Griffith Park

One of North America's largest urban parks — 4,000-plus acres of trails, the Observatory, the LA Zoo, the Autry Museum, Travel Town, pony rides, and the Hollywood Sign, all in one. Free and endlessly varied. It's huge, so pick a zone and go; don't try to do it all in one visit.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

When's the best time to visit?

Early morning or the hours before sunset — the light is beautiful, the temperature is bearable, and parking is easier. Midday summer on the exposed trails is brutal. Weekdays are noticeably calmer than weekends across the whole park.

Is Griffith Park free?

Yes — the park itself is free to enter and open daily, with only certain attractions inside (the zoo, some rides, museums) charging admission. Hiking, picnicking, and the views cost nothing. It's one of LA's great free resources, hiding in plain sight.

Which trails should I hike?

For views with modest effort, try the trails up to the Observatory or Mount Hollywood; for a bigger challenge, head toward Mount Lee behind the Hollywood Sign. Most are exposed with little shade, so morning is best. Even a short walk rewards you with sweeping city panoramas.

How do I get to the Hollywood Sign from here?

Several of the park's trails lead toward sign viewpoints and the summit of Mount Lee behind it — the Mount Hollywood and Brush Canyon routes are popular. It's a moderate hike with sun exposure, so bring water and start early. The park is the best legitimate way to reach the sign on foot.

What are the park hours?

The park is generally open 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with the mountain roads and trails closing at dusk (around sunset) for safety. Individual attractions keep their own hours. Come early to beat both crowds and the summer heat on the exposed trails.

Can I get around without a car?

Partly — the Metro B Line plus the DASH Observatory shuttle gets you to the Observatory area and some trailheads, but the park is enormous and spread out, so a car helps a lot for the zoo, Travel Town, and far corners. For a focused Observatory-and-hike day, transit works fine.

Is it good for kids?

Wonderful for kids — Travel Town's trains, the pony rides, the merry-go-round, the zoo, and gentle trails are all family gold. It's one of the most reliable kid-friendly destinations in the city, and much of it is free or cheap. Spread activities across a morning.

What is there to do here?

A lot — the Griffith Observatory, the LA Zoo, the Autry Museum of the American West, Travel Town railroad museum, the Greek Theatre, merry-go-round, pony rides, golf, tennis, and miles of hiking. It's less a park than a whole recreation district. Pick a theme and build your day around it.

Nearby in Ask Los Angeles

• Griffith ParkAttraction0.02 km · 0 min walk
• Old Los Angeles ZooAttraction0.57 km · 7 min walk
• Autry Museum of the American WestMuseum1.78 km · 22 min walk
• Griffith ObservatoryAttraction2.11 km · 26 min walk
• Hollywood SignAttraction2.53 km · 32 min walk