L.A. State Historic Park

Whether you’re looking for a place for a sunny afternoon picnic with friends, a serene location for an outdoor jog in the fresh air, a clean and comfortable park to sit and enjoy a book or do some work, or want to snap some gorgeous sunset L.A. skyline photos - this just may be your new favorite park in Los Angeles! The Los Angeles State Historic Park has recently been made-over and re-opened to the public after three years of construction and landscaping improvements. It sprawls a total of 32 acres, and is located directly next to Chinatown in downtown Los Angeles. When I visited a few weeks ago, L.A. hadn’t gotten any rain in quite a long time, so the park was looking sort of dull and brown. But, with the recent rains, I have a feeling this park will be bloomin’ in no time! I’ll definitely be back soon and hope to see some wildflowers or our lovely California state flower, the poppy.

Here’s some more information about the history of the L.A. State Historic Park from the California State Park’s official website (found here: www.parks.ca.gov/lashp/):

“The Metro Gold Line zips past the south side of the park on raised tracks following the course of a water system that stretched from the Los Angeles River to El Pueblo in the early 1800s.  It may be difficult to imagine, but this place was once a fertile basin, and within a mile of the park is the last recorded location of Yang-na, a large Tongva village. The history of the Southern Pacific Railroad’s River Station, opened in 1875, includes a waterwheel, freight house, roundhouse, depot and station yard.  Rows of deer grass now hint of the vanished railroad tracks, and you can stand and reflect on the travels of the thousands of people who arrived here from all over the country and world. The Pacific Hotel opened here in 1879 and once served “25 minute meals” to River Station passengers. The approximate shape of the hotel is marked today by a boundary of recycled glass.”

Plan a visit here any day, from 8:00 am - sunset. Keep in mind that you’re allowed to bring your furry friend along with you, but all dogs must be on leashes. Also, there is no designated dog area or playground for children here. Plug this address into your GPS when you’re traveling to the L.A. State Historic Park: 1245 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

And, as always, I’d encourage you to visit the the park’s official website for more details: http://lashp.com/

Happy adventuring!