Best Picnic Spots Near Hollywood

With its sweeping views and capacious canyons, Hollywood is a dreamy spot for a picnic. Finding a patch of grass for an afternoon nosh is easy once you know about a few open spaces around town that welcome picnickers. Here's a look at the best picnic spots near Hollywood.

Griffith Park

Griffith Park is the ultimate spot for a taste of urban wilderness and has more than 4,200 acres of raw terrain, landscaped parkland, and gorgeous picnic areas. Come picnic within the Santa Monica Mountains for an afternoon you'll never forget. The five designated picnic areas within Griffith Park are Crystal Springs (Crystal Springs Drive), Mineral Wells (Griffith Park Drive), Old Zoo (Griffith Park Drive), Park Center (Crystal Springs Drive), and Pecan Grove (Zoo Drive).

Lake Hollywood Park

Located at 3160 Canyon Lake Drive in Los Angeles, Lake Hollywood Park is a gorgeous green space with a direct overhead view of the Hollywood Sign. This is one of the best spots in the city to take a photo with the sign in the background. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the park offers a large grassy field lined with shade-giving trees. Dogs are welcome.

Hollywood Bowl

Yes, the same venue that has hosted The Beatles, The Doors, Frank Sinatra, and many more iconic acts over the decades is also one of the best picnic spots near Hollywood. If you're coming for a show, you can choose from one of 14 dedicated picnic areas offering fantastic views. Picnic areas are generally available up to four hours before a show starts. Attendees can bring their baskets or purchase a picnic box from the Hollywood Bowl's Food + Wine. Boxes can be pre-ordered for your convenience.

Barnsdall Art Park

This highly underrated park is located at 4800 Hollywood Boulevard. Overlooking the City of Angels with sweeping, awe-inspiring views from the crest of Olive Hill, Barnsdall Art Park offers an open lawn perfect for a picnic lunch on some blankets. Visitors can also pair a picnic with a tour of the adjacent Frank Lloyd Wright Hollyhock House. During the summer months, Barnsdall Art Park hosts sunset wine events.

Old Zoo Picnic Area

How does the idea of a picnic in an old abandoned zoo enclosure sound? If you take the suggestion from earlier in this post to have a picnic inside Griffith Park, consider the Old Zoo picnic area, which consists of the remnants of the former Los Angeles Zoo. The zoo was in operation from 1912 to 1966. Following its closure, picnic tables were added to create a one-of-a-kind place for leisure. The abandoned zoo has also become a popular filming location. For example, film fans may remember one of the enclosures from the famous bear scene in 2004's "Anchorman."

Life Really Is a Picnic in LA LA Land

While Los Angeles is known for its five-star dining, there's nothing like sitting in the grass to enjoy amazing views and pure West Coast nature. Whether you're looking for a romantic date idea for two or an affordable way to plan a family meal while on vacation, there's nothing like an outdoor feast in Hollywood!