peacelabyrinth Archives

Superblooms & Gorgeous Gardens

April 22 is Earth Day, the world’s largest environment movement, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than getting out and communing with nature. Did you know that California’s superblooms are so dramatic that you can see them from space? But you don’t need a satellite to enjoy this stunning flower show. LA Arboretum and Descanso Gardens are in full bloom, and the historic Virginia Robinson Gardens has finally reopened after a three year hiatus. LA is also home to some delightful secret gardens that you may not have heard about, many not far from Circa. And if you want to get involved for Earth Day, Friends of the LA River is offering a variety of activities that welcome everyone to the River Movement.

California State Parks Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster, CA

California Poppy Festival AV Fair & Event Center 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536

Apr 21-23 Celebrate our beautiful state flower at the California Poppy Festival. For three days, people from across the state will be able to enjoy live entertainment, a beer garden, food, and more than 200 vendors amidst the sunshine and colorful flowers. While you’re there, be sure visit the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, and explore eight miles of trails through the gentle rolling hills, bursting with wildflowers.

Rose Garden Tea Room at The Huntington in San Marino, CA

The Huntington 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108

Encompassing about 130 acres, The Huntington botanical gardens feature living collections in 16 stunning themed gardens with more than 83,000 living plants, including rare and endangered species, and a laboratory for botanical conservation and research. Great news for high tea fans! After an extensive renovation, The Huntington Rose Garden Tea Room will reopen on May 24. Set within the historic Rose Garden, the Tea Room offers an elegant and memorable experience inspired by the tradition of English tea service with a distinctive California twist.

Rose Garden Exposition Park near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Rose Garden Exposition Park 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007

Located across the street from USC in downtown Los Angeles, Exposition Park is home to some of LA’s top cultural attractions and venues, including the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California Science Center, and the California African American Museum. The beautiful 7.5-acre Rose Garden features 15,793 rose bushes in about 200 varieties. The Rose Garden is currently among the three major public-display rose gardens in Southern California and one of the most important in the state. In 1991 the Rose Garden was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Pollinator Meadow at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Nature Gardens at NHM 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007

If you’re visiting Exposition Park, be sure to explore the Nature Gardens, an urban wildlife wonderland at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Over 600 kinds of plants, including California natives and others from around the world, make a home for birds, butterflies, lizards, squirrels, and more. One of the most popular spots is the Pollinator Meadow (pictured above). Flowers are blooming, seeds are ripening, and wildlife is paying attention!

Virginia Robinson Gardens in Beverly Hills, CA

Virginia Robinson Gardens 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills , CA 90210

May 20 Back in Bloom Garden Tour. After a three-year hiatus, the Virginia Robinson Gardens reopens for the Garden Tour and Showcase House, offering an exclusive opportunity to visit magnificent private gardens in the area, and enjoy an extravagant showcase at the Robinson Estate, featuring top interior designers, florists, and a lavish luncheon. Proceeds will raise funds for the restoration needs of the estate and the Children’s Science program, which has served more than 5,000 children throughout the pandemic years. Built in 1911, the Robinson mansion was one of the first homes in Beverly Hills, known for hosting the area’s most legendary parties. Today, the garden is recognized not only as a historical landmark, but also as an exotic paradise that all sightseers are invited to enjoy by appointment only.

UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden in Los Angeles, CA

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden 707 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden is a living museum that maintains one of the most important living botanical collections in the U.S. Over 3,000 types of plants grow in the garden and a wide range of environments are found within its borders, from the dry desert and Mediterranean sections on the eastern end to the shaded, lush interior. A stream and series of ponds run through the center of the garden, which is home to koi and turtles.

Arlington Garden 275 Arlington Dr. Pasadena, CA 91105

Pasadena’s only dedicated free public garden, Arlington Garden is a three-acre community-built Mediterranean garden in the heart of Pasadena on Caltrans-owned land leased to the City of Pasadena. The garden includes thousands of California native plants, such as poppies, sunflowers, cactus and succulents, orchards of orange and olive trees, and many more species. This lovely space is not only friendly to people and pets, but also exists as a refuge for Pasadena’s native fauna. Birds, bees and butterflies are particularly abundant, and can be seen throughout the year.

