A Guide to LA Photoshoot Locations

A working map of 30+ photoshoot locations across LA County. Beaches in Malibu and Palos Verdes, gardens and historic ranches in Long Beach, urban spots in DTLA and Pasadena, and wild backdrops at Malibu Creek and Vasquez Rocks. Sorted by type with maps.

Permit disclaimer: Requirements, fees, and access rules change frequently. Treat this page as a starting point, not a definitive source. Always verify current permit requirements directly with each location before any commercial shoot. Don't rely on this site as your final word on permitting.

Beaches

El Matador State Beach (Malibu)
Sea caves, towering rock formations, and dramatic sandstone bluffs make this the most cinematic beach on the coast. Best shot at low tide near sunset, when the light rakes through the rocks. Gets crowded and requires a permit for commercial work, so plan an early or weekday session.
Address: 32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Website:parks.ca.gov

Malaga Cove (Palos Verdes Estates)
A quieter Palos Verdes beach with tide pools, bluffs, and a softer, more intimate feel than the Malibu coast. Good for couples who want ocean without the crowds. Afternoon light wraps nicely off the water here.
Address: Below Malaga Cove Plaza, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274 (access via Via Almar)
Website: No official site

Terranea Beach (Rancho Palos Verdes)
A small cove below the Terranea Resort with rugged rocks and clear water. The walk down keeps foot traffic lower. Pairs well with the surrounding bluff trails for a varied session in one stop.
Address: 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website:terranea.com

Parks & Gardens

Cerritos Sculpture Garden (Cerritos)
Manicured grounds with sculptures and clean landscaping that reads upscale and modern. A tidy option for family and portrait work on the east side.
Address: 18125 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos, CA 90703
Website:cerritos.gov

Cerritos Heritage Park (Cerritos)
Open green space with bridges, water features, and varied backdrops in a compact footprint. Versatile for families who want options without much walking.
Address: 18600 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos, CA 90703
Website:cerritos.gov

Del Cerro Park (Rancho Palos Verdes)
Hilltop park opening onto sweeping ocean and canyon views, with trailheads right at the edge. Excellent for golden-hour silhouettes and wide, airy backdrops.
Address: 2 Park Pl, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website:rpvca.gov

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden (Long Beach, CSULB)
A serene Japanese garden with a koi pond, bridges, and structured greenery. Reservation and fees apply for photography, but the controlled setting delivers a refined, timeless look ideal for couples.
Address: 1250 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840
Website:csulb.edu/japanese-garden

El Dorado East Regional Park (Long Beach)
A large regional park with lakes, woodland trails, and open meadows that feel surprisingly wild for the city. Strong variety for family and couple sessions, with a vehicle entry fee. Best in the late afternoon when light filters through the trees.
Address: 7550 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90815
Website:longbeach.gov

Founders Park (Rancho Palos Verdes)
Bluff-top park with ocean panoramas and clean, open lawn. Strong sunset location with uncluttered backgrounds.
Address: 1 Trump National Dr, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website:rpvca.gov

Greystone Mansion & Gardens (Beverly Hills)
The 1928 Doheny Estate, a Tudor Revival mansion set on terraced gardens with stone staircases, fountains, and sweeping city views. One of the most refined estate backdrops in LA. Permit required for all commercial photography, with significant fees, so plan and budget ahead.
Address: 905 Loma Vista Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Website:beverlyhills.org/greystone

Hilltop Park (Signal Hill)
Elevated park with some of the widest skyline and harbor views in the area. Excellent for golden-hour cityscape backdrops and engagement sessions.
Address: 2351 Dawson Ave, Signal Hill, CA 90755
Website:cityofsignalhill.org

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden (Arcadia)
127 acres of diverse gardens, historic structures, and even resident peacocks. Enormous backdrop variety in one location. Permit and photography fees apply, but few spots offer this range.
Address: 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Website:arboretum.org

Orcutt Ranch (West Hills)
A historic ranch with rose gardens, citrus groves, and rustic adobe architecture. A favorite for warm, editorial sessions with a relaxed Southern California feel.
Address: 23600 Roscoe Blvd, West Hills, CA 91304
Website:laparks.org/horticulture/orcutt-ranch

Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens (Long Beach)
Historic gardens and ranch buildings with mature landscaping and old-California character. Quiet and structured, well suited to timeless portrait work.
Address: 6400 E Bixby Hill Rd, Long Beach, CA 90815
Website:rancholosalamitos.com

Rancho Los Cerritos (Long Beach)
An 1844 adobe with shaded gardens and historic architecture. The mix of greenery and aged structures gives a layered, storybook backdrop close to home.
Address: 4600 Virginia Rd, Long Beach, CA 90807
Website:rancholoscerritos.org

