I recently discovered Barnsdall Art Park and wow... what a hidden gem tucked right into the heart of Hollywood! I originally came here for a sound bath class (which I couldn't end up finding ), but honestly, I'm so glad I got a little lost because it led me to this beautiful space. The views alone are worth the visit--perfect for catching a peaceful sunset over the city. This is now officially one of my go-to spots for a relaxing day. Whether you want to lay out a blanket for a cute picnic, bring a book and unwind, or gather a few friends to just chill and vibe, this park sets the tone. It's calm, scenic, and has such a refreshing energy. Bonus: you're surrounded by so many great restaurants nearby, so you can easily turn your visit into a full day experience. If you're looking for a low-key, aesthetic spot in LA that feels like a little escape without leaving the city--this is it. read more

This is a relatively small park, but what it lacks in size it makes up for with amazing views of the Hollywood sign, the Griffith Observatory, and the general palm tree swept landscape of L.A. It's also where you can see Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in person in the Hollyhock House. The house is very angular, but I can see in the almost sand sculpture-like stone carvings the abstract interpretations of the flower. That being said, I wish there were more hollyhocks on the property or maybe they just weren't in bloom. You're free to take all the photos you want outside, but leading into the house I saw a sign saying "No entry without a ticket beyond this point" as well as an image of a camera with a slash across it. Ironically, though, I've seen people post photos of the interior, so I don't know what the deal is with that. Also, it's supposedly closed on Sunday, but I came on a Sunday and the door was open and people were taking a tour. While looking at Google Maps, I saw that there's another Frank Lloyd Wright building they're working on called Residence A, but as of right now I don't think it's open to the public yet. Since looking at the outside of the Hollyhock House and the sweeping views is relatively quick, you can kill more time looking at the art buildings also on the property. I came when the art gallery was closed, but if you go to the Barnsdall Junior Arts Center, you can see murals and sculptures outside. And I don't know if the stone carvings are original or just recreated to match the Frank Lloyd Wright house, but I saw near the restrooms of the Arts Center stone carvings that you can actually get up close to. I looked up who Barnsdall was and she was an oil baron heiress who hired Frank Lloyd Wright to build the house and then she donated it and the land to the city to be an arts center. She also dedicated it to her father. As for parking, there's 3 areas: The bottom level where you'll have to take the stairs to get up to the main area, but if you drive up further onto Upper Road (turn right at the fork) you can park right up front where the views are, or you can turn left at the fork onto Lower Road and try to find parking by the Arts Center, but there will be signs saying certain areas are reserved for students and staff. I came when classes weren't in session, so I was ok, but even then I still tried to keep my distance from those reserved signs just in case, especially since there's security prowling the grounds. If you're a tourist, I can see the appeal of this place since you can check off a bunch of sites in one go. I live in L.A. and even though I've been here already a few times, at the very least the views don't fail to impress. read more

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I've always heard of this park, but it's not a typical park where there's a playground and such. There's parking on the lower part and you can walk up the stairs to get to the park. If you keep driving upwards there is parking, but sparingly. The park has beautiful greenery, trees & an okay view of Hollywood. I walked around and found there were classrooms with art students. There is also a venue for performances. read more

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I truly enjoy old LA spots and this historic park is always pleasant. Bring a blanket to lay out and watch a magical sunset along the west coast overlooking Malibu, Hollywood Century city. Parking can be the luck of the draw, get here early. Bug repellent and a camp light if you're staying after sunset. It's a cozy spot, hip and serene too, feels like your mile away but in the heart of Hollywood. Capture the views, then head to the Observatory right up the way. I used to gate keep this spot over 20 years ago and now everyone knows this huddle little gem. Check out the Frank Loyd Wright Home and other cool finds on park premises. read more

One of the coolest parks in LA It's small but so charming! Has some of the best views of LA including the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory! Very nice place for a picnic or a great place to meet with friends and just relax. Lots of groups but also some people solo just laying down reading a book. There are plenty of affordable or free things to do in LA and this is one of them! It really makes you appreciate the city and its beautiful weather! Parking is kinda tricky here but be patient and you will be rewarded! Bring a chair or a blanket Dogs are allowed And it's FREE!! Great spot to people watch too read more