Blue Ribbon Garden sat Walt Disney Concert Hall near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Blue Ribbon Garden Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Blue Ribbon Garden is a hidden rooftop garden at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Nearly an acre in size, the garden is enclosed by the hall’s flowing exterior and filled with lush landscaping that blooms throughout the year. What started as a personal connection between just two people: Frank Gehry and Lillian Disney, has become a shared public art experience for concertgoers and Los Angeles tourists alike. One of the garden’s highlights is the Frank Gehry-designed fountain, a tribute to the late Lillian Disney and her love for Royal Delft porcelain vases and roses.

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena, CA

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden 270 Arlington Dr. Pasadena, CA 91105

The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden was created by Kinzuchi Fujii for Charles and Ellamae Storrier Stearns in 1935. Fujii designed and built Japanese landscapes across Southern California in the first half of the 20th century. This pond-style stroll garden features a fifteen-foot waterfall and a formal teahouse on approximately two acres of land. The garden is considered by many to be a masterwork and it demonstrates the adaptability of Japanese culture in modern America.

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens 3500 W Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018

Need to unwind your mind? Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens was established by the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness as a non-profit center dedicated to peace and spirituality. Called a “Spiritual Oasis in the City,” its purpose is to provide a place for people to take time out of their busy lives to visit, reflect, and be rejuvenated by the peace and solace of nature. The centerpiece of the property is an outdoor stone labyrinth, using the same design as the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth. The spectacular Asian-themed meditation garden presents sixteen water features, a koi pond, and intimate seating areas tucked away to reflect, repose, meditate.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Descanso Gardens

Photo #2: California State Parks

Photo #3: The Huntington

Photo #4: Exposition Park

Photo #5: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Photo #6: Virginia Robinson Gardens

Photo #7: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden

Photo #8: Arlington Garden

Photo #9: LA Phil

Photo #10: Storrier Stearns Japanese Gardens

Photo #11: Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens

Spring Forward: Explore LA’s Scenic Trails & Urban Oases

Spring is in the air! Now is the perfect time to get out and commune with nature. According to recent research, experiencing the natural world has a powerful effect on our emotional well-being, including less stress in our daily lives and boosting healthy feelings of compassion and gratitude. You don’t have to travel far to experience the great outdoors. LA is home to a wealth of scenic trails and urban oases that are easily accessible from Circa, where you’ll discover everything from lush flower blooms to rugged woodlands, refreshing waterfalls, and a wide variety of wildlife. We even found some apps to enhance your experience of nature. Before you go, check websites for health & safety guidelines.

Descanso Gardens near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Descanso Gardens Bloom Boom 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

It just wouldn’t be spring without cherry blossoms! Descanso Gardens celebrates all that nature has to offer this season, with guided walking tours, craft demos, and live music. In addition to Descanso’s iconic cherry blossoms, you’ll find camellias, crabapples, daffodils, tulips, California poppies, and lilacs. The birds of Descanso also mark spring by making their homes in the garden. Check out the flowering tree map, which is updated weekly HERE

The Huntington Library near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

The Huntington 1151 Oxford Rd. San Marino, CA 91108

Lavender and white wisteria are in full bloom in the Chinese Garden and well on their way to taking over the faux bois arbor in the Japanese Garden. The Huntington is home to 16 spectacular themed gardens spread across 120 acres, including Desert Garden, Camellia & Rose Gardens, Jungle Garden, Herb Garden, Australian Garden, Lily Pond, and more. See what’s blooming at The Huntington on their interactive map HERE

Earnest E. Debs Regional Park near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Earnest E. Debs Regional Park 4235 Monterey Road Los Angeles, CA 90032

Ernest E. Debs Regional Park is 300 acre urban oasis on old ranch land in the Arroyo Seco neighborhood just northeast of downtown L.A. The fourth largest park in Los Angeles, the area is home to walnut-oak woodland, grassland, coastal sage scrub, and over 140 species of birds. A five mile loop meanders through almost every section of this dog-friendly park. Along the way, you’ll discover a pond where you can actually go fishing.

