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!

At 401 acres, Kenneth Hahn State Park is one of the biggest state parks that I've ever had the…read morepleasure of exploring. There's ample room for people looking to reserve a spot for family events, cookouts, etc., a Japanese garden located near the upper parking structure near the parks entrance for photos, lunch, book reading, etc., and multiple trails that lead to a dog park, bird watch, trail, and an incredible monument dedicated to the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I've actually been visiting this park since 2019, so I'm not sure why it took me so long to post a review, but Kenneth Hahn is the perfect place to go to if you need to disconnect from the non-stop hustle and bustle of modern LA living. I'll typically pair a walk here with a hike at the nearby Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook at least one Sunday out of the month, and I do this to help recalibrate myself after what's typically been a busy week filled with one too many responsibilities and obligations. As a bonus, every first Sunday of the month Breathe Good LA hosts free group yoga sessions near the Japanese garden, and it's a great opportunity to connect with people and share some good vibes. Overall, Kenneth Hahn State Park is perfect for large and small family/friend get togethers, group yoga, and it's a great place to unwind and admire many of the different birds and reptiles that are local to the area.

I finally got around to visiting Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, and my only complaint is that…read moreI waited this long to go. What an absolute gem. This park is the perfect escape from the city, whether you're looking for a scenic hike, a place to bird watch, a picnic spot, or just somewhere to unwind outdoors. We enjoyed it so much that we came back two weekends in a row. Both visits consisted of finding a shady spot, throwing down a blanket, reading, and simply relaxing. It was exactly what we needed. The grounds are beautiful, with plenty of open space, walking paths, mature trees, and peaceful water features. Everywhere you look there seems to be another picturesque view. On our second visit, we discovered the Hummingbird Garden, which ended up being one of the highlights of the park. The area is filled with feeders and absolutely buzzing with wildlife. We saw hummingbirds darting between flowers and feeders, along with bees, songbirds, lizards, and squirrels. Nature lovers will be in heaven. One word of advice: keep an eye on the ground while you're walking. There was so much wildlife activity that it was easy to spot lizards and even baby squirrels scurrying around underfoot. Parking was straightforward and cost $10 for the day, with discounted admission available for service members. Whether you're looking for a quiet afternoon in nature, a family outing, or a place to reconnect with the outdoors, Kenneth Hahn is well worth a visit. I'll definitely be back--probably sooner rather than later.

We finally experienced the free Shakespeare performances in Griffith Park, and it was so much more…read morethan just a play--it was a whole summer evening experience. People arrive early with blankets, picnic baskets, snacks, and drinks, creating such a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere before the show even begins. A few tips from our experience: There is a large free parking lot, and it's well organized with bright signs leading you all the way to the performance area. Even though it was our first visit, finding the venue wasn't difficult--it just felt like a fun little adventure! Even on a Wednesday, the crowd was surprisingly large, so arriving early is definitely worth it. (Independent Shakespeare Co.) Bring a blanket, but don't forget a small cushion! The performance lasts over two hours, and sitting on the ground can get uncomfortable. If you're bringing folding chairs, please sit toward the back so everyone can enjoy the view. There is a 20-minute intermission, giving you plenty of time to stretch your legs, grab a snack, or refill your tea. It gets much cooler after sunset, so bring a light jacket or something warm to throw over your shoulders. A thermos of hot tea is a great idea too. Feel free to bring food and drinks, but be prepared to share your picnic with a few curious bees and other insects. There is a portable restroom on-site, and if it's locked, the access code is 3343. The production quality really impressed us. Professional lighting, excellent sound, microphones--it honestly felt like watching a performance in a real theater, just under the stars. Video recording isn't allowed during the performance, so you can simply relax and enjoy the moment. The host also shared some exciting news--they're building a brand-new stage nearby, and there's a good chance next season's performances will take place there. We'll definitely be back in August for The Comedy of Errors. If you're looking for one of the most unique free summer experiences in Los Angeles, this is one I highly recommend.

There are so many hikes and walks at Griffith Park and one of my favorites is the Griffith…read moreObservatory hike. However, if you're looking to do a flat walk or run, the 4 mile loop around the Harding Golf Course is as simple as it can get. It's a dirt path that can feel like beach sand in some areas and can be shaded or in full sun. I enter the Autry Museum Parking lot and park at the south side of the lot near the trail for free. It's across the street from the LA Zoo. I do this walk with a friend that lives in the area. It's not a trail I would drive out of my way for. I've seen people running, with their dogs and even one lady walking on stilts.

Was in the area and just had to play at least one hole at the birthplace of disc golf…read more But I didn't have any discs with me. I ask a couple guys that were playing if they knew anywhere close by I can buy one. I tell them my story and one dude offers to sell me one of his old discs. Sweet! He explains to me that he doesn't even play as much anymore I'm about to pay the friendly fella $20-$25 for well used destroyer. Would never buy it except for this instance. And here comes other dude. Starts haggling and making stories up about discs without flight numbers. Says "that's like a $60-$70 disc" WTF Friendly dude offers to just let me use a disc to throw one hole I have no idea how this new disc flies so I go forehand on hole one and my nerves get to me. I severely under throw it. My next throw was much better and the one after that gives me a twenty foot putt that I miss Overall, I wish I could get a full round here with my discs. Looked like a course that I could do well at One day

This is hallowed ground for a disc golfer since it's the first permanent disc golf course in the…read moreworld. Truthfully, I've enjoyed other courses more, but I'm still glad I was able to play at such a legendary course. I played in the middle of the summer, which means summer camps caused the closure of some of the holes. It was a hot, dry, and dusty day but I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a challenging course that required a good variety of shots to make par. I was sub-par most of the time, but I sure had fun trying! I used the Udisc app to navigate. Even then we had difficulty finding the proper tee pad and basket on several holes. We also had to wait for day campers, park goers, and horseback riders passing through where we needed to throw on several holes. I'd like to come back and play here in the fall and winter when it's not so hot and more of the holes are open.

