While you may be planning a dream vacation to the city of dreams, Los Angeles, the city has so much more than Disneyland & Hollywood. For a truly unique vacation in the city, start by sliding into the sky from the observation deck of Oue Skyspace, experience a classical music concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, head to the Runyon Canyon Park and you may meet your celebrity crush hiking along with you, ride the Ferris Wheel at the Santa Monica pier, and satisfy your cravings for shopping at the Rodeo Drive.
Los Angeles is primarily known for its artistic expression, through big-budget filmmaking and small-screen television production. But there are a myriad of ways artists express themselves in this city. Street art is one way and many urban artists create some spectacular artwork with captivating results. Check out these best eye-catching art murals in Los Angeles.
Popular art festivals in Los Angeles
LA Art Show: Hailed as one of Los Angeles’ most famous celebration of art, LA Art Show exhibits a mix of modern and contemporary art, and the annual show is a must-visit for art lovers. According to NBC Los Angeles, the art show welcomed more than a hundred galleries in 2024, and each year it just gets bigger.
Frieze Los Angeles: This annual art show focuses mainly on contemporary art, and even though it’s a fairly recent addition to the cultural scene, it’s become immensely popular since its inception in 2019.
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1. The Pope of Broadway: Picture-perfect idol worship
What better tribute to acclaimed actor Anthony Quinn than to have the Academy Award-winner’s larger-than-life image depicted on the side of a brick building in downtown Los Angeles. The 70-foot-tall (21.3 meter) mural was done in Nova acrylic paint, by artist Eloy Torrez, in 1985.
The Pope of Broadway wonderfully captures the liveliness and largeness of Quinn’s personality. The actor’s pose is reminiscent of his role in the 1964 film Zorba the Greek. A dazzling view during the day, the Pope of Broadway radiates an even richer and more intense appearance at night, when lit by streetlights.
The Pope of Broadway
Address: 240 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Website: The Pope of Broadway
2. The Great Wall of LA: A colorful nod to history & diversity
The Great Wall of LA is an amazing piece of artistry and dedication. Running a half mile (.8 km) long, the Great Wall of LA is one of the longest murals in the world! A true Los Angeles cultural landmark, the mural depicts the history of the City of Angels and its diverse citizenry. The Great Wall of LA is also a monument to inter-racial harmony.
A group effort, to say the least, work on the Great Wall of LA began in 1974 by over 400 youth and their families and it was completed five summers later. Also contributing to the Great Wall of LA project were artists, oral historians, ethnologists, and scholars.
The Great Wall of LA
Address: Coldwater Canyon Ave between Oxnard Street & Burbank Blvd; 34.1792° N, 118.4145° W
Website: The Great Wall of LA
3. You Are The Star: Beguiling Hollywood charm
It’s no surprise to find a mural like Thomas Suriya’s You Are The Star in Los Angeles. The birthplace of Hollywood glamour, You Are The Star offers a celebration of movie stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, with an ironic twist. Rather than us looking at them, they are watching us.
The idea of silver screen legends as a movie theater audience is an intriguing one, as well as a fun piece of art to contemplate. Notice Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing up the aisle and Shirley Temple sitting on WC Fields’ lap, a man who notoriously portrayed characters with a distaste for children.
You Are The Star
Address: 1665-1669 Wilcox Ave. at Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Website: You Are The Star
4. Brandelli’s Brig: Classic, laid-back California feel
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Adorning the exterior wall of a local bar that was originally called Brandelli’s Brig, later shorten to the Brig, is the delightful mural of the same name. What makes the Brandelli’s Brig mural notable is its unique appearance: it’s an image of a mural inside a mural inside a mural. Painted in 1973 in latex, by California muralist Art Mortimer, the subject of the scene is Babe and Betty Brandelli, the bars’ proprietors at the time.
There’s so much to enjoy about this piece that exudes an easy California vibe and interesting details, such as, Mortimer painting himself painting the mural against the Brig’s wall. Playful, amusing, and fun is what Brandelli’s Brig is all about.
