Griffith Park's Best Photo Spots

Holy subterranean hideaways, it’s the original Bat Cave! Fans of the kitschy '60s series will recognize this as the cave from which Adam West and Burt Ward emerged at breakneck speed in a suped-up Lincoln Futura to fight crime. If you want to see it, get out your hiking shoes as you’ll need to follow a trail out to the Bronson Caves in Griffith Park. It’s well worth it, Batfriends, as the caves also serv...

--- Permanently closed --- With 68 jumping horses, each one adorned with jewels and bright colors, it is easy to see how this old carousel inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland. 20 years after Disneyland's opening, the historic carousel took in three orphans, survivors of a devastating merry-go-round fire in Lincoln Park. Today, the carousel is a relic still enjoyed by kids an adults. Its age has ...

For the best views of the Hollywood sign without the strenuous uphill hike, try this public park. From here, you get clear views of the sign that has been a Los Angeles fixture since 1923. Just like its nearby cousin, Griffith Park, this peaceful spot welcomes dogs on leashes. However, unlike the trails surrounding the observatory, Lake Hollywood Park is less crowded without the tourist fanfare.

This pine tree is about 15-minutes walking distance from the Hollywood sign. It is probably notable because of its solitary existence on an otherwise barren hill. The tree marks the point where one of the most breathtaking views of Los Angeles is to be had. You'll have to do a bit of legwork to get there - the trail is a 3-mile roundtrip loop which takes you up a steep 872 feet in elevation and takes abo...

The Griffith Observatory's been wowing visitors since 1935 with its panoramic views of the city, science and space-themed exhibits, world-famous planetarium shows, and of course its massive telescope. Also a popular film location, most notably for the 1955 classic Rebel Without a Cause.

One of the coolest abandonments L.A. has to offer, the ruins of the old L.A. Zoo still stand even though the facility was closed and gutted in the mid '60s. Today, the old zoo with its old stone structures and weathered cages is a popular spot for hikers or anyone curious about L.A. history.

This museum documents the history of long-distance travel in the U.S., especially the first transcontinental railroad completed around 150 years ago. Established in the 1950s, it started out as a small idea from an employee but became something larger through donations and support from the local government. For absolutely no admission fee you can participate in a docent-led tour and ride a miniature trai...

A trickling stream and tropical plants make this little hiking spot green and lush year-round thanks to a steady stream of recycled water from the observatory. There are three trails to choose from or you can explore them all. For refreshments head to the Trails Cafe which serves up lunch fare with vegetarian options. The Trails, as part of the Ferndell Nature Preserve, are open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM....

Features all the animals you'd expect as well as some very rare, endangered species as the L.A. Zoo is actively involved in a number of wildlife preservation projects. Especially exciting is the Campo Gorilla Reserve where you can get a close-up look at the phenomenal apes (through glass, of course). Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking on slightly hilly ground.

This bear cub statue was "presented to our sister city, Los Angeles by the people of free Berlin." Although it's uncertain when it was installed here, it seems to have been made by Renee Sintenis, a German sculptor and graphic artist from Berlin. (An identical baby bear can be seen on Berliner Allee in Düsseldorf-Friedrichstadt, Germany.) You can see the bear statue on the corner of Los Feliz Blvd. and F...

Sure, you can trek by foot up the Hollyridge Trail for the closest view of the iconic sign, but for the hiking-challenged, this Mulholland Dr. overlook offers a terrific view for less effort.