Rising Stars: Meet Annie Sneed of South Bay LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Sneed.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Annie Sneed and I’m a content creator based in the South Bay of Los Angeles. On Instagram and TikTok, I share all things South Bay and beyond-from the restaurants I love, to my favorite hikes, workouts and activities that keep me active and connected to the community.
I started posting on TikTok (@anniesneed_) a few years ago, shortly after moving to the South Bay from Oregon. Everything was new to me and as an outgoing, extroverted person, I dove right into exploring everything the area had to offer. At the time, I didn’t know anyone here, so I made it my mission to discover run clubs, community groups and unique local activities on my own. I began filming my adventures-new hiking trails in PV and San Pedro, restaurant openings, hidden gems and along the way, I became fascinated by the history and stories of the South Bay.

My boyfriend, who grew up here (we met at the University of Oregon), also gave me a local’s perspective, introducing me to places and traditions I might have otherwise missed. As I shared my experiences, my videos started gaining traction. The South Bay had never really seen someone documenting life here in such a personal and consistent way and I think my curiosity and genuine love for the area resonated with people. It gave people who grew up here a fresh appreciation for just how special our home really is.
When I expanded to Instagram (@_anniesneed), my audience really began to grow. Today, with over 75,000 local followers across both platforms, I continue to share my life here in the South Bay—taking my audience along as I explore, connect and showcase everything this vibrant community has to offer.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To be completely honest, I’ve been fortunate to have an incredibly supportive community here in the South Bay who genuinely appreciate my videos and recommendations. That said, I’d be lying if I said it’s all been smooth sailing. When I first started sharing content, I did face my fair share of online backlash.
Since no one had really documented the South Bay in this way before-highlighting lesser-known trails in Palos Verdes or “locals-only” restaurant favorites, there were some people who didn’t love the idea of these spots being shared more widely online. Still, I kept posting because at the end of the day, I truly enjoy capturing and sharing my life here.

The support I’ve received far outweighs the criticism and as my audience has grown, so has my confidence in what I do. I focus on the many people who find value in my content, rather than the few who would prefer it stay off the radar.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create social media videos showcasing life in the South Bay-from activities and events to restaurant highlights and local hidden gems. At its core, my content is about sharing my lifestyle here and inspiring others to explore and enjoy the area.
What sets me apart is my bubbly, extroverted personality and genuine curiosity. I’m always excited to try new things, taste new foods and dive into new experiences and I think that energy comes through in my videos. Everything I share is meant to feel natural and approachable. I film entirely on my iPhone and often edit right within the TikTok app, keeping my content relatable rather than overproduced.

I’m most proud of the fact that my videos resonate with such a wide range of people; from longtime locals who discover new places through my content, to newcomers who use my page as a guide to explore the South Bay. For me, it’s about building connection and community through shared experiences.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As of now, I see my content staying true to what it is for as long as I genuinely enjoy creating it. Fun, approachable videos that highlight my life here in the South Bay. Over time, I could see myself branching out into more activities and explorations in Orange County or Los Angeles, but I also love the hyper-local focus I have right now.
One shift I’m excited about is sharing more of my active lifestyle. I’m a fitness instructor here in the South Bay and that’s a huge part of my life that I haven’t fully integrated into my content yet. I want to show more of how I balance a healthy, active lifestyle with everything else I do-whether that’s workouts, hikes, or simply making mindful choices day-to-day. My goal is to inspire my audience not only to explore where they live, but also to take care of themselves while doing it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_anniesneed/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@anniesneed_?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc