The sun’s out, our abundant rainfall this year is keeping the grass green, it’s the perfect time for a summer picnic! The LA2050 team has compiled a list of our favorite outdoor natural places to host a picnic in L.A. County this summer.

Whether your perfect picnic is in a vast lawn, under a gazebo, or even at the beach, this list has something for (almost) every Angeleno. We hope you get to check out some of these green spaces for your next aesthetic meal outing!

🌳Barnsdall Art Park, in East Hollywood, offers great city views. Angelenos of all ages are often seen picnicking on the lawn or taking advantage of the many amenities the park has to offer such as tours of the Hollyhock House. (📍8)

🌳Vista Hermosa Natural Park is a 10.5-acre urban natural park located west of Downtown. Besides picnic grounds, the park features walking trails, streams, meadows, and a nature-themed playground. For those wishing to upgrade their picnic to a pregame lunch, visit their FIFA-regulation soccer field. (📍15)

🌳Tongva Park in Santa Monica is a 6-acre urban oasis divided into four main sections, featuring native sustainable vegetation, and located steps away from a Metro rail stop. The park’s “Gathering Hill” is a prime place to bask in the shaded picnic areas near the splash pad to enjoy a picnic lunch and cool off from the L.A. heat. (📍19)

🌳Elysian Park, adjacent to Dodger Stadium, is one of the largest parks in L.A. at 600 acres. It features plenty of picnic tables and lots of shade, perfect for a relaxing weekend meal. Although there are many places to picnic on either side of Stadium Way, one of our personal favorite spots is in front of the EP Corral, the stable that is home to Cielo and Half Moon, the Elysian horses. (📍13)

🌳Griffith Park spans more than 4,200 acres of land and has has 50+ miles of trails and paved bike paths. The park is home to a number of picnic spots, including Fern Dell and on the Griffith Observatory’s front lawn. Bonus tip: Use your Metro TAP card to take the DASH bus for easier access. (📍6)

🌳Angels Gate Park is a great site to picnic in San Pedro and features the Korean Bell of Friendship monument and, often, people flying kites. Make use of the picnic tables to enjoy the oceanside views and make sure to visit on the first Saturday of each month at 12:15 p.m. to hear the bell ring. (📍23)

🌳Whittier Narrows Recreation Area has plenty of shade for picnics and barbecues. With more than 1,500 acres, this expansive park features lakes for boating and fishing, bike trails, the American Military Museum, a nature center, and more. While there, take advantage of watercraft rentals like surreys, and pedal boats for outdoor fun. (📍12)

🌳Lake Hollywood Park is a beautiful, semi-hidden, dog-friendly park with breathtaking views of the Hollywood sign. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket or your favorite take-out and enjoy a quiet break from the city. (📍5)

🌳Silver Lake Reservoir is home to the Silver Lake Meadow, a 2.5-acre park where children fly kites and toss frisbees, locals frequent the reservoir to picnic, watch the sunset, and on occasional Sundays, catch local jazz musicians busking. (📍9)

🌳Los Angeles State Historic Park (LASHP) is a 32-acre California State Park adjacent to the LA River that offers creative public events. The park has open space to run, fly kites, exercise, explore, and sprawl on a picnic blanket. LASHP is located next to the Metro Gold Line Chinatown station, and near Homeboy Industries / Homegirl Cafe for pastries or take-out. (📍16)

🌳Valley Glen Community Park in South Valley is an ideal place for those looking for a more active afternoon with little ones. Bring your favorite lunch and enjoy at the available picnic tables, or somewhere closer to the playground. The park also features a baseball diamond for those wishing to partake in that pastime. (📍1)

🌳Lacy Park a beautiful 30-acre park located in the center of San Marino between Virginia Road and St. Albans Road, and North of Monterey Road. It features a picnic area that is often the site of musical concerts, civic events, and pancake breakfasts. The city charges a $5 admission fee on weekends for non-residents (📍11)

🌳Garfield Park is a popular place for birthdays and picnics in South Pasadena. It features 7 acres of park, including playground equipment, two tennis courts, picnic areas, and groomed parkland. (📍10)

🌳Echo Park Lake is famous for its fountain and swan shaped pedal boats, but it is also an ideal place for a picnic! Be ready, though, for the (real) birds that tend to flock here. (📍14)

🌳Franklin Canyon Park rests on 605 acres between the San Fernando Valley and Beverly Hills. If it’s an outdoor “back-to-nature” site you’re seeking they offer numerous outdoor facilities including lakeside picnic areas, open amphitheaters, and large lawns with towering oaks. (📍4)

🌳Brand Park is a 31-acre park nestled at the base of the Verdugo Mountains in Glendale. The park offers hiking and biking trails, a basketball court and softball field, picnic areas, children's playground, and seasonal children's wading pool. In addition, the park has several picnic areas which provide a relaxing setting for an afternoon setting. (📍2)

🌳South Gate Park covers a total of 96.8 acres and is a great location in South L.A. to picnic and enjoy recreational activities such as tennis courts, the girls club house, senior recreation center, and swim stadium. The park features plenty of shaded and unshaded picnic areas to enjoy an outdoor meal. (📍22)

🌳Exposition Park Rose Garden is a historic 7-acre sunken garden located by the Rose Bowl and the University of Southern California. Most picnic tables can be found south of the Rose Garden and north of the California Science Center. While visiting, relax near the fountains and breathe the smell of fresh roses. (📍20)

🌳Grand Park is a 12-acre civic park, stretching from The Music Center to the Los Angeles City Hall in the heart of Downtown. Enjoy from multiple different food trucks at Grand Park’s Olive Court, or bring your own meal to enjoy in one of the park’s four picnic areas. For those wanting an afternoon out with the little ones, the spot also features a splash pad and playgrounds. Bonus LA2050 fact: Grand Park was the site of our Celebrate LA event in 2014, so we truly love it here. (📍17)

🌳Descanso Gardens are located northwest of Altadena and feature one million plants, including from October to March one of the largest displays of camellias in the world. This secluded, lush, dense garden features an extensive performing arts program throughout the year that includes stage and musical performances as well as picnic tables for visitors wanting to have lunch before or after entering the gardens.For admission prices and free Tuesday reservations click here. (📍3)

🌳Highland Camrose Park is a picnic area located inside the Hollywood Bowl. This 2.1-acre park hosts live music fanatics who join in on the age-old tradition of picnicking at the Hollywood Bowl picnickers to enjoy a bite before an event or concert. It is open to the public during the off season along with the other Hollywood Bowl picnic areas. (📍7)

🌳Malibu Bluffs Park  is a six-acre community park conveniently located at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Visitors willing to make the journey through PCH can enjoy picnic tables with a scenic view of the sea! (📍18)

🌳Dockweiler State Beach has 3.7 miles of ocean frontage and 288 acres of beach. With picnic facilities and fire rings, this is a great place to host a beach picnic for those looking for a different picnic experience and true ocean views. Bring out some s’mores for a night bonfire to upgrade your picnic! (📍21)

You can also view our collection of other unique maps around LA and other favorite Los Angeles Places and Spaces at la2050.org/places

Picture Credits: The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (Vista Hermosa Natural Park), County of Los Angeles (Dockweiler State Beach), all other photos courtesy of LA2050 Staff.