Course was in decent shape but this place gets really busy since it's free and one of the best…read morecourses around. We would definitely come back and had a great time at the disc golf course.

Beautiful course, I loved the layout. Green grass, tall mature trees, with a nice lake. Some…read moredifficult shots but lots of birdie opportunities.

Fantastic property with many improvements being made. Fun course. Friendly staff. Beautiful scenery.read more

I've played some of the best disc golf courses in SoCal and some of the worst and this place falls…read morefairly in the middle. One of my biggest issues with DeBell are the lack of proper tee pads and lack of proper signage which can lead to frustrating rounds. They conveniently post a map at the office, but to keep referring to a map you take a picture of on your phone constantly can get annoying. They try to update uDisc regularly, but again, when it's not accurate, you're left trying to figure things yourself. Terrain is another problem. For the most part it's well maintained, but if you're paying 6-8 bucks to play on this course, there's a part of you that wishes things were a little better. On a rainy day or the ones after it, don't expect good footing anywhere. The biggest problem though are the people. The staff is actually wonderful and very friendly...but the patrons can be hit or miss. It's a shared course with regular golf and some of the ball golfers can be a bit rude or aloof. Sure, it's a problem anywhere, but I've seen a lot of golfers not follow proper etiquette (slow play and large groups) and feel entitled to the course since it's for "golf." When you get past all it's faults...DeBell is kind of a hidden gem. In a big, mostly flat city like Burbank, there's not of open space and going up that hill past downtown Burbank, there's some really beautiful nature areas to find. On a sunny day with a cool breeze, playing here is a real delight. Away from the busy streets and noise of the city, you can really spend a calm day here. As you overlook the city, it's one of the better places in town to take in a sunset. Sometimes, you'll run into some nature with everything from lizards, skunks, rabbits, and the occasional deer. As far as disc golf goes, the course is mostly good. They change the layouts regularly and the positions can be in challenging positions...other times it feels like someone just moved the basket without any thought to why a hole should be that way. There's everything you want from a course...decent amount of trees, distance, and elevation changes. It's only 9 holes and there isn't a lot of long holes, but it's a nice challenge if you wanna spend a couple hours working on your game in relative peace.

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.

In planning to be in the area, the daughter mentioned stopping at Echo Park Lake. She spoke about…read morethe yearly Lotus Festival she's been eager to see but hasn't been able to attend due to her school schedule. Before returning to Tennessee, she wanted to experience the lake and see the wild lotus garden. It was a very sunny, hot and mildly humid day (after the rain). The park was busy, but we easily found street parking. There were lots of people walking the path along the lake, taking in the views of DTLA from the benches, watching the wildlife and enjoying the swan boat rentals. Everyone was respectful of each other. The path is about 1 mile with several shaded areas to take breaks. The lush greenery made for some really pretty pictures. Because of yesterday's rain, there were puddles of dirty water on the walkways and large muddy/poopy spots in the grass areas. And today's weather unfortunately made the experience a bit unpleasant with all the geese poop and smell of stagnant water. It was overall a nice experience but it's probably better to visit during dry, cooler weather.

Having procured a California State Library Pass from my local public library for a period of three…read moreweeks, I reviewed the list of participating State Parks and realized I had not yet visited the Los Angeles State Historic Park since its re-design 20 years ago. I've driven by it hundreds of times to and from work and yet only now took the time to visit. The above-mentioned pass allows day parking in the official lot; however, there is plenty of street parking in the area and no admission fee. I planned my visit for a pre-breakfast stroll and had the company of many locals taking advantage of the 32-acre park for their morning contstitutionals. The paths and green spaces are beautifully maintained. The pollinator space is especially lovely, planted with native plants to attract humming birds and native bees. It's a place of peace and calm and the perfect way to start the day. There are several works of public art in the park, my favorite being "This Park is Made by the People" by Rosten Woo. More information on all the art here: https://lastatehistoricpark.org/art-in-the-park/ Perfect place for a walk, a picnic, and great views of the DTLA skyline.

The Los Angeles State Historic Park is an area that was once an industrial space that was converted…read moreinto a lush urban green space. My boyfriend and I always see it in passing when we take the Metro. You can take the Metro A Line here to the Chinatown exit, and the entrance is right there. It so happens that we came here on a Thursday evening and saw that they had the LA River Farmers' Market here every Thursday from 3-7:30pm. The farmers' market is small with limited offerings, but still a nice spot to get some fresh produce and artisan goods in the city. We walked through the park and explored the different routes and walked over the bridge. It was quite scenic and lush for an area in the middle of the city. There was also a space that looked like it could be a venue for events. Also a pet friendly spot, as there was a little obstacle course looking thing for the dogs. There were people running and walking around for exercise, and then those who were more leisurely enjoying a picnic. Unfortunately there were some suspicious characters by the bathroom area, so we weren't comfortable using the restrooms. Overall a nice patch of green in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. A great getaway for the locals and visitors to enjoy.

Spent 130 bucks between 4 guys, guy working lied and said they have no free fountain water. Made us…read morebuy water. Love the course.

Fridays they have the best tri tip and brisket BBQ's! Their max & cheese is my kiddos favorite. The…read morecourse itself is challenging but delightful. We even saw a bear one time too which was cool but a lil scary. The drive here is tough but it's worth it. Staff here is great!