Barnsdall Art Park - Just people living life and enjoying summer - Parks Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Definitely need to get here earlier so you could find parking if you're driving I was able to find a spot then allow me to walk around the neighborhood. I did have to hike up the hill and there were stairs so if you got bad knee, just be careful going up the hill. I'm really small but cute park. A lot of things were closed though which I did not do my research I guess so I could not go into the art gallery due to renovations and then I could not do a self guided tour because I guess they were all booked today. I was a little confused about that so maybe I'll try again but the views from here are really cute and if you bring a blanket and a book and even a picnic, you could just sit out here all day. read more

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I would love to go sometime, but I couldn't figure out how to get in! Navigation sent me to the back of a hospital. There was a locked gate and stairs. read more

Beautiful view .. Gorgeous . A lot of people my time of visit. One of the best views I've seen. read more

Barnsdall Art Park - City View - Parks Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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First time at Barnsdall Art Park and I absolutely loved it and will be back! I went on a Sunday so the main buildings were closed but I'll update this review once I come back and have an opinion about the Art and the Art classes they provide but I heard it is only first come first serve and fills up very fast! There was a lot of shade at this park which is so wonderful on a hot day! I saw many people laying out on top of their blankets with their loved ones picnicking, playing board games, sunbathing, reading, vaping, and being with their small dogs. People are there to enjoy themselves and their group of friends. Mostly young, creative and hip crowd at the grass picnic area! I made conversation with some and they were all friendly and respectful. I came with my dog and it is a great place to have an easy, no fuss place to relax and enjoy the day! Oh, and I absolutely love the parking spaces at the entrance of the park because it is individualized, clean, and spacious! You have your very own curb and parking space. read more

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Nice beautiful park in all of Hollywood. Our first time jogging and hanging out here last weekend. I am trying to explore some of the parks in L.A and Orange County that I have never vistited. Lots of good statues and monuments here. Good jogging and bike trails here. Friendly place to bring your children or pets. I love it here. I will have to try and visit often. read more

Historic long thriving Art Park designed by Aline Barnsdall in the 1900s that is shining bright on Olive Hill with views and breezes for days in every direction including sites like the Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Sign and the surrounding area. Recently got to explore this historic park on the outskirts of EaHo aka East Hollywood boarding Los Feliz with a special someone who walked me through this architectural masterpiece currently undergoing some renovating and additions. Barnsdall Art Park has loads of fields for picnicking, strolling and recreational fun. Trees upon trees for shady areas and buildings the house art, culture and then some including office space, classes and various programs for all ages. There's loads of parking (free) overlooking various viewpoints and usually groundskeepers and/or security on site that have definitely improved some encampments in the past pre-2020. I haven't been able to explore the various offerings indoors including the museum, theater productions or movies in the park area at night, but hope to check their calendar for updates and/or events throughout the year. Great park for so many things including a nice hike from the entrance to the top. Crazy how much cooler the weather is at the top, but absolutely a must anytime of year. Be dazzled by this diamond in the not so rough. read more

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It's cool, I guess. I do really like their classes but the staff!! They just all consistently have bad vibes and are clearly not people-people. The whole place has a weird vibe, if I'm honest. They might consider hiring people that are used to interacting with other humans. Weird, weird people. read more

Hands down one of the best parks in LA. Love the gorgeous view of Hollywood sign and Griffith Park. Especially appreciated on a misty cool morning. Lots of green space and walking trails for the perfect morning loop with your leashed pup or self/fam/friends. Adore how there is an art museum and historical site here. Above all appreciate all of the wildflowers planted and pine forest trees. Greenery is rare in LA so I am in awe and beyond thankful for this Tongva lands nature space. Portable restrooms nearby. Spectacular view of LA city scapes. Magical place. read more

