A local’s guide to the best Instagram spots in Venice Beach that will have your friends wishing they were there! So here are my favorite and most insta-worthy locations to help you capture the perfect shot! Included with each location is a detailed guide of how and when to get there, as well as parking and fee information.
7 Best Venice Beach Instagram Spots
Looking to find those insta-worthy spots? Well look no further! I have compiled a list of the most iconic Instagram spot in Venice Beach to help you capture the perfect shot!
I have put these locations in order of the best way to see them to save on time, cost, and energy! This can all be achieved on the same day too!
1. Venice Beach Sign
- Location: Pacific Ave & Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291
- How to get there: Since this is a very busy intersection, please be careful about taking this photo with oncoming traffic around!
- Hours: Open anytime – out in the open for the public
- Fees: FREE
- Parking: I recommend a paid lot for a flat all-day fee. The lots range from $5-$20 so give yourself some time to drive around to compare prices. A good rule of thumb in LA is to never leave valuables in the car or visible!
2. Venice Pride Flag Lifeguard Tower
- Location: There isn’t an exact address for this, so set your Google Maps for House of Ink at 8 Brooks Ave #3, Venice, CA 90291 – this will location will put your right on the boardwalk directly in front of the tower!
- How to get there: Be prepared to walk out to the tower, which is still a working station for lifeguards! From the Venice Beach sign, walk 5 minutes out to the beach!
- Hours: Open anytime – out in the open for the public
- Fees: FREEE!
- Parking: Keep your previous parking spot since this is so close to the Venice Beach sign.
- Photo tip: If you don’t want the lifeguard in the shot, visit during the off-season – I took this photo in October. P.S. this is one of my favorite Venice Beach Instagram spots!!
3. High Rooftop Lounge
- Location: 1697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291 – rooftop of Hotel Erwin
- How to get there: a hop, skip, and a jump from the sign and lifeguard tower, located off the main plaza of the boardwalk
- Hours: The rooftop is open for lunch, brunch, or lounging daily
- Entrance Fee: There is a cover charge during the weekends and holidays in the summer – you must be 21+ since it is a bar
- Parking: Save your spot for the sign and lifeguard tower! Or, Hotel Erwin offers 90 minutes of complimentary valet parking with validation. After 90 minutes, it’s a $15 flat fee. You could try parking for free in the adjacent neighborhoods but be wary of the parking signs and permits! To save on the headache of parking, time and money, I recommend to park a little farther away or find a paid lot! Depending on the weekend or season the prices vary but generally $10 on the weekend is a good find.
4. Venice Beach Canals
- Location: Washington Blvd. & Dell Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90292
- How to get there: You can feasibly walk to the canals from the Lifeguard Tower, which would be my suggestion! Hop on an electric scooter, rent a bike, or take a 10-15 minute stroll to the canals!
- Hours: Open anytime – out in the open for the public, but please be respectful to the residents!
- Fees: FREE
- Parking: Save your spot from all of the above, you get 4 locations for the price of one parking spot! So the $10 price tag of that paid lot hopefully won’t hurt so bad!
5. The Piece Collective
- Location: 629 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
- How to get there: If you are up for a walk, it’s only 15 minutes from the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Very doable!
- Hours: Check the current business hours and try to get there before or after they are open for a similar photo!
- Entrance Fee: This is a legitimate clothing store so standing in front is FREE!
- Parking: This can be tricky because it is a busy street, but there are free side street spots available right out in front depending on the time of day.
6. Santa Monica Pier
- Location: 200 Santa Monica Pier A, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Hours: Check their website to see if hours have changed, but usually open anytime – out in the open for the public
- Fees: FREE to walk the boardwalk – rides and games are for purchase
- Parking: There is public parking available, but depending on how long you are parked there, fees are possible. I parked off of Colorado & 2nd – click here for a full map of parking options. Also, a comprehensive parking rate guide here.
7. Tongva Park – Lookout Nest
- Location: 1615 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- How to get there: The park is located just across the street from the pier. So make sure to stop by before leaving the pier!
- Hours: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. – out in the open for the public (Check current hours to see if they have changed!)
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- Parking: Same parking as the Santa Monica Pier – keep your previous spot!
The SoCal Gal Photo Tips:
- Going to these locations early is your BEST bet to getting no people in them.
- Bringing props like a bundle of sunflowers or a cute hat to give a little more differentiation in photos.
- Make sure to take a variety of horizontal and vertical shots so you have lots of options later!
- Parking will be the toughest part of this trek but go early, give yourself enough time to park and you’ll be golden!
Which one of these Venice Beach Instagram Spots was your favorite? Comment below with any you would add!
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