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Elysian Park West Trail Loop Trailhead

4.5 (76 reviews)

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Kristen H.

Great starter trail in the Griffith Park area. Found this on an app as kind of a beginner/easy hike but it wasn't easy with 80lbs combined of dogs attached to me. Be careful with your doggies who bark or chase other dogs as there's a lot on this trail, which is always a good thing but something to be aware of. Otherwise isolated kinda and beautiful views of the city along the way. Lots of shortcuts if you get tired and don't wanna do the full 3 miles or so.

The view near the memorial, halfway through.
Sanela S.

Great trail, as long as you don't take the "shortcut!" Nice, wide path through the hike and very moderate elevation gain in the 1st half. The second half of the trail gets a little steep, but nothing too serious. There's a lot of noise from the traffic below for the first half of the trail, but subsides as you hike deeper into the park. DO NOT TAKE THE SHORTCUT. I made the mistake of taking the shortcut on my way back, instead of going all the way around. I'm not sure if I was more scared of a snake jumping out from each side of the one-foot-wide trail, or slipping because it was steep and I was practically running down from fear of the first reason! The trail is super narrow and overgrown with shrubs and weeds. At one point, everything looked the same and I wandered off trail. Looks like a bunch of other people did as well, considering the trampled overgrowth. It's 0.12 miles that's just not worth saving time for! There's a dog drinking station halfway up as you reach the memorial, and some very pretty flowers around, along with shade and benches.

Beautiful Los Angeles 3
Monica M.

There are so many different trails to take and different entrances too. Each one is quite similar but boy oh boy, how convenient is it to have a park in the heart of Los Angeles with beautiful views and big tall shade trees? Definitely recommend for any locals or tourists for a quick getaway! I like to go early morning for a fresh breeze and less people. Can get busy by mid-day.

Bathroom
Lea L.

Love this park!! Love the trails.. love to see the areas I've never seen!! This place is huge

Top of the trail (mid trail)
Ashley S.

Easy trail for family and pets! It's about a 2 mile loop or 1.85 miles walk from the bottom to the top and top back to the bottom. Right next to it is a park and had a lot of trees for shade. It's not the cleanest trail but still a good place to walk. It's not super clear which route turns to the loop so we just did the route back from where we came from to be safe.

Mal C.

Great loop in the middle of LA. The trailhead could use a little more signage, but we used the All Trails app to successfully navigate onto the right path. The trail is dog friendly (on leash) and well-maintained overall. There are a few steep sections. So, make sure to have grippy sneakers on especially after any rain. When we went in April, there were beautiful yellow flowers lining the trail, which made it feel pretty magical!

What a hike!
Dora H.

Most people start the new year with resolutions to become more fit or healthy. I too am one of those individuals who strive for health and fitness! It's been a while since I have gone out for a hike, and I decided that it was time to get out there and enjoy some nature. I wanted to look for something relatively close to downtown LA. I knew this was going to be near impossible since Downtown is basically an urban jungle, but I was optimistic. And behold! Right next to Dodger Stadium, there was a giant park that I never seemed to realize existed. The park itself was very large. I wasn't sure where the trail began, so I just looked for a place to park. Parking lots were available but most people seem to have parked along the streets, just make sure to read the signs! After I found a spot, it was time to search for the trail. I realized the easiest way on to the trail was to find the "Grace E. Simons Lodge" sign. From there you will see a little dirt path going up the hill. It's a very nice trail with wide open space, slight inclines and very beginner friendly. Plenty of people walking their little dogs, and children among the path. You will see both nature and the city on the 2 mile or so trail, with nice patches of shade in some areas because of the hills. Will definitely be back because of the convenient location and accessibility! Beautiful trails with plenty to explore!

View
Shanelle S.

Quick hike to views of LA. There used to be a swing (the "Secret Swing") where you could take some aesthetic photos but the city took it down due to safety concerns. However, there are still boulders/tree branches where you can take pictures. The hike up is 5 minutes but it's steep - there are a couple of different paths up. The one on the left is less steep and I'd recommend that for going down. Wear sturdy shoes, as the first is loose and gravely. There are plenty of other hikes in Elysian Park and most are family/beginner friendly. Parking was easier than we expected due to coronavirus. There's a parking lot on the bottom or you can also park along the street. There are bathrooms available by the playground but they're not well-kept. There aren't bathrooms or water fountains along the trails. The trails are good for running too. Overall, a nice way to get some fresh air and some steps in while taking in some nice city views.

