Griffith Park In Los Angeles

History of Griffith Park

Griffith Park has some interesting history behind it. The man after whom the park is named, Griffith J. donated 3,015 acres of land to the city of Los Angeles in 1896 before he was convicted of shooting and grievously injuring his wife. In 1912, Griffith designated about 100 acres of land for the furthering of aviation which resulted in the Griffith Park Aerodrome which was used by aviation pioneers such as the Glenn L. Martin and Silas Christoffersen and the National Guard Air Service until the airstrip was shut down in 1939. Griffith National Park also served as a holding cell for Japanese Americans during World War II between the years 1941 and 1942. In 1944, the Sherman Company also gifted 444 acres of Hollywood land open space to Griffith Park which connects to the old park at Bronson Canyon.

Attractions of Griffith Park

Griffith J. Griffith had set up a trust fund for improving the national park, and as such it was used, after his death, to construct all the amenities he had envisioned. As such today, situated inside this park is a multitude of attractions such as:

Griffith Park Observatory: Nestled on the southern slopes of Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Park Observatory opens windows into the universe with its state-of-the-art star projector, not to mention the closer to home mesmerizing views of the entire LA basin.

Bronson Caves: Remnants of a rock quarry, these caves are home to the iconic Bat Cave entrance on the 1960s Batman Television series. The hike to these caves is also an amazing experience.

Griffith Park Zoo: With more than 1200 animals, the City zoo participates in conservation and rehabilitation programs for animals.

Greek Theater: This is one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment venues and has played host to some of the biggest legends in music.

Heritage tree: It was planted in memory of Beatle George Harrison. Ironically the tree died of a beetle infestation, and plans have been made to replace it.

These and many more such amazing attractions can be found within the Griffith Park such as the Griffith Park carousel, Griffith Park Hiking Trails and much more.  

Events at Griffith Park

Sprawling over 4310 acres, Griffith Park also hosts numerous events and gatherings catering to every kind of visitor. Whether it's a multi-church Christian gathering, film screening, annual festivals, music concerts, or even composting workshops, one can enjoy events or partake in workshops of their choice, and have an enthralling experience.