For residents of Central Los Angeles neighborhoods like Hollywood, Thai City, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, and Silver Lake, Griffith Park is extensively thought of a shared yard of types. Sitting beside a whole lot of 1000’s of Angelenos, this haven for out of doors lovers is house to numerous main LA landmarks just like the Griffith Observatory, the Previous (and new) Los Angeles Zoo, and the long-lasting Hollywood signal.
With the summer season months upon us, Los Angeles is usually a nice trip spot for households. It may possibly additionally act as a fast pit cease on the best way to different SoCal hotspots like Malibu, the San Diego space, or Disney World. Even higher, Griffith Park is simply exterior of Hollywood — a notably standard cease for vacationers with loads for youths to dig into.
After your loved ones explores a few of the must-stop places off Hollywood Boulevard (the TCL Chinese language Theatre, the Stroll of Fame, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Ripley’s Consider It Or Not, and extra), think about a Griffith Park detour for excellent metropolis views and a spread of choices match for the entire household.
Household-Pleasant Hikes in Griffith Park
Griffith Park is stuffed with nice trails. Many households choose to easily present up and discover, seeing the place they wind up. There are additionally loads of nice play areas and quaint trails to peruse with out even making your means up the hills. Nonetheless, you gained’t remorse setting apart the additional time for these one-of-a-kind treks.
Whereas this record is way from exhaustive, listed here are a few of the greatest family-friendly hikes in Griffith Park.
Griffith Park Previous Zoo Loop
Issue: Straightforward
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation: 390 ft. achieve
Time: Approx. 1-1.5 hours
For those who’re after a fast and straightforward hike with some fascinating sights and historical past alongside the best way, the Griffith Park Previous Zoo Loop is the best way to go.
Begin out on the Merry-Go-Spherical parking zone. The closest tackle is 4668 Crystal Springs Dr. — you’ll see loads of indicators guiding you to “Merry-Go-Spherical,” and parking is free in Lot #1 together with surrounding areas. From right here, you’ll head southwest alongside the Fern Canyon Nature Path and pivot northwest to start climbing uphill.
This hike gives a novel take a look at the Previous Los Angeles Zoo, with quite a few retired animal enclosures lively up till 1966 when the park closed. Together with the allure of the outdated zoo landmarks, make sure to benefit from the extra views of the encompassing neighborhoods and hills of Griffith. There are many areas to cease and relaxation alongside the best way, so that is additionally an ideal choice to plan forward for a day picnic.
As you proceed alongside the path, it loops southeast and ultimately takes you again to the parking zone the place you began. Bear in mind that this is usually a pretty standard hike, so that you’ll probably run into loads of locals and vacationers alongside the best way. For those who’d slightly have extra privateness, purpose to reach earlier than midday or schedule forward for a weekday outing.
Griffith Park Previous Zoo Loop Ideas:
- Bogs are positioned between the Merry-Go-Spherical and the tennis courts, although the outdated zoo additionally has restrooms close to the shaded areas and picnic spots.
- There are a number of methods to make your means as much as the zoo, so you’ll be able to all the time pursue one other path for another expertise.
- The big, deserted reveals are positively a spotlight and will be enjoyable for youths to discover. The small animal reveals are fascinating sights to see as properly.
Fern Dell Nature Path to Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory / Picture by C.Valdez on Unsplash
Issue: Reasonable
Distance: 2.6 miles
Elevation: 616 ft. achieve
Time: Approx. 90 minutes with out stopping
In case you are seeking to knock out a hike and an LA staple in a single swoop, think about a fast trek as much as Griffith Observatory.
Begin by getting into Fern Dell Park from Los Felix Boulevard and Fern Dell Drive. Avenue parking is free, however it could take a while to discover a spot throughout peak instances (weekends and afternoons).
To get the blood pumping, you’ll be able to take the Griffith Observatory Path as a straight shot to the legendary landmark. Bear in mind that this path will be considerably steep, so your kiddos might must take just a few fast moments to relaxation up and hydrate earlier than persevering with. There’s additionally just about no cowl from the solar, so be ready with sunscreen or plan forward for a cloudier day.
Fortuitously, it’s a fairly large path and quick distance to journey — you’ll be stunned at how shortly you make it to the highest. There’s additionally some flat spots alongside the best way with stellar views of the DTLA skyline within the distance. Right here, the Observatory is correct inside attain.
When you make it to the Observatory, you’ll be able to loosen up on the garden or go inside if it’s open. Admission is free, with a number of flooring of reveals centered on astronomy and the Observatory’s historic previous. The present store additionally has some fairly distinctive trinkets and academic toys, resulting in an outside balcony should you want some additional time to catch your breath earlier than heading again. When you’ve had your fill, merely return the best way you got here.