Tiffany T.

This beautiful, clean, wide expanse of a trail starts past Grace E. Simone Lodge- use this as a reference point! It's a large loop that can span 2.5 miles though there are several side trail options. Halfway through is a small garden with water and bowls for dogs and spaced throughout are trash cans as well. The trail has several hikers with pups as well as runners. I loved seeing the bright green grass and the feeling of being removed from the city despite being so close. Can't wait to come back and try to run the whole thing!

You can see San Pedro on a clear day.
Yasmin A.

Came for a quick hike while in LA to Elysian Park as we had never been after being in LA for so long. It is a nice urban hike with nice views or downtown LA and the La Canada mountains. We did a little over a 3.5 mile hike and the weather was a bit chilly in December 2021. It was also on a day right before the rains. The trail is nice and I like that it has trash cans along the trail. We parked in the park and took the firewood to the actual trail head which isn't too far. you can go to the side of the city view or to these of the Mountain View. Either way is a win win. There isn't much shade on the trails so it could get hot in warmer months. If you are looking for a quick hike, this is a nice place to come to.

Flower
Anna K.

Such u beautiful place, just enjoying to hike there! Hiking trails are in good conditions, wide and not so many people over there...Fresh air, birdsongs, smell of plants and flowers - that all you need to get out of any stress! Ps no wc's there

Heidy M.

This trail had been on our list to hike for sometime and we finally did it. There was no swing there today, it looks as though the ropes had been cut. On either side of where the swing would be the trail is pretty steep and slippery but manageable. This trail for the most part is kid friendly but definitely not for strollers. The views are pretty and the hike is not challenging at all. Parking was easy and there are about 10 spots available, otherwise street parking is available. The trailhead is easy to find and you can start at either side of the loop. Enjoy!

Garden up on the trail
Betancourt E.

I come here quite often and each and every time I come for a walk her I've enjoyed every minute of it. It's awesome when you realize how close to downtown Los Angeles you are and yet it feels like your completely somewhere else . Love that feeling, very safe, lots of friendly people on the trail. Do yourself a favor and come check it out, a whole lot of parking at the park also .

My dog, Lady and the background of DTLA.

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One of my favorite trails. Always am and afternoon trails worked out well for decompressing from the crazy world

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2 years ago

Best park in Los Angeles best views of the city hands down it does not get better than this park plenty of different angles .

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I was looking for a fairly easy Saturday morning home nearby and found Elysian Park Trail on Yelp. Nice loop

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Ask the Community - Elysian Park West Trail Loop Trailhead

Hey folks, I'm gathering that the trail on both sides of the swing is really steep, really narrow, possibly jagged, and possibly really treacherous. Does that all sound accurate?

Absolutely, treacherous, narrow and at times steep in both sides to get to the swing. Good thing is not that long. Wear good shoes or take a stick with you as it gets slippery up there.

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Review Highlights - Elysian Park West Trail Loop Trailhead

I always drive by Stadium Way (below the trail) and I honestly thought it was just a park before lol.

Mentioned in 11 reviews

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Elysian Park

Elysian Park

4.1(236 reviews)
0.5 miElysian Park

Gorgeous spot to have a nice dirt path hike through to catch a sunset and some cool views of the…read moreDTLA landscape. The air up there is nice and it's not too windy or anything. Depending on the amount of people up there, it can be calm and surreal enough to make for a good picnic to watch the sky and enjoy the sights. My friend and I didn't walk too far down the dirt path as we parked near the Elysian Park sign. We only walked straight to the large concrete displays with grafitti on them. We both enjoyed our experience here so much and took note of the type of shoes we need to wear next time! Would definitely want to explore back here again!

Elysian Park is one of my favorite hikes/runs right outside of downtown LA, right by Dodger…read moreStadium. Pro tip: Do the hike counterclockwise. When Dodger Stadium is behind you and you face the mountain, start counterclockwise--trust me, you'll thank me. On the way back, you'll enjoy a gorgeous downtown view. At the top, there's a painted seating area where you can rest and soak it all in. A couple of things that could be better: It's a dirt/sand path, so wear shoes you don't mind getting dusty--unless you want to spend each day cleaning them. It's usually around 6,000 steps for me--though that varies--and roughly 400 calories burned (but don't quote me on that!). Overall, it's about a 45-minute hike/jog with ups and downs--just enough to get your heart going, and then you can treat yourself to a city-state after. Pretty good overall--highly recommend it!

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Echo Park Lake - beautiful at night

Echo Park Lake

4.3(597 reviews)
1.3 miEcho Park

If I could give this place more than five stars, I would. I'm in love--there's really no other way…read moreto describe how I feel about Echo Park Lake. Seriously, how can any place be this breathtaking? This little slice of paradise is teeming with wildlife--birds of all kinds gliding across the water, turtles basking in the sun--it feels alive in the most peaceful way. Everything is so lush and green, and that iconic fountain in the middle of the lake? Absolute chef's kiss. Then there's the boathouse, the palm trees swaying around you... it almost feels unreal, like you've stepped into a dreamy escape right in the middle of the city. What I love most is that every corner has its own charm. There are plenty of benches where you can just sit and be, and no matter where you land, the view feels different but equally beautiful. You'll never get bored here. Whether you're in the mood to linger, take a slow walk, go for a run, or paddle around on one of the swan boats, this place meets you exactly where you are. It's peaceful, it's vibrant, it's everything. Honestly, it just feels like heaven. And surprisingly, there's plenty of street parking--which somehow makes this whole experience even better.

I think this is a great park just outside of downtown. The man made pond is beautiful, teeming with…read morewildlife - especially turtles. There is a great paved path around it for walking/running. Plenty of shade and benches along the pond. There are always a lot of people but you can find street parking - I have every time. The views are GREAT! Really lovely to see downtown LA behind the pond. The only word of caution I have is there is a pack of geese that do get protective in one area. I was afraid to walk past them because they are aggressive, but I made it out without getting goosed.

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Echo Park Lake - ABC7 Community Reunion IG: @ammysalamii

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Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens - The former residence of Oscar nominated film director, Busby Berkeley.

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens

4.5(117 reviews)
5.9 miJefferson Park

I've wanted to go here for a very long time and since it was so nice over the weekend, we finally…read moreremembered and went. It used to be free but it's $6 per person and you have to park on the street, but no big deal here . . . yet. Our group of 3 walks up along with another person and we try to check in with 2 men at a table. One older gray haired man tells us the tour already started. I'm completely confused and look at my watch, and say, "it's only 3 minutes after the start time." Then he says, "We were looking for you!" I said, "Well, you weren't looking very hard because here we all are checking in at the start of the tour." After he checks us in, I ask if we can sprint to catch up to the tour and he says yes. I lean into the doorway and see the rest of the tour - 4 other women right there. So half the tour was 3 minutes "late" and they decided to start, weird but moving on. The woman leading the tour was really quite lovely and I wasn't expecting the house to be so amazing since I was focused on the garden part but I really loved learning about the house and original inhabitants. We are asked several times if we want to join the meditation but I'm getting culty vibes and we keep politely declining. Once we are outside, we are asked again if we would like to join the meditation and now the gray haired man is with us again and I said, "No, we really just wanted to see the gardens." At this point he says, "Oh the gardens are closed." I'm completely confused again and said, "What? But that's why we came-- to see the gardens & labyrinth." He then says, "Oh! well the labyrinth is open but the gardens are closed." At this point I think they asked us to join the meditation again. I asked when they expected them to be opened and the response was June of this year, maybe because there have been a lot of delays. Again, weird, but okay we just want to walk the labyrinth. There were a couple of other women walking it and then our group of three joined too. I'm halfway thru it and I look up and see the gray haired man STARING at us - which included 3 preteens/teens in halter tops posing and taking pix - and I was so incredibly creeped out. I had no idea what to do, cross the labyrinth? ask him what he is staring at? I came to this place to ground and do something calming and now I have a man staring at me and other women but since everyone else was looking down or at their phone, they didn't notice so I didn't want to disrupt THEIR experience. Eventually he went away, to join the meditation I guess. We finished the labyrinth and left. It was only $6 but since it didn't mention the gardens were closed on the website or ticket, I am asking for a refund. Would I go again when the gardens are open? Yes. Would I recommend to others? Yes. Would I advise against it as a single woman? Also yes. I will update if they refund us or not.

