Go Metro to great, green parks in L.A.

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View from Palisades Park, Santa Monica. Photo: Kelly Cookson via Flickr Creative Commons

One of the best things about living in sunny SoCal is that we can enjoy the region’s many parks practically 365 days a year. But weather isn’t the only thing on our side when it comes to accessing green space and staying active. Metro provides service to many parks in the greater L.A. area, making it easy for customers to get out and get active without having to set foot in a car. Here are just a few transit-adjacent parks around L.A. County you might enjoy:

  • Echo Park Lake, Echo Park—Newly open after a two-year makeover, Echo Park Lake boasts pedal boats for rent, lotus pools, and a picturesque view of the downtown skyline. (Metro Rapid 704 or Bus 2/302 to Sunset/Echo Park, Metro Bus 92 to Glendale/Santa Ynez)
  • Griffith Park, Los Feliz—Hike or run to the iconic Griffith Observatory for epic views of the Hollywood sign – don’t forget your camera! (LADOT Observatory Shuttle operates on weekends from Metro Red Line Sunset/Vermont Station)
  • South LA Wetlands Park, South LA—Built on the site of a retired Metro bus yard, the South LA Wetlands Park features walking paths, native vegetation, and ponds that recycle storm water. (Metro Silver Line to Harbor Gateway Transit Center, Metro Blue Line to Slauson Station, Metro Bus 108/358 to Slauson/Avalon, walk 4 blocks north on Avalon)
  • Sepulveda Basin, Van Nuys/Encino—Amenities at this 2,000-acre park include sports fields, golf courses, fishing and boating on Balboa Lake, a dog park, playgrounds, hiking and biking paths, and the only unpaved stretch of the LA River. (Metro Rapid 734, Bus 234 or Bus 154 to Sepulveda/Burbank, Metro Bus 164 to Victory/Balboa, Metro Orange Line to Balboa or Woodley Station)
  • Palisades Park, Santa Monica—This two-mile park along the Santa Monica coast offers running paths, ocean views, a rose garden, and abuts Pacific Park/the Santa Monica Pier. (Metro Bus 20 or Rapid 720 to Ocean/Wilshire, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus 4 to 4th/Idaho)
  • Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Culver City—After the killer stairs comes the killer view of Downtown LA, Culver City, and the Hollywood Hills. (Metro Expo Line to Culver City Station, Culver City Bus 4 to Jefferson/Holdrege, Baldwin Hills Parkland Link offers weekend service from Metro Expo Line La Cienega/Jefferson Station)
  • Beverly Gardens Park, Beverly Hills—Walk or run through this park’s manicured lawns and gardens and snap a photo in front of the famous “Beverly Hills” sign. Then head to Sprinkles cupcakes three blocks away to reward yourself for all the exercise. (Metro Rapid 704, Bus 14/37 or Bus 4 to Santa Monica/Canon)
  • Pan Pacific Park, Mid-City West—This Grove-adjacent park features BBQ pits, picnic tables, a baseball field, basketball courts, indoor gym, and playground. (Metro Bus 14/37 to Beverly/Curson, Bus 16/316 or DASH Fairfax to 3rd/Burnside)
  • Cheviot Hills Park, Century City—Great for the sports lover: includes indoor and outdoor basketball courts, baseball fields, volley ball courts, running path, and indoor gym, among other amenities. (Metro Rapid 733 to Venice/La Brea, Metro Purple Line to Wilshire/Western Station, Big Blue Bus 7 to Pico/Motor, Big Blue Bus 13 to Monte Mar/Motor)
  • Shoreline Park, Long Beach—Enjoy views of the waterfront and the Queen Mary while walking, jogging, or lounging. Then head to the Aquarium of the Pacific or shop at Shoreline Village. (Metro Blue Line to Downtown Long Beach Station, transfer to free Long Beach Transit Passport Bus to Aquarium of the Pacific NE)
  • Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood—Shaded by pine trees atop Olive Hill, with great views of Hollywood, this park is home to two contemporary art galleries, art centers for children and adults, a weekday farmers’ market, and the Hollyhock House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s first building in Los Angeles.  (Metro Red Line to Vermont/Sunset Station, Metro Rapid 754 to Vermont/Maubert, Metro Rapid 780 to Prospect Ave/Vermont)
  • Belvedere Park, East LA—The recreation hub of East LA, this 30-acre park has sports fields, a gym, swimming pool, playground, picnic areas, and one of the most popular skate parks in the city. (Metro Rapid 770, Bus 84/68 or Bus 258 to Mednik/Cesar E Chavez, Metro Gold Line to East L.A. Civic Center Station)

For more information on routes and timetables, visit metro.net or call 323.GO.METRO. For real-time arrivals, use Nextrip.

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7 replies ›

  2. It’s great that metro goes to parks, including dog parks, but you need to permit dogs and other animals on metro, need to be able to transport dogs on buses and trains. Not just to and from the parks but from the shelters to home after adopting animals, need to be able to get them home.

  3. You also should mention the Hensan Dam Park N Recreation Center At Osborne St and Foothill Blvd. Is accessible Via Lines 233 and 90. And this beautiful Park has a lot to offer.

  4. Wow, I can imagine it must’ve taken a while to compile all this information. Very minor correction: 4th & Idaho in Santa Monica is accessible via the BBB line 4, not Metro.

  5. Griffith Park is a very big park and is served by more than just the Red line.
    Line 96 runs through the park and hits the Zoo and the Autry. It also stops at Riverside and Los Feliz where there are a number of attractions. That intersection is also served by the 180, 181, and 780. Glendale Beeline Route 7 hits Sonora and Riverside Dr. which is on the north border of the park (and meets with the 96 there.

    • Thanks for sharing, there certainly is much more to Griffith Park than the Observatory (not that I’m downplaying the Observatory…)