Built for the 1932 Olympic games, Exposition Park is now a venue for many sports and cultural events. Originally known as "Agricultural Park," it houses a sports arena, coliseum, museum, science center, rose garden, a swimming stadium and expo center. The park is bustling with activities throughout the year with events like Annual Bug Fair and Science Camp. The Rose Garden can be hired for special events and the Coliseum hosts popular sports events. Exposition Park also plays host to the L.A. Food Fest, a culinary extravaganza attracting food lovers from far and beyond.
Spread over 4,310 acres (1,744 hectares) of the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, Griffith Park is often referred to as "the Central Park of Los Angeles". The municipal park is one of North America's largest urban green spaces. There's ample opportunity for outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding, and tennis alongside popular attractions like the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Greek Theater, and the iconic Hollywood Sign. At the confluence of landscaped greenery and rugged wilderness, Griffith Park is Los Angeles' most treasured recreational venue and scenic escape.
160 acres (65 hectares) of unspoiled nature can be seen at the east point of the Santa Monica mountains at Runyon Canyon Park. This pet-friendly park has two southern entrances and a northern entrance at Mulholland Drive. Go for a hike or head to the play area where your kids can play. Keep your camera ready as celebrities are known to unwind here as well.
The Huntington, the former home of a railroad tycoon, is many things—an extensive library filled with rare books, a large art collection containing numerous European prints and paintings, botanical gardens of almost unmatched splendor and a forum for regular lectures and other activities. You will also find a fine bookstore, cafe and tea room on the grounds. Come and wander through the 150 acres of colorful gardens, lily ponds and beautiful sculptures. The rare books and manuscripts in the library include some of the earliest editions of Shakespeare's works, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible on vellum and the Ellesmere manuscript of one or more of Chaucer's greatest works. Please note reservations are required in order to visit and prices vary depending on the day of the week.
One of the largest homes ever built in Beverly Hills is the Greystone Mansion, a 55-room English Tudor Mansion constructed by Edward L. Doheny in 1928. A gift to his son, it also includes a huge garden. The grounds have been used as a public park, and the home itself for a variety of purposes, most recently for the activities of the American Film Institute. The interior of the mansion is closed to the public, but the exterior and surrounding park is completely open for visitors.
The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden makes for a great place to visit with your family. Spanning an area of 127 acres, this place also features a beautiful lake where numerous waterfowl can be spotted. Here, you will find a variety of ornamental plants and flowers. Peacocks and more than 200 species of birds can also be observed. Occasionally, the grounds are open to families for picnics as well. The garden also offers educational tours for schools and other groups.
From fun outdoor activities to notable architecture, Will Rogers State Historic Park has it all. In 1944, actor Will Rogers' family donated his 31-room house and the surrounding 186-acre (75 hectares) grounds so that the estate could be turned into a state park. Take a tour of the ranch, watch a polo game, go on a horseback ride, or embark on an exhilarating hike to explore its environs. The park offers a rare chance to gain a deeper insight into the life of the star.
This spacious park is known for its sprawling lake tucked away in the San Fernando Valley. Jog or walk along the lakeside as you watch the graceful swans and ducks glide through the water or enjoy a leisurely picnic beneath the Japanese Cherry Blossom trees. A children's playground will keep the little ones entertained while dogs run around on the grassy area. Barbecues, picnic tables and shady areas make this park a family-friendly locale.