Where should I go to take fun pictures in LA this weekend?

October 3, 2008 6:20 AM

I just found out that I'll be in LA from Saturday-Tuesday. I'll have Saturday and part of Sunday free, and I'd like to take some nice photographs and/or a photowalk. I've heard people don't walk in LA.....I'll be on foot, and staying in West Hollywood (I've never been to LA.) Where should I go for awesome pics, and how should I get there?

I'd like to be able to take some decent LA pictures to show the people back home. Any suggestions? I'm comfy with public transportation, but don't know the proper bus lines. (And I'm not into celebrity/movie stuff at all. I couldn't even tell you what's on TV..so not really interested in the backlot tour stuff.)

Also, if you have any suggestions for good breakfast places in West Hollywood, that would be much appreciated too. Or, if you know of a Mefi meetup that happens to be taking place in West Hollywood, that would be better :P

Thank you very much.

posted by melodykramer to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

I'll be at CBS on Monday and part of Sunday, so if there's anything around there too -- that'd be neat to know as well.
posted by melodykramer at 6:41 AM on October 3, 2008

Since you'll be at CBS, just stroll down Fairfax to Third Street and explore the historic Farmer's Market. It's packed with good eats and photo ops.

For a photo walk, I'd suggest taking the red line subway (which you can catch at Hollywood and Highland) to Pershing Square and roaming around downtown LA. The Broadway theater district (Broadway between 3rd and 9th Streets) should keep you busy.
posted by Scram at 7:49 AM on October 3, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Farmer's Market is near CBS. It's a bit touristy these days, but you could probably get some interesting photos.

Another option is to take the Metro Red Line to Union Station and walk across the street to Olvera Street for a peek at the birthplace of Los Angeles. Then you could head back to Union Station and hop on the Metro Gold Line (heading east). Stop off at Chinatown for a look-see, then jump back on the Gold Line to Pasadena which has some gorgeous architecture.

BTW, an all-day Metro pass is $5.
posted by socrateaser at 7:50 AM on October 3, 2008

LACMA (LA County Museum of Art) is on Wilshire just east of Fairfax (the western boundary of the Farmer's Market). It's not a bad walk (I've done it). Good for art and architecture photos. The building is impressive (parallel line study, maybe?).
posted by robabroad at 7:52 AM on October 3, 2008

Have breakfast at the Griddle Cafe on Fairfax and Sunset near the Director's Guild. If you go on the weekend, get there before 10 so you don't wind up standing in line.

Take a walk in Runyon Canyon (but be prepared- it has dirt trails and can get a little steep, so it's more like light hiking that frolicking around Central Park.) The hills are really pretty and it has great views of the city.
posted by Thin Lizzy at 9:01 AM on October 3, 2008

shootdowntown is a gathering of photographers in downtown los angeles that is happening tomorrow, october 4.
posted by jimw at 9:20 AM on October 3, 2008

What do you want to shoot?

And as for a meet-up, well, you know your way to MeTa—call for one! I know that there are a couple folks in the neighborhood… (There's also the Eagle Rock Music Festival on Saturday, so you might wanna do that if you want pictures of hipsters being hip while hearing some awesome music.)
posted by klangklangston at 10:01 AM on October 3, 2008

I think my plane lands tomorrow at 12:30 PM. Thanks for all of the suggestions thus far!
posted by melodykramer at 10:24 AM on October 3, 2008

Hugo's and Basix are both good breakfast options in W. Hollywood -- they're right near each other on Santa Monica Blvd. Canter's on Fairfax (right on the way to Farmers Market/LACMA) is great, too, and an L.A. legend to boot.

There have certainly been a few brunch meetups over the years -- feel free to suggest it in MeTa if you're interested in trying to organize one this weekend. (Caveat: L.A. is so decentralized that it's often hard to get a big group together on short notice -- so if only a couple of folks can make it, it's really nothing personal.)
posted by scody at 1:39 PM on October 3, 2008