Los Angeles Skyline: Best Photo Locations?

[Matt]

I will be in Los Angeles next week, and will spend about four days walking around downtown photographing the individual skyscrapers and skyline.

I was wondering if anyone could offer specific locations within close proximity to downtown where I can photograph the entire skyline (bridge overpasses, pedestrian overpasses, tops of parking garages, etc.). I know I've seen some pretty nice close-up shots from the industrial areas by the river, and I know about the stadium, but was hoping for more advice. I am looking for the "money shot" views of the skyline, hopefully unobstructed by trees or power lines.

If anyone knows any great photo vantage points, please let me know - and also kindly provide the cross-streets that I can walk to or take an Uber to. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Clinton Robinson]

I think u can find a great shot of DT from the top of the 12 floor parking structure on Venice and Grand. There are a bunch of spots, you named my FAVORITE angle though off the East Side looking West (industrial area). Anyway there are SO many angles of DTLA that part of the beauty of going is finding YOUR own angles... how about getting to the Bonaventure hotel and getting a few shots from there? I dont see that many photos from the rotation floor there! That's a kinda cool view of LA.... If I was going to try to get badass pics of DTLA I'd go into the hills or ontop of a roof somewhere! Anyway look forward to seeing the pictures you post! Hope you enjoy your visit.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Hmm, the infamous skyline shot with the snowy mountains behind are from Kenneth Hahn Park in Central LA. You'd also get a good shot from high up near usc and the coliseum, although I'm not sure where you can get high up around there.

Pwright and hunter are our expert photographers who can help more

[Murphy de la Sucre]

I thought YOU want to be in the skyline.

If YOU want to be in the skyline, 1st St. Bridge and Echo Park will be top hits.

But if you want to self catch some best and classic LA skyline photos that are hundreds and thousands already existing in google or bing searching engines, check this out: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/t...able-photo-ops, but I really wonder why not just google the photos.

[pwright1]

Unobstructed views goes to Kenneth Hahn Park imo.
Just snapped these last week.




Another great spot is the top level of the parking garage at ROW DTLA at 7th and Alameda.

[mrnyc]

will you have a car, at least for awhile?

here is a driving tour of muholland drive scenic overlooks i want to do sometime:

https://youtu.be/XCoUQ8a-4xo

[badrunner]

Kenneth Hahn
Griffith Park
110-105 interchange (green line station)
6th street bridge (currently under construction)
1st street bridge
Runyon Canyon Park
Echo Park
Elysian Park
Vista Hermosa Park
The Getty
Will Rogers State Park (Inspiration Point)
Hollywood Bowl overlook on Mulholland Dr.
Ascot Hills Park

On a clear day you can try:
Mt. Wilson
Palos Verdes blufftop trail
Parker Mesa on the ridge above Topanga Canyon
Turnbull Canyon water tower above Whittier
Georges Gap (Angeles Crest Highway)

[subterranean]

Originally Posted by pwright1

Unobstructed views goes to Kenneth Hahn Park imo.
Just snapped these last week.

Out of curiosity, is your right foot shorter than your left?

[edale]

Go to the roof of the big parking garage off Fig between USC and the 110.

This one:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0192.../data=!3m1!1e3

You get basically the full skyline, plus the mountains in the background and it's much closer than Kenneth Hahn. IMO Kenneth Hahn is pretty far from DTLA to be called the best skyline view. It might be the best angle for seeing the entirely of the basin with the mountains in the back, but on hazy days or if you don't have a great camera, it can be hard to get a good pic of downtown.

[pwright1]

^^^^^I often thought about all of the big garages close to downtown but never ventured in. I'll check them out this week. Thanks.

[plinko]

I’ve always wondered about the hill in the Rampart where they just demolished Temple Hospital. The view from there (also of Hollywood) must be amazing. Anybody know?

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by pwright1

Unobstructed views goes to Kenneth Hahn Park imo.
Just snapped these last week.




Another great spot is the top level of the parking garage at ROW DTLA at 7th and Alameda.

very nice!! i always want to get to LA/california this time of year...

[geomorph]

Originally Posted by pwright1

Is this taken in Salt Lake City? It sure feels like it from this angle and after a lucky low-elevation snow event!

[thomyorke26]

Does anyone knows whats the Los Angeles population nowadays?
My sister is living in California but she really does not know about this information, pretty cool photos, i wish i can have the chance to know California pretty soon.

[BaldwinDPB]

Originally Posted by thomyorke26

Does anyone knows whats the Los Angeles population nowadays?
My sister is living in California but she really does not know about this information, pretty cool photos, i wish i can have the chance to know California pretty soon.

About 4 million.

[Buckeye Native 001]

Originally Posted by edale

Go to the roof of the big parking garage off Fig between USC and the 110.

This one:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0192.../data=!3m1!1e3

You get basically the full skyline, plus the mountains in the background and it's much closer than Kenneth Hahn. IMO Kenneth Hahn is pretty far from DTLA to be called the best skyline view. It might be the best angle for seeing the entirely of the basin with the mountains in the back, but on hazy days or if you don't have a great camera, it can be hard to get a good pic of downtown.

I'll second this.

I got some okay (I'm a terrible photographer) photos from that garage while waiting for traffic to clear out after the 2008 Ohio State at USC game but anyone with better photographic abilities will get some great photos of the skyline and the San Gabriels.

Los Angeles September 2008