Hiking Hollywood: Family-Friendly Hikes in Griffith Park

For residents of Central Los Angeles neighborhoods like Hollywood, Thai Town, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, and Silver Lake, Griffith Park is widely considered a shared backyard of sorts. Sitting beside hundreds of thousands of Angelenos, this haven for outdoor lovers is home to a number of major LA landmarks like the Griffith Observatory, the Old (and new) Los Angeles Zoo, and the iconic Hollywood sign.

With the summer months upon us, Los Angeles can be a great vacation spot for families. It can also act as a quick pit stop on the way to other SoCal hotspots like Malibu, the San Diego area, or Disney World. Even better, Griffith Park is just outside of Hollywood — a notably popular stop for tourists with plenty for kids to dig into.

After your family explores some of the must-stop locations off Hollywood Boulevard (the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Walk of Fame, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, and more), consider a Griffith Park detour for great city views and a range of options fit for the whole family.

Family-Friendly Hikes in Griffith Park

Griffith Park is full of great trails. Many families opt to simply show up and explore, seeing where they wind up. There are also plenty of great play areas and quaint trails to peruse without even making your way up the hills. Still, you won’t regret setting aside the extra time for these one-of-a-kind treks.

While this list is far from exhaustive, here are some of the best family-friendly hikes in Griffith Park.

Griffith Park Old Zoo Loop

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation: 390 ft. gain
Time: Approx. 1-1.5 hours

If you’re after a quick and easy hike with some interesting sights and history along the way, the Griffith Park Old Zoo Loop is the way to go.

Start out at the Merry-Go-Round parking lot. The closest address is 4668 Crystal Springs Dr. — you’ll see plenty of signs guiding you to “Merry-Go-Round,” and parking is free in Lot #1 along with surrounding areas. From here, you’ll head southwest along the Fern Canyon Nature Trail and pivot northwest to begin climbing uphill.

This hike offers a unique look at the Old Los Angeles Zoo, with numerous retired animal enclosures active up until 1966 when the park closed. Along with the charm of the old zoo landmarks, be sure to enjoy the additional views of the surrounding neighborhoods and hills of Griffith. There are plenty of areas to stop and rest along the way, so this is also a great option to plan ahead for an afternoon picnic.

As you continue along the trail, it loops southeast and eventually takes you back to the parking lot where you started. Be aware that this can be a fairly popular hike, so you’ll likely run into plenty of locals and travelers along the way. If you’d rather have more privacy, aim to arrive before noon or schedule ahead for a weekday outing.

Griffith Park Old Zoo Loop Tips:

• Bathrooms are located between the Merry-Go-Round and the tennis courts, though the old zoo also has restrooms near the shaded areas and picnic spots.
• There are multiple ways to make your way up to the zoo, so you can always pursue another path for an alternative experience.
• The large, abandoned exhibits are definitely a highlight and can be fun for kids to explore. The small animal exhibits are interesting sights to see as well.

Fern Dell Nature Trail to Griffith Observatory

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2.6 miles
Elevation:  616 ft. gain
Time: Approx. 90 minutes without stopping

If you are looking to knock out a hike and an LA staple in one swoop, consider a quick trek up to Griffith Observatory.

Start by entering Fern Dell Park from Los Felix Boulevard and Fern Dell Drive. Street parking is free, but it may take some time to find a spot during peak times (weekends and afternoons).

To get the blood pumping, you can take the Griffith Observatory Trail as a straight shot to the legendary landmark. Be aware that this trail can be somewhat steep, so your kiddos may need to take a few quick moments to rest up and hydrate before continuing. There is also pretty much no cover from the sun, so be prepared with sunscreen or plan ahead for a cloudier day.

Fortunately, it’s a pretty wide trail and short distance to travel — you’ll be surprised at how quickly you make it to the top. There’s also some flat spots along the way with stellar views of the DTLA skyline in the distance. Here, the Observatory is right within reach.

Once you make it to the Observatory, you can relax on the lawn or go inside if it’s open. Admission is free, with multiple floors of exhibits focused on astronomy and the Observatory’s historic past. The gift shop also has some pretty unique trinkets and educational toys, leading to an outdoor balcony if you need some extra time to catch your breath before heading back. Once you’ve had your fill, simply return the way you came.

