Griffith Park

People all over the world have seen Los Angeles’s famed "Hollywood" sign and the iconic domed Griffith Observatory. Both are part of Griffith Park, a place visited by more than 10 million people each year--more than Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks combined. Rugged and vast, the 4,511-acre Griffith Park encompasses a sprawling 70-mile long network of trails, ranging from paved paths through manicured landscapes to challenging ridgeline climbs, and is a destination for hikers, trail runners, cyclists, equestrians, picnickers, and museum-goers. It’s a unique outdoor space in a city that is not well known for its outdoor amenities. Discovering Griffith Park uses the park’s extensive trail network as an anchor to explore the park in full, whether on foot, wheel, or hoof. Readers will also find out where the best views of the Hollywood sign are, where they can catch free Shakespeare on summer evenings, and how to attend one of the legendary Los Angeles Breakfast Club meetings for good food, good friends, and a bit of early morning learning

Carved from the former Spanish land grant known as Rancho Los Feliz, Griffith Park, a rugged, 4,300-acre wilderness located in the heart of Los Angeles, has been the principal playground for Angelenos for over a century. Since 1896, when the land was donated to the city by controversial philanthropist Col. Griffith J. Griffith, generations of weekenders have picnicked, camped, golfed, ridden horses, hiked, bicycled, and played ball in the park. To this day, visitors still climb aboard its mini-train and merry-go-round and explore its zoo, museums, amphitheater, and world-famous observatory. The park, which lies in the shadow of the Hollywood sign, has been a frequent filming site for legendary movies like Back to the Future, Birth of a Nation, and Rebel Without a Cause.

The history of municipal golf in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, from the original 1914 Tom Bendelow municipal links, to George C. Thomas's Harding and Wilson courses, and the Los Angeles Open alterations by William Johnson and William P. Bell in the 1930s, have made Griffith Park the home of municipal golf in Los Angeles for more than a century.

The unlikely story of a group of former punk musicians, drug addicts, and Hollywood dropouts who put their lives back together by forming a baseball team. "You never know what's going to save you." After years of dingy nightclubs and drug addiction, John Albert and his hard-luck friends certainly never expected their salvation to arrive in the form of a pastime most often associated with Mom, God, and apple pie. Wrecking Crew —a highly unusual chronicle of recovery and redemption—documents the transformation of a group of musicians, struggling screenwriters, and wannabe actors into a competitive band of hardballers. For over a decade, it seemed to be enough: the narcotics, gambling, whores, and aimless rebellion. But as they stumbled into their thirties, the blithe pursuit of self-destruction had simply become exhausting to these battle-scarred denizens of the L.A. counterculture. The romantic squalor of being perpetually broken-down, periodically drug-addled, and irresponsible began to lose its charm. The idea of fielding a baseball team to compete in a hard-knocks amateur league seemed merely the latest in a string of half-hearted stabs at restoring order to their ragged lives. But this escapade was different. When these men donned their team uniforms, the old obsessions started to fade and something incredible began to happen. This is the unforgettable story of the Griffith Park Pirates.

True to its name, this Los Angeles travel guide covers all the city's major sights and attractions in easy-to-use top 10 lists that help you plan the vacation that's right for you. This newly updated travel guide for LA will lead you straight to the best attractions this city has to offer, from famous Hollywood sites to the best comedy clubs, museums, and restaurants. Expert travel writers have fully revised this edition of DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Top 10 Los Angeles. + Brand-new itineraries help you plan your trip to Los Angeles. + Maps of walking routes show you the best ways to maximize your time. + New Top 10 lists feature off-the-beaten-track ideas, along with standbys like the top attractions, shopping, dining options, and more. + New typography and fresh layout throughout. You'll still find DK's famous full-color photography and museum floor plans, along with just the right amount of coverage of history and culture. The perfect travel companion: DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Top 10 Los Angeles.

Jerry Schad is your knowledgeable and reliable guide for the 192 trips in this book--ranging from gentle family walks in Griffith Park to strenuous treks over the spine of the San Gabriel Mountains. Whether you see solace from the crowds, a cardiovascular workout, or a new perspective of the natural world around you, this book provides all you need to know.The second edition of this popular book covers all of the county's open spaces. A total of 192 hikes-including 17 new ones-are described in detail with trips organized into specific areas. Illustrated; detailed maps.