Venice Beach's Most Instagrammable Spots

The colorful characters, picture-perfect sunsets, and endless sandy beaches make Venice, California a hot-bed for photographic opportunities.

The possibilities seem endless and the number of photo ops may become overwhelming. Whether growing outreach on social media or capturing an unforgettable moment with friends or family, these top Instagrammable spots in Venice, Los Angeles are the perfect backdrop to make your photos pop.

1. The Venice Beach Boardwalk

Natural Feature, Park

Shoppers walk and a young man skateboards down the sunny Venice Beach Boardwalk in Los Angeles, California.

This top-rated SoCal destination can make a picture-perfect moment seem effortless with a few tips. The tall thin palm trees, crystal-clear blue skies, and dramatic coastlines are a perfect backdrop to any moment on the boardwalk. The colorful characters, painters, and street performers offer an opportunity to get more creative with your subject matter or become part of the scene with a well-timed selfie. Make use of the change in outdoor lighting options as the day continues. The sun’s positioning and shadow will tell a story all its own, whether in the early morning, at noon overhead, midday towards the golden hour, and then, saving the best for last: the sunset.

2. Muscle Beach Venice

Gym

Over the years, famous bodybuilders, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu, have spent their golden years training at Venice’s Muscle Beach. Whether living for the sport of bodybuilding, promoting a fitness program, or documenting a dramatic before and after, this scene is ideal for any niche fitness Instagrammer. The outdoor gym offers natural lighting and a backdrop of sandy beaches. Take inspiration from the history found here and use the gathering crowds as an opportunity for exposure and to push the limits of fitness.

4. The Venice Skate Park

Skate Park

The Venice Skatepark is one of the only skate parks in the world located directly on the beach. With its many features, including one snake run, two bowls, and a section for street skating, the opportunity for impressive photography here is near limitless, with a bit of luck and good timing. Whether skating or shooting (or both), the later stages of the day into sunset hour adds a dramatic element of silhouettes and long shadows. For impressive action shots, take advantage of ocean views and big airs. Pro skaters, such as Shaun White and others, come to this notorious proving ground, so keep an active eye for a selfie with a pro.

5. Venice Canal Historic District

Bridge, Building, Natural Feature, Park

Venice, CA / USA - March 23, 2019: Small boats, homes, and a bridge crossing the water in the Venice Canal Historic District are shown during the day.

The Venice Canals are a serene haven with as much history as appeal. This classic Westside location offers a bit of retro California in an upscale setting. The ornate bridges and lush green sidewalks reflect well off the water below. There are a variety of birds and various wildlife, adding a natural atmosphere to this setting. Some of the highlights include a flamingo-shaped boat and a house made entirely of glass. With some imagination here, Insta-fans are sure to take notice and a few well-placed photos can easily increase your following.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.