Eaton Canyon Natural Area near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Eaton Canyon Natural Area 1750 N. Altadena Dr. Pasadena, CA 91107

Eaton Canyon Natural Area is a natural preserve located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. This scenic 198 acre natural area was originally called “El Precipicio” by Spanish settlers because of its steep gorges, and was later named after Judge Benjamin Eaton, a progressive pioneer who was the first to use irrigation from Eaton creek to grow grapes on the slopes. Visitors can explore Eaton Canyon’s expansive hiking and equestrian trails, majestic waterfalls, seasonal streams, and abundant native plants.

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden 270 Arlington Dr. Pasadena, CA 91105

Arlington Garden near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Arlington Garden 275 Arlington Dr. Pasadena, CA 91105

Another hidden gem is Arlington Garden, Pasadena’s only dedicated free public garden. This three acre community-built mediterranean garden is located in the heart of Pasadena on Caltrans-owned land. The garden includes thousands of California-native plants such as poppies, sunflowers, cactus and succulents, and orchards of orange and olive trees. Arlington Garden is not only friendly to people and pets, but also exists as a refuge for Pasadena’s native fauna. Birds, bees and butterflies are particularly abundant and can be seen throughout the year.

Will Rogers State Historic Park near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Will Rogers State Historic Park 1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Will Rogers was one of the most popular and highest paid actors in Hollywood and “America’s most beloved citizen.” During the 1920s, he bought land in Santa Monica, where he developed a ranch. Eventually, Rogers owned about 359 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in what is now Pacific Palisades. After Rogers passed away, his widow Betty donated the ranch to California State Parks in 1944. Casual hikers can enjoy a moderate 2-mile loop to and from Inspiration Point, and more adventurous hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians can tackle the Backbone Trail National Trail into the Santa Monica Mountains, which can take you all the way to Point Mugu.

Point Mugu State Park near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Point Mugu State Park 9000 West Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90265

Point Mugu State Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains, features five miles of ocean shoreline with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged hills and uplands, two major river canyons and wide grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks and a few native walnuts. In all, there are more than 70 miles of hiking trails. The beach also features swimming, body surfing and surf fishing. The park includes the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area.

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden 707 Tiverton Drive Los Angeles, CA 90095

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens 3500 W Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018

iNaturalist App

Do you want to contribute to science? The iNaturalist app allows you to connect with nature and record your observations of the natural world, such as birds, plants, forests, butterflies, marine life, and wild bees. You can share your observations with fellow naturalists, discuss your findings, and create your own projects. Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. iNaturalist shares your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. All you have to do is observe. iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.

Picture This – Plant Identifier App

Have you ever encountered a beautiful, unknown flower during your walk and wondered what it was? Or do you need advice on how to care for your plants? Simply take a photo of the plant and PictureThis answers all the questions for you. PictureThis® identifies 1,000,000+ plants every day with 98% accuracy – better than most human experts. The app’s revolutionary artificial intelligence engine is constantly learning from experts and specialists – and now it’s all at your fingertips. Picture this plant, and discover a new appreciation for nature.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Descanso Gardens

Photo #2: Descanso Gardens

Photo #3: The Huntington

Photo #4: Earnest E. Debs Regional Park

Photo #5: Eaton Canyon/Wikipedia/Scott Medling

Photo #6: Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Photo #7: The Arlington

Photo #8: Will Rogers State Historic Park

Photo #9: Point Mugu State Park/California Dept. of Parks & Recreation

Photo #10: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden

Photo #11: Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens

Photo #12: iNaturalist App

Photo #13: Picture This – Plant Identifier App

Celebrate Spring By Communing with Nature

The 2021 Vernal Equinox is March 20, marking the first day of Spring. Now is the perfect time to get out and commune with nature. According to recent research, experiencing awe in nature has a powerful effect on emotional well-being, including less stress in our daily lives and boosting healthy feelings of compassion and gratitude. One of the most coveted features at Circa is the two-acre private rooftop park and amenity collection, offering residents plenty of greenery and spaces to retreat, gather and entertain. But beyond the comfort of home, we’ve rounded up some wonderful ways to add some awe to your routine, including bird watching trails, a butterfly pavilion, outdoor art installations, and a bounty of spring blooms. We even found some apps to enhance your experience of nature. Check websites for hours, advance ticket sales, and health guidelines.

