follow it until you get to Mulholland Drive on your right.  Take a right onto Mulholland Drive and go up the hill.  The overlook will be on your left-hand side.  Look for the parking lot with cars and tour buses. [Google Maps]

Notes: This photo location seems to be more popular with out-of-town tourists than it is with the locals.  The Hollywood Bowl Overlook (named because you can see the Bowl under you), was built for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.  This is the classic shot of the Hollywood Freeway with the Los Angeles skyline in the background.  The location can get very crowded very quickly. All the tour companies working in the Hollywood area like to bring their tourists up here to snap a picture or two.  This is a great place, again, to work the area.  Some great views can be had from here.  Take a picture from the parking area, but for the best views, follow the stairs up to a viewing platform where you can take in views of both Los Angeles and the Hollywood sign.

Recommended time of day: Can be visited anytime during the day.  But for the most interesting compositions, position your tripod on the viewing platform area around sunset (the golden hour).  As the lights begin to turn on in some of the downtown skyscrapers, long exposures create streams of light on the cars, and there is still some light left to show the detail in the city’s urban landscape and the color of the sky. The location closes its gates after sunset, so it is not possible to visit here after the sun has already set.

3. Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

Los Angeles from the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

How to get here: This location is not so very well known, as it is far out of the way tucked in a place where you would never think to look.  Take the I-10 freeway west towards Santa Monica.  Take the South La Brea Avenue exit.  Go south on La Brea Avenue, until you come to Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.  Turn right on Stocker Street, then right on South La Cienega Boulevard, then turn into the main entrance to the Recreation Area.  Inside the park can get a little confusing, but generally you want to follow the road into the park uphill until you get to the top and there is a parking area.  There is a little park at the top with grass and benches with the best views of the skyline.  It is best to see the map – the marker points out the exact location: [Google Maps]

Notes: With a 70-200mm set closer to 200mm, you get get a shot like the one above of the downtown Los Angeles skyline with the San Gabriel Mountains in the background.  If you come here in the winter or spring, when the San Gabriels have snow on them, it would make for an interesting shot.

Recommended time of day: Anytime during the day.  Unfortunately, the last time I checked, the Recreation Area was not open after sunset.

4. Park Row Drive, Overlooking the Pasadena Freeway

Los Angeles from Park Row Drive

How to get here: This particular location is a very tricky one to find. There are a few approaches, but here is one: coming from the 110-N, take the Solano Avenue/Academy Road exit.  Continue on Solano Avenue until you reach North Broadway.  Turn left onto North Broadway, then continue a very short distance until you reach a little street called Casanova Street.  Turn left onto Casanova Street.  Continue, then turn right onto North Park Row Drive.  Continue up the hill until you are on the bridge over the freeway.  One does not run into this location by accident.  You have to know what it is you’re looking for to find it.  Take care in driving some of these streets, as they can be very narrow.  Return the way you came. [Google Maps]

Notes: This is a very classic shot, and I’ve seen it on the cover of a number of maps along the years.  The most interesting view is from the bridge looking south, with the Pasadena Freeway leading into the downtown Los Angeles skyscrapers at a distance.

Recommended time of day: Anytime.  The above photo was taken in the evening.  One can probably get some very interesting night photos here, but I would take extra care when in this neighborhood at night, as it is pretty secluded.  Just everyday common sense.