Griffith Park
4.7(70K)google
4.6(762)yelp
OutdoorHikingScenic LookoutFamily
Overview
Spanning over 4,300 acres of rugged terrain, Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in North America. Serving as Los Angeles' sprawling green backyard, it offers an array of recreational activities, including miles of hiking and equestrian trails, golf courses, and the historic Griffith Observatory. Visitors can hike to vantage points for sweeping views of the LA basin and the Hollywood Sign, experiencing a perfect blend of wild Southern California nature and historic civic landmarks.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 3-5 hours
Best TimeAn afternoon to night visit (4:00 PM to 9:00 PM) during summer or autumn is perfect. Hike the trails to spot the Hollywood Sign before sunset, then enter the Griffith Observatory for the dusk sky, ending with a view of the glowing LA basin nightscape.
Getting ThereBecause mountain traffic is congested and hilltop parking is very expensive, taking public transit is highly recommended: take the Metro B Line to Vermont / Sunset Station, then transfer to the cheap LADOT DASH Observatory bus directly to the top.
Travel Tips
- Enforced paid parking applies around the Observatory (Mon-Fri 12pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm) with extreme congestion; consider free parking at the lot below or take the DASH Observatory bus from Vermont/Sunset station for just 50 cents.
- The Griffith Observatory buildings are strictly closed on Mondays, but the park grounds, viewpoint areas, and hiking trails remain open daily from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM for Hollywood Sign and skyline viewing.
- Trails to top photo spots like the Wisdom Tree feature steep inclines and zero shade; hike early to avoid heat and bring ample water. Watch out for rattlesnakes on trails during warm seasons and stay on designated paths.
Reviews
Positive
- Climbing Mount Hollywood offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire Downtown LA skyline and is one of the best vantage points for the iconic Hollywood Sign.
- As one of the largest urban wilderness municipal parks in the US, it offers extensive hiking trails, picnic areas, and horseback riding, making it a great natural escape.
- The park integrates cultural sites like the Observatory, the Autry Museum, and Travel Town, making it perfect for a full-day family outing with kids.
- Even with many visitors during the day, the wide main hiking trails and rustic mountain scenery still offer a rare sense of tranquility inside a massive metropolis.
- Whether hiking the trails or visiting the Observatory for nighttime views of LA and the Hollywood Sign, the visual impact is unmatched. Truly a city green lung.
- The park is immense with abundant free open spaces, picnic lawns, and playgrounds, making it perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
- The hiking trails are well-marked with clear English directional signs at key intersections, and the mountain paths are relatively well-maintained and safe.
- Driving offers multiple scenic routes, and during non-peak hours, there are many turnouts to park and snap photos of the expansive cityscape.
Heads up
- During weekends or peak sunset hours, the mountain roads leading to the observatory freeze with traffic, and finding parking is an expensive nightmare.
- Some hiking trails and intersections lack clear multilingual signage or detailed maps, making it easy for first-time visitors to get lost without active navigation.
- Because of its massive size and semi-wilderness state, certain remote areas lack lighting and security after dark, which can feel unsafe for solo travelers.
- Public restrooms and trash cans are mainly clustered near core hubs; it's very difficult to find park benches or facilities along the long, unshaded hiking trails.
- Public transit is very inconvenient; without driving or ridesharing, it is hard to seamlessly visit scattered points within the park relying only on the DASH bus.
- Parking near the observatory is steep at $10 per hour, and spaces are extremely limited, often leading to a 30-minute traffic jam just searching for a spot.
- Some remote trails lack adequate trash cans and public restrooms, and you occasionally see plastic bottles left behind, indicating a need for better upkeep.
- On weekends and around sunset, core areas are completely packed with people, and the viewing platforms are swarming with crowds, losing all sense of natural serenity.
Filming Locations
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