Discover the Urban Lakes of Los Angeles for Serene Escapes

Los Angeles is a huge sprawling 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 escape the hoopla. Here are some of my favorites.

Echo Park Lake

One of the most photographed lakes 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 Asian Pacific country.

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, in East L.A. The neighborhood is diverse and working-class, with a rich history.

This picture-perfect oasis is a popular venue for wedding and quinceañera 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 it butts up to the freeway offramp.

Mariachi Plaza is within walking distance on 1^st 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. Langers is only open until 4 pm as the neighborhood is rough, but it is well worth it.

The park, 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.

Silverlake Reservoir

Ivanhoe Reservoir and Silver Lake are manmade lake basins that form Silver Lake Reservoir. Like Echo Park, the neighborhood is artsy and bohemian.

Visitors can stroll or jog on the walking trail around the lake, enjoy 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, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda and dedicated in 1950, is part of the Self-Realization Fellowship. It is located near the end of Sunset Blvd in Pacific Palisades. It is a serene environment to walk around or sit and contemplate the Universe.

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 chaos of Los Angeles is too much for you, enjoy a little peace and solitude by visiting a lovely urban lake in L.A.