Best Parks in Los Angeles

Barnsdall Art Park

A hilltop cultural park crowned by Frank Lloyd Wright's UNESCO-listed Hollyhock House, surrounded by olive trees and lawns with skyline views. Visitors come for the architecture tour, gallery spaces, and a peaceful picnic above busy Hollywood Boulevard. Practical note: Hollyhock House tours run Thursday-Saturday 11am-4pm (admission charged), and popular Friday-night wine tastings run on the lawn through the summer.

Parks

Echo Park Lake

A scenic urban lake ringed by a walking path, lotus beds, and downtown skyline views, famous for its pedal-powered swan boats. It's a laid-back spot for a stroll, a paddle, or people-watching in one of LA's most characterful neighborhoods. Practical note: swan boat rentals (via Wheel Fun Rentals) often need reservations on busy weekends, and night cruises run after sunset.

Parks

Exposition Park Rose Garden

A historic 7-acre sunken garden with thousands of rose bushes across dozens of varieties, framed by the museums of Exposition Park. It's a tranquil, free stroll and a favorite for photos, perfect to pair with the adjacent Natural History Museum or California Science Center. Practical note: the garden closes annually from January 1 to March 15 for pruning, so plan visits for spring through fall blooms.

Parks

Gloria Molina Grand Park

A 12-acre civic park stretching downhill from the Music Center to City Hall, with its iconic pink chairs, a splash-friendly fountain, and lawns for events. It's the heart of Downtown's public life, hosting free year-round programming and festivals. Practical note: open daily 5:30am-10pm and steps from the Metro Civic Center station, making it transit-easy.

Parks

Griffith Park

One of North America's largest urban parks at over 4,200 acres of rugged hills and trails on the eastern edge of the Santa Monica Mountains. It packs in the Griffith Observatory, the LA Zoo, the Greek Theatre, pony rides, and miles of hiking with sweeping city and Hollywood Sign views. Practical note: parking near the Observatory fills fast on weekends, so arrive early or take the DASH Observatory shuttle.

Parks

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

A sprawling hilltop park in the Baldwin Hills with native sage scrub, a fishing lake, lotus pond, and about five miles of trails offering some of the best 360-degree views of the LA basin. It's a locally loved, less-touristy spot for hiking, picnicking, and sunsets. Practical note: it's closed Mondays and Tuesdays, open Wednesday-Sunday roughly 6am-8pm, with ample parking.

Parks

Lake Hollywood Park

A small grassy hillside park celebrated as one of the best and easiest spots to photograph the Hollywood Sign, which looms close and unobstructed above it. It's a relaxed place for a picnic, dog walk, or that classic LA photo without a long hike. Practical note: open sunrise to sunset with no restrooms, and the narrow residential streets have tight, restricted parking.

Parks

Los Angeles State Historic Park

A 32-acre urban state park on a former rail yard next to Chinatown, with wide meadows, walking paths, and a clear view of the Downtown skyline. It's great for a relaxed walk, picnic, or catching a concert, and it doubles as a window into the city's history. Practical note: open daily 8am-5pm and right beside the Metro Chinatown station for car-free access.

Parks

Runyon Canyon Park

A 160-acre hillside park beloved for short but steep trails that deliver fast panoramic views over Hollywood and the LA basin. It's the city's classic see-and-be-seen hike, very dog-friendly and just steps from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Practical note: there are no restrooms, little shade, and the West Trail has been closed due to fire damage, so bring water and check current trail status.

Parks

Vista Hermosa Natural Park

A 10.5-acre natural park at the western gateway to Downtown, with meandering trails, streams, oak savannah, and a nature-themed playground. The big draw is its surprising serenity plus a postcard view of the DTLA skyline framed by native vegetation. Practical note: open 8am-8pm, it's an easy, family-friendly stop with picnic areas and real restrooms.