By Madison Moore
The San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas are home to some of the most beautiful, unique and sensational parks in the country. We have gardens, hiking trails, cricket fields, lakes,golf courses, places to meditate, walk along or Kayak the L.A. River, paddle boat, boulder climb, horseback ride, picnic, fly model airplanes, feed the ducks, geese and turtles in various ponds, archery fields and places to experience Hollywood history and World War II history. So, if you are looking for extraordinary beauty or just a fun day outing, here are some great ways to experience some of the most outstanding parks in the valley.
1. Japanese Garden (map)
This is one of my all time favorite places in the valley, it is so beautiful and peaceful. Every time I enter I feel like I have been transported to a far off place and time. The gardens were fashioned after "stroll gardens" constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries for the Japanese Feudal Lords. This is a great place to relax, unwind and gather yourself! Bring a book or just your thoughts and sit in the Tea house and meditate. Or just walk around and admire the beautiful gardens. There is a small fee $5 for adults, $3 for seniors- worth every penny.
Japanese Garden: 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys,CA
2. Lake Balboa Park (map)
This is such a cool spot, there are always families running around and kids feeding the ducks. Personally I learned how to skateboard around the lake and was motivated to learn how to stop so I didn't end up in the water! There are always people walking or jogging around the lake. Overall it is such a vast and beautiful park that literally has everything from picnic spots, jungle gyms for the kids, grassy areas for dogs to run, and spots to sit and relax! Bring a cup of coffee and a book and sit lakeside right here in the SFV.
Lake Balboa Park: 6300 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, CA
3. Warner Center Park (map)
4. Hansen Dam Recreation Center (map)
Hansen Dam Recreation Center is one of the jewels in the Los Angeles Park System. The Equestrian Center and Hansen Dam Aquatic Center are located behind the dam here, and Hansen Dam Golf Course in front. It features a moderate size lake which is filled with circulated drinking water and offers fishing and public boating. The lake is open year-round, including holidays. Also at the site is a smaller swim lake which features water that is filtered and chlorinated and has a capacity of 2,800 swimmers. The three lakes within the flood control basin are staffed by lifeguards.
Hansen Dam: 11770 Foothill Blvd, Lake View Terrace, CA
5) Griffith Park (map)
This is one of the all time greatest parks any where, in any city. There is so much to discover that it will take multiple trips to see all of it. Although it technically is not part of the valley, it borders parts of the valley, so in my eyes it counts! Griffith Park is a large municipal park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains - the park covers 4,310 acres making it one of the largest urban parks in North America. You have the Griffith Observatory, Greek Theatre, L.A. Zoo, Autry Museum, hiking, horseback riding, a Golf course, tennis courts, an enchanting old time Merry Go Round, Steam Train Museum, Kids Train and Pony Rides, Movie history, World War II history and some of the best views of the Hollywood sign and the City of Los Angeles. While hiking there is much to discover, including wild life and the Bat Cave from the 1960's Batman T.V. show. This is truly a gift and a Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley treasure.
Woodley Park is a recreation area managed by the City of Los Angeles and located at Victory Boulevard and Woodley Avenue. It is a popular gathering area in the sprawling Sepulveda Basin. There is a great walking area by Burbank and Woodley where you can encounter the L.A. River either by walking or Kayaking and discover small, quaint, old fashioned bridges that will make you feel you've left the Valley for some small countryside. There are two cricket fields, an archery field, BBQ pits, a model airplane field and a golf course. Bring a bike or a skateboard, there are jogging paths, places to host a party, throw a football, or just sit and be. Woodley Park hosts classic car shows and too many festivals to mention. Grab the sun screen, water, lunch and get outside.
Paddle the LA River (Woodley Park)
7. Topanga State Park (map)
Topanga State Park is a California state park located adjacent to the community of Topanga, within the City of Los Angeles. Covering 11,000 acres with thirty-six miles of trails and roads, the park’s boundaries stretch from Topanga Canyon to Pacific Palisades and Mullholland Drive. Many trails exist within the park, which are accessible to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. There are more than 60 trail entrances. Topanga State Park is not only the largest park in the Santa Monica Mountains, but it's also considered to be the largest park located in the limits of a city.
The Lakeside Cafe is also onsite and you can stop in for a full meal or just a cup of coffee and scrumptious dessert. My personal favorite is the tiramisu which is served in a cup made of chocolate. Yum!
The San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas are home to some of the most beautiful, unique and sensational parks in the country. We have gardens, hiking trails, cricket fields, lakes,golf courses, places to meditate, walk along or Kayak the L.A. River, paddle boat, boulder climb, horseback ride, picnic, fly model airplanes, feed the ducks, geese and turtles in various ponds, archery fields and places to experience Hollywood history and World War II history. So, if you are looking for extraordinary beauty or just a fun day outing, here are some great ways to experience some of the most outstanding parks in the valley.
1. Japanese Garden (map)
This is one of my all time favorite places in the valley, it is so beautiful and peaceful. Every time I enter I feel like I have been transported to a far off place and time. The gardens were fashioned after "stroll gardens" constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries for the Japanese Feudal Lords. This is a great place to relax, unwind and gather yourself! Bring a book or just your thoughts and sit in the Tea house and meditate. Or just walk around and admire the beautiful gardens. There is a small fee $5 for adults, $3 for seniors- worth every penny.
