Best Places To Enjoy A Picnic In Los Angeles

Grab Some Sandwiches And Head Outdoors To These Great Picnic Spots

There are some great spots in Los Angeles for picnics, including Griffith Park, the Hollywood Hills, and Topanga Canyon. Picnicking in Los Angeles is a great way to spend a day outdoors and get in touch with nature. Pack some snacks, a blanket, and your favorite picnic foods, and head out to one of these great picnic spots.
Alamitos Beach, Junipero Beach, and Long Beach City Beach
In the city of Long Beach, visitors can find a very nice stretch of sand and waves that are very popular in the warmer months. Plenty of activities can be found at and near these beaches including the art museum and the Aquarium of the Pacific, as well as a pier. Lifeguard stands, public bathrooms, bike and walking paths, and plenty of shops and restaurants are either right on the beach or within a few blocks. Public parking is also available.
Long Beach, California
Belmont Shore Beach
On the southeastern end of Long Beach, the Belmont Shore neighborhood is a family-friendly area. Here you'll find a nice beach with a nearby dog park, a public pool, public parking, bike and walking trails, public bathrooms, and more. In the Naples area where the inlet leads to the marina and the canals, visitors can also find docks for kayaks and paddle boarding, more beaches for swimming in the calm inlet waters, as well as a public playground and more bathroom facilities.
5411 E Ocean Blvd, Belmont Shores & Naples, Long Beach, California, 90803
Planning a trip to Los Angeles? You might also be interested in An Art Lover's Guide to Los Angeles and Budget Friendly Neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Bolsa Chica State Beach
This 3-mile long beach is a state park, and as such visitors will not only find a nice wide sandy beach with nice waves, but also plenty of natural areas. Lifeguards are on staff, and there are public bathrooms, and fire rings, too. Surfing, fishing, swimming, volleyball, birdwatching, and other activities are popular here. It's a fun, family-friendly spot to come to the beach right near L.A.
18000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, California, 92648
Elysian Park
Dating back to 1886, this is the oldest park in Los Angeles. It is a large space spanning about 600 acres and offering nice views of the Valley, Downtown, and the Hollywood Hills. There's a popular space in the park for dog owners to entertain their pets with balls and games. There are also baseball fields and picnic areas as well as playgrounds for the kids. During the early morning you may hear some gunshots from the nearby Police Academy during practice at the firing range. It's no reason to be alarmed.
929 Academy Road, Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA, 90012
Grand Park
This 12 acre downtown park offers a bit of green space in the middle of the urban setting. It opened in 2012 and has many places where you can enjoy a picnic, relax in peace, or simply people watch. There's a fountain and hidden benches where you can enjoy a good book. There are also a number of community events and public performances held here.
198 North Hill Street, Downtown, LA, California, 90012
Griffith Park
Griffith Park sits at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains and stretches for over 4,300 acres (1,740 ha). It's one of the largest urban parks in the country. While it's technically a city park, much of the land is fairly rugged and unkept. However, in this park visitors can find a variety of attractions and activities such as the LA Zoo, Griffith Observatory, the Autry Museum of the American West, the Bronson Caves, the Hollywood Sign, various train exhibits, golf, and more. Furthermore, hiking and horseback riding on the various trails are a popular activity where visitors and locals alike can get out into nature and enjoy the views overlooking the city below.
Mount Hollywood Drive, LA, California, 90068
Hancock Park
Hancock Park is where you'll find the famous La Brea Tar Pits. Archaeologists have found a number of fossils in this area for everything from saber-toothed cats to mammoths. There's a museum here as well as the Urban Light sculpture. The park has plenty of green space where you can picnic or bring a dog to play.
Miracle Mile
Huntington City Beach
South of Long Beach is the town of Huntington Beach, and here you'll find a very long stretch of wide, sandy beach. The Huntington Pier is a good place to start, and on either side you'll find family-friendly beaches that are also very popular with surfers and other surf-related sports. A variety of shops, restaurants, and hotels surround the streets and blocks near the pier and down the beach, too.
Huntington, California