Descanso Gardens Cherry Blossoms near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Descanso Gardens Bloom Boom 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Experience Descanso’s bloom boom! Descanso Gardens celebrates all nature has to offer in the late winter and early spring. Currently blooming you’ll find Descanso’s iconic cherry blossoms, camellias, crabapples, daffodils, tulips, California poppies, and lilacs. Colorful flowers are a sure sign of spring, but not the only one. The birds of Descanso mark spring by making their homes in the garden. As you explore Descanso, look for special areas from the Promenade to the Oak Woodland marked with the Signs of Spring logo. There you will find displays both educational and artistic, including works by artist David Lovejoy. They’ll invite you to explore birds, nests, blooms, and all the signs of spring. Advance tickets required for non-members.

NHM Butterfly Pavilion near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Butterfly Pavilion at NHMLA 900 W Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007

Butterflies are taking flight at the Natural History Museum. Walk among beautiful butterflies in the seasonal Butterfly Pavilion. This springtime exhibition features hundreds of butterflies, colorful native plants, and plenty of natural light to help you see these creatures shimmer. With lots of flight space and a variety of resting spots, you’ll have one of the best views in Los Angeles of these amazing insects. Enter through the North Entrance and enjoy a stroll through the beautiful Nature Gardens on the way to the Butterfly Pavilion. All guests are required to reserve all tickets in advance for the Butterfly Pavilion and parking.

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens 3500 W Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018

Griffith Park Bird Sanctuary near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Griffith Park Bird Sanctuary 2900 N Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Nestled in a wooded canyon with a small stream, the Griffith Park Bird Sanctuary and Trail offers views of many species of birds in their natural habitat. This short hike offers great views and connects to a wider system of trails. The bird community represents most of the rich diversity found in the Santa Monica Mountains. More than 200 species have been recorded over the years, and around 150 are seen every year. From March through June, nearly 70 species may nest, particularly in the many small canyons that drain off the slopes into the Los Angeles River.

Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK Featuring Kronos Quartet in Griffith Park

Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK is a free, GPS-enabled work of public art that uses music to illuminate the natural environment of L.A.’s Griffith Park. Created by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and sound artist Ellen Reid, the experience is guided by the listener: the path you choose dictates the music you hear, and no two visits will be exactly the same. After downloading the free app and putting on your headphones, you can explore the park, triggering musical cells that are carefully crafted to harmonize with the park’s landscape and attractions. SOUNDWALK can be experienced while following social distancing guidelines and will be available free of charge to park visitors through 2023. Get the free app HERE

South Coast Botanic Garden near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Hide & Seek Art: Meets Nature South Coast Botanic Garden 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274

Embark on an artful adventure at South Coast Botanic Garden and explore 87 acres of lush habitat and manicured gardens. Hiding amid colorful blooms and luscious flowering trees are eight exquisite works of sculpture just waiting to be found at the Garden’s newest exhibit: Hide and Seek: Art Meets Nature. The exhibition features two contemporary pieces owned by South Coast Botanic Garden and six modern works from the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The sculptures have been carefully placed throughout the Garden as a way to encourage nature exploration with an artful game of hide and seek. The Garden’s vast nature space provides an exquisite opportunity for each sculpture to express its own artistic character. The interplay of nature and art will add a whole new level of appreciation for the Garden’s botanical collections.

Desert X near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Desert X DX 2021 Coachella Valley, CA

Ready for a road trip? Desert X is a site-specific exhibition that first took place in Spring 2017. Artists from different parts of the world are invited to create work in response to the unique conditions of the Coachella Valley and project their vision based on the extraordinary natural and social history, matchless spectacle of the geologic epic, radical abstraction of the surrounds, and the singular incursions of humans into the seemingly barren landscape. Free and open to the public, but health and safety guidelines apply. Timed tickets are required at select sites. Download the Desert X app HERE

The Living Desert WildLights of Spring near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

