Best Places To Take Your Holiday Photos In Los Angeles

The Rose Parade was originally an advertisement for Southern California. Why? Because if it's sunny on New Year's day, it's gotta be beautiful all year round. Of course, now with the region's huge population, it'd take more than an annual parade to make many of them go back home. The same principle applies to holiday photos, though. If you want to take particularly Los Angeles-centric holiday family pictures, for instance, you may just want to make the rest of the in-laws (and outlaws) more than a little jealous of our beautiful city. We have snow up in Big Bear, or options along the chilly ocean side near The Queen Mary. Southern California is filled with cool places to take holiday photos.

Disneyland
1313 S. Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92803-3232
(714) 781-4565
www.disneyland.disney.go.com

Disneyland's an iconic, SoCal destination. It's also a property with all kinds of different scenic backdrops. Not only will you get some great holiday shots, since the amusement park is decorated for the holidays already, but you can also have a fun day. That's a win-win.

Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.santamonicapier.org

There's nothing like the California beaches, and nothing says SoCal beaches like the pier in Santa Monica. There are rides. There's shopping. Oh yeah, and there's the beatific coast. It doesn't get any more beautiful than that. Heck, you might even want to have pictures taken in swimwear. Perhaps walking along the beach with Santa hats.

Chill at The Queen Mary
1126 Queens Highway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(877) 342-0738
www.queenmary.com

The theme this year is Alice In Wonderland. However, there will also be plenty of holiday-themed backdrops, too. Oh, and don't forget the huge ocean liner. You'll feel like you're about to set sail across the high seas while all the while getting great holiday pictures. See if your more literary friends pick up on the Alice references.

Related: LA’s Best Spots For Family Photos

Downtown Walking Tour of Los Angeles
800 N. Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 399-3820
www.dtlawalkingtours.com

With Union Station, skyscrapers and other downtown landmarks like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, this is a cool, urban spot to take pictures. They call Los Angeles a sprawling metropolis. And in some respects, it is. But, these pictures will make outsiders think you really do live in a real city. Los Angeles is truly a beautiful city at night.

Snow Summit Big Bear
880 Summit Boulevard
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(844) 462-2327
www.bigbearmountainresort.com
If you're looking to take some holiday photos that feature beautiful white snow in the background, Big Bear is close to L.A. proper and a perfect idea. You can take the short drive up to Big Bear, but don't forget the snow chains! Then, find some places with great snow in the background and show your relatives in the Northeast that California has the best of both worlds!

Related: Best Photo Opportunity Spots In Los Angeles

By Dan MacIntosh