Fall in Los Angeles: Best places to take photos!
Playing around at Union Station in DTLA!
The Hidden Swing in Elysian Park
Twirling through the Last Bookstore!
Can you believe we made it to November already? Now that Halloween and the spooky season are officially over, we can finally kick off the holiday season with some of my favorite places to visit in LA. These locations aren’t just any typical destination, they are the perfect place to experience what fall in LA has to offer and one of them is hard to find! From the lookout up at the Elysian Park swing to the historical Union Station in Downtown LA, there is plenty to see and do right before your eyes in this great metropolis. Not to mention, LA has some of the best weather in the fall so it’s the perfect time to spend outdoors. I have listed below my top three secret locations to check out before the turkey goes on the table…
The Hidden Swing
Elysian Park is one of the largest parks in LA with over 600 acres and neighbors Dodgers Stadium. Located in central Los Angeles, overlooking the 101 freeway, this park has a hidden swing that many have searched to find since it’s one of the most unique experiences the city has to offer. You can find the swing at the top of the park, at the intersection of Angels Point Drive and Park Row Drive. It’s important to wear sturdy shoes because you have to hike up 0.3 miles uphill to get to the lookout. It’s a great little path that is perfect if you want to get a little exercise. After making it to the top, you get a stellar view of some of the valley and a great vantage point of DTLA. I went early (9am) on a Sunday morning which turned out to be an awesome time to go because we were the only ones there. We were able to take our time snapping photos and took some incredible shots of the beautiful city on a picturesque day. There is no specific address for the swing as long as you google Angels Point Road. From the 101 exit on Academy Road; the lookout is located right off the exit if you drive up the road. There is plenty of parking and the trailhead starts near the parking lot.
What a thrill! Swinging over the 101 freeway was wild.
Check out the view behind me!
THE LAST BOOKSTORE
I love the smell of old books. There is something romantic about stepping into an old bookstore and have the smell of classic novels permeate the room. One of my favorite places to visit during the fall in LA is “The Last Bookstore”. Located on the corner of 5th and Spring Street in DTLA, this is the largest new and used bookstore in California. They carry over 250,000 books on two floors and they also sell old records, which is just a bonus to this amazing labyrinth of a store. The store also boasts a yarn shop and art gallery viewing area that circles the entire property. What a treat for everyone! If you love to peruse through aisles of some of the greatest love stories of history, check this place out. There’s nothing more amazing in the fall than cozying up to an old, classic book.
*Hours: Mondays-Closed
Tuesday-Sunday: Open 10am-10pm
Cozying up to a book in the Last Bookstore!
How cool is this window formation made of books!?
I could sit here all day!
Union Station
All aboard the Pacific Surfliner up to Santa Barbara for the day! One of my favorite activities to do during the fall is take weekend trips up the coast to Santa Barbara, Goleta, or even San Luis Obispo! Sometimes a girl needs a break from the big bad city. It is particularly nice during the fall because as you head into the central coast, the scenery and weather changes and the temperatures become noticeably cooler. Anywhere I can go without the use of a vehicle is always a plus, especially living in a city and state where the traffic is always a deciding factor. Union Station is a great place not only to pick up a train but to visit as well. The station itself has a long history and the building itself is a work of art from another era. It’s such a beautiful place to photograph and spend the day in!
