While living in a thriving metropolitan area comes with endless perks—otherwise, we wouldn’t all be here, right?—now and again, we need to break away from the daily grind and into a nature getaway.. And there’s nothing quite as therapeutic as gathering your thoughts under the shade of towering trees and wandering through lush landscaping with pops of color and subtle tweets of birds to remind us we’re not the only residents. If you’re looking for a little outdoor solitude but don’t necessarily have a whole day to retreat, check out this hidden gardens in Los Angeles.
1. Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine [Reservation Required]
Just a stone’s throw away from the Pacific Ocean, this 10-acre hidden garden in Los Angeles haven boasts everything from lush gardens, rolling hills, fountains, statues, incredible flora, and a stunning spring-fed lake with swans gliding atop. It was founded by yogi Paramahansa Yogananda and features the Court of Religions, which encompasses the world’s five principal religions. Yogananda believed the harmony of these faiths is what unites everyone. Off the main trails, you’ll find dozens of paths to hidden nooks where visitors can meditate and take in the enchanting scenery.
📍 Location: Lake Shrine 17190 Sunset Boulevard, Pacific Palisades, CA
2. California Friendly Demonstration Gardens At The John Ferraro Building
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📍 Location: John Ferraro Building 111 No. Hope Street
3. Garden of Oz
Follow the yellow brick road to this eclectic hidden garden of flowers in Los Angeles. Located in the Hollywood Hills, as the name reveals, this Oz-inspired garden is a magical place created by local wizard Gail Cottman. Its vibrant, mosaic pathways and steps create a playful contrast with the fresh greenery. Some say there’s a copy of the key floating around, while others say the locks are changed regularly to keep unwanted visitors out. Take into account that these gardens are available for group visits of 20 to 25 people, who can arrange a 2 to 2 1/2 hour outing that includes a guided tour of the gardens. Any non-profit organization in need of an event to raise funds, or for a retreat for its board, or as a special reward for its donors, can also utilize these facilities.
📍 Location: 3040 Ledgewood Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068
4. Amir’s Garden
In 1971, Amir Dialameh single-handedly turned a scorched and barren hillside in Griffith Park into a cascading oasis for hikers and horseback riders. It’s shaded with jacaranda trees and covered in rose bushes, geraniums, oleander. To get to it, though, you’ll need to go on a half-mile trek uphill from the trailhead at Mineral Wells Road and Griffith Park Drive. As expected, the views are absolutely worth it.
📍 Location: Griffith Park Drive & Mineral Wells Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027
5. Arlington Garden
Nestled amidst Pasadena’s urban hustle, Arlington Garden stands as one of the hidden gems of Los Angeles.. Offering a serene escape from city life, it’s a dedicated public garden born from community revitalization efforts. Discover diverse plant life along meandering pathways, enhanced by an informative mobile app. Beyond its beauty, Arlington Garden fosters sustainability and community engagement through events and educational programs. It stands as a symbol of hope and renewal in the heart of Pasadena, showcasing the allure of hidden gardens in Los Angeles.
📍 Location: 275 Arlington Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105
6. The Japanese Garden
This breathtaking, authentic Japanese spot will immediately transport you to another world. As one of the best hidden gardens in Los Angeles, it blends aesthetics and philosophical ideas to create an explosion of natural fragrances and sights. It features three different gardens to create one surreal experience. Begin with the Zen meditation garden, then wander along the Chisen or “wet-strolling” garden and end at the Shoin Building with an authentic tatami-mat teahouse.
📍 Location: 6100 Woodley Ave, Los Angeles
7. Blue Ribbon Garden At The Walt Disney Concert Hall
The rooftop of one of the city’s major attractions, The Walt Disney Concert Hall, is probably the last place you’d expect to find tranquility. You’ll get to marvel at Frank Gehry’s gleaming masterpiece and the porcelain roses that pay tribute to Lillian Disney’s two favorite things (porcelain and roses), making it a must-visit in our list of hidden gardens in Los Angeles.
📍 Location: 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
8. Los Angeles Police Academy garden
The LA’s Police Academy is the last place you’d probably look for a stunning green escape, but it happens to be one of the loveliest hidden gardens in Los Angeles. So much so that it was declared Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #110 in 1973. Located in the Chavez Ravine area of Elysian Park next to Dodger Stadium, is not open for casual visits, the Rock Garden can sometimes be seen during special events held at the Academy.
9. La Casita Del Arroyo
10. Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve
Crowded trails don’t exactly elicit a sense of serenity, so heading to this tranquil, lesser-known gem is the perfect way to reconnect with nature and leave the world behind. This 9.4-acre wetland preserve forms part of the Dominguez Watershed and is teeming with life, including willows, shrubs, herbs, and all the creatures that live amongst it.
📍 Location: 1202 W 170th St, Gardena, CA 90247
11. Museum of Jurassic Technology
The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City is a treasure chest of curiosities. Once you’ve had your fair share of obscurities in the museum, you can head out to the beautiful garden, which may be the most Jurassic thing about the place with plants growing wildly over the decaying walls with columns and arches that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Morrocan oasis.
12. Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden
Beautifully manicured lawns, dotted with a notable outdoor sculpture collection featuring work by Auguste Rodin and Henry Moore, is pure therapy. The paths are lined with Jacarandas that turn a surreal shade of purple in spring while the rest of the trees turn to shades of yellow, orange and brown through fall, making it a one of the most beautiful hidden gardens in Los Angeles.
📍 Location: Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden, 245 Charles E Young Dr E, Los Angeles, CA 90095
13. Koreatown Pavillion Garden
This stunning 5,000-square-foot pavilion with a petite garden commemorates Korean immigrants in L.A. This beautiful symbol, known as the Dawooljung, meaning “a harmonious gathering place,” was built by South Korean craftsmen and is one of the best hidden garndes in Los Angeles, and ideal spot to relax amongst the non-stop buzz of Koreatown.
📍 Location: 1000 Normandie Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006
14. Storrier Stearns
Found in Pasadena, the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a beautiful zen retreat with a life full of devastation and triumph. Its constructed bridges, traditional cedar log house, and lush gardens are surrounded by two ponds full of koi fish. As you and your loved one take in the landscape, it’s clear that dedication and patience went into this tranquil masterpiece.
Edited by Sofía Delpueche.