Step Back Into 1990s Los Angeles With These 21 Nostalgic Photos

Written by Alina Wang on May 22, 2025

A person wearing a helmet is airborne on rollerblades, jumping high above a ramp with palm trees and spectators in the background on a sunny day.

Los Angeles in the ’90s was glamorous and gritty — a place where palm trees framed both glitzy Hollywood dreams and real-world struggles. From lowriders cruising down Sunset Boulevard to sidewalk vendors selling churros and fresh fruit with tajín, LA was alive with the neon glow of mom-and-pop shops in a pre-gentrified downtown. It was the decade of “Clueless” fits, gangsta rap’s rise, and the last days of affordable rentals before Silicon Valley money moved in.

From Venice Beach skaters to cholo culture in East LA, here are 21 vintage photos that showcase the pulsing energy of the City of Angels in the ’90s.

1. Friends Hanging Out in East LA

Four young women walk along a bridge in a city. They wear casual 1990s clothing, including jeans and tank tops, and look confidently at the camera. The skyline and industrial structures are visible in the background. — 2021darkmosssxp

2. He Was a Skater Boy! Venice Beach, 1990s

A skateboarder wearing a helmet performs a mid-air trick at a skatepark, while others watch or sit nearby with skateboards. The background includes people, ramps, and an outdoor setting with sunlight. — UserDeleted

3. A Young Milla Jovovich Enjoying a Burger and a Shake in LA

A young woman at a diner sips a milkshake and looks at the camera, surrounded by friends enjoying food and drinks at a long counter with plates and glasses. — Djf47021

3. Rapper Eazy-E Skateboarding in Venice Beach

A young person skateboards confidently at a busy outdoor skate park, surrounded by other skaters and palm trees, with people watching in the background. The photo appears to be vintage or from the 1980s. — Sh*tGuysItsTheCops

4. Graffiti Seen in Downtown LA

Two cars are parked side by side on a city street in front of an old, abandoned building covered in graffiti. The building has boarded-up windows and construction scaffolding. The image is in black and white. — Djf47021

5. An Aerial View of the First Church of Christ, Scientist

Aerial view of a dome-shaped white building near a lake with palm trees, busy streets, and the downtown Los Angeles skyline in the background on a clear day. — Djf47021

6. A Woman Buys Produce From a Vendor in LA

Two women smiling at an outdoor market stand, displaying fresh vegetables like eggplants, gourds, and squash; one woman wears a straw hat and yellow top, the other wears a blue blouse. Sunlight filters through a canopy above them. — Djf47021

7. Two Men Defend a Grocery Store During the LA Riots, April 30, 1992

Two men holding rifles stand on a rooftop, looking alert. One wears glasses and a striped shirt, crouching near the edge, while the other stands behind him in a jacket, both appearing vigilant and tense. — Dazzling_Interview86

8. Stores Engulfed in Flames During the LA Riots, 1992

A crowd of people stands on a city street watching a large building engulfed in flames and thick smoke. A woman holds a child in the foreground, and a person with a bicycle stands nearby. — Djf47021

9. Can’t Go Out West and Not Indulge in the Best Mexi-Cali Grub

A vintage orange car is parked in front of a light blue building with a sign reading "Restaurant Mexicali." The storefront has murals, a blue-striped awning, and an illuminated "Open" sign in the window. — Djf47021

10. A Cop Puts a Man in Handcuffs, 1990s

A police officer handcuffs a man leaning over a blue mailbox on a busy city sidewalk, with neon signs and bystanders in the background. — Djf47021

11. Reppin’ the 49ers in SoCal Was a Bold Move

A group of people dance at night. The person in front wears a white shirt, gray pants, red bandana, red hat, and sunglasses. Another person wears a red 49ers outfit and bandana. Others surround them, some also wearing red bandanas. — Djf47021

12. A Poster of the Movie ‘Twister’ in West Hollywood, 1996

A busy street scene with cars parked and driving, a large “Twister” movie billboard, a “Budget” car rental sign, and a building with a mural of a giant eye; bright, sunny day with clear blue sky. — Djf47021

13. Street Vendor Selling Churros on Lennox Blvd in LA

An older man in a plaid jacket and beanie stands behind a food cart at night, reaching into a white cooler. Condiments and utensils are visible on the cart. — dudewithbrokenhand

14. ‘National Guardsmen During the LA Riots, 1992’

A soldier in riot gear stands with a weapon in front of a burning, collapsed building as heavy smoke fills the sky, while another person runs toward the destruction in the background. — Beneficial-Cucumber1

15. A Biker Stops in Front of The Whisky, an Iconic LA Nightclub

A person in motorcycle gear sits on a red motorcycle in front of The Whisky nightclub, which has a marquee listing band names. A blue car and a large mural of a woman are also visible. — Djf47021

16. A Toddler Plays at Pershing Square, Downtown LA, 1990s

A tall, purple modern tower with a large red sphere at the top stands in a city plaza, surrounded by large red spheres, buildings, trees, and a clear blue sky. A person in yellow sits beside one of the spheres. — Djf47021

17. A Vintage Record Store Featuring Artists Like Neil Diamond and Buckwheat Zydeco

A vibrant Tower Records storefront features large red and yellow signage, music posters in the windows, and a ramp leading to the entrance. A billboard for the film "Unforgiven" is visible in the background above the street. — Djf47021

18. Apartment Buildings in the Aftermath of the Northridge Earthquake in LA, 1994

Damaged apartment building with collapsed balconies and cracked walls, debris scattered on the ground, showing severe destruction likely caused by an earthquake. — 67Mustang-Man

19. Heading to Dodger Stadium, 1990s

Large baseball stadium exterior with colorful banners of players in action poses. People walk through the parking lot in front of parked cars under a clear blue sky. — Djf47021

20. Lowrider Cruising Through Hancock Park, Los Angeles

A man drives a classic white Chevrolet Impala with red rims through a crosswalk on a sunny street lined with palm trees and a blue 6th St sign. — 12LA12

21. The Cast of ‘Clueless’ in LA, 1994

A group of young adults dressed in colorful, semi-formal 1990s clothing smile and pose together outdoors, suggesting a cheerful social event or party. Trees and a fence are visible in the background. — BDWG4EVA

Looking for more ’90s content?

To read more about the decade, check out 10 Collectible ’90s Toys That Increased in Value and 15 Items From the ’90s That Could Still Be Valuable. You may also enjoy Relive the ’90s With These 20 Classic Photos.