The Best Outdoor Activities in Hollywood
Top 10 things to do outside in Hollywood, from hikes to hidden stairs to yoga
When you’re done exploring the world famous Walk of Fame, what else is there to do in Hollywood? Stay outside and play awhile with one of these alfresco adventures.
Barnsdall Art Park
While Frank Lloyd Wright’s UNESCO-nominated Hollyhock House and the free community art classes make this a fun destination, you can’t beat the view from the lawn at Barnsdall Art Park. Wine tastings and outdoor movie nights in the fall and yoga by donation taught year-round by Lauren Peterson on Fridays at 8 a.m.
Bronson Canyon
Drive north on Bronson Avenue until you hit the parking lot at the end of the road on the edge of Bronson Canyon. Head to the right up a short hill and it’s an easy walk to where the opening shots of the Batman 1960s TV series was filmed. If you walk left instead of right from the parking lot you might glimpse the Bronson skate ditches, where many pro skateboarders caught their first air (also referenced in the 1986 movie, Thrashin’).
Bumper Balls at Lake Hollywood Park
Seen people rolling around in giant bubbles lately? You too can bounce around as a human soccer ball in what locals know as the dog park beneath the Hollywood Sign. Get a group together and try a game of Bumper Balls and if you love it you can join one of the company’s leagues.
Ferndell Trail at Griffith Park
Great for kids and nature lovers of any age, this lush and less-traveled part of Griffith Park feels magical. Its stone-lined bridges, bubbling stream and hanging orchids feel worthy of a fairytale. Grab a picnic table and a bite to eat at the quaint Trails Café after wandering.
Hidden Staircases
There are hidden staircases all over the city. Some of the greatest views in Hollywood can be enjoyed from the Saroyan Stairs just west of Beachwood Drive and the not-so-secret maze along Broadview Terrace behind the Hollywood Bowl.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Stroll around the very well kept final resting place of celebrities throughout the ages. The interactive map at Hollywood Forever Cemetery makes it easy to find the gravesites you’re looking for. If night time is more your thing, check their cultural calendar for movie and music nights under the stars.
Hike to the Hollywood Sign
It’s a difficult hike, but it's also one of the most sought-after in L.A. Give yourself a few hours, leave the nearby residents alone, and follow our directions for the six-mile hike on the Brush Canyon Trail to Mount Lee for the view of a lifetime. Water and sunscreen are highly recommended, as there’s little shade.
Hollywood Farmers' Market
Want to be wowed by produce? Get the freshest, most exotic, and mostly organic goods directly from local farmers and artisans at this long-running open-air market every Sunday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Enjoy music, brunch, balloon animals, and the occasional celebrity sighting, all just a few blocks off Hollywood Boulevard. Follow the Hollywood Farmers' Market on Instagram for up-to-date information.
Horseback Riding at Sunset Ranch Hollywood
Grab a pardner and catch panoramic views of the city from high in the hills on horseback by booking a tour at Sunset Ranch Hollywood. Beginners and advanced riders are welcome on the trail—guides are safety-minded and friendly. Reservations recommended.
Outdoor Yoga at Runyon Canyon Park
The famous park is not just great for hikes but also offers outdoor yoga on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Do Downward Dogs with gophers watching and hummingbirds hovering nearby you'll feel like you’re living in a Disney movie.