Brandelli’s Brig
Address: 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291
Website: Brandelli’s Brig
5. Technicolor Ooze: A gloriously messy sight
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Bold, colorful, and attention-grabbing is Jen Stark’s Technicolor Ooze. Taking an ordinary commercial building and turning it into something extraordinary, Technicolor Ooze’s artist Stark experiments on a large scale with her mural that uses a building’s exterior wall as her outdoor canvas.
With vibrant colors of blue, green, purple, red, orange, and yellow, in a drizzling and smearing style, along with black and white patches thrown in, Technicolor Ooze gives viewers who stumble upon it a great jolt of excitement.
Technicolor Ooze
Address: 8850 Washington Blvd, Culver City, California 90232
Website: Technicolor Ooze
6. Kaleidoscopic allure: Untitled by Eduardo Kobra
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Mural "olhar a Paz" Madre Tereza, Nelson Mandela , Mathin Luther King
Posted by Eduardo Kobra on Thursday, 19 September 2013
Created by Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra, Untitled is a striking, colorful mural, depicting American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. and South African anti-apartheid crusader Nelson Mandela. Untitled covers 4300 square feet (399.4 square meters) of wall and the artist places a focus on the subjects’ eyes, as a way of creating a very intimate way of viewing the art piece.
Kobra’s murals are geared toward producing images of remarkable people who have in some way contributed to making the world a better place. Past subjects of Kobra’s murals include Mother Teresa, Anne Frank, and Albert Einstein, just to name a few.
Untitled by Eduardo Kobra
Address: 1220 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, California 90038
Website: Untitled by Eduardo Kobra
7. Bathed in cool blue: Steve McQueen Monument
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
An example of classic pop art, the Steve McQueen Monument offers a great tribute to the actor dubbed the “King of Cool” and who epitomized counter-culture rebelliousness, in the 1960s. Created by one of LA’s most honored muralists, Kent Twitchell, the Steve McQueen Monument was originally painted in 1971 in the most unlikely of places, the exterior of a residential dwelling.
With its soothing blue hues, the Steve McQueen Monument is a real stand-out in the neighborhood. It was accidentally painted over when the house changed owners and the new occupants didn’t realize its cultural significance to Los Angeles. Luckily, Twitchell was eager to repaint the iconic figure.
Steve McQueen Monument
Address: Union Sreet. near 12th Street., Los Angeles, CA 90015; 34.0465961,-118.2757317
Website: Steve McQueen Monument
8. The Elixir: Groovy 70s vibe in South Central LA
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
You could examine the Elixir for days and still struggle to understand the visual’s complete meaning, but that’s part of the fun. An abstract piece done in acrylic paint and created in 2011, the Elixir is the brainchild of artist Patrick Henry Johnson, who funded the mural with his own money.
Inspired by a tumultuous breakup, Johnson had only been working on the Elixir for two months, when it quickly became one of his most popular works. Unfortunately, the Elixir was defaced at one point but was luckily restored by Johnson, in 2015.
The Elixir
Address: 4213 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
Website: The Elixir
9. Parking by Banksy: Unexpected delight
What’s great about Banksy’s Parking mural is that it’s unanticipated. Located among downtown Los Angeles’ many tall skyscrapers, vast city streets and parking lots, Banksy’s Parking is like the playful, yet provocative anonymous graffiti artist himself. Parking’s simple and whimsical presentation actually possesses a strong message, as a downtown Los Angeles resident group wants to raise money to transform a parking lot, found in the immediate vicinity of Banksy’s Parking mural, into a community park and playground.
Parking by Banksy
Address: 908 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, California, USA
Website: Parking by Banksy
10. Our Lady of DTLA: Haunting urban beauty
The medium is enamel, the style is portrait and the end result is a fascinating mural by artist Robert Vargas, entitled Our Lady of DTLA. Vargas actually used four models to create the alluring female figure of Our Lady of DTLA. The mural’s subject seems to beckon people to the newly-revitalized LA downtown area and Our Lady of DTLA’s gold metallic halo evokes an image of classic religious icon paintings you’d find in many European museums.