Fern Dell to Griffith Observatory Tips:

• If you don’t have the energy to make it to the Observatory, there is plenty to soak in without leaving Fern Dell. This is an incredibly cozy area with plenty of shade, natural nooks, and even wildlife like turtles and fish to spot in the small creeks scattered throughout the park.
• Fern Dell also has some pretty sizable playground equipment for kids to enjoy, with ample seating off to the side.
• The Trails Cafe is right off Fern Dell Drive as you head north, with a handful of tables in the sun and shade to refresh. I almost always make a stop here when I stop by Fern Dell. They have plenty of coffee options to give you a caffeine boost, but their lunch menu and pastries are ideal if you need a quick snack before or after your hike.
• There are porta-potties and restroom structures around the playground area for any quick bathroom break, along with soap and water to wash hands.

Amir’s Garden Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1 mile
Elevation:  275 ft. gain
Time: Approx. 40 minutes

For nice views with plenty of greenery at the top, Amir’s Garden Trail is a fairly easy hike to fit into a day of LA fun with plenty of secluded places to stop and rest once you arrive.

Amir’s Garden is an all-volunteer ornamental garden started by Amir Dialameh in 1971, following a major brush fire that ravaged the area. The initial aim was to create a rest stop for hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts still take advantage of the region for this purpose today.

To reach the garden, go past the parking area for the Old LA Zoo toward the parking lots for the golf course. The trail starts at the back of the main parking lot. Make your way toward Camp Road until you see the sign reading “Amir’s Garden .8 miles.” The trail begins as a wide dirt road before breaking off into a single track with plentiful wooden steps to make the summit a bit smoother. There is definitely some elevation to tackle here, but it’s not terribly lengthy — only about a quarter mile. You’ll also find a few places to pull off to the side if anyone needs a quick reset.

Once you arrive at the garden, you’ll find it’s well worth the trip. Amir’s Garden is aptly named, surrounded by flora and fauna with hidden benches and picnic areas that create a more secluded feeling even on more crowded days. As you explore, you can spot signs that dive further into the Amir’s life and the garden’s history. Take as much time as you’d like to explore — there are some pretty picturesque points along the way for scenic views at the city and other hills in Griffith Park.

After you’ve had your fill of the garden, make your way back down the way you came. If you have extra time, you can venture off to some of the surrounding trails and continue exploring.

Amir’s Garden Trail Tips:

• This is a great hike any time of the year, but if you can stop in after some rare Los Angeles rain, it’s especially gorgeous and green.
• If you need to hydrate, Amir’s Garden recently installed a water fountain in the main garden area.
• You’ll likely want to stop by the restroom before you get going, as there aren’t any options along the trail or in the garden. There are options near the parking lot, namely at the Mineral Wells Picnic Area and near the Merry-Go-Round.

Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation:  150 ft. gain
Time: Approx. 1-1.5 hours

One of the most sought-after sights in the area is the legendary Hollywood Sign. This hike gets you up close and personal without hardly any hassle.

You’ll start at the north side of Lake Hollywood/Hollywood Reservoir, where it’s fairly easy to find parking. Enter through Lake Hollywood Drive on the north side of the reservoir, and start making your way around the body of water. This hike admittedly is more of a stroll, ideal for families with young children or anyone after a more relaxed outdoor outing.

It’s a serene journey full of wildlife, like deer, rabbits, lizards, and birds. Of course, this is the perfect chance to score some family photo ops with the Hollywood Sign, minus the length and effort that other nearby hikes require.

Lake Hollywood Reservoir Walking Trail Tips:

• You can find porta-potties at the beginning of the hike and about halfway through for any needed bathroom breaks.
• Refuel at the water fountain and refill station located at the trailhead. Be sure to take advantage if you need, as this is the only spot to snag water on this hike.
• While the other hikes listed are dog friendly (as long as they are on a leash), you’ll have to leave Fido behind for this one — dogs are not allowed.

A Family Visit to Griffith Park

This list only barely scratches the surface of Griffith Park. Alongside the many additional hikes to explore, you can easily pivot toward any number of separate trails and reach these same destinations. These are just some of the more easygoing options with a quicker turnaround. This way, you have even more time to soak in everything that Los Angeles and Southern California have to offer.

See you on the trails!

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About the Author: Keegan Williams is a freelance editor and writer based in Los Angeles. They have written for publications including HuffPost, LGBTQ Nation, and High Times. Keegan has a passion for fitness, and they are heavily immersed in LA’s underground dance scene with a love for techno and other high-energy electronic music genres.

You can find them at keeganmwilliams.com or on Instagram @promwitch.