Colorful Photo Spots Around California and Beyond

In honor of Pride month, we’ve compiled all our favorite rainbow photo spots that we’ve found around California on our travels and beyond. These Instagrammable spots span up and down California and go as east as Texas (so far).

Check out the list below and plan your next colorful photoshoot.

chromatic gate | santa barbara, CA

721 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103

The Chromatic Gate in ARCO Circle has become quite an Instagrammable location thanks to its bright colors and palm-lined beach background.

The Chromatic Gate in Santa Barbara was designed by renowned Austrian-born artist, Herbert Bayer. His name, years of life, and the artwork's name are displayed in front of the arch.

There is free street parking around the park and it’s best captured at sunrise or sunset.

Ghirardelli Square Rainbow Stairs | San Francisco, CA

900 North Point Street between Beach and Larkin Streets

Local artist Leah Rosenberg created this multi-colored pathway of stairs called 18 Colors for Ghirardelli Square. Using a palette of 18 hues; she thoughtfully dispersed them throughout the square in hand-painted murals, full-spectrum steps, banners, benches, and signs.

These stairs are a busy area, so be patient, have a good sit-stay, and I promise you’ll get the shot.

rainbow crosswalk | San Francisco, CA

4114 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

In September 2014 the city installed colorful crosswalks at four different intersections in the Castro District.

The Castro was one of the first “gayborhoods” in the country and has so many colorful photo ops. You’ll have to time this one right with the crosswalk timing and go early to beat the crowds.

umbrella alley | San Francisco, CA

757 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The walls of Umbrella Alley are covered in murals and installations created by local artists, showcasing the diverse talent of the San Francisco arts community. And the overhead is adorned with a brilliant display of colorful umbrellas and balloons suspended in the air, creating a playful and dream-like atmosphere.

The Greetings from San Francisco postcard mural is one of the first murals you’ll see when you enter the alley.

The alley is free to enter, but donations are encouraged.

the castro | San Francisco, CA

17th street between Church and Sanchez St.

This is a house in The Castro across from Sanchez Elementary School. The "stones" are painted on, and the two garages have psychedelic rainbows painted them on.

Street parking is located all around the neighborhood, but you will have to stand in the street to get this shot so watch out for traffic.

MISSION Dolores park pedestrian bridge | San Francisco, CA

Mission Dolores Park, Dolores St &, 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

The pedestrian bridge, which connects Church St. (at 19th St.) to Dolores Park, got a colorful makeover a few years ago and it’s now a great photo opp spot. The bridge’s nickname and hashtag are #DoloRainbow.

We shot these photos early in the morning on a weekend and had minimal pedestrians that popped up in our background.

Urban mo’s rainbow heart | San Diego, CA

308 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92103

This mural is on the side of San Diego’s acclaimed best gay bar in Hillcrest, Urban Mo’s. This pride mural was spray painted next to the resident wall Sheona. There’s street parking surrounding the bar, so if you can find a spot it’s an easy in and out photo spot.

CUTE NAIL STUDIO | austin, TX

1211 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702

Not a wall, but quite possibly the cutest lil rainbow house you’ve ever seen. Cute Nail Studio delivers on all the unicorn vibes from the outside.

This was an unplanned spot, but as soon as we drove by on our way to Bird Bird Biscuit (a must eat, btw!) we knew we had to pull in!

The entire exterior is painted like a pastel rainbow, the railing and walkway going up to entrance is covered in purple, and even their porch furniture matches the aesthetic.

We visited before the salon opened and there’s a parking lot right out front.

TAU CETI | austin, TX

E 2nd St & Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701

Looming over the corner of Brazos and 2nd St., this commissioned mural is now Austin's tallest public artwork. The impressive spectrum was completed in November 2018 and its title, "Tau Ceti", comes from a star in the constellation Cetus. This mural climbs 103 feet (10 floors) up a parking structure, and the work's position in an inverted corner makes it a multi-dimensional piece that is dizzying when viewed from up close.

ATX WHOLE FOODS STATUE | Austin, TX

Whole Foods on Fifth Street and North Lamar Boulevard

The ATX statue at the flagship Whole Foods store isn’t exactly a wall, but an instagram-worthy backdrop that’s worth a visit. This rainbow-striped piece was constructed in 2017 by a local art company, and it’s rapidly becoming an iconic piece of public art in Austin.

The “a” is cropped out of this photo, but you can see a full picture and learn more about the statue here.

This art piece is really easy to access. You can park in the Whole Foods parking lot and just walk to the corner of the lot where the statue is located. There’s even a ledge that wraps in front of the statue that you can use for posing.

PEARL MARKETEPLACE AT MIDTOWN | Houston, TX

515 Elgin Street, Houston, TX 77006

Up close this fun pixelated wall looks like a fun, colorful Instagram backdrop, but if you cross the street and take in the whole wall you’ll see that it holds a hidden secret. There are five faces within this design that depict everyday unsung heroes in Houston.

For parking, Whole Foods has underground parking or you can find street parking around the corner within the neighborhood.