Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Here's Where To Snap A Pic Of The Snowy San Gabriels Without Having To Hike Mt. Baldy
A view from the Rose Bowl
(
Courtesy Jacqueline Buchanan
)
Thanks to the recent wet weather, the San Gabriel Mountains are bringing their A-game, view-wise. Snow-capped, almost purple at dusk, the very picture of what we live in Southern California.
So the obvious question is, where do you go to get the best photos of these picture-perfect vistas? The 'gram awaits your genius. You’re not going to scale Mt. Baldy, of course — none of us are. (Okay, maybe a few of us are. Godspeed. But maybe hold off a little while unless you're an expert — and even then, please be careful.)
Here’s how you can snap a great pic without sacrificing life and limb.
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Also known as the Culver City Stairs, this spot will give you a stunning view of just about any place in Los Angeles. It’s the furthest from the San Gabriels of any place on this list, but no less majestic. You just have to get up the 282 steps first (you can do it!).
Support for LAist comes from
The Baldwin Hills Overlook Hike, or the Culver City Stairs as some call the hike, rewards your efforts with a stunning 360 degree view of Los Angeles.
(
Chava Sanchez
/
LAist
)
The Observation Deck at L.A. City Hall
Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the observation deck provides a 365-degree view of the city, including the mountains. It’s free for visitors and accessible by elevator, with one flight of stairs leading from the 26th to 27th floors. The deck is on the 27th floor.
Griffith Park Observatory
Accessible by trail, you can grab some great pics even before you get to the observatory, located at the top of a hill in Griffith Park. Check here for hiking trails that lead to the grounds. While the observatory itself is open limited hours, the grounds from which you can see the San Gabriels are usually open all hours.
Support for LAist comes from
Santa Anita Park
The mountains are always visible behind the track at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
If you're the type of photographer who likes a beautiful piece of foliage in your foreground, this is your spot. Stroll around the grounds and grab pictures with architectural wonders/flowers/trees, with the stunning mountain range in the back.
N. Raymond St. Pasadena
(
Megan Larson
/
LAist
)
The Colorado Street Bridge
Let's be honest, the Colorado Street Bridge is just cool. But it also provides a nice vantage point (as long as you're not holding up traffic!) from which to snap a pic.
Support for LAist comes from
With that said, pretty much any flat street in Pasadena will afford you a decent-to-stunning view, like this one from N. Raymond Street.
A Rooftop Bar in Hollywood
What’s that? You needed an excuse to go to a rooftop bar in Hollywood anyway? Oh, you’re welcome! A couple with great views of the mountains to the east are:
Bar Lis
The Highlight Room
Support for LAist comes from
Happy photographing! And if you post to Instagram, tag us @laistpics.
And we'll leave you with this serene shot taken Monday in the mountains by our colleague Lance Harper.
A view toward snow east of Sulphur Mountain Peak Monday.
(
Lance Harper
/
LAist
)
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist