Heavenly Elysian

Elysian Park is the oldest park in Los Angeles and offers stellar views of downtown

Hike Elysian Park in Los Angeles

Founded in 1886, Elysian Park is LA’s oldest park, and one of its biggest. Spanning 600 acres, this urban playground has multiple attractive features that will keep you coming back for more. With hiking, biking, and jogging trails to horseshoe pits and disc golf, you have ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors from within the city limits. 

One of Elysian Park’s best features? Its location: it’s right by Dodger Stadium and up high on a canyon that affords a beautiful 360-degree view of downtown LA, the San Gabriel Mountains, and all the way to the ocean. Explore niches within the park: Angels Point with its view of the stadium and DTLA, known for housing a large postmodern metal sculpture reminiscent of the 1980s, or Chavez Ravine Arboretum, which contains over 100 varieties of trees from around the world, including the supposedly oldest and largest kauri, tipu, and Cape chestnut trees in the US.

Hike Elysian Park in Los Angeles

BONUS: After watching a sunset from atop one of the canyons within Elysian, stay after dusk to witness the spectacular view of Los Angeles at nighttime. The twinkling lights from the towns below are truly awe-inspiring.

Elysian Park is located at the intersection of the 110 and the I-5. Parking available on the street. Dog-friendly!

Story and photos by Lena Marceca

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

    View
  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View