Summer is a Walk in the Park
Our Picks for Parks + Rec Month
How could we not love summer? Our team is passionate about finding all the ways to enjoy the communities we live in. So, when we learned that July is Parks and Recreation Month, we thought, what better way to celebrate than to share some of our favorite local parks on the blog. There are so many amazing outdoor spaces all over LA. We took a tour (BBQ’s and sunbathing for the sake of research of course!) and narrowed it down to the best parks in our favorite neighborhoods. From duck ponds, to hiking trails, and instagram-worthy picnic locations, our list encompasses some great choices for relaxing in the summer sun!
Linnie Canal Park (Duck Park)
Where: 200 Linnie Canal, Venice, CA 90291
Facility features: Children’s play area, duck pond
Why we love it: Though this park may be small, views of the Venice Canals make it one of our favorites. Tucked within the canals, this neighborhood gem is a great spot to come with your kids for some fun on the play structure. If you’ve ever wondered why you don’t see many ducks in the canals, it’s because they’re usually hanging at the park too! This is a perfect beginner park for the little ones.
Burton W. Chace Park
Where: 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Facility features: Multipurpose room, BBQ’s and picnic areas, pergolas, guest docs, bike trails.
Why we love it: This lush 10-acre park is right in the heart of Marina del Rey where you can watch boats, enjoy a picnic on the water, and cruise around on a bicycle. We love that so many free community events throughout the year are held here such as concerts and movies in the park, harbor kayaking, fireworks on the 4th of July and New Year’s and more. When we’re looking to spend some time (but not a lot of money) at a park this is our go-to!
Mar Vista Recreation Center
Where: 11430 Woodbine Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Facility features: Barbecue pits, picnic areas, baseball field, basketball courts (indoor and outdoor), children’s play area, tennis courts, volleyball courts, walking/jogging paths, multi-purpose sports field, outdoor fitness equipment, hockey rink, synthetic field
Why we love it: This park is not only a great place to relax, but if you’re looking to do something more active, it has all the sports and recreation amenities you could hope for! There are a variety of sports leagues, for boys and girls, such as flag football, soccer, basketball, hockey, and volleyball. This awesome park also offers pre-school and classes for teens and adults including arts and crafts, dance, and music,. With so much to choose from, we can’t help but love this park!
Polliwog Park
Where: 1601 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Facility features: Children’s play area, large pond, dog park, botanical and rose gardens, public pool, amphitheater, and picnic area/gazebos for day use
Why we love it: Some of us who are lifelong locals remember visiting this picturesque place on school field trips. As adults, we still love the park with its 18-acres, right by the beach. It’s a great venue for throwing a birthday party (or even a wedding), jogging on the paths along the pond, or socializing your 4 legged friend at the awesome dog park! This South Bay favorite is one of a kind!
Veterans Memorial Park
Where: 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230
Facility features: Barbecue pits, picnic area, children’s play area, community gardens, basketball courts, paddle tennis courts, softball field, large sports field, public pool, and walking/jogging paths
Why we love it: This community park is just shy of 13 acres and truly makes you feel like part of the community. We love heading over for a game of paddle tennis or diving right into the heated, Olympic-size swimming pool. Located across from famed Sony Studios, this park is host to some of our favorite city events, like the Culver City Car Show and Fiesta La Ballona. We encourage you to grab your picnic basket and head over to Vets Park for a day of fun in the sun.
Kenneth Hahn State Park
Where: 4100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90056
Facility features: Japanese gardens, children’s play areas, baseball field, soccer field, workout stations, walking/jogging paths, hiking trails, dog-friendly, barbecue pits, picnic areas, and a small pond with waterfall
Why we love it: This is a true urban oasis and one of the largest inner city parks in Los Angeles. There’s a running stream full of trout, large grassy areas for the kiddos and pups to run around and a variety of fitness equipment along the walking/jogging paths. We love hiking the trails alongside wildflowers that now tower over 6 feet tall — in full bloom thanks to heavy rains earlier this year! If there wasn’t enough to love about this park, there’s also panoramic views of LA that are simply breathtaking.
Will Rogers State Historic Park
Where: 1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Facility features: Ranch house tours, hiking trails, horse riding lessons + trail rides, picnic areas, polo games, dog friendly
Why we love it: Once owned by the famous actor, Will Rogers, this pastoral 186 acre park evokes the wild west, yet it’s just a short trip from the heart of the Westside. We recommend taking a tour of the old ranch house, riding along the trails on horseback or catching a game of Polo (because where else can you do that in Los Angeles?). This historic park is one of the many places we love in LA!
Beverly Gardens Park
Where: 9439 N Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Facility features: 19 different gardens, 2 extraordinary fountains, walking/jogging paths, and lily pond
Why we love it: This 1.9 mile linear park may be small, but it’s full of history and beauty. The park was established in 1911 to divide the commercial and residential districts. At the time, Beverly Hills was referred to as the “garden city of the world” and today, the park is still living up to that name with a variety of gardens throughout. The annual Beverly Hills artSHOW is held here which features art by over 240 artists from around the nation. It is also home to the famous Beverly Hills sign — one of the most photographed spots in the city. If you are looking for peaceful beauty, with a rich history, in a convenient location, this is your park.
Website
Friends of Beverly Gardens Park
Douglas Park
Where: 2439 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Facility features: Clubhouse for day use, lawn bowling greens, 3 reflecting pools, fly fishing area, picnic area, children’s play area + splash pads, 2 tennis courts
Why we love it: Because there aren’t many parks in the Los Angeles area with features like the fly fishing area and lawn bowling green, Douglas Park is a pretty unique place! Take some time for quiet reflection at the serene pools or observe the swimming turtles, ducks, and swans while your little ones cool off on the safe splash pads. Whether young in age or young at heart, Douglas Park has something for everyone!
Malibu Bluffs Park
Where: 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Facility features: 2 baseball fields, picnic areas, children’s play area, soccer fields, hiking trails, walking/jogging paths, ocean-friendly gardens.
Why we love it: Angelinos love a great view of the Pacific Ocean and this 10-acre park has one of the best. Not only is there a great play area for kids, but they (and you) can learn about ocean-friendly gardens and landscaping. Visitors can do a little whale watching from the vista area with the telescopes that are provided. Plus, there’s free Wi-Fi, so you can upload all your gorgeous photos to Instagram in real time!
Griffith Park
Where: 4800 Crystal Springs Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Facility features: Hiking trails, walking/jogging paths, bike rentals, Greek Theater, merry-go-round, observatory, Southern Railroad, equestrian center, zoo, pony rides, picnic area, public pool, soccer fields, campgrounds, tennis courts
Why we love it: This place is more than just a park. It’s an experience! There is so much this 4,310-acre park has to offer, it’s impossible to experience it all in one day. It’s a great place to throw birthday parties, show out-of-towners a good time, or have a date night.
