Santa Monica Mountain Range and Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountain Range and Recreation area, offering breathtaking views of the L.A. Basin and San Fernando Valley from its summits, is L.A.’s premier outdoor spot. The sprawling 65,000-acre park runs from the Hollywood Hills to the Ventura County line and features some splendid hiking trails, lush rolling hills broken by stream-cut canyons, shady oak groves, meadows, waterfalls, valleys and sandy beaches. The park is open year-round, and most park sites are open from sunrise to sunset.

Griffith Park
Griffith Park is the country’s largest and boasts picnic grounds, horseback rides, pony rides, golf courses, a major zoo and an observatory. A trail from the observatory offers a close-up view of the famed Hollywood sign. Interestingly enough, you don’t have to leave the urban jungle to escape it. Runyon Canyon Park in Hollywood, once owned by Irish tenor John McCormack, is a much-beloved hiking destination.

Universal City
University City offers many attractions such as Universal Studios Hollywood, and the recently expanded City Walk which contains shops and restaurants such as the Hard Rock Cafe. Universal City is located 12 miles northwest of our Los Angeles (USC) property.