The Living Desert WildLights of Spring 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is excited to announce that WildLights is returning to the Zoo – with a spring twist! WildLights of Spring will take guests on an illuminated journey around the Zoo with vantages of select animal habitats including the emus of the new Australian Adventures, and new for Spring, a portion of the African Safari loop will be open for guests to see cheetahs, zebras, African wild dogs, and more. Plus, there will be new music for the light zones – including the Tunnel of Lights, Dazzling Gift, and Discovery Center. Guests can take a spin on the carousel and make s’mores around a fire, for an additional fee. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Advance reservations required.

iNaturalist App

Picture This app nature near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Picture This – Plant Identifier App

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens

Photo #2: Descanso Gardens

Photo #3: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Photo #4: Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens

Photo #5: Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks

Photo #6: Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK

Photo #7: South Coast Botanic Garden

Photo #8: Desert X

Photo #9: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Photo #10: iNaturalist App

Photo #11: Picture This – Plant Identifier App

Discover LA’s Urban Hikes & Secret Spaces

Celebrate the New Year communing with nature and discovering some of the city’s best kept secrets! You don’t have to travel far to start your adventure – LA contains a wealth of urban parks, hidden hiking trails, meditative environments, and obscure places. Did you know that Griffith Park holds the key to many of LA’s most iconic mysteries? The Los Angeles River, our original source of life, continues its epic revitalization, creating diverse opportunities to enjoy our one of our most valuable local resources. And for the intrepid hiker, the hills are alive with meandering paths, scenic canyons, and delightful dells, all waiting to be explored. Feeling inspired? It’s time to get off the beaten path and discover LA’s urban hikes and secret spaces.

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens 3500 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018

Mysteries of Griffith Park

One of the largest urban parks in North America, Griffith Park is the jewel of Los Angeles. But its beauty hides many secet locations as well as its curses. This tour will take you on an exploration of everything that Griffith Park tries hard to conceal. Your journey starts with a leisurely stroll down the most beautiful trail in Griffith Park, Fern Dell Trail, transforming you to a serene oasis. On the way past the Griffith Observatory and the Greek Theater, you’ll visit the Griffith Park Tunnel,seen in many films including “Back to the Future” and “Roger Rabbit.” Other attractions Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, the Ennis-Brown House, the enchanting Witches Whimsy, and a hidden cave used in countless films and TV shows, including the Bat Cave for the Batman series. You’ll also have incredible photo opportunities to capture the Hollywood sign from different locations, so make sure to have your camera ready and wear comfortable clothing.

The Abandoned Zoo Ruins of Griffith Park

Roam the grounds and explore the abandoned animal haunts of the Old Zoo at Griffith Park, which closed over 50 years ago. Serving as the city zoo from 1912 to 1966, the L.A. Zoo contained thousands of animals and hosted tens of thousands of visitors each year at its peak. The site under Griffith Park’s Bee Rock Trail is now filled with fascinating ruins, empty animal enclosures, “natural” habitats, secret stairways, and hidden paths. You’ll hear tales of individual animals, such as the murderous polar bear, Ivan the Terrible, and Topsy, the camel with two broken humps, as you hike around the site, visiting the forgotten enclosures and breathing in fresh Griffith Park air!

Earnest E. Debs Regional Park 4235 Monterey Road Los Angeles, CA 90032

If you’re like most Angelenos, you’ve probably zoomed past this park just off the 110 Arroyo Seco Parkway countless times and never knew it was hiding in plain sight! Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, a 300 acre urban oasis on old ranch land in the Arroyo Seco neighborhood just northeast of downtown L.A., is the fourth largest park in the city of Los Angeles. More than half of the park is covered in walnut-oak woodland, grassland, and coastal sage scrub, and over 140 species of birds have been recorded. A five mile loop meanders through almost every section of this dog-friendly park; along the way you’ll discover barbecue pits, picnic tables, a bike path, and a pond where you can actually go fishing. Stop by the Audubon Center at Debs Park, which opened in 2003 as an environmental education and conservation center and was the first LEED platinum certified building in the country.

