Los Angeles is a huge urban city but there are a surprising number of lovely lakes within it if you know where to look. They are peaceful environments to have a picnic, attend a festival, sit and watch ducks and geese, and get away from the hoopla. Here are some of my favorites.
Echo Park Lake
One of the most popular lakes in photographs of Los Angeles is Echo Park Lake, set against the backdrop of L.A.s downtown skyscrapers. The neighborhood is artistic and culturally diverse with cool coffeehouses and quirky boutiques.
Each July the community hosts its annual Lotus Festival with ethnic food and craft vendors, dragon boat races, and entertainment that celebrates Asian culture. Each year it focuses on one country. (2023 will be India)
Visitors can ride swan boats, walk their dogs, or listen to music from local musicians all year round.
Nearby is Angelino Heights, home of some of L.A.’s oldest Victorian Homes.
Lake Hollywood Reservoir
Lake Hollywood is located west of Griffith Park where you can get a close-up view of the Hollywood Sign. The reservoir is fenced off but you can walk around it and see the Mulholland Dam constructed in 1924. You may even catch a deer peering through the fence.
There are multiple entrances to the walking path depending on where you are coming from. You may recognize the Hollywood Reservoir from films like Chinatown or Earthquake.
If you are looking for lunch or a snack afterward, I recommend The Beachwood Café underneath the Hollywood sign in Beachwood Canyon.
Hollenbeck Lake
Another gorgeous but little-known pond in Los Angeles is Hollenbeck Lake. It sits in the center of Boyle Heights which is an inner-city neighborhood in East L.A. that is diverse and working class but has a rich history.
This picture-perfect oasis is a popular venue for wedding and quinceanera photos. You can take a stroll around it, enjoy the fountains, and watch ducks and geese play in the water.
It was once a gathering place for elite downtowners when it was dedicated in 1893 but now butts up to the freeway offramp.
Mariachi Plaza is within walking distance on 1st street where you will find Chicano musicians for hire and amazing Mexican food.
Lake Balboa
In the heart of the San Fernando Valley near Encino is Anthony C. Beilenson Park. It is a long stretch of greenery with a golf course, soccer/baseball fields, and dog parks. Hidden off the road at 6300 Balboa Blvd is the entrance to Balboa Lake.
Visitors can rent swan boats to paddle around the lake or take a stroll around its mile-long circumference. It has a small waterfall, picnic areas, playgrounds, food vendors, and plenty of waterfowl.
The Japanese Garden is also located in the park. It was created from a water reclamation plant and features a dry Zen meditation garden, a “wet strolling” garden, and a tea garden that is often used for filming. The garden was designed by Dr. Kawana who also designed gardens at San Diego’s Balboa Park and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
MacArthur Park Lake
Someone left the cake out in the rain at MacArthur Park. I used to go there as a kid and my dad would rent a boat after we enjoyed lunch at Langer’s Deli. It is the BEST deli in L.A., in my opinion. Make sure to order their #19 pastrami sandwich.
The park, which was once called Westlake Park dates back to the late 19th century and is located near Downtown Los Angeles. It was renamed after General Douglas MacArthur in the 1940s and was designated as City of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #100. The lake is fed by a natural spring.
The neighborhood has changed through the years and is on the rough side, but the lovely MacArthur Park lake is still well worth visiting. It was closed for a long time to be renovated and a section of it was reopened to the public in 1922.
Silverlake Reservoir
Ivanhoe Reservoir and Silver Lake are 2 manmade lake basins that form Silver Lake Reservoir. Like Echo Park, the neighborhood is artsy and bohemian. The lake does not have fountains or boats like Echo Park Lake, and you cannot go to the water’s edge because it is fenced off.
Visitors can stroll or jog on the walking trail around the lake, enjoy some picnic areas, or bring dogs to play in its dog park.
While you are there, you may want to visit the neighborhood’s boutiques and cafes or hike up the Silver Lake stairs.
Lake Shrine
The Lake Shrine is part of the Self Realization Fellowship that sits near the end of Sunset Blvd in Pacific Palisades. It was built for meditation and is a serene environment to walk around or sit and contemplate the Universe. It was founded by Paramahansa Yogananda and was dedicated in 1950.
Franklin Canyon Lake
You can find Franklin Canyon Park and Lake off Coldwater Canyon Blvd near Mulholland Drive. The lake is a manmade reservoir that was created over 100 years ago. It has a dirt trail around parts of it but most people use the concrete road to walk around it. If you venture down the dirt path, there are picnic tables, gorgeous pine trees, benches, and tons of cattails.
You can also visit the duck pond nearby and the Sooky Goldman Nature Center.
If the urban chaos of Los Angeles is too much for you, enjoy a little peace and solitude by visiting a lovely lake in L.A.
These are just lovely! I especially like…never mind, I can’t choose! Thank you for the tour!
Thanks, Diane. Not as spectacular as Canada but nice for Los Angeles.