Japanese Garden: 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys,CA
2. Lake Balboa Park (map)
This is such a cool spot, there are always families running around and kids feeding the ducks. Personally I learned how to skateboard around the lake and was motivated to learn how to stop so I didn't end up in the water! There are always people walking or jogging around the lake. Overall it is such a vast and beautiful park that literally has everything from picnic spots, jungle gyms for the kids, grassy areas for dogs to run, and spots to sit and relax! Bring a cup of coffee and a book and sit lakeside right here in the SFV.
Lake Balboa Park: 6300 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, CA
3. Warner Center Park (map)
This is a nice open park with a small play area. However, what makes this place really special in the summer is all the events they host. Every Sunday evening during Summer they host "concerts in the park" and on Saturday nights in August they hosts family movies. There is also a night of 'Shakespeare in the Park' and a 4th of July celebration. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and food - kick back and enjoy. For a full list of events check out their website or watch for listings in RadioSFV.com calendar of events (see tab on website).
Warner Center Park: 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA
4. Hansen Dam Recreation Center (map)
Hansen Dam Recreation Center is one of the jewels in the Los Angeles Park System. The Equestrian Center and Hansen Dam Aquatic Center are located behind the dam here, and Hansen Dam Golf Course in front. It features a moderate size lake which is filled with circulated drinking water and offers fishing and public boating. The lake is open year-round, including holidays. Also at the site is a smaller swim lake which features water that is filtered and chlorinated and has a capacity of 2,800 swimmers. The three lakes within the flood control basin are staffed by lifeguards.
The recreation center and park areas also have picnic tables and barbecue pits, children's play areas; and baseball diamonds and soccer fields. And if all that isn't enough, the park features equestrian and walking trails, that link to the nearby Angeles National Forest and a walking pathway along the dam's top.
Hansen Dam: 11770 Foothill Blvd, Lake View Terrace, CA
5) Griffith Park (map)
This is one of the all time greatest parks any where, in any city. There is so much to discover that it will take multiple trips to see all of it. Although it technically is not part of the valley, it borders parts of the valley, so in my eyes it counts! Griffith Park is a large municipal park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains - the park covers 4,310 acres making it one of the largest urban parks in North America. You have the Griffith Observatory, Greek Theatre, L.A. Zoo, Autry Museum, hiking, horseback riding, a Golf course, tennis courts, an enchanting old time Merry Go Round, Steam Train Museum, Kids Train and Pony Rides, Movie history, World War II history and some of the best views of the Hollywood sign and the City of Los Angeles. While hiking there is much to discover, including wild life and the Bat Cave from the 1960's Batman T.V. show. This is truly a gift and a Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley treasure.
- Griffith Park: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA
Woodley Park is a recreation area managed by the City of Los Angeles and located at Victory Boulevard and Woodley Avenue. It is a popular gathering area in the sprawling Sepulveda Basin. There is a great walking area by Burbank and Woodley where you can encounter the L.A. River either by walking or Kayaking and discover small, quaint, old fashioned bridges that will make you feel you've left the Valley for some small countryside. There are two cricket fields, an archery field, BBQ pits, a model airplane field and a golf course. Bring a bike or a skateboard, there are jogging paths, places to host a party, throw a football, or just sit and be. Woodley Park hosts classic car shows and too many festivals to mention. Grab the sun screen, water, lunch and get outside.
Paddle the LA River (Woodley Park)
7. Topanga State Park (map)
Topanga State Park is a California state park located adjacent to the community of Topanga, within the City of Los Angeles. Covering 11,000 acres with thirty-six miles of trails and roads, the park’s boundaries stretch from Topanga Canyon to Pacific Palisades and Mullholland Drive. Many trails exist within the park, which are accessible to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. There are more than 60 trail entrances. Topanga State Park is not only the largest park in the Santa Monica Mountains, but it's also considered to be the largest park located in the limits of a city.
Points of interest in the park include: Eagle Rock, Eagle Spring Trail, and Hub Junction. Three historical attractions of the park are Trippet Ranch buildings, Will Roger’s cabin, and the Josepho Barn. You can also access Santa Ynez Trail in the park and descending into the Santa Ynez Canyon, hikers can check out the sandstone formations. Close to the bottom of the trail is a side trail which leads to the Santa Ynez waterfall - definitely a highlight.
8. Los Encinos State Park (map)
Los Encinos State Historic Park is a state park in California preserving buildings of Ranch Los Encinos. The park is located near the corner of Balboa and Ventura Blvd in Encino, CA in the San Fernando Valley. The park is open Wednesday thru Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. One of the things I love best about this park is the pond filled with ducks and geese. You can buy duck food onsite for a quarter.
The Lakeside Cafe is also onsite and you can stop in for a full meal or just a cup of coffee and scrumptious dessert. My personal favorite is the tiramisu which is served in a cup made of chocolate. Yum!
- Los Encinos State Park - Balboa Blvd and Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA
- 9. Stoney Point (map)
- A natural rock outcropping east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Stoney Point is considered one of the most picturesque areas in Los Angeles. Boulders merge together to form caves, dens, and alcoves. Prepare to spend hours of discovery on this boulder climb at Stoney Point in Chatsworth. Mountain climbers come here to learn and practice. Hikers of all sorts come to play.
- Located at Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Chatsworth Street and the 118 Freeway, a huge boulder at the top of the mountain is a famous landmark called Stoney Point.
- The San Fernando Valley has an abundance of parks and outdoor areas. These parks are our gems! I hope that you enjoy the parks that SFV offers as much as I do. Take family, friends or just yourself. Enjoy a picnic, time with loved ones, or maybe just a good book!
- See you around the Valley!