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Griffith Park Los Angeles Day Trip

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By Matthew Martz
Griffith Park is located in the historic Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Park is the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States spanning over 4,000 acres. Often called the “Central Park” of California, it offers a much more natural and outdoor feeling.

Originally purchased in 1882, the land was used as an ostrich farm by Colonel Griffith J. Griffith. The main purpose of the land was to encourage residents of the surrounding area to purchase his real estate projects nearby. Griffith came to believe the land was haunted by the ghost of its previous owner and donated 3,000 acres to the city of Los Angeles.

The centerpiece of the area is he Griffith Park Observatory. The observatory closed for renovation and expansion in 2002, reopening to the public in 2006. The art deco exterior remained, but inside over $93 million had been spent by a public bond to restore the building and replace the planetarium dome.

The new Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater offers space themed education, “The Café at the End of the Universe” is one of the many cafés run by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Inside the building, one wall is covered with the largest astronomically accurate image ever constructed. Called "The Big Picture" it shows the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, and visitors can explore the highly detailed image through telescopes.

Griffith Park is also home to the Los Angeles Zoo, and is a must stop for any family. It’s one of the most famous Zoo’s in the world and home to 1,100 animals from around the world. It’s most recent notoriety has been the zoo’s successful breeding of the rare California condor.

The zoo also has many upcoming exhibits including Pachyderm Forest in winter 2010, the Reptile and Insect Interpretive Center in 2011 and the Rainforest of the Americas in 2011. The zoo is open from 10am - 5pm every day of the year except Christmas.

Griffith Park Entrace
Griffith Park Los Angeles
Adjacent to the zoo is the Museum of the American West. The museum celebrates the diversity and history of the American West through three important institutions including the Southwest Museum's 238,000-piece collection of Native American art, one of the most significant in the United States, second only to the Smithsonian.

The Museum of the American West was established by actor and original cowboy Gene Autry, to share the story of the American West and cultures, perspectives, and traditions. The collection features 21,000 paintings, sculptures, costumes, textiles, firearms, tools, toys, and musical instruments. The Institute for the Study of the American West is a research and publishing enterprise that produces scholarly work on history and the arts.

Just a few miles away is the Travel Town Museum. A place where visitors ride on a miniature railroad operated by the Los Angeles Live Steamers as well as climbing aboard retired railroad locomotives, passenger cars and streetcars from past eras.

During late November through December is the annual holiday light festival display sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power where Spectators can walk or drive their vehicles through an amazing display.

Two 18-hole golf courses and a 9-hole course, called the Roosevelt, intertwine the park and offer a chance to brush up on your game. A baseball field, basketball and tennis courts, and athletic fields are open for public use. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with the family. Be sure to bring a picnic basket! During summer months, a swimming pool is open.

The park features many hiking and equestrian trails through the mountains; the local unit of the Sierra Club leads free evening and weekend conditioning hikes in Griffith Park every week.

As per Griffith’s wishes, the city finished construction on an outdoor amphitheater in 1930. Music fans can attend concerts under the stars at the magnificent Greek Theatre, which seats 5800 and has been the stage for many famous acts of all genres. You can check online for the current offerings.
Griffith Park Observatory
Griffith Park Observatory
Griffith Park Los Angeles
Griffith Park Los Angeles
 
Griffith park is open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. the hiking trails and mountain roads close at sunset. When visiting the observatory or Greek Theatre, check ahead for show offerings and times.

Ample free parking is available on the south side off of Vermont Canyon Road inside the park, and cars are allowed at the parking lot next to the Greek Theater until 10:30 pm. Food is available in most of the venues at cafes, but try a picnic in the park for fun.

When visiting from Orange County the drive will take about an hour, 30 minutes from anywhere in side Los Angeles County, and an hour from the San Fernando Valley

Directions: Griffith Park lies just west of the Golden State Freeway (I-5), roughly between Los Feliz Boulevard on the south and the Ventura Freeway (SR 134) on the north.

Freeway off-ramps leading to the park from I-5 are Los Feliz Boulevard, Griffith Park (direct entry) and Zoo Drive. Approaching the park on SR 134 eastbound, take either the Forest Lawn Drive or Victory Boulevard off ramps. From SR 134 westbound, take Zoo Drive or Forest Lawn Drive.

After leaving freeways, follow the signs into the park.
Griffith Park Los Angeles, CA 90027 Phone: (323) 913 4688
 

Nearby Los Angeles Attractions:
Hollywood
Bervely Hills
Griffith Observatory
Los Angeles Zoo
Sunset Ranch
Hollywood is visited by tourists from all over the world. Ten minute drive from the observatory
Beverly Hills located in the heart of Los Angeles is the epitome of wealth and style.
Griffith Observatory Free admission and parking to this Los Angees landmark.
Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park is home to over 950 animals from around the world.
Sunset Ranch day and evening horse back rides through the hills of Griffith Park. .
 
 
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