Griffith Park, a sprawling and rugged expanse nestled within Los Angeles, stands as one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. At 4,210 acres, it dwarfs San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and New York City’s Central Park in both size and topography, climbing nearly 1,500 feet in elevation. Despite its wild and mountainous terrain, Griffith Park embodies the spirit of Los Angeles: cinematic, sunlit, and multifaceted.
More than a backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters, Griffith Park offers a rich blend of history, natural beauty, and cultural landmarks. It remains largely undeveloped, preserving the wilderness that once blanketed the region, and serving as a haven for hikers, equestrians, bikers, families, and history enthusiasts alike.
A Legacy of Generosity and Turmoil
The modern history of Griffith Park began in 1896 with a dramatic philanthropic gesture. Mining magnate Colonel Griffith J. Griffith donated 3,000 acres to the City of Los Angeles under the condition that it be used as a public park “forever.” The deed, preserved in the park’s visitor center, reads like a founding document, underscoring the enduring civic vision behind the park’s creation.
Griffith himself was a controversial figure. While publicly promoting temperance, he infamously shot his wife in a drunken fit of rage—a crime for which she survived and subsequently divorced him. Long before his land donation, the area was inhabited by the Tongva people, followed by Spanish land grantees such as José Vicente Feliz. Exhibits at the Autry Museum of the American West, located within the park, delve into these complex histories, exploring topics from Indigenous enslavement to LGBTQ+ rodeo culture and classic Western Americana.
A Playground of Discovery
Griffith Park’s attractions are as varied as its terrain. The park is home to the Los Angeles Zoo, the Griffith Observatory, the Autry Museum, Travel Town, a historic Merry-Go-Round, and countless trails, peaks, and hidden gardens. For families, there are playgrounds and old-fashioned train rides. For adventurers, steep dirt trails offer strenuous hikes and panoramic views of the city. Equestrian paths and paved bike routes provide additional recreational outlets.
The old Los Angeles Zoo, closed since 1965, now serves as a surreal picnic site where visitors can wander through abandoned enclosures built by the Works Progress Administration. On occasion, costumed “Furries” can be found gathering in the former animal pens, lending a whimsical touch to the area.
Nearby, a steep trail leads to Bee Rock, a beehive-shaped formation offering commanding 360-degree views. Along the descent lies Amir’s Garden, a terraced refuge planted by Iranian immigrant Amir Dialameh in the 1970s. His legacy is captured in a quote displayed in the garden: “In the land of the free, plant a tree.”
A Star in Its Own Right
Hollywood’s influence is woven throughout the park. The Griffith Observatory, an Art Deco landmark built in 1935, has appeared in numerous films including Rebel Without a Cause, La La Land, and The Terminator. The observatory, which features a planetarium, Tesla coil, and moon rock exhibit, remains free to the public and open until 10 p.m. daily.
Nearby, visitors can view the iconic Hollywood Sign up close, though access to the letters themselves is now restricted. Originally reading “Hollywoodland,” the sign was conceived as a real estate advertisement before becoming one of the most recognized symbols in American pop culture.
A short hike from Bronson Canyon leads to the so-called Batcave from the 1960s Batman TV series, once a popular filming location and now viewable through a safety fence due to falling rock hazards.
Travel Town, another popular attraction within the park, showcases vintage locomotives and miniature trains, many of which are open for exploration. The venue frequently hosts children’s parties and has served as a backdrop for numerous television series and films.
Rest and Refreshment
For those seeking a bite or a drink after a day of exploration, The Trails café near the Fern Dell area provides a tranquil setting with coffee, baked goods, and light fare beneath a canopy of trees. On the park’s eastern side, Golden Road Brewing offers a lively beer garden experience. Popular for its Ride On West Coast IPA and creative menu—featuring items like fried avocado tacos—the brewery is a favorite stop for parkgoers looking to relax.
The Heart of Los Angeles
Griffith Park is more than just a green space—it is a cultural landmark, a historic archive, and a natural sanctuary. Its sweeping views, rich history, and cinematic allure make it a singular destination that captures the essence of Los Angeles in one vast and vibrant expanse.
From red-tailed hawks circling above to memories of Walt Disney sketching dreams near the Merry-Go-Round, Griffith Park remains a place where history, imagination, and nature converge.
