Griffith Park
Griffith Park is one of the best places in Los Angeles to go for a hike, enjoy some fun family activities or just relax in the great outdoors. Located at the east end of the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Feliz, this 4,210-acre public park features popular attractions like the Autry Museum, Griffith Observatory, and Hollywood Sign.
The largest municipal park in the United States, Griffith Park is the perfect place to spend a few hours exploring the natural beauty of Los Angeles. This urban wilderness area is a protected space with diverse plant communities including coastal sage scrub, oak woodlands, and riparian habitats in deep canyons.
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Several hiking routs lead up to the summit of Mount Hollywood, the park’s highest peak and a popular viewpoint for viewing the Hollywood Sign. Hiking trails lead to the mountain’s base as well, where visitors can enjoy views of downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica Bay.
While the park’s high summits offer a spectacular view of the city, its lower peaks are also worth a visit. Whether you’re looking for a one-summit hike or a two-summit circuit, the summits in this park are all worth the trek!
Fern Canyon Trail
Starting from the merry-go-round parking lot on the east side of the park, head up the paved road beyond the barricades. This trail tapers out as it weaves around four creases in the mountainside, offering an expansive view of Griffith Park and Glendale to the west. After a short tenth of a mile, the trail reaches a 5-way junction. Stay to the left and hike another 0.2 miles across a saddle up to Beacon Hill, where you’ll find views over Griffith Park, Glendale, and the mountains beyond.
This is a steep hike with some challenging terrain, but it’s an excellent way to see the park’s highlights without spending your whole day in the woods! This shady fire road is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and it’s a must-do for any hiker visiting Griffith Park.
The roof and terraces of Griffith Observatory allow for panoramic vantage points in all directions, providing a breathtaking look at the Los Angeles skyline. These vistas are accessible throughout the day, when the observatory is open.
Promenade Walkway
The architecturally-dramatic walkway that connects the Observatory’s East and West Terraces offers amazing southern views of the park’s landscape. Its arches and pillars provide a backdrop for the observation decks, which are lined with benches and coin telescopes.
Hollywood Sign Terrace
Overlooking Western Canyon and the Hollywood Hills, this terrace is the best spot to get an up-close look at the world-famous Hollywood Sign. The terrace is also a popular spot for photographers.
Griffith Observatory
The Observatory’s roof and terraces combine science and style in this stunning Art Deco building. Built in 1935, this iconic structure houses an incredible triple-beam solar telescope and a twin refracting Zeiss telescope. It’s also home to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, which boasts a grandiose dome.
