Outdoor Destinations for the Carless in Los Angeles

Learn about eight L.A. parks that you can reach from Union Station without a car.

1 minute read

January 23, 2023, 12:00 PM PST

Girl swinging on rope swing overlooking Los Angeles

Michael Gordon / Elysian Park, Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to some amazing outdoor destinations, including beaches, parks, natural areas, and trails. For those with cars, traveling to these places is usually not too difficult. However, for folks without a vehicle, getting there can range from challenging to almost impossible. In this article, well-known writer and hiker Casey Schreiner highlights eight destinations that people can reach by foot from Union Station or by transit from the terminal, including:

Grand Park
Los Angeles State Historic Park
Vista Hermosa Natural Park
Ernest E. Debs Regional Park
Elysian Park
Griffith Park, Western Canyon
Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory
Echo Mountains

The need for improved access to parks and trails in Los Angeles County is well-documented in a number of recent studies. In particular, both Metro's Transit to Parks Strategic Plan and the Los Angeles Countywide Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) call for expanding access to recreational destinations via public transit.

FULL STORY: 8 L.A. hikes you can get to from Union Station

Thursday, January 19, 2023 in Los Angeles Times

Environment Transportation California Parks and Recreation Parks Los Angeles Parks Access View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.