The Most Instagrammable Spots in LA? Spoiler Alert: They’re on every block. Los Angeles is full of Instagram-worthy spots, and I try to visit a few of them each time I go back. I’ve been posting pictures from this year’s round of Instagrammable spots on my Instagram feed for what seems like forever. I’m finally sharing the details and exact locations! Please note that all images in this post are mine and are not to be used for any reason without my permission.
Alfred Coffee/Tea Room
There’s a 90% chance you’ve already seen tons of Alfred shots on Instagram. There is no shortage of locations in Los Angeles, and they each have a different aesthetic. I went to the Brentwood location, the Melrose Ave location, and the Alfred Tea Room location on Melrose Place. Each spot has its own character and is worth checking out. The Tea Room is pretty and pink with the best matcha croissants and drinkware!
Griffith Observatory
One of my favorite things to do in LA is hike. This trip, I made it more interesting with a trip to Griffith Observatory. I’m a science junkie, so that was a plus (I mean, hello…they have a Tesla coil!), but the real treat is the view. You get to see most, if not all, of Los Angeles, which makes for great pictures. Just don’t forget to put the camera down for a few minutes and soak it all in. I definitely suggest utilizing the free parking spots before you get to the actual observatory and hiking your way up. Bonus: the only thing you have to pay for is a planetarium show, which isn’t expensive at all. It’s a great family activity in addition to being a great Instagram photo spot!
Museum of Ice Cream
There is also a 90% chance you’ve seen the Museum of Ice Cream (MOIC) before on Instagram. The Kardashians have been there, Beyonce and Blue Ivy have been there… anyone who’s anyone has. Just kidding, anyone who can get their hands on a ticket has. It’s a struggle to get tickets to the MOIC in LA or San Fransisco. In fact, my friend Ashley couldn’t get a ticket, so I had to go by myself and ask lovely strangers for photos. I doubt more LA/SF tickets will go on sale since their runs are almost over, but the Miami MOIC opens in December and you might have luck with those tickets! They’re $38 per person (before tax/fees) and available on the Museum of Ice Cream website.
Nobu Malibu
Anytime I’m near the beach in California, I feel like I’m having a Laguna Beach moment. The natives are probably so annoyed by people like myself, but oh well. I was supposed to have lunch at Nobu, but the way the car rental agency was set up, there were 60 people in front of my group in line, and no way to make it to Malibu in 45 minutes at that point. Luckily, I was able to get dinner reservations, and the interior of the restaurant is stunning as well. I would definitely recommend going for lunch (or brunch on a Saturday) to get views of the beach, though – extra points if you make it before sunset!
Catch LA
I am IN LOVE with Catch LA. The floor where everyone dines is actually the rooftop, and once you get off the elevator, you will gasp. Or maybe it’s just me. Either way, the entryway is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in real life. The entire restaurant is full of wooden fixtures accented by florals/plants. This might be dramatic, but I wish I could move onto Catch’s rooftop. Pay them a visit and you’ll see what I mean. I got the Waffle Tower for brunch, which actually isn’t sickeningly sweet; there’s a good amount of tart in there, and it’s actually just a single waffle cut into pieces. There are other Catch locations across the country, but the LA one is the only one I’ve been to so far. Note: I was told DSLR cameras are not allowed, so use your own discretion. Phone cameras are totally okay!
Carrera Cafe
Latte art has been a thing for years now, but Carrera on Melrose takes it to the next level. Where else can you get a latte on it with Kim Kardashian’s crying face?! It’s iconic. There are at least twelve different designs you can choose from, and I honestly don’t know what kind of sorcery goes into making the design on the milk. You could probably ask the barista, but why ruin the magic? 😉 I got a chai latte from there and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a cute cafe with lots of room to just relax while shopping on Melrose Ave.
The Last Bookstore
At this point, you’re probably thinking, “what doesn’t this girl love?”..and you’re not wrong to think that. I love reading, so naturally, The Last Bookstore in Downtown LA was on my list of places to go. There are some great photo ops on the second floor, but keep in mind that if you go during the weekend, you might be waiting in a small line to take your photo(s). I could have spent hours there…if there weren’t so many people. Definitely a cool place to go if you love books!
Sorella Boutique
I discovered Sorella Boutique on Instagram before their GIRLS TOUR days, and I’m so glad they did, because they are really onto something. I love the way the inside of the boutique is set up – white walls with a neon sign, and then a GIRLS TOUR wall with polaroids near the fitting rooms. You don’t have to go into the actual boutique to take a picture in front of the pink GIRLS TOUR wall, or the yellow one facing Melrose Ave, but I recommend going in for a look – their clothes and accessories give me all of the Hailey Baldwin vibes. It’s especially worth it if you’re a fan of Sorella Boutique that doesn’t live in LA; their shipping fees are a little overwhelming.
LACMA Lights
You can live out your No Strings Attached dreams like I did at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) on Wilshire Blvd. The lights installation is outside of the actual museum, so no admission is required. If you want daytime pictures, I recommend going early in the morning on a weekday, unless you don’t mind strangers in the background. I went to the installation on a previous trip to LA, but this time I went at night.
The Beverly Hills Hotel
Beverly Hills, that’s where I wanna be… No. Really. The Beverly Hills Hotel is a historic landmark (in my mind) that screams ‘Nubiana!!!’ You might recognize their banana leaf wallpapers and pink walls, or their iconic sign. I definitely recommend making reservations to eat at The Polo Lounge or walking into Fountain Coffee Room; it’s pricy, but worth the splurge in my opinion.
I squeezed so many stops into this trip, but it was all so worth it. I feel like there is no shortage of places to explore in Los Angeles, and nearly all of them are Instagrammable. If you have been to any of these spots or have some other ones you want to add to this list, feel free to drop a comment below! And thanks for reading what might be my longest post yet!
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