What to Wear to a Photoshoot

Best Things to do in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the most iconic and creative cities in the world, drawing in millions of tourists every year, thanks to the city’s pristine beaches, Hollywood walk of fame, music scene, and bustling nightlife. Contrary to what you see on TV, LA is a sprawling city. Unlike NY or SF, where the cities are densely populated in one area, in LA you’ll find neighborhoods are farther apart and each have their own distinct personality.

Due to traffic and lack of public transportation, renting a car is the most convenient way to get around. It’s also best to plan your stay around your interests so that you don’t have to fight traffic to get around. If you’re into fine dining, Beverly Hills is your destination. If you’re looking for bars and nightlife, you can’t go wrong in West Hollywood. If you want a laid back vacation and to spend time by the ocean, Santa Monica is the way to go.  

With such diverse neighborhoods, LA is a city that caters to everyone. Read on to learn about the best things to do while in Los Angeles.

Book a Photoshoot

Whether you’re coming to LA to celebrate a milestone or just for fun, one of the best ways to explore some of LA’s most scenic locations is to book a photoshoot in the Santa Monica Mountains, one one of Malibu’s pristine beaches, or one of LA’s iconic landmarks, like The Observatory. Sunny weather nearly year around, makes LA the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot. 

I would recommend reaching out to a photographer a couple months in advance of your shoot as many are booked even up to a year in advance and scheduling your session for sunrise or sunset (12-2 has the harshest light and is not ideal unless there’s shade at your location)  to get the most beautiful pictures that you can look back on forever.

Dine in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood

For ambiance and a romantic date night, look no further than Beverly Hills or West Hollywood. Two you can’t go wrong with are Republique and The Little Door. The most popular restaurants in these areas book fast, so making a reservation 2 weeks or more in advanced is key. West Hollywood is also one of the best spots in LA to go out for drinks or bar hopping. If you’re looking for more options that just opened in 2021, check out Time Out’s article here.

Go for a Hike in Malibu

Los Leones is a 3-4.5 mile out and back hike. Expect epic ocean views throughout. Make sure to lock up any valuables in your trunk out of sight, which goes for all of LA. Parking is free and you’d be hard pressed to find a hike with a better view. If you’re not staying on the west side, there are plenty of options all around LA, check out All Trails to find another hike close to you.

Explore Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens

Upon entering the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in San Marino you are transported to a tropical oasis. A one of a kind destination where art, history, and natural beauty intersect - the 16 themed gardens boast 27,000 different kinds of plants. You could spend an entire day taking in the culturally diverse gardens inspired by Japan, Australia, Greece, the desert, the jungle, and Shakespeare – just to name a few. Curl up in the grass with a book, get a glass of wine from their Cafe, or peruse the wonderful works of art in the museum. Learn more about the gardens and buy your tickets here. 

See a Show

Music plays an integral role in defining LA’s past and present and you won’t want to miss out on seeing a show while you’re in town. Some of the best venues to see top artists are The Greek Theater, Crypto Arena (formally known as the Staples Center), and the Hollywood Bowl. El Rey Theatre is an art deco wonder and intimate setting to see up and coming artists. If you’re visiting during the summer and are a fan of house and electronic, don’t miss Day Trip Festival.

Visit The Getty

The Getty has it all: from sweeping views of Los Angeles, art ranging from the middle ages to modern day, sleek architectural elements, and a number of unique garden paths to get lost in. To find out more about free admission, directions and reservations click here.

Stargaze at Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory is currently open Friday - Sunday only, but you can still visit the grounds any day of the week. Whether you want to peek at the moon from the 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope or just walk around the iconic Art Deco building, Griffith Observatory is beloved by locals and tourists alike. Admission to this star attraction is free, but parking will cost you $8 an hour. Learn more about visiting the observatory here.

Stroll Abbot Kinney and the Venice Canals

One of the trendiest streets in Los Angeles and beloved by locals and tourists alike, Abbot Kinney is the perfect street to window shop, grab a glass of wine or coffee and stroll around. Indulge your sweet tooth at Salt & Straw, which has all the classics and a wide variety of unique  flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Less than a mile away are the Venice Canals, where beach bungalow dreams are made of. This neighborhood gem will make you feel like you’re in a miniature version of Italy meets Southern California. From there it’s just a 5 minute walk to the beach.

Go for a bike ride in Manhattan Beach

Not to be missed if you stay on the west side, is Manhattan Beach, one of the most quintessential beach side towns in Southern California. The bike path from Venice to Santa Monica is always packed, but just as beautiful is the less traveled path from Marina del Rey to Manhattan Beach. If you don’t have your own bikes, you can park your car at Fishermen’s Village and rent one from Daniel’s Bicycle Rentals & Sales. You’ll bike down Fiji Way less than 2 minutes, when you see the traffic circle you’ll go towards the left to connect with the Marvin Braude Bike Trail. To Manhattan Beach it’s a little under 10 miles, but the path is so scenic you’ll hardly notice the distance. There are also plenty of places to stop and enjoy the beach along the way. 