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Barnsdall Art Park is right in my neighborhood; walking distance if I hadn't become such an Angeleno. As you enter the gates you are going to pass a small parking area and then a great grassy hill. At the very top are Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House, the LA Municipal Art Gallery, the Theatre and Art Center. Most of the people you will see here on the weekend, if it's a pleasant day, will either be sunning themselves or having picnics on the grass. Locals love to use this area as a kind of collective backyard. If you enjoy the sun, definitely pack brunch or lunch and walk or drive on over. After a long period of closure, the Hollyhock House is, once again, open for self-guided tours. You do have to buy a ticket in advance, but at 7 dollars or less, it's rather cheap by Los Angeles standards. As of yet, I have only been able to admire the house from the outside: the stylized Hollyhock features the house is named for are truly beautiful. Because the Park is so close to Vermont Ave, which is densely packed with restaurants, clubs, shops and theatre, this is a great place to hang out after retail or culinary therapy. read more

Love this place. Love the view. You can choose to sit in the sun or in the shade. Only portable bathroom stalls but the fact they have a security guard makes up for it to me. You'll see squirrels and bunnies and it's a great hidden gem. Definitely check it out! Great picnic spot, please remember to pick up after yourself! read more

A most beautiful space, an oasis among the craziness that is Hollywood. Stunning trees, lovely lawns on which to spread a picnic, and a picturesque view of the Griffith Observatory AND the Hollywood sign. Hollyhock house is the main attraction here, but there are several art galleries worth checking out as well. Possibly the best place to spend half a day in Hollywood! read more

They really need to mark the streets with clearer white arrows because when I tried to exit I drove down a ramp to a locked gate. If the street was marked I would not have gone down that way. There are art classes offered here and they really need to get with the times and offer online registration instead of making everyone register in person. read more

1. Online order and pick up bafels at Maury's 2. Pick up coffee at Dinosaur 3. Coffee, bagels, and walking the dog at Barnsdall Park This is part 3 and the star of the show. Shoutout to Google Maps and Satellite for helping me find this gem. We had knocked part 1 and 2 down and finding the park was the cherry on top. Free parking on the bottom of the hill and a nice little walk up to see a little bit of history and some great views of the surrounding area. Unfortunately there was some morning cloud coverage and their was some refurbishing of the home going on, but still a great find for my wife, dog , and I who normally don't travel i this direction. Will definitely be back to see what it looks like when it is fully restored and on a clear day. read more

We had an absolutely picturesque time overlooking the city of Los Angeles and Griffith Park on Sunday lived about a couple blocks away from the park nearly 19 years ago and just visited for the first time this past weekend in April I lived alone and I was single and I just didn't feel safe in little Armenia about 19 years ago, but that has seriously changed and the park Had security and I didn't see that many people there who be troublesome though who can really tell by judging other people apart from that there's plenty of room and patrons are super friendly and kind a word of notice however you do need to use the porta potties if you have to use the bathroom and you should take plenty of hand sanitizer and wipes with you! read more

Surprisingly CALMING! The Barnsdall Art Park has a peaceful view of the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory combined with a sweet stretch of grass to lay on and enjoy solitude or a quiet picnic. This is definitely designed for decompression and chilling, not parties! It's a refreshing little park with an art gallery, art class area, and the Hollyhock House (a historical site from old Hollywood days). The bathrooms are clean the park is great for putting in your stair steps. Parking is limited, but not that bad. I really liked that there was a section of the park that is entirely shaded by large trees, it's great for nature lovers who want to be outdoors but not in the sun's crossfire. My gripe with the park is that some of the buildings are too industrial within and/or aged. No, I'm not talking about the historical sites or the art gallery! I'm talking about the buildings as you walk up the road (which are part of the park's property) to the park. The good news is I'm thinking they're remodeling! read more

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This place is gorgeous and easy to get to, free parking, historic art park, 360 views of East Hollywood to Snow capped Mt. Baldy (or something, I'm no expert). My issue with the park is not the instagram models influencing their TikTok algorithms, but the Gestapo (well not secret) security guards walking their beat with a stick up their arses. I went this past Sunday to enjoy the sunshine after the many chilly weeks, and I see them telling people how to set up tables and where. Many many people come here with blankets and lawn chairs or even easels to paint. Yet they tell you from the golf cart, "No hammocks!" Ask why, and, "don't ask why." Like no I have studied biology and earth science, I know what biomimicry is. Can you tell me why a self standing hammock similar to a lawn chair legs is a threat to relaxation at the art park? Being told to take it down with a or else type vibe is NOT your job... Or is it. Do you not want people there? Is a regime change coming? If so please don't plant your flag because it will do more damage than the IG babe's tripod grabbing that fire fit they planned. Be well. Be free... for now read more

