5 Great Parks in Los Angeles

Even if you’ve never been to Los Angeles, you’ve probably already seen Griffith Park a time or two. The famous Hollywood sign adorns the hills of this 1,700-plus hectare park in northern L.A. The park also contains a zoo, an equestrian center, a place to rent bicycles, the iconic music venue, The Greek Theatre and the famous Griffith Observatory, not to mention ample places to picnic. If you’re traveling with children, take Crystal Springs Drive and park near the Griffith Park merry-go-round so your kids can take advantage of the playground equipment near the Park Center picnic area.

The Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, located southwest of downtown L.A., contains more than 160 hectares of lush scenery. Gnarled trees bursting with foliage, carpets of grass, manicured sports fields and playgrounds, and a duck-filled lake are all part of the picturesque landscape. The recreation area is also known for its well-kept trails, which afford tremendous views of the city. Plus, the park’s 100 picnic tables make it easy to find a spot to enjoy lunch outdoors.

Located in the charming coastal city of Santa Monica just west of downtown L.A., Tongva Park is another ideal picnic spot. Formerly a parking lot, this small space has been transformed into an urban oasis, complete with a modern playground, spewing fountains and even a scenic overlook that offers views of the Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Ocean. There are also handfuls of benches, picnic tables and wide swaths of grass that provide excellent places to enjoy a picnic lunch.

Echo Park, located near downtown L.A. by Major League baseball’s Dodger Stadium, has a sprawling man-made lake where you can spend part of the day boating. Its grassy banks are the perfect place to escape the bustle of L.A. for a relaxing picnic. (In the summertime, the lake is decorated in pink and white lotus flowers.) Because you’re right in the heart of L.A., you’ll enjoy inspiring views of skyscrapers without the flurry that accompanies them. If you forgot to pack food, you could pick up some Mexican tamales from one of the onsite vendors.

Just south of downtown L.A., Exposition Park is a rectangle of green space nestled in between the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California Science Center, and the University of Southern California. Its location, at the nexus of some of the city’s top cultural attractions, makes it a great place to stop, enjoy a bite to eat and smell the roses — and that’s meant literally as well as figuratively since you’ll find a gorgeous rose garden at the center of the park.