Los Angeles has plenty more to offer, so see also our other articles: The Best Beaches Near Los Angeles and Things to Do Indoors in Los Angeles on a Rainy or Hot Day.
Huntington State Beach
Located on the southern end of the stretch of beach in Huntington Beach, this California State Park is a gorgeous stretch of sand and waves. It's not as developed as other beaches in the L.A. area, and it's popular with families, surfers, fishers, walkers, joggers, and pretty much everyone in the area. Along the beach, visitors can find fire-rings, lifeguards, beach volleyball courts, parking lots, and walking paths. At the very southern end is the start of the Santa Ana River Trail.
21601 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, California, 92646
Lake Balboa
Lake Balboa is a beautiful, family-friendly park where you can enjoy exploring the lake on a swan boat or seeing the cherry blossoms in bloom during the spring season. There are also a number of peaceful picnic areas in the park or places where visitors can exercise in a beautiful setting. Crowds can get busy during the cherry blossom season, but you can often find a hidden area away from the biggest crowds. There's also the beautiful Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve and the Japanese Garden, which is nicely landscaped and makes a perfect retreat from the city.
Lake Hollywood Park
Lake Hollywood Park has great views of the famed Hollywood Sign and the Hollywood Reservoir. The park is great for hiking, running, and biking along the 3.3 mile paved trail which is relatively flat. There is also a small playground that the kids can enjoy and a grass field that's perfect for dogs that want to run around (but leashes are required). Picnic tables and barbecue pits are available as well, so you're likely to see families gathering on weekends to enjoy some fun time together.
3160 Canyon Lake Dr, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, 90068
Malibu Beaches
The town of Malibu lies on the coastline northwest of L.A. and Santa Monica, and here you'll find some gorgeous views along with some gorgeous stretches of beach. Some of the beach areas are not possible to get to, as they are blocked by private land, but other areas are easily accessible. A few of these beach areas are found in small coves where a set of stairs leads down from the surrounding cliffs. In other spots, you'll find longer and wider sections of beach, such as by the Malibu Pier by Malibu Lagoon State Beach. A number of restaurants and shops can be found in this area, too. Further west is Point Dume and its beaches (Dume, Zuma) surrounded by a few walking trails with nice views.
Malibu, California
Playa Del Rey & Dockweiler Beach
This stretch of beach south of Santa Monica is a California State Park. As such, you'll find a nice stretch of sand with public restrooms, picnic areas, walking and running trails, an RV park area, parking, and more. It's a family-friendly spot with a nice outdoor feel without a lot of development. In the northern area around the town of Playa Del Rey are some cafes and restaurants, too.
7313 S Marine Ave, Playa Del Rey, California, 90293
Silver Lake Reservoir
Silver Lake Reservoir has two dog parks, a playground, and a field where everyone can run around. There's also a basketball court and a 2.2 mile trail that's great for runners and walkers. Whether you want to enjoy a picnic or spend some time with the family, this is a great park. Many running clubs meet here as well.
Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA
Venice Beach
Venice Beach
If there's a beach that embodies that stereotypical L.A. beach, Venice Beach is it. With a wide beach and relaxing waves, along with a number of activities such as volleyball, tennis, bike riding, a kid's playground, a skateboard park, basketball courts, and more, this is a fantastic spot to enjoy both the beach and the overall atmosphere and vibe of people watching, cafes, high-end beach houses, and more. The Venice fishing pier is a nice spot for a view, or head inland a few blocks to see the canals, the marina, and shops and restaurants.
2300 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, California, 90291
Vista Hermosa Natural Park
This park offers a nice place to wander through gardens and enjoy the outdoor space. There's a grassy field with beautiful views of the Downtown skyline and plenty of places to enjoy a picnic. There's also a playground where the kids can play.
100 N Toluca St, Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA, 90026
How much does it cost?

Prices for activities, things to do, and tours range from $20 to $145. The average cost for a tour or tickets is $70. A few of the best options are below.

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