The area around isn't in a good shape, but you gave a safe parking lot, the park is really good and cool to have a picnic with friends, and now the house which was belonged to Barnsdall family is open to visiting ( Thursday to Saturday). You need to make reservation on the site. The view is spectacular! Good place for tourists and locals. Go there! read more

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I know the 8 guards at this park pretty well. I don't look for things I don't like. I will tell you what I have seen that I like. The guard company is very much on top of security. They are cheerful respectful and friendly. LA does not allow drinking alcohol in parks because we don't want kids to see it normalized. There are homeless men coming here with mental illness. Some are drug addicts, alcoholics and ex cons. Some are pure evil. I'm sorry the guards enforce some rules that upset people. We all have a social responsibility to obey the rules. I have seen the guards deal with people I wouldn't want you to see. Your kids are safe here. You are safe here. The most common complaint is from those who want to drive the wrong way. It's nice to come up here and not have to deal with meth addicts. I have guards who take care of those issues in a compassionate polite way. This is one of the best parks on the west coast. I see the sun go down here almost every day. I have been coming here since 1972. I was a billboard painter and I meet many artists and musicians, smart ambitious young people. I like that part the best. read more

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Always interesting shows. The art museum is done in the style of Hollyhock House, also.on Olive Hill. The architect of Hollyhock House was Frank Lloyd Wright. read more

Beautiful and secluded park where you can picnic and enjoy singing birds, squirrels, and California breezes while soaking in the sun and the city scape of the Los Angeles area. There is a museum and a theater located on the premises. Parking is free. The surroundings are serene and the architecture is Frank Lloyd Wright. Great spot to escape the hustle and bustle. Next to the Schindler's patio is a nice spot to view the overall city as well as sunbathe. read more

I wish I would have found this place sooner! Looking for somewhere to spend time on the covid-era? This wonderful little art park has ample parking, tons of space to wander, has security that appears to do a great job keeping presence and movement, and is a functional museum / performing arts center at times. The grounds are well kept, and there are tons of points of entry/exit for pedestrian traffic. A major drawback is that the city block surrounding it is highly impacted by construction currently, so it is a bit easy to miss when driving to find the only entrance. If you are swinging by to kill time, the grounds are open late and there is plenty to admire. Even if you just want to sit on the grass and have a picnic or do some artwork or whatever, the security is pretty laid back and I never saw them be anything but respectful and vigilant. If you want to go for the exhibitions, make sure you check out their website and call during operating hours, to make sure you don't show up while they are closed. read more

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Fantastic park located in the Hollywood Sunset area. Enjoy a lazy Sunday or evening enjoying a picnic, and attending the Museum. Free parking is offered both below and above the park. Take a street hike to Los Felix and see the monuments. A must, is too stay for the View of Hollywood and a sunset at dusk. Added bonus Hillhurst 3-4 blocks away to grab coffee or light eats. read more

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I didn't get a chance to tour the home but Barnsdale Arts Park is an amazing picnicking spot with a glorious overlook of the Los Angeles skyline. We went right at sunset and joined several other lovers of leisure that included pot-smoking teenagers, wannabe Instagram models, families hosting birthday parties, and couples on the expansive lawn. The view cannot be beat and we were able to watch the sky turn blue, purple, pink and orange before fading away to an evening navy. My daughter loved running around the lawn -- next time we will have to bring bubbles! This was one of our favorite memories of LA and everything was the cost of free! You can't beat it! read more

