Today’s post is a quick gals guide to LA for the best picture perfect moments!
*Guest post by my friend, Kacey Bradley, lifestyle and travel blogger at The Drifter Collective.
When you get together with your gals, it’s bound to happen — you spy the perfect photo opportunity and have to take it. There are memories to be made and shenanigans to be had.
Book your next adventure for a long weekend getaway in LA, where you can shop until you drop, eat and drink your fill, celebrity spot, stroll along the gardens, view art and visit famous landmarks — and look fabulous doing it all together. Here’s your gals guide to the best places to visit and capture picture perfect moments.
1. 1st Street Bridge
The 1st Street Bridge is a historical landmark offering many viewpoints and angles for photography. Depending on the time of day, no view is the same. The bridge was originally an expansion to carry the first RedLine trolleys from the LA River to East LA.
Filmmakers transformed the bridge into many dynamic sets, including Terminator chases. You’ll see the best view of LA as you enter and leave.
2. Chinatown Central Plaza
If you visit during the summer, attend the Moon Festival and Summer nights for a wonderful social time with your gal pals. Red paper lanterns line the streets.
Come here for the scenery but come especially for the food — more of Chinatown exists outside its few blocks. Dine at Plum Tree Inn for authentic Chinese food and fresh fish. It’s a local favorite. Don’t forget to toss a coin into the Buddha wishing well.
3. Venice Canals
Walk along the gorgeous Venice Canals in LA, where a series of canals were constructed by hand in 1905. The location is free to visit and known as the “Venice of America.” Varied architecture, lush gardens, beautiful waters and strong bridges dot the canals, making photo opportunities endlessly inspired.
Access is available via the Metro bus system. No bikes or blades are allowed, but pets are welcome.
4. Paso Robles, California
Paso Robles, California is located near LA, and it’s a must-see as the most diverse and largest wine region in the state. Paso Robles contains over 40,000 vineyard acres growing 40 grape varietals and 200 wineries. Try traditional and experimental wines. Every year in a downtown city park, 70 wineries gather for the Paso Robles “Grand Tasting” and wine festival complete with wine seminars, live music, dinner, BBQs and more.
Take photos among the grapes and peruse the festival to satisfy your wino and foodie cravings.
5. Stahl House
Don’t throw rocks at this gorgeous modernist glass house designed by Pierre Koenig, which was named a cultural-historic landmark in 1999. The Stahl House overlooks Los Angeles and its architectural beauty featured in many films, advertisements and fashion shoots as one of 150 of “America’s Favorite Architecture” spots.
6. Paul Smith Pink Wall
On Melrose, the Paul Smith store contains a collection of fabulous clothes, but the store is more famous for its Pink Wall. Lifestyle and fashion bloggers flock to take Instagram photos. Shop for an amazing look and have your own fashion show at the Pink Wall — it flatters all.
7. République
Visit the République for any meal of the day, but the restaurant is famous for brunch — providing Verve coffee with their varied egg dishes. You feel like a lady in French court as you take in the tall ceiling with the interior opening windows on the upper floor. The ambiance offers the perfect brunch photo with your gals.
8. The Getty
Over two million visit the Getty annually for the gardens, arts and architecture at its two LA locations — the Getty Villa and the Getty Center. The villa immerses you in ancient Rome and Greece, while the center offers open spaces, architecture and a gorgeous LA view.
9. Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Ready to shop until you drop? Adorable and unique shops line Abbot Kinney Boulevard, where you can experience small town charm on a big scale with plenty of photo opportunities. Stop by Bazar for vintage fashion finds and check out the top designs of Australian fashion designers at Aust. Sample gourmet brioche donuts from Blue Star Donuts and visit the Burro for fun gifts.
10. The Nice Guy
You know to avoid this act on dating apps, but you need to go out to The Nice Guy in LA to spot celebrities and get a cute photo with the girls in its iconic photo booth. No photos are allowed inside, but outside is fair game. This hot spot closes well after midnight, so there’s plenty of time to sit and reminiscence about your trip.
Your long weekend getaway in LA with the gals will remain a favorite. Take a photo on the 1st Street Bridge of LA as you enter and exit. Eat your fill in Chinatown and stroll the Venice Canals. Tour the Getty and Stahl House.
Shop until you drop on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and take a photo at the Paul Smith Pink Wall after you choose your looks. Eat brunch at République. Adventure off to Paso Robles for a mini-vineyard get away with big taste and end your trip at The Nice Guy as you search for celebrities and toast to the best trip ever. Don’t forget to snag a fun photo in the booth!
Thanks for the guest post, Kacey! A little more about her:
Kacey Bradley is the lifestyle and travel blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Tripping.com and more!
Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
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Stay travel-obsessed!
Xoxo Portia