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| Griffith Park Hiking | Photo: Discover Los Angeles |
Another option is to book a guided hiking tour with Bikes and Hikes, consistently rated LA's top outdoor tour provider by TripAdvisor. Bikes and Hikes offers 1.5-hour and 2.5-hour Hollywood Sign hikes; and a 2.5-hour hike to the Griffith Observatory. A VIP Private Tour is also available.
1) GRIFFITH PARK TRAILS
Trail: Bronson CanyonDistance: Less than a mile roundtrip
Special Feature: “To the Batcave!”
Getting There: From Hollywood Boulevard, travel north on Bronson Ave (its namesake) until the road dead-ends at a Griffith Park Gate. Or from Franklin Ave. in Hollywood, go north on Canyon Dr. until the road ends, at the "Camp Hollywoodland" parking lot. Cross the small, red concrete bridge on the right (east) side of the road. Walk around the vehicle barrier, keep left and follow the unpaved road for the short walk into Bronson Canyon. Make a sharp right from the parking lot if you want to see the "batcaves." (VIEW MAP)
Located in the southwest section of Griffith Park and easily accessible from Hollywood, Bronson Canyon has been a popular location for generations of filmmakers who make use of its remote-looking, somewhat alien setting. Bronson Canyon has been featured in classics like The Searchers and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, as well as more recent films like Star Trek VI and Army of Darkness. “Bronson Cave” is actually a 50-foot long tunnel, the remnants of a quarry that was founded in 1903 and originally called Brush Canyon. The tunnel entrance is best known as the mouth of the Batcave from the 1960s Batman TV series.
Trail: Griffith Observatory West Trail Loop
Distance: About 2.5 miles
Special Feature: Views of Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood sign and the L.A. Basin
Getting There: The hike starts at the Fern Dell picnic area near Los Feliz Blvd. You can pick up the trail near the creek past the restrooms. Stay to the right and head uphill toward the Griffith Observatory. You’ll be able to stop and enjoy views of the city along the way. As the path flattens out, you’ll see a trail to the right leading up to the observatory. On the way back, stay right all the way down the hill. The trail will curve around a bit and then take you back to the Fern Dell picnic area. (VIEW MAP)
Distance: About 2.5 miles
Special Feature: Views of Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood sign and the L.A. Basin
Getting There: The hike starts at the Fern Dell picnic area near Los Feliz Blvd. You can pick up the trail near the creek past the restrooms. Stay to the right and head uphill toward the Griffith Observatory. You’ll be able to stop and enjoy views of the city along the way. As the path flattens out, you’ll see a trail to the right leading up to the observatory. On the way back, stay right all the way down the hill. The trail will curve around a bit and then take you back to the Fern Dell picnic area. (VIEW MAP)
Trail: Brush Canyon Trail
Distance: About 2 miles
Special Feature: Peace and quiet, as well as spectacular views near Mount Hollywood Dr.
Getting There: You can park in the lot on Canyon Dr., located just past Bronson Park. From there, head uphill past the gate and pick up the trail on the fire road heading toward the Pacific Electric quarry. You’ll pass a park and a picnic area and then climb out of the canyon. After about 3/4 of a mile, the trail intersects with the Mulholland Trail. Follow the trail to the right and continue another 1/4 mile to Mount Hollywood Dr. To get back, follow the same route, taking a left at the Mulholland Trail junction. (VIEW MAP)
Griffith Park is the tenth-largest municipally owned park in the United States and one of the largest urban parks in North America, spanning over 4,300 acres of land. Discover the best attractions and activities in Griffith Park with our guide.
Trail: Runyon Canyon Loop
Distance: About 3 miles round-trip
Special Feature: The views at Cloud’s Rest, the off-leash policy for dogs and the occasional celebrity sighting
Getting There: From Hollywood Blvd., head north on Fuller Ave. Park at the end of Fuller (free parking) and enter the well-marked park. Take the trail to the right and complete the loop counterclockwise. (VIEW MAP)
This hike is by no means a wilderness experience, so if you’re looking for solitude, you might want to try other trails. On the other hand, this is a great hike for people-watching and possible celebrity sightings - it gives beginning hikers a chance to check out the Hollywood Hills and the amazing views at the trail summit, known as Cloud’s Rest.
Whether you’re wearing the latest hiking gear or just sneakers and sun hats, this is a fun hike highlighted by million-dollar mansions and priceless views of the Hollywood Sign, the Sunset Strip and the L.A. Basin.
