LA Summer Picnic Spots in the Park
The Top 5 Food Spots and Parks for a Picnic in LA
You remember those last few weeks of Summer as a kid. "One last bike ride, just one last swim."
If you haven’t yet found your joy outdoors this year, there is still time. For some ideas, take a peek at TimeOut’s What To Do In Los Angeles or BucketListers LA’s Ultimate 2021 Bucket List. Our favs are hiking in Griffith Park and catching the sunset at the observatory. We were particularly Inspired by a recent LA Times article, The Perfect Takeout for 18 Parks in LA.
While we have love for all the LA parks mentioned, we wanted to send some LANLT park picnic pairings as well. Enjoy and don’t forget to send us pictures! We're hungry from all the research.
Unidad Park & Community Garden
For those in DTLA, a must stop is Unidad Park & Community Garden. This Park started in the 1990’s as an informal community garden and opened its doors officially in 2007. Since then, the site has been turned into the popular spot it is today with a playground, shaded seating, family picnic tables and a Filipino meditation circle. In addition, you’ll find the largest Filipino American mural this side of the Mississippi painted by mural artist Eliseo Silva. The mural highlights some of the inspiring stories of Filipino American history.
Location: 1644 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
Food Suggestions Nearby
Founder Justin Foronda uses his experience of being born and raised here in Historic Filipinotown as well as his passion for music and culture to create the nostalgic menu offered by HiFi Kitchen. Order the Chicken Adobo or for the vegetarians, La’ing and don’t forget the Giniling Fries for a little kick.
For an extra treat, don’t forget to stop by Boba Guys on Beverly Blvd. right next door to the park for a Cloudseeker, their marshmallow cream and oat milk homage to their love of the Saturday morning cartoons and Care Bears!
Golden Age Park
What was once simply an empty vacant lot has now turned into a haven for residents to relax, read, walk, garden or play. Opened in 2019, Golden Age Park is the 1st intergenerational park in California. The LANLT worked with neighboring organizations to ensure low impact workout machines, a walking path and raised garden beds, all with the nearly 3,000 senior citizens living close by. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a lunch break or picnic!
Location: 739 S. Coronado Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Food Suggestions Nearby
Roll Call is a Japanese establishment on Wilshire & Vermont that has been a staple in Koreatown for a few years now. It’s simple and delicious. Grab some pork & vegetable gyozas, a couple rolls or a poke bowl and head to the park. They are fabulous with the takeout.
Marson Street Pocket Park
For a peaceful break in the middle of the Valley, stop by this neighborhood park in Panorama City. At 8,700 sq ft this park boasts a soft padded playground and an oasis of shaded seating and family picnic space. Opened in 2007, the park is an important part of the community, providing a clean, safe place for families and friends to gather.
Location: 15262 Marson Street, Panorama City, CA 91402
Food Suggestions Nearby
Dr. Hogly Wogly’s Tyler Texas BBQ has been a staple since 1969 that serves up some of the best BBQ in town. We recommend the beef brisket or if you’re really hungry, the Texas Two Step sandwich, a brisket sandwich with hot links and topped with macaroni salad.
Estrella Park
This relaxing park site in North University Park features a playground, shaded walking path, community gathering areas, plenty of shaded rest space as well as a large grassy area perfect for an afternoon picnic. What started as a project to convert a vacant abandoned lot by Norwood Elementary school kids in 1982 was opened in 1983 and renovated in 2005 to be the space you see today.
Location: 1956 Estrella Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Food Suggestions Nearby
With a love of street dogs and multicultural background that includes Central American, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese roots, three founders Richard Larios, Timothy Cam and Philip Ozaki created a menu for Dirt Dog based on the bacon wrapped dogs they remember from childhood. Started in 2014 in the University Park area they now have locations in Pasadena and Downey as well as 3 locations in Las Vegas and 10% of their sales goes back into the communities they serve. With that in mind, we love the Dirty Corn dog with lime, mayo, chili powder, cotija, cilantro and bacon bits and don’t forget a Deep Fried Oreos with horchata whipped cream for dessert.
Mayberry Skate Park at Amelia Mayberry Park
Opened in early 2020, this 18,500 sf skateboard park inside Amelia Mayberry Park in Whittier hosts the largest bowl in Los Angeles at 5,000 sf. In addition to the always crowded and loved skateboard park, the park itself is sprawling, has a splash pad, lots of shaded areas, fitness zones, baseball field, picnic and barbeque areas and restrooms. So grab some lunch and head that way to watch the mesmerizing fakies, grinds or kickflips!
Location: 13201 E. Meyer Road, Whittier, CA 90605
Food Suggestions Nearby
Jade’s Tamales is a street vendor beloved by the community. She is an incredibly good samaritan with her feed the homeless program, and we hear the tamales are some of the best around. Just make sure she’s going to be in her usual spot and grab some tamales on the way to the park!