Hidden Hermosa

Relax at Vista Hermosa Park in LA

{MARCH 29, 2023 UPDATE: Due to the most recent storm, please be aware that there may be sudden trail closures and poor and hazardous conditions; check official websites before visiting, and exercise good judgement and caution.}

One of the best views of the downtown skyline is in the Historic Filipinotown of Echo Park. The 11-acre Vista Hermosa Park is just a mile from the heart of downtown, yet feels an oasis world away with a visitor center and tranquil rooftop garden. The reminder that you're in urban environs comes from the outstanding view you get of LA’s iconic skyline. Stroll the half-mile loop trail to get your fix of native flora, like live oaks and sycamores, in combination with urban scenery that’s just far enough removed to make you appreciate it without feeling consumed by it. Picnic in one of the many grassy meadows, check out the turtle sculptures, or try one of several free ranger-led programs at the peaceful grotto.

BEER BONUS: After drinking in the view, venture to downtown's Art District for a seasonal craft beer. Mumford Brewery, a new establishment serving styles to suit all taste buds, is a large, comfortable space that offers friendly vibes, board games, and tasty local brews. If you like dark ales, and the Lakers, you'll enjoy Kobe's namesake ale, Black Mamba. There's also the undeniably smooth LA Crema.

Vista Hermosa Park is on First Street west of the 110 (Harbor Freeway) between Beaudry and Glendale Blvd. (map). To get to Mumford Brewery, take 2nd St. east, turn right at San Pedro, left at Boyd St. and look for the mural-covered building on your right.

_

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  2. Hike the Oursan Trail alongside Briones Reservoir in the East Bay

    Opt for Oursan

    Hike the trail less traveled in the East Bay's Briones Regional Park. The Oursan Trail is pure serenity on a wide hiking path skirting the northern shores of Briones Reservoir.

    View
  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

    View
  4. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  2. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View
  3. Hiker amid trees at Oak Glen Preserve in Yucaipa Southern California

    Apple of Your Eye

    That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.

    View
  4. Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness

    Planet of the Oaks

    Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.

    View