Melrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue is a 5-mile runway of world-class murals, flagship luxury stores, and the iconic Pink Wall.
Melrose Avenue runs roughly five miles from Santa Monica Boulevard to Lucile Avenue in Silver Lake, lined with pastel storefronts, themed cafés, and the iconic Pink Wall. More than a dozen Instagram-worthy mural stops sit within walking distance, including Colette Miller's Wings mural, created in 2012 for the Global Angel Wings Project.
Melrose Avenue runs from the Paramount Pictures gates
Melrose Avenue runs from the Paramount Pictures gates in Hollywood east to the design showrooms of West Hollywood, providing a long, varied corridor for street photography. The street takes its name from a Massachusetts town, chosen by a rancher in 1909 when the route was still a dirt path winding through citrus groves. Photographers should note that the Melrose Promenade redesign, initiated by urban designer Michael Kent in 2010, broke ground in June 2022, so ongoing construction and shifting streetscapes will be part of the scene for the foreseeable future.
Best Photo Spots
6 vantage points at Melrose Avenue, from Paul Smith's Pink Wall to Sweet & Spark.
Paul Smith's Pink Wall
Photographs of This Location
Colette Miller's Wings mural
Colette Miller's Wings mural, created in 2012 as part of the Global Angel Wings Project by an artist who also works as a musician and filmmaker, is among the photographic highlights of the Melrose Avenue corridor. The street has appeared in films including Clueless (1995), Mulholland Drive (2001), and Her (2013), and continues to host new murals that reflect Los Angeles's evolving street art scene. Just off the avenue, Melrose Place gained cultural recognition in the 1990s through Aaron Spelling's television series.
Common Questions
Melrose Avenue is famous for its street art, fashion-forward storefronts, and iconic installations like the Paul Smith Pink Wall, with the most recognizable photo locations found between Fairfax and La Brea.
The Paul Smith Building at 8221 Melrose Ave is a pink wall that is one of the most photographed places on Melrose Avenue.
Practical Information
$1-$3 per hour; Driving between LA photo spots can take over an hour due to traffic, so shooting multiple Melrose Avenue spots on foot is the practical approach.
Street parking is available along Melrose Avenue and surrounding side streets, with additional paid parking lots nearby.; 8360 Melrose Ave; $8-$20
7 AM – 5 PM weekdays; The Melrose Avenue Walls are outdoor murals accessible at any time, with thousands of people visiting each day.; 7am to 5pm
$15 for 15 minutes
Session Tips
- Visitors to Paul Smith's Pink Wall at peak times should pack snacks because the line can wrap around the corner.
- To avoid palm tree reflections at the Assembly Los Angeles Wall, arrive earlier or later in the day.
- At the Paul Smith pink building, shoot on the shadow side of the building for even lighting instead of the popular corner.
- Photographers can find street murals along 19 locations from Fairfax to Highland along Melrose Avenue.
- Visitors should use caution and follow posted detours when traveling through active construction areas on Melrose Avenue.
What to Expect During Your Session
The Paul Smith Pink Wall often draws lines that wrap around the corner at peak times, so those wanting even lighting may prefer the building's shadow side over the popular main corner. The nearby Assembly Los Angeles Wall picks up palm tree reflections during midday, making early or late-day visits a better choice. Across the broader Melrose Avenue corridor, which holds 19 mural locations from Fairfax to Highland, Sundays bring heavy crowds and tough parking tied to the Melrose Trading Post, and active construction detours require extra caution.
A self-guided tour of the Melrose Avenue Walls is best done on foot, with all six major murals within walking distance of one another.
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Wheelchair access
- New accessible curb ramps are being installed along the west side of Melrose Avenue between E Mercer St and E Thomas St.
- Parking
- Paid parking lots are available within walking distance of Melrose Avenue, with availability varying by time of day, especially on weekends.
- Public transit
- Metro bus lines along Melrose Avenue
- Walking distance
- The street begins at Santa Monica Boulevard where the cities of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood meet.
- Bike friendly
- Protected bike lanes were added along Melrose Avenue between Denny Way and Pine Street as part of the Melrose Promenade Phase 1.