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.

This is the most difficult Botanical Garden to get in touch with…read more The hours they have posted on their website are wrong, no one picks up the phone after calling several times and leaving several messages. I went in person last weekend, and it was closed despite their online hours posted. The lack of clarity even upon walking up to the venue is not clear. They have no signs stating they are closed and it's clear they do not care to return voicemails. Please do not waste your time going there.

Background On Visit: Last Sunday (4/12/26), the venue hosted the Pasadena Festival Of Tea. We were…read moreone of the participants for this event. Hours Of Operation: They welcome visitors to the garden on many Friday and Saturday evenings and during the day on Sundays. You can check out their schedule of events and admission cost on their website: https://japanesegardenpasadena.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/japanesegardenpasadena/event.jsp?;=&event=1612& Admission Cost: Mostly, $15 on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, it's $12. For other events, they post the cost on their website. Location/Parking: Located across from the Arlington Gardens (Free). It's kinda hidden, but just use the gps on your phone to guide you. Parking can be found along Arlington. For special events, they encourage you to park at Westridge School (Orange Grove and W. State St.) and walk up to Storrier Stearns. Ambiance/Decor: The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a beautiful and charming retreat with a quiet and tranquil elegance. The place is small which contains many of the much admired design features found in the most lavish of Japanese-style gardens of its era. As Kendall Brown states in his book, California Japanese-style Gardens, "this is the genius of Kinzuchi Fujii: this was once a flat area of two tennis courts; now it is a masterwork. 1) Classic Niko-an Teahouse, the garden landscape offers a variety of other beautiful details. 2) Numerous gathering points, seating areas & vistas 3) Four original bridges plus the original cedar log Japanese Waiting Bench 4) Two large interconnected, irregularly shaped koi ponds 5) The sounds of two waterfalls, one cascading down a 25-foot hill 6) An artful dry riverbed for rain overflow winding through the garden 7) Cooling shade everywhere from spreading sycamores & old oaks 8) Many tons of boulders & stones 9) Granite statuary & stone lanterns Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden For Thought: Wouldn't mind coming back to re-center myself. I did a have nice time.

A hidden gem!!! A very Beautiful dog friendly park with…read morelots of parking spaces. The park is very well maintained with clean restrooms and nice water fountains (for doggie too). Right next to the LA River. We saw many people biking and running along the river. We will definitely come here more often when we are around. Highly recommended!

This is a small little park that leads to a great stretch of the LA River. This is a hidden gem…read morebecause the river walk has a lot of cool spots and cafes along the way. I'm from LA and my first time coming here was a few weeks ago. That's how well of a secret this has been kept. I imagine this would be a popular spot to host events like birthday parties. I came here as part of a walking club and we all gathered near the pavilion area. If you continue down the river walk far enough, you'll encounter this bridge with cool graffiti. This would be a great place for band photo shoots. There is free parking but come early because it's limited spots.

Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

This place is great for fully appreciating nature! The trail is around 5-5.5 miles round trip,…read moredepending on where you park. What impressed me most about this trail is that it's almost fully covered by shade. We went in the late afternoon, and I'd say probably 80-85% of it is covered. Very impressive! Here are some useful tips: 1. There are three parking lots: two are next to the highway, and one is near the hiking entrance. I'd recommend getting a parking pass if possible. 2. There are only three restrooms at the beginning of the trail, so use them when you see them. 3. If you're aiming to go to the waterfall, make sure to look for the signs. Some signs aren't very clear, so we had to stop and ask other hikers frequently. Luckily, people there are super friendly and happy to help. Just pay attention to your surroundings. 4. The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a leash. 5. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended. All in all, it's a fun trail. It's a great place for a picnic and camping, and it's very close to the stream. Great for kids, families, and pets!

I've lived in LA for years and somehow never realized you could kayak the river until a friend…read moresuggested trying LA River Kayak Safari. We booked a weekend morning tour, and it ended up being one of the most unexpectedly fun things I've done in the city. I was a little nervous at first since I'm not super experienced with kayaking, but the guides were patient and gave clear instructions before we got on the water. Once we started, it felt calm and surprisingly peaceful. We even spotted birds and fish along the way, which I definitely didn't expect in Los Angeles. The whole experience felt safe, well-organized, and relaxed. It's such a cool way to see a different side of the city. I'd absolutely do it again.

Did you know you can kayak the LA River? Did you know that in the summertime the water ain't…read morenearly as dirty as you'd think? Yes, this is an urban wildlife experience. Don't go expecting to be away from the city. Go if you want a unique view of the city, in a lush and strange area where it feels like nature is winning out over concrete. Guides were friendly. We saw lots of cool birds. Nice blend of relaxation and fun.

Unexpected little oasis in the midst of DTLA!…read more My friend & I brought breakfast to chat. It was not at all crowded on a Saturday late morning. There were people exercising, picnicking, playing sports, etc. Some squirrels are a little bold, so be careful if you have food Parking is limited in the lot, but street parking was not hard to find at all (you'll have to park on a steep hill). Will definitely be back!

This is a small park located just a bit northwest of downtown LA. There's a small parking lot…read morewhich is freeee; otherwise, you will need to find street parking, and good luck with that. The area around the park is legitimately sketchy but I didn't see any bad characters inside the park whatsoever. The park could be maintained better. The weeds are high in some areas and the grass needs watering in other locations. Having said all that, it's a nice enough little park with at least one spot for an amazing view of downtown. I have never seen the movie, "(500) Days of Summer," but some people believe the striking view of downtown with the park bench in the foreground was shown in the movie. I can't vouch for that but that particular spot is gorgeous and perfect for a photo op. You'll know the spot when you see it. Worth checking out.

Such a great environment to be able to hangout, chill, and of course exercise! I had a lot of funs…read morewith friends and overall felt like the vibes here at night were really good. Plenty of parking to park at, with some dim lighting, but the park itself was very bright. There were a lot of people on Friday night with a few spots open so this place is very popular! Super huge with a ton of space. You can tell it's very well-kept and there are restrooms too. I think the parking gets charged when there's an event going on, other than that I don't remember paying any money to come here. Overall would love to come back here again!

The reviews for this park are very positive, so I honestly wondered if I had gone to the wrong…read moreplace. Since there is an entrance fee, I expected the park to be better maintained. Unfortunately, the grass looked overgrown, and the overall area did not feel especially clean or well cared for. I also brought my dog, but I did not find it particularly enjoyable or convenient for walking. I mostly noticed a few groups playing soccer, but not much else that made the park stand out. One interesting part was seeing people test and fly small remote-controlled aircraft. It was my first time seeing something like that, so I did enjoy watching it. Still, I am not sure that alone is enough to justify paying an entrance fee. This is only my honest experience, but I left wondering what makes this park worth the entrance fee compared with other public parks.

This is a great place. If you wanna bring your animals and let them off the leash. It's the middle…read moreof a Saturday afternoon and my dog. Luis is virtually by himself. It's also a great place to bring the family. There are picnic areas, baseball diamonds. Basketball courts, and soccer courts. A little bit of fun for everybody.

Yesterday I visited the park with my dog for an agility class through Larpbo and we were on the…read morecorner of Tyrone. The space was spacious for the event and parking plentiful right there between the grass patches that we were using. People can also park along the street and I noticed there's allot of people coming and going so allot of opportunities for distraction to practice with your dog. The grass fields are very well maintained and mostly soft lush grass although there were a couple foxtails scattered on the ground.