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18 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Small canyon park with oak groves, chaparral recovery after the Bobcat Fire, winding trails and a seasonal waterfall — rewarding for landscape and nature photographers. Trails range 0.75–3 miles one way with 450 ft gain from some trailheads. Reservations are required on weekends; weekday mornings are quieter. Parking lots (metered on normal days) and restrooms at ranger station. Best after winter rains for waterfall flow or at golden hour for warm canyon light.
Monrovia Hillside Preserve offers sweeping San Gabriel Mountain vistas, layered hillside compositions, seasonal wildflowers and oak-studded ridgelines — ideal for landscape and nature shots. Best at sunrise or late afternoon for warm side-light; spring brings poppy fields. Trailheads (Lower Clamshell TKTL) have limited parking; moderate, sometimes steep trails and no entry fee. Weekdays are quieter. Respect habitat and stay on marked paths.
Hermit Falls is a small multi-tiered waterfall in the San Gabriel foothills with rocky cascades and clear pools — best after winter/spring rains. The trail is short but uneven and can be slippery; flows are seasonal. Arrive early on weekdays to avoid crowds and secure limited roadside parking; weekends may require a parking permit or shuttle depending on access. Morning and late-afternoon light bring warm tones; overcast days are ideal for even waterfall exposures.
Small overlook bench in Monrovia with sweeping views of the San Gabriel Valley and foothills—ideal for sunset compositions, valley light, and cloud-scaped skies. Easy access from street parking with a short walk; no entry fees. Visit just before and after sunset for rich colors and silhouette opportunities; weekdays and post-rain days offer clearer air and dramatic clouds.
Small summit above Monrovia offering sweeping panoramas of the San Gabriel Mountains, Monrovia/Glendora foothills and the LA basin. Best at sunrise or golden-hour sunset for layered light and cloud inversions. Trail is a moderate hike (steep in sections) from nearby trailheads; parking available at the trailhead but can fill on weekends. No permit required for day hikes; bring water and layers — coastal smog can reduce visibility so aim for after marine-layer burn-off or winter-into-spring for清u
Small community park with a pond, mature shade trees, walking paths and picnic structures — great for intimate landscapes, waterscape reflections, seasonal foliage and environmental portraits. Visit golden hour for warm light on the water; weekdays and early mornings minimize family crowds. Easy street parking on California Ave, flat accessible paths, no entry fee. Compact site—plan for close-range compositions and mixed natural/urban backdrops.
Small museum housed in the old Monrovia municipal pool — great for architectural details (tile, lockers, vintage signage), intimate portraiture during events, and close-up documentary shots of local artifacts and WWI and natural history displays. Best visited weekday mornings or early afternoons to avoid crowds; late afternoon light flatters the exterior façade. Free entry; limited on-site parking—use nearby street or downtown lots. Ask staff about tripod/flash rules for exhibits.
Small urban plaza beside Monrovia’s historic train corridor — good for photographing civic architecture, pedestrian scenes, palm-lined walkways and San Gabriel foothills backdrops. No entry fee; street parking and public transit nearby. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm light and lit storefronts; weekdays and early mornings are quieter. Accessible paths and benches make setting up easy; occasional community events add candid opportunities.
Vassar Canyon is a narrow riparian canyon off the Monrovia Canyon Truck Trail featuring oak and sycamore corridors, rocky outcrops and a seasonal creek—good for intimate canyon landscapes, stream long exposures and close-up nature studies. Best at golden hour or after winter rains (spring) when water and wildflowers are present. Access via Monrovia Canyon Park trailhead; parking/entrance fee may apply. Trails are moderate and can be uneven—bring water and good shoes. Weekday mornings have thefew
Small hillside park with grassy terraces and viewpoints overlooking Monrovia and the San Gabriel Foothills. Good for sunrise/sunset panoramas, intimate landscape frames with native scrub and oak, and seasonal cloud/haze moods. Easy access from neighborhood streets with limited street parking; wheelchair-accessible paths in parts. Best visited at golden hour or weekday mornings to avoid families and dog walkers.
Small urban community garden with raised beds, edible plants, pollinator plantings and volunteer activity — great for intimate nature, texture and documentary shots. Best light is early morning or golden hour for warm side-light on leaves; overcast days are ideal for close-up and macro work. Easily accessible from Greystone Ave with street parking; be respectful of gardeners, ask before shooting people or plots. No formal entry fee; weekday mornings are quieter.
Small historic downtown park fronting Monrovia Library with a bandstand/gazebo, mature ficus and sycamore trees, a decorative fountain and war memorials — great for intimate architectural details, framed portraits, and green urban landscapes. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm light on brick and soft shadows; weekday mornings are quiet. Easy street and library lot parking, no entry fee, wheelchair-accessible paths. Seasonal community events and nearby cafés add candid street opportunities
Small neighborhood park near the San Gabriel foothills offering mature shade trees, paths, benches and neighborhood views — good for intimate landscapes, environmental portraits, and seasonal foliage. Best light is golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon facing west). Easy street parking, no entry fee; accessible paths make tripod use simple. Weekdays/early mornings yield fewer families and walkers.
Bronze statue of Mark Twain sits in leafy Library Park in front of Monrovia’s historic library—excellent for capturing a civic monument framed by palm trees, period architecture and park pathways. Visit golden hour or late afternoon for warm side light and long shadows; midday overcast helps reveal bronze textures. Easily accessible from street parking on S Myrtle Ave; no entry fee. Weekdays are quieter and community events can add narrative context.
Small neighborhood park with lawns, mature trees and a clear view toward the San Gabriel foothills—good for intimate landscape frames, environmental portraits, and candid family/street-style shots. No entry fee; easily walkable and wheelchair-accessible. Street parking and a small lot nearby; weekends and late afternoons are busier. Best light is golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm side-lighting on trees and mountain backdrop. Summer evenings offer long golden hours; winter can give crisper
Iconic private residence used as Jennifer Parker’s house in Back to the Future. Photograph the period villa facade, porch swing and tree-lined street from public sidewalks or across the road. Best at early morning or late afternoon golden hour for warm light and minimal traffic. House is lived-in—do not trespass; respect tenants and park legally on Magnolia Ave. Weekdays are quieter; capture contextual shots including the street and neighboring mid-century homes.
Small, hidden pocket park with colorful 'rainbow' stairs, hanging bird houses in trees, playground and picnic tables — ideal for intimate urban details and family/children scenes. Easy street-level access, free entry and ample parking in residential area; no public restrooms. Best visited early morning or golden hour for soft light and low crowds; overcast days enhance saturated colors.
Twin Springs is a quiet, spring-fed canyon in Monrovia offering oak-shaded trails, small cascades and reflective pools framed by native chaparral—great for intimate nature and landscape shots. Best at golden hour or after winter rains when flow and wildflowers peak. Accessible via short trailheads with limited parking; no fee. Weekday mornings reduce crowds and harsh midday light. Respect private-property signs and stay on marked paths.