Having lived in East Hollywood for almost 6 years, I walked to Barnsdall Art Park for exercise, to sit, read, relax, watch a sunset, attend an event, meet friends, bring a date, see the municipal art gallery, and take an art class, among countless other reasons. The experience and memories of my late 20s to early 30s in central LA will be intrinsically linked to this tiny park. This little gem perched atop a hill is as unique as it gets for Los Angeles. It's southern end has a view of the rapidly changing DTLA skyline, while the northern end has sweeping views of the Hollywood hills, sign and Griffith Park. I would come sit on the hill to watch countless sunsets. I introduced so many friends and visitors to Barnsdall, since it's such an easy walk and place to go, as it is usually not too overrun with people even on busy days. The section with perfectly planted pine trees is perfect on the hottest days, coupled with sitting in the cool concrete alcoves and hidden spots that blend in nicely with Frank Lloyd Wright's brilliant Hollyhock House design and property. It's a short walk from the Red Line subway stop at Vermont and Sunset, above the hospitals. Even though I've moved to Burbank, I come back. When I'm gone from LA, I will look back fondly most at Barnsdall Park. Even among all the other places to reflect on for LA, and even SoCal. It's an oasis in the middle of the busy sprawl. Thanks for the memories. Please stay in good condition! read more

Barnsdall Art Park - One of the many places to hang out and sit for awhile in the park. - Parks Near Me - Los Angeles, California

One of my favorite lowkey spots to chill in LA. Too bad it's not as lowkey anymore. Bring a picnic, a book, a date, a friend, or your family and have a great time at sunset. Great views of Griffith Park and the observatory. Parking can be a bitch to find on weekends, so beware. read more

Beautiful place and can't wait for them to re-open the art gallery portion of the campus. The gallery has been closed since Covid started. Great views of the city and a real gem for a picnic or just walking around amd getting some fresh air. read more

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Part of the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation network Barnsdall offers a museum and city sponsored art programs along with one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous architecture pieces, The Hollyhock House. Aside from being a romantic picnic spot with a seldom seen view of the Hollywood hills, this little mound in the middle of all the east Hollywood craziness is a true oasis. read more

Beautiful view of Hollywood at the top of the hill. My favorite sunset spot, it can get a little crowded but still a great place to go!

Location: Nice location at the midpoint between Hollywood and Los Feliz. There is lots of free parking. The People: People come to unwind, hangout with friends, enjoy the view of the city (including the Hollywood sign), and read. The Drinks: Bring your own coffee. Work/Study: When the weather is appropriate, it is a very relaxing place to work/study for a bit. It can get windy as the sunset approaches. It is also convenient, one can have a picnic there. The Venue: It is instagram friendly. Extras: There are other things to do as well. Upshot: Good spot to study. I would recommend studying outdoors, but make sure to bring a sweater or coat because it can get windy (on windy days of course read more

Barnsdall Art Park - Entrance. - Parks Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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When living in a crazy city like Los Angeles, one has to take a moment to breathe (although the air is filled with smog) and relax the marathon of thoughts running around in the brain. Whether it's by the beach, on top of a mountain, or at a small park; nature is the answer. Barnsdall Park is one of those potential slices of serenity available to local residents. Let's see if it truly calms the soul, shall we? Barnsdall Park is well-known in the Hollywood area as a supposed mixture of an art hub and neighborhood park. The lot is the home to Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House, a gallery, and art studios plus some grassy knolls. This means that it is an event space plus a park. Sounds great, right? WRONG. Very wrong, my friend. Although Barnsdall Park is a value in terms of having two parking lots and decent views of the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory which will be intriguing to your friends visiting from the Mid-West; the positives end there. To begin, Barnsdall Park is hardly a park. Unless you consider a small fenced-in, flat-topped hill and a pine-tree stocked area a "park". Granted, the pine trees have a mystique about them which reminds of a Grimm's fairy tale setting but you can cover the ground in under five minutes. Basically, there isn't much to look at or enjoy. There are a few chairs/tables but no benches, fountains, flowers, etc. Barnsdall Park is basically just the front yard of the Hollyhock House and gallery. Speaking of the Hollyhock House, Frank Lloyd Wright is probably rolling in his grave. The house is in shambles (as is the gate house) and not open to the public, as it has been under supposed renovations for the past 2-3 years. To say the least, this does NOT do the architect justice and just adds a run-down feel to the park. The worst part of Barnsdall Park? The "vibe" and people. First of all, Barnsdall is filled with homeless people from the parking lot on up. I live in LA. I am used to homeless people. However, obviously when one sees homeless people sleeping all over the place with their shopping carts; it is a bit of a deterrent. The park also has dogs running around leash-less (which is illegal if not otherwise posted) and very weird hippies. I also don't have an issue with hippies but these people were the elitist kind who stare at you for impeding on their turf. Also spotted was a shirtless man on a cellphone who was letting his baby (assuming it is his baby) play on the steps. The baby's head was facing down and was 2 seconds away from tumbling to his death. The 'dad' never once even reached for the baby except for tapping the baby with his foot every once in a while like it was a dog. I should have had Child Services on speed dial. The word of the day at Barnsdall is: uncomfortable. I can't vouch for the joy level when there is an event at the gallery or the art classes in the studios as I wasn't at the park for either of those. Perhaps those occurrences make the park worthwhile and turn it into Disneyland. However, in terms of a simply being a park: Barnsdall fails miserably. To sum it up, Barnsdall Park is basically a dirty, awkward, and less-than-thrilling lot housing homeless people with some roots in "art". It is ultimately a display of poverty. It's sad because the park used to be better and has potential. Perhaps there has been a loss of funding. Either way, if you need to take a breather or are looking for a picnic space, Barnsdall Park can be skipped. There are far better options available. read more

