Griffith Park - Los Angeles, California

Address:Los Angeles, California

You can think of Griffith Park as the Central Park of L.A but larger and with a much more untamed, rugged character. In fact, you may already know the place as a location in the first two "Back to the Future" movies (it was used for Marty's starting point when accelerating to 88 mph in the film's climax, and in the second movie it was used for the "River Road Tunnel" scene when Marty was trying to get the almanac back).

Located at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles, Griffith Park stretches 4,210 acres. Here, you can get a taste of anything and everything, from experiencing ancient times at a concert at the awesome Greek Theatre, or why not study the stars at the newly renovated Griffith Observatory and planetarium. Youngsters and adults alike will enjoy the Los Angeles Zoo, the Museum of the American West and the merry-go-round, and everyone loves seeing the famous Hollywood Sign located on the southern part of Griffith Park's Mount Lee. The William Mulholland Memorial Fountain is located opposite the park entrance and at the Travel Town Museum, you can enjoy a ride on a miniature railroad and see retired railroad locomotives, passenger cars and streetcars from eras past. For the sporty types, there are two 18-hole golf courses, the 9-hole Roosevelt Golf Course, a baseball field, athletic fields, and several basketball and tennis courts on the grounds, plus the park has a swimming pool which is open during the summer months. And for you nature buffs, the local unit of the Sierra Club has been leading free evening and weekend hikes in Griffith Park every week for almost 50 years. Lastly, if visiting during late November through December, be sure check out the annual holiday light festival display where you can walk or drive through and take it all in.