Tucked into the Baldwin Hills at 4100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area is one of the happiest surprises in Los Angeles: a big, green hillside park, managed by Los Angeles County Parks, where the city falls away and the views open up toward Downtown, the mountains and the ocean.
There is a full day here in a single park. The County describes more than seven miles of walking paths, a Japanese garden, a fishing lake, a visitor center, playgrounds, sports courts and picnic areas with scenic lookouts along the way. Wander the trails at your own pace, pause by the lake to watch the birds, find a quiet corner in the Japanese garden, or spread a picnic on the grass and let the kids run.
Getting there can be part of the fun. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, The Link – Baldwin Hills Parklands shuttle connects the park with the Metro station at La Cienega and Jefferson and with the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. The County notes the park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan for a Wednesday-to-Sunday visit, bring water and comfortable shoes for the hillside paths, and check the official LA County Parks page before you go for the latest hours and parking fees.
Photo: Jengod / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