Fern Dell to Griffith Observatory Ideas:
- For those who don’t have the power to make it to the Observatory, there’s loads to soak in with out leaving Fern Dell. That is an extremely cozy space with loads of shade, pure nooks, and even wildlife like turtles and fish to identify within the small creeks scattered all through the park.
- Fern Dell additionally has some fairly sizable playground tools for youths to get pleasure from, with ample seating off to the facet.
- The Trails Cafe is correct off Fern Dell Drive as you head north, with a handful of tables within the solar and shade to refresh. I virtually all the time make a cease right here once I cease by Fern Dell. They’ve loads of espresso choices to offer you a caffeine increase, however their lunch menu and pastries are splendid should you want a fast snack earlier than or after your hike.
- There are porta-potties and restroom constructions across the playground space for any fast lavatory break, together with cleaning soap and water to clean fingers.
Amir’s Backyard Path
Amir’s Backyard / Picture by Kansas Sebastian on Flickr
Issue: Reasonable
Distance: 1 mile
Elevation: 275 ft. achieve
Time: Approx. 40 minutes
For good views with loads of greenery on the high, Amir’s Backyard Path is a reasonably simple hike to suit right into a day of LA enjoyable with loads of secluded locations to cease and relaxation when you arrive.
Amir’s Backyard is an all-volunteer decorative backyard began by Amir Dialameh in 1971, following a significant brush hearth that ravaged the world. The preliminary purpose was to create a relaxation cease for hikers, and out of doors lovers nonetheless benefit from the area for this objective immediately.
To achieve the backyard, go previous the parking space for the Previous LA Zoo towards the parking heaps for the golf course. The path begins behind the principle parking zone. Make your means towards Camp Highway till you see the signal studying “Amir’s Backyard .8 miles.” The path begins as a large grime street earlier than breaking off right into a single monitor with plentiful wood steps to make the summit a bit smoother. There’s positively some elevation to sort out right here, nevertheless it’s not terribly prolonged — solely a few quarter mile. You’ll additionally discover just a few locations to tug off to the facet if anybody wants a fast reset.
When you arrive on the backyard, you’ll discover it’s properly well worth the journey. Amir’s Backyard is aptly named, surrounded by natural world with hidden benches and picnic areas that create a extra secluded feeling even on extra crowded days. As you discover, you’ll be able to spot indicators that dive additional into the Amir’s life and the backyard’s historical past. Take as a lot time as you’d wish to discover — there are some fairly picturesque factors alongside the best way for scenic views on the metropolis and different hills in Griffith Park.
After you’ve had your fill of the backyard, make your means again down the best way you got here. If in case you have additional time, you’ll be able to enterprise off to a few of the surrounding trails and proceed exploring.
Amir’s Backyard Path Ideas:
- It is a nice hike any time of the 12 months, however should you can cease in after some uncommon Los Angeles rain, it’s particularly beautiful and inexperienced.
- If it’s good to hydrate, Amir’s Backyard just lately put in a water fountain in the principle backyard space.
- You’ll probably wish to cease by the restroom earlier than you get going, as there aren’t any choices alongside the path or within the backyard. There are alternatives close to the parking zone, specifically on the Mineral Wells Picnic Space and close to the Merry-Go-Spherical.
Lake Hollywood Reservoir Strolling Path
A view of the Hollywood Signal from the reservoir / Picture by Shawn on Unsplash
Issue: Straightforward
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation: 150 ft. achieve
Time: Approx. 1-1.5 hours
One of the sought-after sights within the space is the legendary Hollywood Signal. This hike will get you up shut and private with out hardly any problem.
You’ll begin on the north facet of Lake Hollywood/Hollywood Reservoir, the place it’s pretty simple to search out parking. Enter by Lake Hollywood Drive on the north facet of the reservoir, and begin making your means across the physique of water. This hike admittedly is extra of a stroll, splendid for households with younger kids or anybody after a extra relaxed out of doors outing.
It’s a serene journey filled with wildlife, like deer, rabbits, lizards, and birds. After all, that is the right likelihood to attain some household photograph ops with the Hollywood Signal, minus the size and energy that different close by hikes require.
Lake Hollywood Reservoir Strolling Path Ideas:
- You will discover porta-potties at the start of the hike and about midway by for any wanted lavatory breaks.
- Refuel on the water fountain and refill station positioned on the trailhead. Be sure you take benefit should you want, as that is the one spot to snag water on this hike.
- Whereas the opposite hikes listed are canine pleasant (so long as they’re on a leash), you’ll have to go away Fido behind for this one — canines should not allowed.
A Household Go to to Griffith Park
This record solely barely scratches the floor of Griffith Park. Alongside the numerous extra hikes to discover, you’ll be able to simply pivot towards any variety of separate trails and attain these identical locations. These are simply a few of the extra easygoing choices with a faster turnaround. This fashion, you could have much more time to soak in every part that Los Angeles and Southern California have to supply.
See you on the paths!
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You will discover them at keeganmwilliams.com or on Instagram @promwitch.
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