Parking Structure 6 in Downtown Santa Monica

This image was taken on the roof of Parking Structure 6, which is on 2nd Street in between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd in downtown Santa Monica. Enter the structure off of 2nd Street and then either walk up to the roof or take the elevator to the top floor. Make your way to the southwest corner to get this perspective of the colorful architecture and signs. If you're on foot, it's free to access the parking garage, but if you're driving, you'll have to pay a fee to exit the parking garage (fee amount depends on how long you're parked for). Address: Parking Structure 6, 1431 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Parking Structure 6 in Downtown Santa Monica can be photographed during any month. Los Angeles has temperate weather and this scene will stay the same year round.

As long as it's a clear, sunny day, you'll be able to find similar lighting conditions in the morning, midday or late afternoon.

Try using a wide-angle lens at this location. Although the parking lot isn't too big, it does cover a large area (especially the roof!) and shooting with a wider lens will allow you to incorporate the parking garage, as well as the buildings in the background.

Position yourself at an angle, but use the lamppost as a way to orient yourself. There are a lot of prominent angles here and having a sense of symmetry with the lamppost in the center of your shot will help to balance and soften everything.

From the roof, you're able to see the ocean! Walk around the top level and photograph different perspectives of the building with the water in the distance.

Downtown Santa Monica is full of restaurants, bars, shops and beachfront views. Spend the day walking around 3rd Street Promenade or venture over to the Santa Monica Pier and take in the panoramic ocean views of LA as you ride the ferris wheel.