Best Beaches for a Photoshoot in San Francisco

When you think of beautiful California beaches your mind may gravitate towards sunny Southern California locations like Malibu, Laguna Beach, and San Diego. These beaches will never disappoint, however San Francisco is arguably one of the most photogenic cities in the world. The architecture of the Golden Gate bridge, the coves, the windswept cypress trees, and historical landmarks make this city a go to for photographers.

From a photography standpoint you can’t go wrong in San Francisco for a beach photoshoot. There are, however, some key tips to keep in mind so that you have a good time while doing so. San Francisco is typically cloudy although the city has been having amazing weather in 2021. September is usually the warmest month to shoot, but anytime of year it’s a good idea to bring layers, like pea coats,  knits, and boots, which will add an editorial feel to your photographs. 

Beaches also tend to be windy, especially in San Francisco. Most photographers are unanimous: wind makes for stunning images, but it’s way more enjoyable if you’re wearing the right outfit and not freezing. Maximize the natural elements by wearing an outfit with movement: like a long flowy dress with a cool pair of rain boots and a tan colored trench coat on top.

Time of day is also key. Sunrise and sunset on weekdays are the best times to shoot in general. However, if the weather is cloudy on the day of your shoot you can get away shooting all the way from morning to 2-3 hours before sunset. If there is a break in the clouds towards sunset that can be an amazing time to shoot for portraits or landscapes. 

With all these tips in mind you’re bound to create amazing photographs, read on to explore some of the best beaches to shoot in (or near) San Francisco.

Sutro Baths + Lands End

Sutro Baths Address: 1004 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

Lands End Lookout Address: 680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

Best Time to Shoot: sunrise or sunset on weekdays. Sunrise on weekends.

Located on San Francisco’s coast, Sutro Baths and Lands End are some of the most iconic landmarks in the whole city, with good reason. Expect to see windswept cypress trees, panoramic views of the ocean, occasionally a pod of whales passing through, and the archeological remnants of what was the world’s largest indoor pool house. These two stunning locations are less than a 5 minute drive from each other.

Ocean Beach

Address: Point Lobos Ave, Great Hwy San Francisco, CA 94121

Best Time to Shoot: Sunrise or sunset on weekdays. Sunrise on weekends. September is typically the warmest month to shoot.

Ocean Beach offers a clean, modern, and minimalistic backdrop to any photoshoot. This 3.5 mile white sand beach spans the entire Sunset district of San Francisco. On a weekday, the stark expansiveness of the beach facing towards the pacific, with no highrises will take your breath away. This beach also features a section of beautiful long grass and small coastal dunes which make for amazing photos. 

Montara State Beach

Address: Corner Of Highway 1 Montara, CA 94037 (20 miles from San Francisco)

Best Time to Shoot: Sunrise or sunset on weekdays, you will basically have the beach to yourself. Make sure to check the weather as Pacifica, Montara, and Half Moon Bay tend to get more fog than San Francisco.

Montara is the beautiful beach featured in the post above. On a weekday, no matter whether it’s sunrise or sunset you’ll pretty much have the place to yourself. There are two parking lots for this location, one is by a restaurant and has porter potties, if the first lot is closed or you need to use a restroom. Rugged bluffs, pillow-like golden sand, and pink seaside daisies (also known as the magic carpet) grows typically from May-June in this stunning location. 

China Beach

Address: 490 Sea Cliff Ave San Francisco, CA 94121

Best Time to Shoot: Sunrise or sunset on weekdays. 

A small beach that packs a punch with a beautiful cove nestled into a Seacliff neighborhood. Dating back to the Gold Rush, China Beach was a campsite for Chinese fisherman who worked in and around SF bay, supplying fish and helping to establish one of the cities most important industries and traditions. Striking cliffs, a stairwell leading down to the beach, and beautiful rock formations make this beach stand out despite its size. W

Fort Cronkhite + Rodeo Beach

Address: Mitchell Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965

Best Time to Shoot: Sunrise or sunset on weekdays

Across the Golden Gate Bridge and situated in the Marin Headlands is Fort Conkhite and Rodeo Beach. This windswept location is made up of a crescent shaped sandbar between a large marshland lagoon and the Pacific. The beach is made up of dark hued pebbles and is walking distance to hiking trails, the lagoon and coastal bluffs. Make sure to bundle up for your photoshoot as it can be cold.

Kirby Cove

Address: Kirby Cove Rd Sausalito, CA 94965

Best Time to Shoot: Sunrise or Sunset, weekdays or weekends

The short 1.5 mile hike down to Kirby Cove is completely warranted when you get down to the most isolated view of the Golden Gate Bridge you could happen upon. Besides the towering view of the bridge you can also expect to see Monterry pines, cypress, eucalyptus trees, and colorful Lupine plants that dot the hillsides as you walk past the 5 overnight camping sites and picnic table. This beach features coarse, black sand and tends to be on the cooler side, but to have this view almost entirely to yourself makes the trek completely worth it.