A spiritual center and meditation garden in Jefferson Park, it's off the beaten path for many…read moretourist things in Los Angeles but convenient if doing something around USC. It's hard to miss when driving but if you have a reservation you can park in their lot. Visiting days are Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and you have to pre-book. The entrance ticket includes a short tour showing part of the downstairs house and after guests can walk around the meditation garden with the Labyrinth. I thought it was peaceful and calm, it was like a very small version of Self-Realization as there were grassy areas and benches to sit and relax and meditate. I appreciated the fountains because the sound of running water is so calming.

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Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens - Fountains

Fountains

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens - Beautiful gardens

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Pan Pacific Park - sammies and the park.

Pan Pacific Park

3.8(200 reviews)
6.4 miFairfax

I really wanted to like Pan Pacific Park because the location is honestly prime. It's right next to…read moreThe Grove, there's always energy, and on the surface it feels like one of those iconic LA parks that should be thriving. But the second you actually spend time here, especially on a weekend, it turns into something completely different and honestly pretty disturbing. The park gets insanely packed, which already makes everything feel chaotic, but the real issue is the condition of the facilities. The restrooms are beyond unacceptable. Not just "oh it's a public park" bad, but genuinely shocking, like something that makes you stop and question how this is even allowed to stay open. I'm talking about conditions that feel neglected to the point where it's uncomfortable just being nearby, let alone going inside. I went into two different restrooms thinking maybe one was just unlucky... nope, both were equally disgusting. I'll be posting pictures because it honestly doesn't feel believable otherwise. It gives off this weird in-between vibe where you don't know if you're at a city park or some kind of neglected shelter space, and that's not something anyone should feel at a place like this. What really made it worse for me is walking into the recreation building with the basketball and volleyball courts and realizing it's the same story inside. Worn down, under-maintained, and just lacking any sense that the city is actually investing in it. Meanwhile, you literally have the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust right there being renovated and cared for, which just makes the contrast even more frustrating. How is that level of attention happening on one side, but the actual park people use daily feels ignored? It's honestly disappointing because this place has so much potential. The location alone should make it one of the best parks in LA, but instead it feels like it's being left behind. I hate to say it, but I probably won't be coming back. There are just too many other parks where you don't have to deal with this level of neglect.

It is definitely my go to place with friends, dog, personal space to relax UNTIL THIS DOG BITE…read moreIncident occurred. My dog is in recovery. Bitten by another dog (Doberman brown, ~3 y/o girl ). The owner(blk in his 40s, identified himself as "Justin" and provided a phone number, but it appears to be incorrect. Please stay alert and be cautious if you see this dog in the area.

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Pan Pacific Park - No fear!

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Pan Pacific Park - Better than sizzler

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The Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden

4.1(406 reviews)
15.1 miSepulveda Basin

The Japanese Garden in the Sepulveda Basin is such a beautiful oasis in the Valley, especially in…read morean area that can get so hot. It feels peaceful, well cared for, and instantly calming the moment you walk in. There is a small $5 admission fee, which honestly feels completely worth it, especially because it clearly helps keep the grounds so clean, beautiful, and well maintained. I brought my parents here while they were visiting, and they absolutely loved it. If you're lucky enough to visit during the right season, you may even catch the cherry blossoms, which make the whole experience even more special. There is also plenty of parking on site, which makes visiting easy. One thing to keep in mind is that they are closed on Sundays. Also, if you have extra time, Sepulveda Basin Lake is nearby and worth checking out as well. A lovely, serene spot that feels like a hidden gem in the Valley.

The gardens are beautifully maintained with koi ponds, little bridges, stone lanterns, and…read moreperfectly trimmed bonsai. Everything feels intentional and peaceful. I went on a weekday afternoon and it was super quiet, which made it even better for just slowing down and wandering. There are plenty of benches to sit and take it all in, and the sound of the water alone is enough to lower your blood pressure. It's not huge, but that's part of the charm. You can take your time and really appreciate the details without feeling rushed. I also appreciated how clean everything was and you can tell they put a lot of care into maintaining the space.

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The Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden
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Elysian Park West Trail Loop Trailhead - hiking - Updated May 2026

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