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Los Angeles, California

Looking for the best photography in Los Angeles? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Los Angeles. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Photography Spots in and near Los Angeles

  • Los Angeles, California

    Parker Mesa Overlook via Paseo Miramar

    4.2
    5.32 mi / 1099 ft gain
    This 5.4-mile out-and back trail takes off from the end of the residential area of Paseo Miramar. Once you hike a little less than a quarter mile in, you'll connect with Los Liones Canyon Trail. Continue on Paseo Miramar Trail, which in another 2.5 miles, will connect you with the Parker Mesa Ove...
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  • Los Angeles County, California

    Trail Canyon Falls

    4.0
    4.56 mi / 1017 ft gain
    To get to the trail, take Big Tujunga Canyon Road until you see signs for Trail Canyon Road. The entry point is easy to miss, but keep an eye out for a stop sign and cars parked at the bottom of a dirt path. Drive up the dirt path for direct parking at the trailhead (4x4 is definitely recommended...
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  • Malibu, California

    Ratner Beach

    4.5
    Unlike most beaches in Los Angeles, this tiny little stretch of beach is usually empty, and is a little gem! It is the perfect place to get an unobstructed view of the sunset, and the sticks in the ground make for a picturesque sunset picture! Just be warned, this beach is right on PCH, so expect...
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  • Los Angeles, California

    Santa Ynez Falls

    3.5
    2.25 mi / 243 ft gain
    The Santa Ynez Canyon Trail is located 10 minutes away from the beach providing you the opportunity to do this hike early in the morning and spend the rest of the day hanging out at the beach. To get to the trailhead, take Vereda de la Montura Road until you reach the private residential area (th...
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  • Palmdale, California

    Hike to Vetter Mountain and the Fire Lookout Tower

    2.8 mi / 550 ft gain
    If you're looking for an easy mountain to hike, and perhaps give the kids something interesting to learn about at the top, then Vetter Mountain may fit the bill.  At 5,908', and with a trailhead at about 5,350', this 1.4 mile (one way) hike only climbs about 550' vertical.   The trailhead is loca...
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  • Los Angeles, California

    Hike to Vanalden Vista

    2 mi / 300 ft gain
    To get to the trailhead take Vanalden Ave until it dead ends. Follow the trail at the end of the road as it winds up into the mountains and to the left. You can easily find the trail on Google Maps, so you can use this as a guide. The trail will fork to the left after half a mile. The trail, Vana...
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  • Topanga, California

    Eagle Rock in Topanga State Park

    4.4
    5.99 mi / 1106 ft gain
    Eagle Rock is located in Topanga State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains, and it is a unique formation that provides an amazing panoramic view of Santa Monica. On a clear day, the Catalina Islands and Palos Verdes Peninsula are visible. You can park on along the street of Entrada Rd. or pay $10 ...
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  • Topanga, California

    Parker Mesa Overlook via Trippet Ranch

    4.0
    6.75 mi / 1181 ft gain
    This is a 6.8 mile round-trip hike that starts at Trippet Ranch in Topanga Canyon. Even though the range in elevation is 400 feet from peak to trough, the up and down trail totals to approximately 1800 feet elevation gain making this a beginner to intermediate adventure.  The trail itself is pre...
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  • La Verne, California

    Marshall Canyon Trail

    4.0
    5.99 mi / 722 ft gain
    For this adventure you can choose to start in a multiple of places; for the easiest parking use Oak Mesa Park located next to Oak Mesa Elementary School. From the parking lot cross the soccer field towards the bridge on the north east end of the school. Once across the bridge follow Los Robles ea...
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  • San Fernando, California

    Pacoima Park Natural Wash Park

    0.54 mi / 13 ft gain
    Pacoima Park Natural Wash Park makes for a wonderful & pleasant walk. The entrance to the park is located at the corner of Newton St and 8th St and runs up to Foothill Blvd in San Fernando California. The park is ADA accessible and allows for dogs on leash. There are also picnic tables and dr...
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  • Ladera Ranch, California

    Huntington Beach Pier

    4.6
    The Huntington Beach Pier is a great spot for a multitude of activities. If you're looking to bodysurf, surf, swim, jog, or just chill, this is the spot for you. There's plenty of a restaurants nearby, making it the perfect weekday/weekend getaway.  I frequent this location to shoot sunsets by t...
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  • Topanga, California

    The Labyrinth at Tuna Canyon Park

    1.45 mi / 299 ft gain
    This is a simple but steep 2.4 mile round-trip hike to a clearing on a mountaintop in Topanga/Malibu, about an hour's drive west of downtown LA. At the end of the hike you'll reach a clearing with incredible views. On a cloudy or foggy day, it feels like you're floating above the clouds; on a cle...
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  • Pearblossom, California

    Camp at Horse Flats Campground

    3.0
    The Horse Flats Campground is located 29 miles up Highway 2 from Interstate 210. You will turn left at the Santa Clara Divide Road(this intersection is also known as 3 Points). 3 miles down the road you will turn left to enter the campground. I have camped here a few times and its always been pre...
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  • Topanga, California

    Top of Topanga Overlook

    1 mi / 1613 ft gain
    The Top of Topanga Overlook is where you can simply park your car, and sit in one of the benches to view the San Fernando Valley. But there is one hiking trail in that area which lets you get better vantage points, as well as a quick workout. Once you get to the overlook, park your car and safel...
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  • Topanga, California

    Calabasas Peak Motorway

    7.23 mi / 1565 ft gain
    Getting There You can, from Los Angeles, go one of three ways: take I-405 to US-101 and head west, or from downtown, take US-101 the whole way, OR, get on I-10 from the Westside or east of there and take that until it becomes PCH, then take that to Topanga Canyon (turn left onto Old Topanga Cany...
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  • Pearblossom, California

    Snowshoe Buckhorn Ridge Trail

    2.5 mi / 700 ft gain
    Located 1 mile east of the Mt Waterman Ski Resort, Buckhorn Ski Hill is a great place to enjoy a leisurely stroll through a snow-covered forest, complete with views of towering Mt Waterman. To get here take I-210 toward La Canada, exit on to California Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) heading no...
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