Whether it's from behind, inside a cave, or on horseback, the sight of the Hollywood Sign always makes visitors and locals stop in their tracks. If you're looking for a lesser known spot to admire the sign, Lake Hollywood is the perfect place. When we went on a Saturday afternoon there were hardly any people there and parking was plentiful, making it a great place to escape the traffic of the city.
Lake Hollywood is a man made reservoir holding 2.5 billion gallons of water. The dam was completed in 1924. Check out the awesome bear heads decorating it:
There are three gates to the lake: the North Gate, Tahoe Gate and Weidlake Gate. We took the narrow sinuous roads up to the Weidlake Gate and parked on the side of the road (there's also a dirt parking lot that was empty when we went). Since the bridge/dam is at the South end of the lake, we didn't have to walk very far. If you park at the other gates, it's about a 3-4 mile walk down to the dam and back.
Note that the West side of the lake is closed to the public so you can't do a full loop around the lake. The best view of the lake is on the dam. On the rest of the path, you can only see the lake through fence and trees. So if you don't feel like walking much for your million dollar view, definitely park at the Weidlake Gate.
Have you been to Lake Hollywood? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!
no dogs - so i've never been. wah! it looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi! Are there any spots to picnic here? It looks like it could be a wonderful, low-key place to do so. Do you have any other off-the-beaten path recommendations for picnic spots in the city? Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see any places to picnic here, unfortunately. Unless you want to picnic on a bridge ;) I'd recommend the Old L.A. Zoo, maybe the top of Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook (you'd get a workout before hand), or Greystone Park and Mansion. Your question makes me want to do a post about picnic places in L.A.!
ReplyDeleteA picnic post for LA would be amazing! I've been wanting to do a monthly or bimonthly ladies picnic gathering this year, and I'm looking for ideas beyond Griffith Park. Thanks for your suggestions, so far!
ReplyDeleteI just remembered--Lake Balboa has Cherry Blossoms this time of year with picnic areas all around. It's in Van Nuys. You might want to call them though to make sure that the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.365-la.com/2010/03/117-cherry-blossoms-at-lake-balboa.html
Also, more info on my previous recommendations: The Old LA Zoo definitely has a few picnic tables around it, but the Baldwin Hills Overlook and Greystone Mansion don't have tables, I believe. I saw people picnicking on the massive lawn in front of the Greystone Mansion. I've actually never seen people picnicking at Baldwin Hills, and there are a lot of runners there so maybe it's not the best place after all now that I think about it.
i just want to say that i completely adore this blog. At times i like to get up and go to check new places out in la because there is so much to do here and i've been living my whole life and i know there is no way that i should stay indoors when there is so much of la to see.
ReplyDeletethank you!
Aw thanks Melissa! I feel the same way...especially with our weather, we shouldn't be indoors! :)
ReplyDeleteNice - I haven't been for awhile because they were locking gates in the evening
ReplyDeleteAlways pretty usually empty perfect getaway in the city. Perfect for walking running biking. Best kept secret in Hollywood area
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