Photo: Wikimedia Commons — see author and license on the file page.

Griffith Park Zoo

Nature & parks
In Los Angeles, California
2.9 mi from Route 66

The Griffith Park Zoo, often called the Old Los Angeles Zoo, was a city zoo in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA, about 2.5 miles off the old road. It opened in 1912 and closed in 1966, when the new Los Angeles Zoo took over. What remains are the empty enclosures, now surrounded by picnic spots and hiking trails, and a strangely photogenic place to walk.

What is Griffith Park Zoo?

The zoo is now a set of ruins owned by the city. Old animal enclosures still stand, and visitors can walk around and through them. Picnic areas sit among the ruins, and several hiking trails start nearby.

History of Griffith Park Zoo

The zoo opened in 1912, while Route 66 was still years away, and it served Los Angeles for more than half a century. When the Los Angeles Zoo opened in 1966, the animals moved and the old grounds closed. The empty structures were left standing, and the grounds stayed part of the park.

Visiting Griffith Park Zoo: tips

Parking is available, the area is listed as wheelchair accessible and it is a good stop with children. Allow about 45 minutes to explore and take photos, longer if you pack a picnic.

The current Los Angeles Zoo is about a mile away, the Autry Museum of the American West about 1.1 miles off, and the Travel Town Museum about 1.8 miles away, so it is easy to fill a day in Griffith Park.

Practical info

Address: 4801 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: +1 323-913-4688
Website: laparks.org/parks
Hours: Daily 5:30 am–10:30 pm
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Griffith Park Zoo

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Musso & Frank Grill
Los Angeles, CA · 3.4 mi from Griffith Park Zoo
Hollywood's oldest restaurant, operating on Hollywood Boulevard since 1919 and named for its two founders.
Diner & restaurant
Formosa Cafe
West Hollywood, CA · 4.4 mi from Griffith Park Zoo
A West Hollywood restaurant and bar from 1925, long a hangout for film stars from the studio lot nearby.
Diner & restaurant
Pink's Hot Dogs
Los Angeles, CA · 4.7 mi from Griffith Park Zoo
A Los Angeles hot dog stand on North La Brea Avenue, serving since 1939 at the edge of Hollywood.