Spring is around the corner and what better way to spend some time than by taking a stroll outside the city's many parks and gardens. Here is a list of recreational parks and gardens you may or may not have heard of before but need to visit!
1.The Japanese garden in Huntington Park
The Japanese garden in Huntington Park features a series of art collections and botanical gardens that cover 120 acres. In addition, there are specialized gardens and lawns with spectacular landscapes perfect for photography. The new features in the Japanese garden include a ceremonial teahouse set inside a traditional landscape garden, and a brand new waterfall that connects to the garden.
2.Exposition Park Rose Garden
Neighbor to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum & Sports Arena, the Natural History Museum, the California Science Center, the California African American Museum and USC, this rose garden is a staple to the community. The seven-acre rose garden features more than 15,000 rose bushes in about 200 varieties.
3.Griffith Park
A perfect place to hike, have a picnic or take photos of the urban wilderness. Griffith Park has more than 4,210 acres of picnic and recreational areas for families, and offers horseback riding for all ages. The municipal park includes the Autry National Center, The Greek Theatre, the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo and Travel Town.
4.Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
Located within the UCLA campus in Westwood, this seven-acre garden maintains one of the most important living botanical collections in the U.S. The garden includes over 5,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants from all over the world.
5.Central Garden - Getty Center
The 134,000 square-foot garden features a tree-lined walkway that leads visitors through unique sights, sounds and scents. The walkway stretches across a stream that travels through a variety of plants and descends to a plaza that leads to a waterfall and signature floating maze of azaleas.
6.Garden of Water and Fragrance
The 6.5 acre Japanese garden located in the San Fernando Valley was constructed during the 18th and 19th century for Japanese Feudal Lords. Now it provides beauty, relaxation and a better understanding of the Japanese culture.
7.Pan Pacific Park
Across the street from The Grove, Pan Pacific Park features barbecue pits, a baseball diamond, basketball courts, a children's play area, an indoor gym and picnic tables. This park is also the site of the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, the oldest museum in the U.S.
8. Angel's Gate Recreation Center
Get ready to have a camera ready for breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline and Santa Catalina island. The 64-acre Angel's Gate Recreation center also includes basketball courts and a children's play area.
9. Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
The unique 27-acre garden and historical site is the home of various plant collections from all over the world, including rare and endangered species. In addition, the plants are classified by geography, with gardens for South American, Mediterranean, South African, Australian and Asiatic-North American plants. The Arboretum also includes outdoor landmarks that represent the major phases of California history.
10. Grand Park
Located in Downtown, the heart of Los Angeles, this park is great for any occasion such as performances, family gatherings and other community events. The 12-acre park features a lit up fountain (perfect for photography), picnic lawns and plenty of benches to choose from.
