summer Archives - Fine Art photography, fine art photo prints, canvas, wall art, macro photography, Spain https://elenaphotoart.com/tag/summer/ Fine Art photography, macro, black and white, photo prints Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:52:54 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://elenaphotoart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cropped-icon-main-32x32.jpg summer Archives - Fine Art photography, fine art photo prints, canvas, wall art, macro photography, Spain https://elenaphotoart.com/tag/summer/ 32 32 228520407 Summer trip and places to visit in LA California https://elenaphotoart.com/summer-trip-and-places-to-visit-in-la-california/ https://elenaphotoart.com/summer-trip-and-places-to-visit-in-la-california/#respond Mon, 29 Jul 2024 13:32:06 +0000 https://elenaphotoart.com/?p=6263 Visiting Los Angeles, California, was one of my childhood dreams. Growing up in a distant country where many things were limited, including dreaming big, made LA especially alluring. The freedom to be who you want and create without restrictions was always in my mind when I thought about California and LA. Maybe it was the […]

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Visiting Los Angeles, California, was one of my childhood dreams. Growing up in a distant country where many things were limited, including dreaming big, made LA especially alluring. The freedom to be who you want and create without restrictions was always in my mind when I thought about California and LA. Maybe it was the stark difference from my hometown or the allure of Hollywood’s entertainment industry, but life always seemed more interesting there. Does that make people happier? That’s a philosophical question that could take hundreds of pages to discuss. For now, I can say that traveling to Los Angeles made me happy because there’s a certain magic in seeing a childhood dream come true.

traveling to la california

For my anniversary, my husband organized a summer trip to Los Angeles, California. I love celebrating my birthdays by traveling, exploring new cities, taking photos, and satisfying my curiosity with myriad questions. That year was no exception. I travel to wonder and feel amused, to get inspired by new surroundings and different lifestyles, and to remind myself of the kaleidoscopic beauty found in nature, cultures, architecture, art, and food.

We departed from Atlanta International Airport and, in four hours, landed at LAX. After renting a car from Hertz, we headed straight to our hotel, The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, located downtown. This hotel is famous for being a filming location for many Hollywood movies, including Interstellar, Rain Man, Blade Runner, and True Lies. We stayed on the 27th floor, enjoying a view of skyscrapers and distant mountains with the iconic Hollywood sign.

paper plane on grass photo
Westin Bonaventure Hotel Suites
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites
day view from Westin Bonaventure Hotel Suites
view from Westin Bonaventure Hotel Suites
The view from the room during sunset.

Love videos? Here is the vlog about my summer trip to Los Angeles.  

Things to do in downtown LA

After we checked in, my husband stayed at the hotel while I explored the nearby area and took photos. Although downtown Los Angeles is not as much of a tourist destination compared to New York, I enjoyed it, especially the tall buildings. I find them particularly attractive and interesting subjects for photography.

tall buildings downtown la california
aesthetic images los angeles california
art on streets of la california images
reflections in skyscrapers los angeles
robert graham source figure los angeles
Robert Graham "Source figure" 1992, bronze
los angeles scupltures downtown
professional photos los angeles california

At the end of my walk, I visited the Los Angeles Central Library. As a book and library lover, I couldn’t miss this one. Inside, it’s well-organized, and on the second floor, there’s an impressive mural on the walls and ceiling. Artistic elements are everywhere throughout the library.

central library los angeles
The historic Central Library Goodhue building. It was constructed in 1925 and is a Downtown Los Angeles landmark. It was designed by the architect Bertram Goodhue. Goodhue designed the original Los Angeles Central Library with influences of ancient Egyptian and Mediterranean Revival architecture.
central library downtown los angeles images
central library in los angeles
central library downtown la california
The focal point of the library is the Rotunda. The walls feature murals depicting California history
central library california los angeles
sculpture central library los angeles
Sphinxes at the Central Library
inside the central library downtown la california
Three massive, sculptural chandeliers created by artist Therman Statom. The chandeliers represent nature, science and the arts.
central library downtown los angeles photos

Things to do in downtown LA:

  • Visit Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Explore the modern art museum The Broad 
  • Hungry? Stop at Grand Central Market
  • Walk through the Bradbury Building 
  • Enjoy Broadway musicals at the Music Center 
  • Relax and have a snack at Grand Park 
  • Experience a funicular ride at Angels Flight 
  • Visit the downtown Arts District 
  • Love reading? Stop by The Last Bookstore and Los Angeles Central Library
  • For music fans, Grammy Museum
greenery and parks downtown la california

Downtown LA is not only about tall buildings and cars but also about greenery, flowers, and parks.

flower pots downtown los angeles california
walking downtown la california
purple tree streets los angeles
Jacarandas, with their beautiful blossoms in a distinctive purple color, and in the 1920s and ’30s they were planted extensively in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.
los angeles street art
I liked this drawing  painted on an electric box. 
city hall los angeles california
I love to walk, and when I travel to a new place, I mainly explore on foot. This way, I can notice details I might otherwise miss. These details add something special to the character of a town.
grand park los angeles
Grand Park
joy sign on los angeles streets
The word "Joy" got my attention because it's one of the symbols of the "Fine Art Lifestyle"
little libraries in los angeles
Little libraries. The main idea is simple, put one book and take one, sort of an exchange of books.

