Things To Do In Griffith Park

Recommended Attractions and Outdoor Activities

Coming to Los Angeles and looking for things to do in Griffith Park? Here’s an essential short list from Tour du Jour:

1. Hiking and Horseback RidingTrails : There are over 4,300 acres to explore and hundreds of hiking and equestrian trails. These include those that will get you up above our world-famous Hollywood sign! (NOTE: Do not attempt to get closer to the sign than permissible. This fenced area is patrolled with 24-hour surveillance and sensors). Enjoy incredible views of both sections of L.A. — the Los Angeles basin and “the valley” on the other side. We are the only major city in the U.S. cut in half by a mountain range. Visit Sunset Ranch Hollywood for equestrian activities.
2. The Greek Theatre : Along with the nearby Hollywood Bowl, The Greek is an amazing venue to check out live music and events. This is primarily a summer venue, so check their calendar. This location also serves as a great parking alternative for the nearby observatory. It’s just a short walk up around the bend.
3. Los Angeles Zoo : From the African grasslands to the Australian outback, you will see over 1700 animals. Stroll their vast botanical gardens and habitats on this 133 acre property,
4. Pack a Picnic : There are numerous picnic spots throughout the park, including those near the observatory, and multiple access points from Los Feliz Blvd. Our favorite picnic location is at the foot of the old abandoned zoo. It’s a fascinating and eerie look back at our original zoo that operated between 1912 and 1966.
5. Travel Town Museum along with Griffith Park and Southern Railroad : Travel Town is a must for train lovers, with over 40 vintage locomotives, freight cars and passenger cars. Equally impressive is Griffith Park & Southern Railroad which is about a mile south from Travel Town. Both locations have various miniature train rides available for visitors and average over 500,000 passengers per year…since 1948!
6. The Griffith Park Observatory : A must-visit for the entire family. Not only do you get incredible city views that will put our sprawling city into perspective, but you will experience educational exhibits. See a film in The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater or The Planetarium. This is also a favorite filming location for Hollywood studios, as seen in movies like Rebel Without a Cause, Back to the Future II, Transformers, La La Land, and Terminator.
7. Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round : For close to 90 years, the merry-go-round has been a cherished landmark. It was a favorite of Walt Disney and his family, so much so that it was a major inspiration for Disneyland. (This attraction has been temporarily closed, so check its status before going if this is your main destination in the park). For fans of Walt Disney, make sure to have lunch or dinner at the nearby Tam O’Shanter in Atwater Village. Walt had his own table and spent many meals here with his talented group of animators and Imagineers.
8. The Autry Museum : The Autry Museum of the American West has over half a million pieces of art and artifacts with a major emphasis on Native American materials.

We hope visitors to Los Angeles take advantage of the many things to do in Griffith Park. If you’re short on time and unable to enjoy venues on this list self-guided, Tour du Jour can include portions of this city gem during our private tours of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. We can even include a great photo opportunity with the Hollywood sign!