Barnsdall Art Park - Map looks the park look bigger and better than it is... - Parks Near Me - Los Angeles, California

One of nice places you can see the Hollywood sign clearly. I used to love this place but nowadays too much vape and weed smell everywhere.

Not much happening here on a Monday, since none of the galleries are open. Regular days open to the public are Thursdays thru Sundays. But still good for an interesting stroll under numerous shade trees on a hot summer day. With spectacular views of the surrounding area, the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory included. Also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Hollyhock House since 1921, a National Historic Landmark. And another often passed but never visited until now LA locale for me, even though born and raised here. read more

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I discovered Barnsdall Park a couple of years ago and felt stupid for not knowing about it before. It's a true hidden gem in the middle of the city. It's cute, up on the hill, with beautiful views of the city, the Hollywood sign and the Observatory. It's a great place to come and relax, have a picnic on the nice green grass, read a book, enjoy the sunset, take the view in. It's also kids and dogs friendly. It's not a big space, like a European park with alleys you can stroll on, not big enough for a jog, but it has other nice additions: an arts center for kids, a great art gallery with very interesting exhibits (The Municipal Art Gallery -you can visit for free, check their site for hours and details), the Hollyhock House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright you can tour. Bit of nature and nice views, bit of art, bit of Hollywood history. Plenty of free parking, it's also close to public transpo (including a subway stop). So if you live in LA, check it out. If you visit and need to decompress from the hustle and bustle of LA, this is worth a visit in a less touristy spot but with all of the Hollywood ingredients. They also have plenty of events in the weekends, wine tasting, outdoor screenings in the summer, various festivals (we went to a Thai Day in Sept. and was really fun). Check their Facebook page for events! read more

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This is a hidden urban gem in the heart of LA/Hollywood. The natural topography literally elevates the visitors above the fray below, and allows anyone to be transported to an urban oasis. The view is spectacular on top, including a clear shot of the Hollywood sign on the hill and the Griffith Observatory on the crest, but the crown jewel is the Hollyhock House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Unfortunately, it's closed three days of the week, and the opening hours are short and inconvenient for most people who work full-time. The grounds have not been maintained well, and the years of neglect have not been kind to the facility. I don't want to sound elitist, but there are quite a few unsavory characters around the park, especially early in the morning. I see no way around this without violating Aline Barndall's wish to make it available to all. read more

Barnsdall Art Park - Hollyhock House - Parks Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Super cool park. Perfect for midday break during the week. I stopped up here for lunch and was surprised to see how beautiful the views were. Depending on where you sit you can get a clear shot of the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory. You can also get a panoramic view West LA including Hollywood and Century City. I didn't have time to check out the exhibits at the Museum but I'll put this on the list of places I need to revisit this summer. Free parking. Try to find parking up the hill so that you don't have to walk as far, unless you're into that. There is a decent amount of stairs to sneak in some cardio. I also recommend bringing a blanket or some lawn chairs. read more

Barnsdall Art Park - Parks Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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