Taking photos, recording videos, and slowly wandering around, I found myself in a park near City Hall with a courtyard of historical flags that looked very impressive. After that, I visited Grand Park, just a few minutes away, enjoyed a strawberry Frappuccino at Starbucks, and continued exploring Los Angeles.

One of the first things I noticed while walking around the streets of LA was the contrast to New York; there were only a few people walking around, unlike New York, which is always buzzing with active walkers.

pink tables chairs park los angeles

Walt Disney Concert Hall

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of my favorite buildings from my six days in Los Angeles. Designed by Frank Gehry and opened in 2003, it is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, showcasing the best in classical, contemporary, and world music. It’s also one of the most acoustically sophisticated concert halls in the world and is considered an international landmark. As a first-time tourist in LA, I appreciated the stunning views of the surrounding area from several points within the building.

walt disney concert hall los angeles
walt disney concert hall los angeles photo
The building consists of multiple materials, including 165,000 square feet of stainless steel metal panel system, metal studs and exterior plaster, glazed curtain wall, and pre-cast concrete.
we believe in arts loa angeles walt disney concert hall
photo in LA
sculpture behind fountain behind walt disney concert hall los angeles
A fountain "A Rose for Lilly" designed by Frank Gehry is located in the Blue Ribbon Garden. The fountain is shaped from fragments of Royal Blue Delft porcelain vases and tiles.
view from walt disney concert hall
The view of the street from the top of The Walt Disney Concert hall
peace on earth sculpture los angeles
Designed by Jacques Lipchitz and installed in 1969, the 30-foot "Peace on Earth" bronze sculpture depicts a dove descending to Earth as a spirit of peace.

Later that day, while walking back to the hotel, I saw a bronze sculpture called “Peace on Earth.” It stands near the Ahmanson Theatre, whose entrance is adorned with a fountain—a nice, refreshing spot in the hot climate of LA.

ahmanson theatre los angeles
Ahmanson Theatre

Griffith Observatory is one more place to visit in LA

Griffith Observatory is another beautiful place to visit in LA. It’s one of the spots in Los Angeles where you can see the Hollywood sign. Although we didn’t go inside, we enjoyed walking around, looking at the various installations, and recalling the names of famous scientists associated with astronomy.

Opened in May 1935, Griffith Observatory offers free admission to the grounds and the main building. They also offer free telescope viewing, which starts around 7 PM when the weather permits. The observatory is a popular location for commercials and has been featured in several Hollywood movies, including the James Dean film “Rebel Without a Cause.”

Griffith Observatory is open:

  • Tuesday-Friday: 12 PM – 10 PM
  • Saturday-Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
  • Monday: Closed
griffith observatory photos
griffith observatory view los angeles
walk path at park at griffith observatory
overview of la from griffith observatory
griffith observatory entrance tickets
blogger and traveller photos elena sullivan
In front of the bronze sculpture "Wings of Mexico" Created by Mexican sculptor Jorge Marin, the human-scale wings are a gift from Mexico City to the City of Los Angeles.
hollywood sign griffith observatory
This is one of the spots in Los Angeles where you can see the Hollywood sign.
viewing platform at griffith observatory

Santa Monica Pier

Later that day, we drove to Santa Monica Pier, one of the most iconic tourist spots near LA. It’s crowded and noisy but also fun to walk around, enjoy people-watching, and observe the local life.

Santa Monica Pier, considered a historic landmark, first opened to the public in September 1909 as the first concrete pier on the West Coast. It quickly gained popularity among fishing enthusiasts. The pier is made up of two adjoining piers that originally had separate owners.

 Today, it features a small amusement park, concession stands, and areas for scenic views and fishing. The entrance is free.

photo santa monica pier
beach at santa monica pier
elena sullivan santa monica pier
santa monica pier pacific park
santa monica califonia
santa monica pier general view
restaurants santa minica pier
fishing in santa monica pier
Do you like fishing?
lifestyle photos santa monica pier
The stairs - a great place to relax 🙂
ocean view santa monica pier
can you swim santa monica pier
Refreshing after a long day of exploring LA.

Gorgeous tall palm trees are one of the symbols of California. I loved observing and taking photos of them, especially on a sunset with a soft, warm light.

palm trees la California
palm trees california
elena sullivan blog fine art lifestyle in LA

One day during our trip to Los Angeles, we stopped by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). As we walked around, listening to my husband’s stories about his student years in California, I felt a deeper connection to the local lifestyle.

university of california photos
university california southern
USC california images
Powell Library is the main college undergraduate library on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Powell Library is also known as the College Library. It was constructed from 1926 to 1929.

One week was enough to enjoy Los Angeles and visit The Huntington Library, Getty Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena. After a wonderful trip like this, it’s always nice to return home. I love traveling; it’s entertaining and has been important for my personal growth. It becomes even better when you have a place you call home and can appreciate its beauty.

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All images in this article were taken by Elena Sullivan, ArsVie Photo Studio and are protected by copyright. If you are interested in using any of the them, please contact me for permission. Thank you for understanding!

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