While Our Lady of DTLA’s beauty is evident during the day, take the opportunity to view the mural at night, when it’s nicely illuminated by the city’s lights.
Our Lady of DTLA
Address: 600 S Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014
Website: Our Lady of DTLA
Other artsy places in and near Los Angeles
Now that you’ve got the rundown of the popular murals of the city, make sure to check out the city’s top artsy areas and museums below for a comprehensive understanding of the city’s art scene.
11. 908 S Broadway
Without a doubt, Broadway Street in Los Angeles is such a famous spot. Here lies the first and largest historic cinema and theater district, so notice how it complements the prevalent street art in the area. Enjoy the availability of places for gimmicks such as shopping, watching, and dining. After that, go and have sight-seeing on the walls of building with street art every now and then. The painting Parking by Banksy is one of the admirable artworks in the area. Bansky is a well-known artist with pieces admired by many people. One for its specialty on creating distinctive satirical street art and another for its anonymity. We may never know the person behind the iconic paintings, but the people are privileged to get a glimpse of this artist’s mind through the art.
908 S Broadway
Address: Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA
12. Hewitt Street
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Hewitt Street may be filled with commercialized spots, but you will definitely see remarkable street art here and there! Some of the artworks you see here are made by the legendary Kent Twitchell (for the portrait of Ed Ruscha named “Ed Ruscha Monument” as well as Colette Miller’s famous “Angel’s Wings”! Back then when the streets were grey, these artists among many others decided to bring life…one painting at a time.
Hewitt Street
Address: Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
13. Paseo De La Plaza
The Paseo De La Plaza upholds a rich background embedded on the structures, particularly the historical monument here. As you take a walk, you will notice the architecture of the buildings although the touch of modern street art becomes a contrast. One of the famous artworks here Paseo De La Plaza is the “America Tropical”. It was painted in 1932. Take a leisure walk admiring the beauty of both the old and new surrounding the streets at Paseo De La Plaza.
Paseo De La Plaza
Address: Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
14. South Hope Street
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Hope Street is a strategic place to be as it connects to roads leading to the major city arteries such as Angeli Street, Wickenden Street, and Thayer Street. At the southern area of the street, there are various local restaurants and other businesses so taking a walk to explore this street is a wise choice. Plus, you will be able to witness the remarkable & “instagrammable” street art in this area. However, there is more to the paintings as the messages of them coincide with the concept of hope. Check out the Elephant street art in the area - those are dedicated to South African Villages. In addition, here you’ll find the artistic structure called “Four Arches” by Alexander Calder.
South Hope Street
Address: S Hope St Los Angeles, CA, USA
15. Vine Street
Located in Hollywood, the famous Vine Street offers you that city life like no other. From the look of the buildings itself (colored, less of the greys) and the prestige of the street itself, Vine Street speaks volumes to its worth. The area had been picking up the pace lately, as it encountered conflict at the 1970s, but the sense of artistry is still alive. Notice the vibrant street dosed with hues and paintings through graffiti and wall paintings—a sweet surprise as you walk along the famed area. A typical subway ride in Vine Street will turn whimsical thanks to the Hollywood/Vine Red Line Station by Gilbert “Magu” Lujan art.
Vine Street
Address: Vine St Los Angeles, CA, USA
16. South Hill Street
South Hill street wouldn’t miss out on the art industry as the presence of cinemas and street art is alive. When you are taking a stroll in the area, look twice at the artworks you find – some of them are subtle and quizzical! Just like the Inverted Clocktower by Tim Hawkinson, you might miss it if you do not look closely. Explore the film industry in theaters like the Cinépolis for that desired dosage of art.
