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Big-city living doesn’t have to mean cement, smog, skyscrapers... and living far from nature—not when you live in LA, anyway. Actually, LA is known for its outstanding parks, outdoor recreation, and natural spaces, making it a great spot for those who want the urban lifestyle, but also love to get outside and explore! Sound like you?

Here are LA’s top parks and outdoor spaces.

Griffith Park

overhead view of griffith park in la

overhead view of griffith park in la

Located right in the heart of the city, this immense park features a surprising variety of terrain that ranges from landscaped and serene to challengingly rugged. The views from the Griffith Observatory are pretty exceptional—the city stretched below, the LA Basin heading out to open ocean—and there are some neat nooks and crannies to explore, like the Bronson Caves and Amir’s Garden.

Echo Park Lake

stunning greenery around echo lake park in la

stunning greenery around echo lake park in la

The sparkling Echo Lake is flanked by palms and greenery and set against the rather impressive backdrop of the Downtown LA skyline—for a unique and breathtaking setting that’s the perfect blend of urban and outdoorsy. The park’s scenic fountains are surrounded by bright lotus flowers, and the lake itself offers tranquil pedal boating and a walking path.

Grand Park

grand park in downtown la

grand park in downtown la

Photo courtesy

https://grandparkla.org/

Right in the heart of Downtown LA, Grand Park is a breath of freshness amid the urban bustle. With picnic lawns, fountains, benches, and plenty of cozy nooks, the park is a perfect place to sit, unwind, picnic, or people-watch. There are also tons of events throughout the year—performances, gatherings, celebrations, and more.

Lake Balboa

views of lake balboa in la

views of lake balboa in la

In the northwest metro of LA, Lake Balboa is an amenity-filled favorite for picnickers and fitness enthusiasts alike. Springtime brings a beautiful display of cherry blossoms along the lake’s shoreline, while the Japanese Garden offers year-round magnificence. The nearby Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Refuge is a serene spot for glimpsing nature at its finest.

Runyon Canyon Park

Runyon Canyon park in hollywood

Runyon Canyon park in hollywood

Photo courtesy

https://www.laparks.org/

Just north of Hollywood, Runyon Canyon is a truly amazing deviation from big-city into the wilderness of the Hollywood Hills. It’s a fun spot for hiking or jogging, thanks to its miles of rugged yet beautiful trails, and a favorite place for pups, too.

Brookside Park

brookside park in pasadena

brookside park in pasadena

Photo courtesy https://www.cityofpasadena.net

Just south of the Rosebowl in Pasadena, Brookside Park sprawls over 60 acres and offers a wealth of recreational amenities, including a baseball stadium, softball diamonds, soccer fields, picnic areas, fitness trails, and playgrounds. There’s even a long trail along the eastern end of the park connecting it to the adjoining golf course.

Wildwood Canyon Park

hiker in wildwood canyon park

hiker in wildwood canyon park

Photo courtesy Greg Koenig / Los Angeles Times

The vast network of rugged hiking trails traversing Wildwood Canyon offers no end of spectacular adventures… often ending in utterly breathtaking views that encompass rolling hills, jagged mountain peaks, and sprawling city suburb. The park is located just north of Burbank.

La Tuna Canyon Park

La tuna canyon park hiker

La tuna canyon park hiker

Photo courtesy

https://mrca.ca.gov/

Climb to the upper reaches of the Verdugo Mountains between Burbank and La Crescenta at the beautiful, wild La Tuna Canyon. The lower part of the park offers scenic picnic areas in “The Grotto,” a deep canyon complete with overhanging trees and a waterfall, while the 2.2 mile La Tuna Canyon Trail meanders through lush forest to the top of the Verdugos, where it connects to the Verdugo Fire Road, for access to the entire Verdugo Mountain range.

Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

santa susanna state historic park

santa susanna state historic park

Photo courtesy

https://www.parks.ca.gov/

Breathtaking nature and rich history meet at this culturally significant park, located at the confluence of the Santa Susana Mountains and the Simi Hills in western LA. The park’s terrain ranges from steep, narrow ridges to deep canyons, and its rather rugged and challenging trails are well-worth the climbs, thanks to their yield of utterly breathtaking views.

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

athletic facilities at Kenneth Hahn

athletic facilities at Kenneth Hahn

Photo courtesy

https://parks.lacounty.gov/

Located on the west side of LA near Culver City, Kenneth Hahn State Park spans 308 acres and features everything from a Japanese garden and lotus pond to an intense workout course. But all the park’s amenities are nothing compared to its gorgeous city and LA Basin views from atop the Baldwin Hills… and its 7+ miles of hiking and walking trails through the hills.

Ready to Come Have Some Fun in LA?

Are you thinking of relocating to or buying a home in the LA area? Then it’s time to contact Brad Korb Real Estate Group. We’re here to help you explore the area, discover its fantastic communities, and find the perfect home in just the right location.