Los Angeles, CA may be a metropolis best known for its fashion scene and the occasional celebrity sighting, but what aren't as well-known are the many attractions that exist for the horticulturist, art lover, and avid outdoor enthusiast outside of the largely indoor entertainment industry. Whether you are looking to take a relaxing stroll through a garden or zoo, go for a strenuous hike, or explore the original Batcave, the City of Angels has it all.
Botanical Gardens
A myriad of botanical gardens offer the opportunity to admire beautiful plants and inhale floral-scented air, a perfect escape from the city's notorious smog. The Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge offer 160 acres of public gardens, including the Lilac Garden, the Iris Garden, the Japanese Garden, Camellia Forest and the Sundial Garden. Rose lovers specifically can visit the Rose Garden located within Exposition Park, a famous site for wedding photography and filmography. The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden and the Frank D. Murphy Sculpture Garden on UCLA's campus exhibit abstract art and sculptures from all over the world.
Recreational Parks
The Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks Department maintains and operates hundreds of parks within the city limits. Sand Dune Park, for instance, boasts a 100-foot-high sand dune and other climbing equipment for the intrepid climber or athlete looking for a challenge. Bell Canyon Park, at the west end of the San Fernando Valley, has trails for climbers, mountain bikers, hikers and runners. Griffith Park, the largest municipal park in the U.S., covers over 4000 acres and has two golf courses and a stunning observatory. The park also includes the infamous Bronson Caves, whose formations were originally part of a rock quarry in the 1920s but later came to be filmed and featured in more than 75 movies and TV shows, including the original Batman series.
Runyan Canyon Park
Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, Runyan Canyon Park's variety of routes serve both as a steep inclines for fitness-loving hikers or bicyclists and as meandering paths for individuals or couples looking to take a scenic stroll. Benches strewn along the paths--including an oversize bench at the very top of the trail--offer rest areas for weary hikers. Indian Rock, the point at the top of the canyon, awards a stunning view of the Hollywood Hills and downtown Los Angeles. Runyan Canyon is a dog-friendly park, so feel free to bring your puppy along. Access the park via Vista Street, Fuller Avenue and off Mulholland Dr. in Hollywood.
Museums
No matter where your interests lie--in science, art, or film making--Los Angeles has a museum for you. The California Science Center, located near the USC campus in Exposition Park, has an IMAX Theatre, a hands-on science "Fun Lab," and high-wire bicycle ride straight out of the movie E.T. The serene Getty Center, perched atop the Sepulveda Pass, is a world-class museum, botanical garden and educational center all rolled into one. Other museums to explore include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) the Museum of Jurassic Technology, the Natural History Museum and the Norton Simon Museum of Art, formerly known as the Pasdena Art Museum.
Zoos and Aquariums
Nature and animal lovers will thrive in the zoological experiences throughout L.A.. The Santa Ana, Orange County, and Los Angeles zoos are a trio of animal refuges that provide the opportunity for visitors to experience the beauty of some of the world's most exotic creatures firsthand, from lions and bears to orangutans. Just below the carousel of the Santa Monica Pier, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is a marine science center complete with a shark tank, touch tanks, and many interactive displays. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, just south of Los Angeles proper, contains over 12,000 species in 17 major tanks and 30 smaller tanks.
Member Comments