Corralitas Rail Path Allesandro Way & Lake View Avenue, Echo Park 90039

The Corralitas Rail Path is a little known urban hike that follows an abandoned Pacific Electric Red Car Trolley line that used to run between downtown Los Angeles and the city of Glendale. Abandoned in 1955. this mile-long strip has been reclaimed by nature and is now a verdant woodland in the densely populated Los Angeles suburb of Silver Lake-Elysian Valley. The trail begins on a modest street corner, where Allesandro Way makes a sharp left hand turn at the intersection of Lake View Avenue. There is a small sidewalk that continues along the canyon running parallel to the Glendale Freeway. In just under a tenth of a mile, the sidewalk approaches the end of Corralitas Drive, where a small open space reveals the first visible stretch of the old rail line, leading into a wooded canyon and eventually opens up on the hill behind the Arco station at Fletcher and Riverside Drives. Along the way, you’ll see remnants of a 100-foot tall trestle bridge, old water/sewer infrastructure, abandoned stair platforms, and a steep hill covered with strange cement obelisks. Not recommended for night hiking!

Elyria Canyon Park 1550 Bridgeport Drive Los Angeles 90065

Nestled on the southwestern slopes of Mount Washington, Elyria Canyon Park is a 35-acre nature park that provides a glimpse into the native habitat that once thrived in the hills near downtown Los Angeles. A network of trails meanders through lush groves of coastal sage scrub, chaparral, grassland and purple needlegrass. The park boasts one of the finest examples of California black walnut woodland in Southern California, with lovely trails that lead to vistas of the Los Angeles River, Griffith Observatory, and DTLA. The main entrance is located off Wollam Street in Glassell Park. Leave the paved road for a dirt path through thickets of sumac and bay laurel trees. Keep zigging and zagging until you reach a grassy bowl, where you’ll find a bench and a welcoming drinking fountain. Walk a bit farther and to see a perfectly charming and totally unexpected little red farmhouse!

Los Angeles River Center & Gardens 570 W. Avenue 26 Los Angeles, CA 90065

The Los Angeles River Center & Gardens is located near the confluence of the Los Angeles River and the Arroyo Seco, close to Elysian Park and downtown Los Angeles. Its beautiful mission-style grounds and conference facilities serve as a focal point for the renewal of the Los Angeles River, and a prime location for community gatherings, educational conferences, and special events. In addition to the beautiful gardens, visitors can enjoy an exhibit hall that celebrates the eleven miles of natural river where reeds, willows, mulefat, and native riparian plants have returned. The self-guided exhibit describes the history of the Los Angeles River, its current status, and a vision for the River’s future. Located in the California Building, the exhibit hall is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., although it may be closed to the public for private events.

Elysian Park 929 Academy Road, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Elysian Park is the city’s oldest public park, and at 575-acres, the second largest after Griffith Park. It is home to numerous historic sites, including the Los Angeles Police Academy and Barlow Hospital, which are linked by miles of walking trails. Founded in 1886 by the Elysian Park Enabling Ordinance, the park has a rich history that includes hosting the shooting competition for the 1932 Summer Olympics. Visitor amenities include a bike path, hiking trail, horseshoe pits, and a jogging path.

Chavez Ravine Arboretum Chavez Ravine Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Chavez Ravine Arboretum in Elysian Park, just north of Dodger Stadium, contains more than 100 varieties of trees from around the world, including what are believed to be the oldest and largest Cape Chestnut, Kauri, and Tipu trees in the United States. The Arboretum was founded in 1893 by the Los Angeles Horticultural Society, and planting of rare trees continued through the 1920s. Most of the original trees are still standing. The Arboretum was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1967. Admission is free.

Los Angeles Police Academy Gardens 1880 North Academy Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Los Angeles Police Academy’s history in the Chavez Ravine area of Elysian Park goes back more than seventy-five years to when the Los Angeles Pistol Club was founded on more than twenty acres of leased city land. Today, that organization is known as the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club. The city took over training duties from the club in 1936, with the LAPD officially moving in and maintaining the site (the club is still there). In 1937, the club hired landscape artist Francois Scotti to design the beautiful public rock garden. replete with waterfalls, meandering flagstone paths, and carved stone benches. You might recognize the Police Academy and Rock Gardens as the location for many movie and TV filmings. This picturesque site is also popular for events such as weddings and reunions.

Things to Do in DTLA: Fun Frolics & Hidden Gems!