Trail: Discovery Trail
Distance: About 1 mile round-trip
Special Feature: Franklin Canyon Lake and the Sooky Goldman Nature Center
Getting There: From West Los Angeles, head north on Beverly Drive, following signs to Coldwater Canyon. Turn left on Coldwater/Beverly Dr., and turn left again on Beverly Dr., at Fire Station No. 2. The third right is Franklin Canyon Dr. Continue through the residential area to the park entrance. At the intersection of Franklin Canyon Dr. and Lake Dr. turn right to go to Franklin Canyon Ranch site, or turn left to go to the Sooky Goldman Nature Center and Franklin Canyon Lake. (VIEW MAP)
Located near Benedict Canyon at the geographical center of Los Angeles, Franklin Canyon Park spans 605 acres and features over five miles of hiking trails. The park’s history dates to 1914, when William Mulholland built the Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir. In the 1930s, the family of oil baron Edward Doheny used the canyon as a summer retreat. The easy stroll around the reservoir offers plentiful views of birds and wildlife, as well as access to other, more difficult trails such as the Hastain Trail, which rises to offer views from West L.A. to the Pacific.
Pop culture fans will likely recognize Franklin Canyon Park, which is frequently used as a TV and film location, including the famous hitchhiking scene from It Happened One Night with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. The three-acre Franklin Lake was the “fishing hole” in the opening credits of The Andy Griffith Show, as well as the lagoon in the Universal Studios horror classic Creature from the Black Lagoon. The park was also the background for the cover photo of Simon & Garfunkel’s album Sounds of Silence.
Trail: Betty B. Dearing Trail
Distance: About 2.5 miles round-trip
Special Feature: Panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley, TreePeople, “Rainforest”
Getting There: From Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, take Laurel Canyon Boulevard about a mile south to Fryman Road. Make a right and you’ll see the large parking lot (fee: $3), which features restrooms, water fountains and picnic area. (VIEW MAP)
Because its parking lot entrance is located on Fryman Road, the 128-acre Wilacre Park is often mistakenly referred to as Fryman Canyon Park. In fact, this hike can take you through three parks: Wilacre, Fryman Canyon and Coldwater Canyon. The well-shaded, dog-friendly Betty B. Dearing Trail starts off steep before it begins to level off after a quarter mile. One mile into your hike and you’ll be at Coldwater Canyon Park, home of TreePeople, a leading environmental nonprofit organization. The cul-de-sac at Iredell Lane leads you to the hidden Rainforest Trail within Fryman Canyon.
Trail: Eaton Canyon Trail
Distance: Just under 4 miles
Special Feature: 40-foot waterfall, Eaton Canyon Nature Center
Getting There: From the 210 Freeway, head north on Altadena Drive about 1.5 miles to the park entrance. Eaton Canyon Natural Area is located at 1750 North Altadena Drive, one block north of New York Drive in Pasadena. (VIEW MAP)
Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the Eaton Canyon Natural Area is a 190-acre zoological, botanical, and geological nature preserve situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. In addition to hiking, visitors can enjoy equestrian trails with a staging area, picnic areas, a seasonal stream, and native flora and fauna in their natural habitats. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center features a wonderful variety of live animals on display, fascinating exhibits and useful visitor information.
From the trailhead at the north end of the parking lot, hike along the well-marked main path of the Eaton Canyon Trail to the junction marked WATERFALL. Continue to the next junction and follow the trail under the concrete bridge and into Eaton Canyon. From here, the trail is less defined and much more rugged. There’s boulder-hopping and - depending on the season and rainfall - you could be creek-crossing, so be prepared. Continue through the main canyon and you’ll arrive at a 40-foot waterfall, an especially popular destination during the summer, thanks to its cooling mist and the small pool at its base.
Distance: About 2 miles
Special Feature: Peace and quiet, as well as spectacular views near Mount Hollywood Dr.
Getting There: You can park in the lot on Canyon Dr., located just past Bronson Park. From there, head uphill past the gate and pick up the trail on the fire road heading toward the Pacific Electric quarry. You’ll pass a park and a picnic area and then climb out of the canyon. After about 3/4 of a mile, the trail intersects with the Mulholland Trail. Follow the trail to the right and continue another 1/4 mile to Mount Hollywood Dr. To get back, follow the same route, taking a left at the Mulholland Trail junction. (VIEW MAP)
Griffith Park is the tenth-largest municipally owned park in the United States and one of the largest urban parks in North America, spanning over 4,300 acres of land. Discover the best attractions and activities in Griffith Park with our guide.
