The best parks and gardens in Los Angeles in 2026 are Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the US, the Huntington's botanical gardens, Echo Park Lake, the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia and Descanso Gardens. Grand Park downtown, Barnsdall Art Park, the Exposition Park Rose Garden, Franklin Canyon and the South Coast Botanic Garden complete the list.
LA's parks range from wild canyon land to formal gardens. Several of the best gardens charge entry and need timed tickets; city parks are free.
Over 4,000 acres with the Observatory, trails and the zoo.
Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the US, with hiking trails, the Observatory, the LA Zoo, the Greek Theatre, pony rides and a merry-go-round.
Fern Dell and the trail up Mount Hollywood are favorites.
Good to know: Start at Fern Dell for a shady walk up to the Observatory.
4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Themed gardens from desert to Japanese.
The Huntington's gardens include a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, a desert garden and a rose garden, alongside its art and library collections.
Plan at least half a day.
Good to know: Book timed tickets online.
1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
A city lake with swan boats and lotus flowers.
Echo Park Lake has a walking loop, swan paddle boats and a lotus bed that blooms in summer, with views of downtown.
It is a relaxed Eastside afternoon.
Good to know: Rent a swan boat in the late afternoon.
751 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026
127 acres of gardens with roaming peacocks.
The Arboretum in Arcadia has gardens from around the world, a historic Queen Anne cottage and peacocks wandering the grounds.
It is calmer than the Huntington.
Good to know: Visit in spring for the best blooms.
301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Camellias, oaks and a rose garden.
Descanso Gardens has camellia forests, an oak woodland, a rose garden and seasonal light shows.
It is lovely in late winter.
Good to know: Book timed tickets online.
1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
A downtown park with fountains and lawns.
Grand Park stretches from the Music Center to City Hall, with lawns, a splash fountain and events such as New Year's Eve celebrations.
It is a green break downtown.
Good to know: Kids love the splash pad in summer.
200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
A hilltop park with Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House.
Barnsdall Art Park sits on a hill in East Hollywood, home to Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House and an olive grove with city views.
Tours of the house run on set days.
Good to know: Picnic in the olive grove at sunset.
4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
A free sunken rose garden next to the museums.
The Exposition Park Rose Garden has thousands of rose bushes in a sunken garden next to the Natural History Museum.
It is free and open most of the year.
Good to know: Visit April through June for peak bloom.
701 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
A wooded canyon with a lake above Beverly Hills.
Franklin Canyon Park is a quiet nature park with a lake, duck pond and trails, tucked into the hills above Beverly Hills.
It has appeared in many films and TV shows.
Good to know: The lake loop is an easy walk.
2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
A garden built on a former landfill.
The South Coast Botanic Garden covers 87 acres on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, with a rose garden, a children's garden and walking paths.
It is the South Bay's best garden.
Good to know: Check its site for events and seasonal blooms.
26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
Griffith Park, covering over 4,000 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains, with the Observatory, the zoo, trails and the Greek Theatre.
The Huntington in San Marino is the most celebrated. The LA County Arboretum and Descanso Gardens are also excellent.
Yes, swan paddle boats are available to rent at Echo Park Lake.
City parks are free. The Huntington, Arboretum, Descanso and South Coast Botanic Garden charge admission; check for free days.
The Exposition Park Rose Garden is free and blooms from spring through fall.