General Information
NFT Maps: 3, 4, 5, 50, 51 & 57
Address: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: 323-913-4688
Website: www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/griffithPk.htm
Hours: 6 am–10 pm, daily (bridle trails, hiking paths, and mountain roads close at sunset)
Overview
It’s one of LA’s great tragedies that we Angelenos do not make better or more frequent use of Griffith Park. It’s the largest municipal park in the United States, far larger than New York’s Central Park, yet not nearly as convenient. Sure, it’s easily accessible from both the 5 and the 134 freeways, but Griffith Park is still a hike (pun intended) from the Westside, a slow crawl from the West Valley, and might as well be a world away from the South Bay. Most park-goers come to Griffith Park for its museums and attractions (the Zoo, the Greek Theatre, etc.), but these are just the beginning of the wide variety of activities the park has to offer.
Unfortunately, brush fires hit Griffith Park hard in 2007. Dante’s View and Captain’s Roost, both scenic respites for weary hikers, were both destroyed, and the bird sanctuary suffered heavy damage as well. Hydromulching has spurred regrowth, but burned areas will remain closed until further notice, and barbecues and fires of any kind are now prohibited as well (but locals don’t seem to know that). And if it’s not the fire, it’s the rain—flooding is easier in the convalescence. For updated information about repair status, openings, and closings, check www.lagriffithpark.org before making your trip to the park. And watch out for rattlesnakes!
Practicalities
Located northwest of downtown LA, Griffith Park is easily reached from either I-5 or the 134. From I-5, get off at Los Feliz Boulevard, Griffith Park (direct entry), or Zoo Drive. From 134 eastbound, take either the Forest Lawn Drive or Victory Boulevard exits. From 134 westbound, take Zoo Drive or Forest Lawn Drive. Speed at your own risk: the 25 mph speed limit on all park roads is strictly enforced.
Activities
Located within the park are facilities for golf (Harding, Los Feliz, Roosevelt, and Wilson Municipal golf courses); swimming (the Plunge Pool is open in summer months); hiking; jogging; horseback riding; tennis (Griffith-Riverside Pay, Vermont Pay, and the free Griffith Park Drive Courts); soccer (John Ferraro Athletic Fields at the northeast corner of the park); and camping and picnicking at one of the five main picnic areas.
Several playgrounds are located throughout the park, usually near picnic areas. The newest among them, Shane’s Inspiration, is a “boundless playground” designed to allow children with disabilities to play alongside their able-bodied peers. Bicycles, including tandems, can be rented from Crystal Springs Bike and Skate Rental, located in a shack behind the Crystal Springs Ranger Station.
Young park-goers also enjoy the pony and train rides located near the Los Feliz Boulevard entrance to the park. The Griffith Park Southern Railroad takes riders on a one-mile-plus ride over a meadow, through an old Western town, and past a Native American village. The hours of operation are 10 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays, and the train runs until 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost $2 for adults and $1.50 for kids ages 1–13. The pony rides come in three speeds—slow, slower, and barely breathing—but neither the kids nor the horses ever seem to mind. There is also a surprisingly peppy merry-go-round located between the Zoo and the Los Feliz entrance to the park that’s always worth a spin. The Fern Dell “hike” is an easy walk for a parent with a stroller or even a more mobile small child. This nature walk is located at the Fern Dell Drive entrance and features waterfalls, tunnels, and a picnic area for snacking.
From Thanksgiving until New Year’s, Griffith Park hosts the annual LADWP Holiday Light Festival from 5 pm until 10 pm nightly. Music plays over twinkling light displays intended both to dazzle and to celebrate the history of LA. However, because the program is free, you might argue that there are finer light shows to be seen at some of the nearby mansions of Toluca Lake and Los Feliz. But a wiser, more polite person would argue that this is the LADWP’s gift to the City of Los Angeles and we should appreciate it for the kind holiday gesture that it is. And, of course, for its considerable kitsch value. The light show really does draw the crowds, so you might consider parking at the zoo and going through the mile-long display on foot.
Griffith Park Museums
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Rd, 323-664-1181; www.griffithobservatory.org
After closing its doors and shutting down its telescopes in January 2002 for a much-needed renovation, the observatory reopened in 2007, just in time for its 71st anniversary. At first glance, you might not even notice many of the multi-million-dollar improvements, since so much care went into retaining the observatory’s Art Deco style, and because a majority of the expansion is hidden beneath the front lawn. But the Hall of Science is bigger, there’s a 200-seat presentation theater (called the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, for all the Trekkies in the house), classrooms, conference rooms, an expanded book store, and just about anything else a stargazer could hope to find. Admission is free if you’re a pedestrian or cyclist, but the Observatory now follows a Getty-like system that forces visitors to reserve parking and shuttle services in advance. Parking is available at Hollywood & Highland or the Observatory Satellite (near the zoo), and a shuttle reservation is $8 for adults, $4 for children. Visit the above website to reserve your spot.
The Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Wy, 323-667-2000; theautry.org
Part museum of history, part art gallery, the Autry is devoted to the stories, the people, the cultures, and the events that have shaped the legacy of the region. Learn about Spanish explorers, discover how the genre of the western evolved through radio, movies, and television, and see paintings by Remington and Russell. Grab a bite at the museum’s Autry Café (open for breakfast and lunch). Hours: Tues-Fri, 10 am–4 pm; Sat-Sun, 11 am-5pm. Admission costs $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, $4 for children ages 3–12. The museum is free for kids under 3 and is free for all on the second Tuesday of every month.
Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont Canyon Rd, 323-665-5857; www.greektheatrela.com
Built with funds left to the city by affluent psycho Griffith J. Griffith, LA’s outdoor theater has been hosting live music under the stars since 1930. In recent years, the 6,100-seat venue has hosted Sir Paul McCartney, The White Stripes, Tina Turner, Elton John, and the Russian National Ballet, just to name a few. At the ripe old age of 75, the theater recently underwent a multi-million-dollar facelift that has improved the acoustics and comfort of the outdoor arena. Tickets to performances can be purchased in person at the box office, or through Ticketmaster.
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr, 323-644-4200; www.lazoo.org
The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) Freeways. The most popular attractions are the Red Ape Rain Forest, the Treetops Terrace, and the newly renovated Sea Lion Cliffs. The zoo is open daily from 10 am until 5 pm (except on Christmas Day). Note that the zoo puts animals in for the night an hour before closing time. Admission costs $13, $10 for seniors over 62, and $8 for children 2-12. Children under two and parking are both free. Annual memberships are a smart move for families with children. Packages start at $45.
Travel Town Museum
5200 Zoo Dr, 323-662-5874; www.traveltown.org
Travel Town Museum is an outdoor museum that spotlights the railroad heritage of the western US. The collection includes locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, and a couple of cabooses, as well as a miniature train ride for kids (one of three in the park). Hours: Mon–Fri: 10 am–4 pm; Sat–Sun: 10 am–5 pm. Admission and parking are free, and a ride on the miniature train costs just $2.50.