At Ferndell, in Griffith Park, you can enjoy a short walk through tropical gardens next to a bubbling brook, and then rest in a picnic area with playground under huge redwoods and sycamore trees. Ferndell has such a magical feel to it that you can just picture fairies hiding next to shards of light among the ferns and redwoods trees. The vegetation is so diverse that it's as if Hawaii and Northern California have intersected right there in LA!

The northern part of the park is the picnic area, with dusty floor, an abundance of tables under shade, and a playground. The playground has a roller slide and is built over sand with a low cement circle surrounding it where parents can happily sit. Kids find endless inspiration here with the many sticks and twigs that they make into forts in the sand. The beautiful surroundings just add more inspiration, making for calm, content children.
If you walk south of the playground, the wide dirt path leads to a gate. The chain-link metal gate just looks like a ghetto-like city gate with a sign that says "Emergency Assistance, call park rangers..." and you'd never expect it to lead to something as glorious as what you find inside! A man-made brook leads under a canopy of ferns, flowers, and tropical plants, interspersed with redwoods and tall trees. Each turn leads to a prettier view. Twisty log handrails, benches in peaceful spots, and charming footbridges add to your joy! Come for a romantic stroll with your lover if you can.
This walk is actually called Ferndell Nature Museum, even though it is not a museum in a building.
If you continue to walk south you reach the southern gate of the garden walk, which spits you out at the intersection of Red Oak Drive and Ferndell Dr.
Nothing could be lovelier than a weekend afternoon stroll through Ferndell!
This area doesn't feel 100% safe so, if alone, I would only come on weekends when there are plenty of people around.
While in Griffith Park, check out the panoramic views of LA and the iconic Hollywood sign from Griffith Observatory, where admission is free. Also fun for kids is a visit to Travel Town where they can walk inside a real train station.

Directions

The southern gate to the Ferndell walk is located on Ferndell Dr, just a few meters north of where it intersects with Red Oak Dr. The playground is located north of there, just along Ferndell Dr where it becomes Western Canyon Rd. You can park along Western Canyon Rd and walk from the playground to the northern gate of the Ferndell walk.
The walk is open from 10-5 daily. Admission is free and open to anyone.
The address is 5375 Red Oak Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068.

Click on map for interactive view