Griffith Park Los Angeles

Griffith Park Los Angeles is a huge park smack dab in the middle of the city. It is over 4,210 acres! Central Park in New York is less than 1000 acres! Who says Los Angeles doesn't have nature?!

Griffith Park rises up above Hollywood and Los Feliz, visible from all around the area. It is a great place to hike, picnic and do a ton of other activities. One of the neat things about Griffith Park is that there is something for everyone here. There are big open park areas, there are picnic areas, there are playgrounds, and there are miles of hiking trails. And that doesn't even include all the specific attractions such as the Greek Theater, the Griffith Park Los Angeles Pony Rides, the Minature Train, the Travel Town Museum, the LA Zoo, the Griffith Park Observatory and more!

Hiking is easy and abundant in Griffith Park. Simply drive in and you'll find dozens of trail heads in just about every part of the park. It is mostly typical chapparal terrain but because of the hilly area there are often beautiful views of the city as you climb up.

There are also numerous flat, grassy park areas with tables and benches, perfect for family outings, parties and leisurly picnics.

In addition to the simple park areas and hiking trails, there are several attractions and activities that makes Griffith Park a rich spot for families with young kids. First, if you want to get on your kids' good side, there is nothing that can quite match treating them to a day at the Griffith Park Pony Rides and Miniature Train Ride.

The pony rides have a bunch of small ponies that kids can ride around the big oval track for quiet inexpensive. There are two types of horses to choose from, slow and fast. The fast are not really that fast, they just gallop a bit. It might scare a very young child but isn't dangerous or hard to control, they are still just on the track. Be prepared, your kids will likely want to go around and around again and again, so bring enough cash. Its only a few bucks per ride (you get two loops around the track usually).

Right next to it is a horse drawn carraige you can ride around the outside of the track on with the whole family. Also nearby is the miniature train ride. This little train is both for kids and adults and it takes you in a big loop with lots of fun scenery for the kids to see (bridges, tunnel, water towers, a fake old-west town, etc.).

Also fun for families with young kids, Shane's Inspiration is a large playground in the park. Inspired by a handicapped child, the play structures all include ramps that are wheelchair accessible. Its a quite big area with all kinds of structures and things to do. Right next to it is a big grassy area with huge, beautiful trees to picnic or play. Not far is a carousel that is open weekends and also weekdays during the summer and Christmas and Easter vacations.

Should we keep going? OK, we have more to tell about Griffith Park Los Angeles but we don't want to bore you! Have a kid thats nuts about the rails, there is also the Travel Town Museum at the north end of the park. It is a huge area with several full-sized, real trains that you can explore and walk on. There are a bunch of other things to explore too, including another miniature train that you can ride. This is a great place for birthday parties!

Of course, one of the most famous parts of the park is the Griffith Park Observatory, an old, real observatory perched up on the hill, overlooking the city. This beautiful structure was recently restored and is again open for tours and more. The views from up on the platform around the entrance to the observatory are beautiful.

There is also the Greek Theater, a great, medium-sized (smaller than the Hollywood Bowl) open-air amphetheater where there are shows year-round. And who can forget the Griffith Park Los Angeles Zoo.

Whether its just nature and hiking in the heart of the city you are looking for, or other activities for the whole family, Griffith Park is a must stop for Los Angelenos and visitors alike.

Griffith Park Los Angeles - How to Get There:
Hiking in Griffith Park Los Angeles is abundant. There are trails all around. On the west end of the park, drive along Los Feliz Blvd to find entrances to the park. Fern Dell Drive and N Vermont Ave both enter the park and there are numerous places to park and explore as you wind your way up.

For the pony rides and train, take Los Feliz Blvd. to Crystal Springs Dr. just before you reach the 5 freeway. Turn left and you'll find it easily. If you follow the signs, this is also how you can get to Shane's Inspiration playground.

The Zoo and Travel Town Museum are further towards the north end of the park. You can either continue up Crystal Springs Dr. until it turns into Zoo Dr. Or you can get there off the 134 freeway near where it meets the 5. The 134 hooks around the north side of park. The Travel Town Museum is just off the Forest Lawn Drive Exit off of the 134 (Ventura Fwy).