White Point Park (San Pedro)
Coastal bluff park with ocean views, open meadow, and rocky shoreline access nearby. Flexible for both wide landscape framing and tighter portrait setups.
Address: 1600 W Paseo del Mar, San Pedro, CA 90731
Website:laparks.org

Urban

Arts District (Downtown Los Angeles)
Murals, brick warehouses, and industrial texture throughout the neighborhood. The go-to for editorial and urban-edge sessions. Street parking and changing murals mean it rewards scouting before a shoot.
Address: Neighborhood roughly bounded by 1st St, Alameda St, 7th St, and the LA River, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Website: No official site

Grand Park (Downtown Los Angeles)
A 12-acre civic park running from LA City Hall up to the Music Center, with pink-painted benches, the historic Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain, and skyline views in every direction. A flexible downtown backdrop that mixes greenery with civic architecture, ideal for couples and editorial sessions with a city feel.
Address: 200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Website:grandparkla.org

Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (Long Beach)
Modern architecture, clean lines, and bold geometry. A reliable urban backdrop for contemporary portrait and couple work downtown.
Address: 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
Website:longbeachcc.com

Málaga Cove Plaza (Palos Verdes Estates)
A historic Spanish Colonial shopping arcade with arched walkways, tiled fountains, and Mediterranean detail. A refined, architectural backdrop that pairs naturally with a session down at Malaga Cove beach below.
Address: Palos Verdes Dr W at Via Corta, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Website: No official site

Pasadena City Hall (Pasadena)
Grand Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with a domed courtyard and arches. One of the most elegant structural backdrops in the region, and a perennial favorite for formal portraits.
Address: 100 N Garfield Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Website:cityofpasadena.net

Point Fermin Lighthouse (San Pedro)
A Victorian-era lighthouse set in a coastal park with manicured grounds. Charming architectural detail paired with ocean backdrops.
Address: 807 W Paseo del Mar, San Pedro, CA 90731
Website:pointferminlighthouse.org

Shoreline Village (Long Beach)
Waterfront boardwalk with colorful storefronts, marina views, and a relaxed coastal-town feel. Good for lively, candid family and couple sessions.
Address: 419 Shoreline Dr, Long Beach, CA 90802
Website:shorelinevillage.com

Sunken City (San Pedro)
A dramatic collapsed coastal area of broken slabs and graffiti perched over the ocean. High visual impact for edgy, editorial work. Access is restricted and the terrain is uneven, so scout carefully and prioritize safety.
Address: End of W Paseo del Mar at S Pacific Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731
Website: No official site (access restricted)

Waterfront & Piers

Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier (Long Beach)
A long, clean pier with open water and skyline views. Strong leading lines and uncluttered space for couple and portrait sessions close to home.
Address: 35 39th Pl, Long Beach, CA 90803
Website:longbeach.gov

Hermosa Beach Pier (Hermosa Beach)
A classic South Bay pier with a wide promenade and beach-town energy. Best at sunset when the light comes off the water down the pier.
Address: 1 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Website:hermosabeach.gov

Naples (Long Beach)
Canal-lined island neighborhood with footbridges, waterfront walkways, and Italian-inspired charm. A picturesque, unhurried backdrop for engagement and couple sessions.
Address: Naples Island, Long Beach, CA 90803 (neighborhood)
Website: No official site

Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica)
The iconic pier with the Ferris wheel, beach, and ocean backdrop. Vibrant and instantly recognizable. Very busy, so early morning gives the cleanest frames and softest light.
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Website:santamonicapier.org

Wilderness Areas

Blufftop Trail (Palos Verdes Estates)
Coastal clifftop trail with rugged shoreline below and open ocean views. Rougher and more natural than a manicured park, ideal for windswept, editorial couple sessions.
Address: Bluff Cove area, Paseo del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274 (informal trailhead access)
Website: No official site

Calamigos Ranch (Malibu)
A private ranch and event venue set in the Malibu hills with oak groves, meadows, and rustic structures. [Private venue, not public wilderness. Booking and access fees apply.]
Address: 327 Latigo Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265
Website:calamigos.com

Malibu Creek State Park (Calabasas / Malibu)
Oak savanna, volcanic rock pools, and rolling hills with a wild, cinematic character (long a film-industry backdrop). Permit and entry fees apply for commercial shoots. Worth it for sweeping natural sessions away from the coast.
Address: 1925 Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302
Website:parks.ca.gov

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area (Agua Dulce)
Striking tilted rock formations that read otherworldly (another heavy film-location favorite). A permit is required for commercial work. Best in early morning or late afternoon when the angled light defines the rock faces.
Address: 10700 W Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91390
Website:parks.lacounty.gov