RUNYON CANYON
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| Runyon Canyon | Photo: Yuri Hasegawa |
Distance: About 3 miles round-trip
Special Feature: The views at Cloud’s Rest, the off-leash policy for dogs and the occasional celebrity sighting
Getting There: From Hollywood Blvd., head north on Fuller Ave. Park at the end of Fuller (free parking) and enter the well-marked park. Take the trail to the right and complete the loop counterclockwise. (VIEW MAP)
This hike is by no means a wilderness experience, so if you’re looking for solitude, you might want to try other trails. On the other hand, this is a great hike for people-watching and possible celebrity sightings - it gives beginning hikers a chance to check out the Hollywood Hills and the amazing views at the trail summit, known as Cloud’s Rest.
Whether you’re wearing the latest hiking gear or just sneakers and sun hats, this is a fun hike highlighted by million-dollar mansions and priceless views of the Hollywood Sign, the Sunset Strip and the L.A. Basin.
FRANKLIN CANYON PARK
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| Franklin Canyon | Photo: Yuri Hasegawa |
Distance: About 1 mile round-trip
Special Feature: Franklin Canyon Lake and the Sooky Goldman Nature Center
Getting There: From West Los Angeles, head north on Beverly Drive, following signs to Coldwater Canyon. Turn left on Coldwater/Beverly Dr., and turn left again on Beverly Dr., at Fire Station No. 2. The third right is Franklin Canyon Dr. Continue through the residential area to the park entrance. At the intersection of Franklin Canyon Dr. and Lake Dr. turn right to go to Franklin Canyon Ranch site, or turn left to go to the Sooky Goldman Nature Center and Franklin Canyon Lake. (VIEW MAP)
Located near Benedict Canyon at the geographical center of Los Angeles, Franklin Canyon Park spans 605 acres and features over five miles of hiking trails. The park’s history dates to 1914, when William Mulholland built the Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir. In the 1930s, the family of oil baron Edward Doheny used the canyon as a summer retreat. The easy stroll around the reservoir offers plentiful views of birds and wildlife, as well as access to other, more difficult trails such as the Hastain Trail, which rises to offer views from West L.A. to the Pacific.
Pop culture fans will likely recognize Franklin Canyon Park, which is frequently used as a TV and film location, including the famous hitchhiking scene from It Happened One Night with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. The three-acre Franklin Lake was the “fishing hole” in the opening credits of The Andy Griffith Show, as well as the lagoon in the Universal Studios horror classic Creature from the Black Lagoon. The park was also the background for the cover photo of Simon & Garfunkel’s album Sounds of Silence.
WILACRE PARK
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| Studio City viewed from TreePeople Photo: Discover Los Angeles |
Distance: About 2.5 miles round-trip
Special Feature: Panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley, TreePeople, “Rainforest”
Getting There: From Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, take Laurel Canyon Boulevard about a mile south to Fryman Road. Make a right and you’ll see the large parking lot (fee: $3), which features restrooms, water fountains and picnic area. (VIEW MAP)
Because its parking lot entrance is located on Fryman Road, the 128-acre Wilacre Park is often mistakenly referred to as Fryman Canyon Park. In fact, this hike can take you through three parks: Wilacre, Fryman Canyon and Coldwater Canyon. The well-shaded, dog-friendly Betty B. Dearing Trail starts off steep before it begins to level off after a quarter mile. One mile into your hike and you’ll be at Coldwater Canyon Park, home of TreePeople, a leading environmental nonprofit organization. The cul-de-sac at Iredell Lane leads you to the hidden Rainforest Trail within Fryman Canyon.
EATON CANYON
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| Eaton Canyon Falls Photo: Yuri Hasegawa |
Distance: Just under 4 miles
Special Feature: 40-foot waterfall, Eaton Canyon Nature Center
Getting There: From the 210 Freeway, head north on Altadena Drive about 1.5 miles to the park entrance. Eaton Canyon Natural Area is located at 1750 North Altadena Drive, one block north of New York Drive in Pasadena. (VIEW MAP)
Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the Eaton Canyon Natural Area is a 190-acre zoological, botanical, and geological nature preserve situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. In addition to hiking, visitors can enjoy equestrian trails with a staging area, picnic areas, a seasonal stream, and native flora and fauna in their natural habitats. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center features a wonderful variety of live animals on display, fascinating exhibits and useful visitor information.
From the trailhead at the north end of the parking lot, hike along the well-marked main path of the Eaton Canyon Trail to the junction marked WATERFALL. Continue to the next junction and follow the trail under the concrete bridge and into Eaton Canyon. From here, the trail is less defined and much more rugged. There’s boulder-hopping and - depending on the season and rainfall - you could be creek-crossing, so be prepared. Continue through the main canyon and you’ll arrive at a 40-foot waterfall, an especially popular destination during the summer, thanks to its cooling mist and the small pool at its base.
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