Griffith Park is as important to Los Angeles as any piece of Hollywood history, but just like Hollywood movies, the park is all about the escape. Escaping the city is easy in Griffith Park’s massive 4,200 acres of mostly untamed land, streaked with amazing hiking trails and incredible views of downtown, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, the Hollywood sign, and even the ocean on a clear day. For a look at the trail system in Griffith Park, check this map out. Griffith Park is open from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM, with all hiking trails and mountain roads closed at sunset. The best time to go is early morning for great sunrise views and cool temperatures, plus you’ll avoid the crowds. It’s also amazing for sunsets, but expect to see lots of amateur photographers and tour groups, especially around the Observatory. There are many events held at Griffith Park all year round, so check here to see if there’s an event coming up you’d like to attend. For more activities available in Griffith Park, see below.
ACTIVITIES IN GRIFFITH PARK
The Griffith Observatory – The observatory is open to the public and is free to walk inside the building and around the grounds. There is a charge to see the shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. The observatory is open six days a week (closed Mondays), Noon to 10:00 PM on weekdays, and 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekends.
Merry-Go-Round – Located off Crystal Springs Drive, set back behind the Tennis Courts you will find a 68 horse Merry-Go-Round built in 1926. The price for a ‘Go-Round’ is $2.00. Attached to the MerryGo-Round is a concession stand providing soft drinks, hot dogs, cotton candy and ice cream, for a very reasonable price. Hours: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
More Activities…
Tennis — http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/griffithpk/tennis.htm
Golf — http://www.golf.lacity.org/green_fees.htm#fees_18_reg
Bike Riding — http://spokes-n-stuff.com/griffith_park.html
Pony Rides — http://griffithparkponyride.com/index.html
Train Rides — http://www.griffithparktrainrides.com/content/griffith-park-attractions
Live Steamers Railroad Museum — http://www.lals.org/
Swimming — http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/facility/griffithParkPool.htm
Equestrian — http://www.la-equestriancenter.com/businesses.htm
Los Angeles Zoo — http://www.lazoo.org/visit/
