With over 4,300 acres of land to explore, Griffith Park is the largest city park in Los Angeles. You can enjoy some of the best views of the city and of the Hollywood sign from Griffith Park. It is also the perfect location to enjoy a picnic, a bike ride, or a hike, and within its borders you'll find the L.A. Zoo, multiple museums, and other fun activities.
Parking and public transportation to Griffith Park
There is plenty of free parking at Griffith Park.
Public transportation is limited. Metro Bus 96 can take you to the LA Zoo from both downtown L.A. and from the City of Burbank. Once at the Zoo, you can walk to other attractions, such as to the Autry Museum which is just across the street. See a Metro Bus 96 schedule here.
The DASH Observatory Shuttle can take you to the Observatory from Hollywood (Vermont and Sunset) on weekends only. See a map of the bus route here. You can get to Hollywood on the Metro Red Line. Plan your trip at metro.net.
Best and worst time to go to Griffith Park
Griffith Park is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. However, if you are planning to visit the attractions within the park, you may want to look up their hours of operation. Griffith Observatory, for example, is closed on Mondays.
Admission to Griffith Park
Admission to the park is free, but there are various charges to the attractions within it.
Must see/do at Griffith Park
- The Autry National Center – a museum dedicated to the history of the American West.
- Los Angeles Zoo
- Griffith Park and Southern Railroad – See more information here.
- Travel Town Railroad – See more information here.
- Hollywood sign – you can't walk up to it, but you can take wonderful pictures from nearby points.
- Griffith Park Observatory – besides learning about the stars, you can catch fabulous views of Los Angeles from this location.
- The Greek Theatre – See more information here.
Insider tips for visitors
The Independent Shakespeare Company presents free performances at the Old Zoo location during the summer months only. Check here for more information. If your visit matches with one of the performances, pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and prepare yourself to enjoy a well-done Shakespeare production in the most wonderful of ambiances.
Author's Bio: Dena Burroughs has lived in Los Angeles for almost 30 years. She loves palm trees, Shakespeare, and dancing Salsa. VidaSalsera.com is her own website.