Discover Beauty and Adventure in Griffith Park | Los Angeles

One of Los Angeles’s treasures is Griffith Park, which is a 4,320-acre mountainous area at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains nestled between Los Feliz, the Hollywood Sign on Mount Lee, and Burbank. It is the largest city park in California and is an urban wilderness area Its wide and sprawling acreage is four times the size of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and almost five times the size of New York’s Central Park.

Find things to do and where to stay near Griffith Park, here.

There is so much to enjoy in Griffith Park that it is impossible to write about it in one post, You can live in LA for a lifetime and never see it all.

Take a tour of Griffith Park with Get Your Guide – HERE

As a kid, I remember riding the ponies off Riverside Dr, visiting Travel Town’s railroad cars, and staying overnight at Camp Hollywoodland when I was 6 years old. After I had kids and lived in the Hollywood Hills for a while, we visited the park all the time.

The Los Angeles Zoo, is a wonderful place to stroll, see the animals, and get your steps in.

You can also enjoy steamer trains, ponies, the merry-go-round, picnics, and parties on the grass.

The Merry-Go-Round was built in 1926 featuring 68 decorated horses and an organ. Some of the horses date back to 1895 and have unique personalities. It’s been a park favorite to this day.

In 1961 on Memorial Day, a group of black teens jumped on and off the ride and refused to pay calling themselves “Freedom Riders” as Civil Rights protests were taking place then. Bystanders stood by the youths but the police were called. Chief William Parker, a well-known bigot closed the entire park and 75 officers were called in to stop the riot that had ensued.

The area near the Merry-Go-Round has been the site of love-ins, Gay-ins, Biker rallies, and Pow Wows.

I once saw a Shakespeare play performed near the old zoo. I would hate to have been a zoo animal during those days. The new zoo is much more hospitable and they protect many endangered species.

The Autry Museum of the American West is where you can learn the history of the Old West as well as artifacts and art exhibits.

There is a hike for every fitness level

If you love hiking, there are numerous scenic trails throughout the park. A favorite of mine is the trail up to the Griffith Park Observatory which is about 1 mile straight up. Start at Fern Dell, off Los Feliz Blvd, near Trail’s cafe, and then hike straight up to the Observatory.

Just keep your eyes open because there are wild animals in the park including coyotes and mountain lions.

The Observatory is an iconic L.A. landmark, constructed in 1935, that has been featured in many films including La La Land, and Rebel Without a Cause. The photo below is the gorgeous ceiling inside the Observatory and its wall murals.

Fern Dell Trail, is an easy ¼ mile nature walk for non-hikers that is lush with tropical plants and is shaded by majestic sycamores.

Other hikes within the park include Amir’s Garden which is a stunning collection of trees, flowers, and other botanical delights. Bronson Canyon is where you will find Batman’s cave.

There are numerous trails in Griffith Park depending on your skill level. Some are easy and others advanced so you may want to hire a local guide or go with a group. Often there are hikes organized on Meetup.com.

View the scenery on horseback

If you prefer to let a horse do the walking for you, you can start at Sunset Ranch Hollywood Stables at the top of Beachwood Canyon where you can rent a steed for one- and two-hour rides into the park. Another option is LA Horse Rentals near the LA Equestrian Center in Burbank where the trail starts along the Los Angeles river bed.

Picnic and party

Picnic areas are located throughout the park. Crystal Springs is near the Autry Museum and golf course. It is a popular area to party with family or friends. One of my favorite picnic spots is next to the Carousel built in 1926 and the Old Zoo.

Other attractions in the park

If you love music and concerts under the stars, you will adore The Greek Theatre which is an outdoor Amphitheatre that opened in 1930. Big-name musical bands often appear there in the summer.

The Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum is a favorite for miniature train aficionados. Train enthusiasts offer rides at various times, and they are always fun.

Secret Spots in Griffith Park

Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn, which is the birthplace of Imagineering, is located at the L.A. Steamers Railroad Museum near Travel Town. Hugh Hefner’s Gift is a plaque in honor of the Playboy CEO who donated funds to rebuild the Hollywood sign. It is located near the sign at the Hugh Hefner Overlook.

Royce Canyon was once slated to be a landfill in Griffith Park, Tree People’s founder Royce Neuschatz, along with other activists lobbied to save the scenic area. She was also the former Parks and Recreation Commissioner and when she died from cancer at age 57, the canyon was named in her honor. It is located on the backside of Griffith Park near Forest Lawn Memorial Park. It is a strenuous uphill hike of 5.8 miles but has amazing vistas and a small cave.

Golf first came to Griffith Park as early as 1914. The Griffith Park Golf Club was established in 1915. It organized competitions in the park and other locations. The original golf course was designed by Tom Bendelow. It was replaced in 1923 and reopened in 1927 as the Wilson and the Harding, two 18-hole municipal courses. They later combined to form the 36-hole Wilson and Harding Golf Course.

Rancho de Los Feliz is an adobe house built in the 1830s and still stands in Griffith Park. It serves as the Park Ranger Headquarters. The building was designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1988.

For history geeks

Griffith Park was donated to the city of Los Angeles by Griffith J. Griffith in 1896, who was a controversial figure having been accused of the attempted murder of his wife.

The marker commemorating 100 years of golf in Griffith Park can be found on Griffith Park Drive, one mile north of Crystal Springs Drive on the right while traveling north. It is near 5500 Griffith Park Drive, 90027.

Other markers at the park include The Birth of the Curse, Amir’s Garden, Site of the Old Zoo, Griffith Park Merry Go Round, and the Riverside Drive Bridge. For directions to these sites click here.