South Hill Street
Address: S Hill St Los Angeles, CA, USA
17. 648 S Broadway
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
It had been known that Broadway had been a famous place for quite a time, yet with the inactive theaters and abandoned commercial buildings, its fame faded. However, it is getting back now with the presence of artistry shown with the street art (graffiti/paintings on the walls) and the subtlety of color schemes of the commercial buildings. 648 Broadway is one of the streets contributing to the mission, as you will encounter remarkable street art there, mostly on murals. As you take a walk around, watch out as you may be stepping on the colorful Sidewalk Terrazzo by Arthur D. Pizzinat, Sr.!
648 S Broadway
Address: 648 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA
18. Main Street
The busy Main Street is such a lively place that will leave you amused. The nightlife is satisfying here as there are lights all around. In addition, the artwork here is not limited to graffiti or wall paintings. A street art “Motordom” by Keith Sonnier in an example—it is a four-story display of neon plus argon tubes emitting the red and blue colors. The Department of Transportation dubbed this masterpiece as the largest public art installation in LA.
Main Street
Address: Main St Los Angeles, CA, USA
19. Santa Monica Boulevard
The urban Santa Monica Boulevard has an incredible art scene that speaks uniqueness. Check out the Elvis Presley, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Marilyn Monroe, and Beatles murals made by Hector Ponce! Artworks here are not just limited to paintings on the walls, but also structures. An example of which is the “Weather Field No. 1” by Inigo Manglano-Ovalle which has forty-nine stainless steel poles with weather vanes and anemometers.
Santa Monica Boulevard
Address: Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038, USA
20. Santa Monica Place
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Do you love shopping? Do you adore art? Then Santa Monica Place is the perfect place to go! As an outdoor shopping mall in Santa Monica, you will enjoy the natural breeze as you peek through the upscale shops like Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Emporio Armani, Louis Vuitton, and many more. Of course, street art won’t disappear even at this commercially saturated place! So while you are out shopping, don’t forget to take pictures carrying your shopping bags with street art murals as your background. An iconic & unconventional street art here is “Cradle” by Ball-Nogues. It is made up of hanging stainless steel balls and the art is simply breath-taking.
Santa Monica Place
Address: 395 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
21. Honor Fraser Gallery
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Opened in 2006, the Honor Fraser Gallery is rapidly gaining popularity in Los Angeles and attracts artistic exhibits from all across the globe from Seoul to Boston. We recommend you to drop by this gallery to enjoy the contemporary artwork exhibited here by emerging and world-renowned artists. It presents art that is not only aesthetically attractive but also challenges you intellectually. The gallery features exhibitions that may change through time. Check out its website to find out what artworks are up for the exhibitions during the time when you plan to visit.
Honor Fraser Gallery
Address: 2622 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California
Website: Honor Fraser Gallery
22. Kohn Gallery
Kohn Gallery is a modern and stylish art gallery that opened its doors to the public for the first time 25 years ago. It was the dream of Micheal Kohn to illustrate pop-art and whimsical collections in this sprawling 12,000 sq foot (1,114.8 sq meters) structure. The art gallery’s most popular exhibitions have been the works of 20th-century artists from Picasso to Warhol. Detailed information on ongoing exhibitions and upcoming art fairs can be learned on its website.
Kohn Gallery
Address: 1227 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038, USA
Website: Kohn Gallery
23. Artspace Warehouse
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you are into urban art and are searching for affordable modern artwork, you must visit Artspace Warehouse. It is located in Los Angeles and Zurich and it is best to visit the one in LA where you are visiting this lively city. The gallery often features abstract artwork by promising and established artists from Europe and US. The exhibitions keep changing so keep checking out its website to stay updated about current exhibitions. Only one-of-a-kind, original artworks are exhibited here so you can also check out their website for purchasing artwork online.
Artspace Warehouse
Address: 2501, 7358 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States
Website: Artspace Warehouse
24. M+B
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Another contemporary art gallery in Los Angeles, where you can enjoy viewing some of the most beautiful artwork of emerging and established artists, is M+B Gallery. The gallery represents over 16 notable artists, such as Matthew Brandt, Phil Chang, and Whitney Hubbs. From paintings to sculptures, all can be enjoyed inside this gallery while you experience the ever-evolving nature of photography in a brightly-lit minimalist space.
M+B
Address: 612 N Almont Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA
Website: M+B
25. LA Louver
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you happen to visit Venice, Los Angeles, stop by the North Venice Boulevard and let yourself to be immersed in this contemporary art gallery. Founded in 1975, it is home to numerous notable artists and it’s run by Lisa Jann who is the Managing Director. The 8,000-square-foot (740 m2) building itself seems like modern art and was designed by the famous architect Frederick Fisher. The unique and amazing artworks displayed here are sure to leave you spell-bound, which is proof of the wonderful talents this gallery showcases.
LA Louver
Address: 45 N Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, USA
Website: LA Louver
26. New Image Art
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
While exploring West Hollywood, make sure that you drop by New Image Art Gallery that will provide you with an artistic atmosphere through its fine art displays. What started as a small design studio in 1994, it has successfully become a part of the artistic landscape of the city in the last decade. The gallery is renowned for its collection of street, skate, surf scenes, and fine art from emerging and established contemporary artists. It has been known to help launch famous artists like Ed Templeton, Chris Johanson, Alex Gardner, Tauba Auerbach, and Barry McGee many among others.
New Image Art
Address: 7920 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046, USA
Website: New Image Art
27. Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects Gallery is not to be missed if you are looking for unique contemporary art that can brighten your day in an instant. Established in the year 2000, this gallery has been showcasing local and internationally acclaimed artists since the last eighteen years. Bold art installations and vivid paintings will the perfect touch of art to your vacation. Talented artists whose works are displayed here include Rodney McMillian, Andrea Bowers, Edgar Arceneaux, Stanya Kahn, Ruben Ochoa, Steve Roden, Amy Sillman, Nicole Eisenman, Karl Haendel, Wangechi Mutu, and Charles Gaines.
Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects
Address: 1700 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, California 90021
28. Various Small Fires
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
When you find yourself searching for a contemporary art space, the best way to spend the rest of the day is by unwinding at Various Small Fires. Its name is sufficient to spark interest isn’t it? Please yourself with an exclusive collection of contemporary art displays by US and international artists that will blow your mind away.
Various Small Fires
Address: 812 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038, USA
Website: Various Small Fires
29. The Broad
An excellent art museum when you are in Downtown Los Angeles is The Broad. This contemporary art gallery features more than 2,000 artworks that are in-depth representations of postwar and contemporary art worldwide. Right from the moment you set eyes on this majestic building to when you walk through the exhibits you can never see something dull and boring here. The admission to the permanent galleries in the art museum is free. It showcases the work of some of the most influential contemporary artists of our times including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Barbara Kruger, Cy Twombly, Ed Ruscha, Kara Walker, Christopher Wool, Jeff Koons, and many more!
The Broad
Address: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Website: The Broad
30. Morán Morán
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Last but not least, visit Morán Morán in La Cienega Boulevard if you are into contemporary art. The masterworks of incredible artists, including Diana Al-Hadid, Daniel Arsham, Brian Belott, Charlie Billingham, Keltie Ferris, Eve Fowler, and many more, are yours to enjoy and admire. Stroll around the gallery to be smitten by the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere as everyone forgets about the rest of the world to experience artworks like no other. The gallery exhibits paintings, drawings, installations, videos, photography, and sculptures.
Morán Morán
Address: 937 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA
Website: Morán Morán
Paint a picture of Los Angeles
Los Angeles’ artistry comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Locals and visitors are lucky Los Angeles is home to many enticing and mesmerizing murals. Reflective of its surroundings, LA is a great place to explore such art. So next time you visit Los Angeles, check out the museums. But also explore the streets of Los Angeles, and uncover an outdoor museum, of sorts, that is just as enriching.
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