Looking for something different to do in DTLA? Of course there’s the expected slew of restaurant openings, hot new shops, and cool brewpubs––and who’s complaining! But if you stray a bit off the beaten track, you’ll find that our city is teeming with unusual diversions, fun frolics, and hidden gems, just waiting to be discovered.

Two Bit Circus 634 Mateo St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Billing itself as he world’s first Micro-Amusement Park™, Two Bit Circus is an experiential entertainment playspace where fun-seekers of all ages can gather and play. The park promises an ever-changing landscape of immersive entertainment; including multi-person virtual reality, narrative-based escape/story rooms, indie arcades, molecular mixology and liberal use of lasers and robots. As a brand new type of social playspace (Two Bit Circus just opened in September 2018), the venues are also a launchpad for new technologies and aim to bring ideas from designers, inventors, makers, engineers, storytellers and more from concept to reality. Sounds like a blast? Make reservations here.

Escape Room L.A. 120 E 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Imagine yourself in a real-life adventure game filled with mysterious puzzles and brain-teasing clues! Escape Room LA. immerses you in a choice of five extraordinary environments, from a 1940’s detective office to a mystifying underground cavern, an ancient Mayan pyramid, an old haunted theatre, or a medieval alchemist’s secret laboratory. Gamers have to solve a series of challenging clues and puzzles and escape before their time runs out! Before the game, friendly Escape Room staffers will review the rules and answer any questions before your countdown to escape begins. Never fear, if you don’t make your way out before time’s up, the door will be unlocked. At the end of your game, the staff will recap your accomplishments and explain how to solve the remaining puzzles inside the room. Plan on spending a total of about 90 minutes from start to finish. Buy tickets here.

Smorgasburg LA ROW DTLA 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Launched in June of 2016, Smorgasburg LA has become the largest weekly open-air food market in Los Angeles, attracting 8,000 to 12,000 attendees every Sunday, year round. Located on the five-acre site of the weekday 7th Street Produce Market in ROW DTLA, Smorgasburg LA features over 90 food vendors, a beer garden offering local craft beer and micheladas, live DJs, cultural events, pop-ups, and sophisticated shopping including design, craft, style, vintage, wellness, and more. Sundays, 10 AM – 4 PM. Sorry, no pets allowed.

The Velaslavasay Panorama 1122 West 24th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Drawing on the illustrious history of the great panorama paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries, The Velaslavasay Panorama is an exhibition hall, theatre and garden dedicated to the production and presentation of unusual visual experiences, including those of the 360-degree variety. The Velaslavasay Panorama panoramic exhibition encircles the spectator within a fully enveloping atmosphere; a vast painting of a continuous surrounding landscape, accompanied by sound stimulation and three-dimensional elements, affords the viewer an opportunity to experience a complete sensory phenomenon.

Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens 3500 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018

Underground L.A. Cartwheel Art Tours

Cartwheel Art Tours pulls back the curtain on LA’s “underground” past, from notorious Prohibition-era murders to infamous speakeasy haunts frequented by the Old Hollywood elite. Tours include a few stops under the busy streets of DTLA to discover a century-old tunnel and speakeasies, alongside more modern interpretations of the city’s hidden watering holes. Based in the DTLA Arts District, Cartwheel Art creates and produces immersive, neighborhood explorations and experiences designed by founder Cindy Schwarzstein, a hands-on active member of the Los Angeles arts community. The tours are offered as an opportunity to engage individuals and groups in art, food and historical adventure, with a focus on supporting local artists and artisan businesses. Buy tickets here.

Velveteria: The Museum of Velvet Art 711 New High St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Velveteria is a velvet painting museum located in Chinatown, curated by owners Caren Anderson and Carl Baldwin. The museum features over 420 paintings culled from the couple’s 3,000 piece collection, gathered from every corner of the world. An ancient technique, velvet painting is thought to have originated in Kashmir, the homeland of the fabric. Traditional paintings were generally religious and portrayed the icons of the Caucasus region. Marco Polo and others introduced black velvet paintings to Western Europe, and some of these early works still hang in the Vatican Museum. In 20th century America, black velvet paintings attained full-on cult status, depicting imagery from pop culture such as the classic “Velvet Elvis.”