Parks and Griffith Park Near Los Feliz

Quick Answer: Los Feliz sits on the south edge of Griffith Park. That puts the Observatory, the Greek Theatre, Fern Dell and a 53-mile trail network within the neighborhood's reach. Barnsdall Art Park, with Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House, is on Hollywood Boulevard at the neighborhood's south end. Everything below comes from the City of Los Angeles and the parks' own sites.

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Griffith Park edge

Griffith Park covers more than 4,210 acres of chaparral hills and landscaped parkland, with elevations from 384 to 1,625 feet. The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks runs it. The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Dogs stay on leash and bicycles stay off the trails. Alcohol, smoking, open fires and drones are not allowed anywhere in the park.

Hikers can use the whole 53-mile network of trails, fire roads and bridle paths. All trails close at dusk. Trail maps and current closure information are available at the Ranger Station, (323) 913-4688. General park information: (323) 644-2050. In an emergency, Park Rangers are at (323) 644-6661.

  • Griffith Park Ranger Station and park headquarters. 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 644-2050. laparks.org/griffithpark

Vermont Ave and Vermont Canyon

Vermont Avenue runs north from Los Feliz Village straight into the park. Past the last houses it becomes Vermont Canyon, and the road ends at the Observatory.

  • Griffith Observatory. Free admission to the building, the grounds and the public telescopes. Open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and closed Monday. The grounds and roads generally follow park hours, 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Trailheads on the Observatory grounds lead to Mount Hollywood, the Greek Theatre area and Fern Dell. The 290-seat Samuel Oschin Planetarium runs a live show every 60 to 90 minutes on open days, and tickets are sold only at the Observatory for that day. 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027. (213) 473-0800. griffithobservatory.lacity.gov
  • The Greek Theatre. An outdoor theatre owned by the City of Los Angeles, with a capacity of 5,900. The cornerstone was laid in 1928 and the building was dedicated on September 25, 1930. Hours and admission vary by event, and the Observatory notes the season generally runs April through October. 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 665-5857, per the park's site. lagreektheatre.com
  • Roosevelt Municipal Golf Course. A 9-hole par-33 course of 2,400 yards next to the Greek. 2650 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 665-2011. golf.lacity.org
  • Bird Sanctuary. One of the park's special gardens, in Vermont Canyon just past the Greek. Dogs must be on leash. 2900 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 666-5046. laparks.org/griffithpark

Fern Dell and Western Canyon

  • Fern Dell. More than 50 fern species grow among tropical plants and flowers along a shady, winding trail near the park's Western Canyon entrance. It is one of the trailheads the Observatory recommends for walking up the hill. The park's site lists the Trails CafĂ© here, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2333 Fern Dell, Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 871-2120. laparks.org/griffithpark

Los Feliz Blvd

  • Los Feliz Municipal Golf Course. A par-3 course at the neighborhood's east end, near the Los Feliz Boulevard entrance to the park. 3207 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039. (323) 663-7758. golf.lacity.org
  • Griffith Park and Southern Railroad. A miniature train ride that has run in the park since 1948, on a track that stretches over a mile. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and until 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. 4400 Crystal Springs Drive (near Los Feliz and Riverside), Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 664-6903. laparks.org/griffithpark

Hollywood Blvd

  • Barnsdall Art Park. A hilltop park on Olive Hill that Aline Barnsdall gave to the City in 1927, along with its Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. The green spaces are open Monday through Sunday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The City's Department of Cultural Affairs runs the programs and Recreation and Parks maintains the grounds. Parking is free but limited, at the top and bottom of the hill. 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 644-6269. recreation.parks.lacity.gov
  • Hollyhock House. Frank Lloyd Wright's first Los Angeles commission, built between 1918 and 1921 and added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. Self-guided visits run Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last entry at 3:30 p.m. There is an admission charge and advance tickets are recommended. 4800 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 913-4030. hollyhockhouse.org
  • Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. The City's contemporary art gallery, in the park since 1954. Open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed during installations and on City holidays. 4800 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 644-6269. lamag.org

Good to know

  • Take the DASH up the hill. LADOT's DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus runs every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It starts at the Vermont/Sunset Metro station and runs along Hillhurst Avenue. Stops include the Greek Theatre, Mt. Hollywood Drive and the Observatory's front door. The fare is 50 cents, or 35 cents with a TAP card. Exact change is required.
  • Parking near the Observatory is paid. Monday through Friday from noon to 10 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pay stations take credit cards only. The Observatory suggests parking free near the Greek Theatre and walking up to a mile uphill, except after 1 p.m. on concert nights.
  • Inbound park gates close at 10 p.m. If someone is picking you up at the Observatory, they need to enter the park before then.
  • Trails close at dusk. Bicycles use paved park roads only, not trails or fire roads.
  • Concert nights change the canyon. Parking restrictions apply around the Greek, and the DASH runs after shows back to the Vermont/Sunset station.

No business paid to be listed. We add places we know and verify, and we recheck this guide every few months. Last checked September 2026.

FAQ

Is Griffith Observatory free?
Yes. Admission to the building, the grounds and the public telescopes is always free. Parking near the building and planetarium shows are the only charges.

How big is Griffith Park?
The City lists more than 4,210 acres and a 53-mile network of trails, fire roads and bridle paths. Elevations run from 384 to 1,625 feet.

Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on leash, everywhere in Griffith Park and Barnsdall Art Park. Pets are not permitted inside Hollyhock House.

Which trailhead is closest to Los Feliz?
The Observatory names two: the trails near the Greek Theatre at the top of Vermont Avenue, and Fern Dell at the Western Canyon entrance. There is public parking near both.

Living near the park

A home in Los Feliz Hills or the Oaks can back right up to park land, and the flats along Vermont and Hillhurst put the Observatory bus at the end of the block. Our Los Feliz neighborhood guides cover each pocket, and many of the homes near the park are covered in our historic homes guide.

Thinking about a move to Los Feliz? Let us know what works best for you and we will coordinate our schedule around yours. (323) 201-2724.