Experience · Los Angeles

Historic Griffith Park & Comfort Food

Spend a unique afternoon exploring the intriguing ruins of the Old Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park, a fascinating blend of history and nature. Afterwards, enjoy a comforting meal at a classic Scottish pub, offering a cozy ambiance. Conclude your outing with a peaceful stroll along a charming, shaded nature trail.

A 4-hour Los Angeles afternoon plan for solo — Old Los Angeles Zoo, Tam O'Shanter, Ferndell Nature Trail.

Duration
4 hrs
Cost
$50–$100
Stops
3 stops
Area
Griffith Park + 2 more
Walking
Light walking · Total 4.2-mile driving route
Best time
12:00 – 5:00 PM
Ideal for
Solo · Friends · Couples
Start Plan
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Historic Griffith Park & Comfort Food

The plan

The plan

  1. 1Old Los Angeles Zoo(1 hr 30 min)→
  2. 2Tam O'Shanter(1 hr 30 min)→
  3. 3Ferndell Nature Trail(1 hr)

Why this plan works

The 3 stops cover about 4.2 miles total, which keeps you in one pocket of Los Angeles instead of crossing town between them. Old Los Angeles Zoo is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at Ferndell Nature Trail — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to solo, friends, and couples who want a planned Los Angeles outing without improvising between stops.

The story

Overview

Spend a unique afternoon exploring the intriguing ruins of the Old Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park, a fascinating blend of history and nature. Afterwards, enjoy a comforting meal at a classic Scottish pub, offering a cozy ambiance. Conclude your outing with a peaceful stroll along a charming, shaded nature trail.

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

  1. Old Los Angeles Zoo1
    1h 30m
    Old Los Angeles Zoo

    Family · Griffith Park

    Founded in 1912, this now-abandoned zoo offers past enclosure ruins, picnic space & hiking trails.

    What to do — Wander through the fascinating ruins of the abandoned zoo enclosures, which now serve as picnic spots and hiking trails within Griffith Park.

    Scout Side Quest

    Pick an enclosure and pitch each other on what kind of mythical creature should inhabit it.

    Book it · Old Los Angeles Zoo

    1.5 mi · 6 min drive

    Then A short drive will take you to a nearby restaurant for a hearty meal.

  2. Tam O'Shanter2
    1h 30m
    Tam O'Shanter

    Food & Drink · Atwater Village

    Scottish pub, housed in a Tudor-style building, with plaid-clad waiters serving prime rib & drinks.

    What to do — Settle into a cozy booth or table and indulge in a satisfying meal and perhaps a traditional drink. The atmosphere is warm and inviting.

    2.7 mi · 9 min drive

    Then Take a short drive to a tranquil nature trail nearby for a relaxing end to your day.

  3. Ferndell Nature Trail3
    Optional 1 hr
    Ferndell Nature Trail

    Outdoors · Hollywood Hills

    Quarter-mile footpath along a man-made stream, shaded by tropical foliage & sycamore trees.

    What to do — Stroll along the picturesque quarter-mile footpath, shaded by tropical foliage and sycamore trees, with a man-made stream.

    Scout Side Quest

    Spot the most prehistoric-looking plant along the path and vote on whose find looks most like Jurassic Park.

Scout Stories

People who did this

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The route

On the map

Open route in Google Maps

Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Los Angeles itinerary for solo?
Yes. It's built for solo, friends, and couples and runs about 4 hrs across 3 stops, starting at Old Los Angeles Zoo.
How long does this outing take?
Plan on 4 hrs door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Los Angeles itinerary cost?
Roughly $50–$100 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?
Not entirely. The stops cover about 4.2 miles, so you'll drive or rideshare between at least one pair.
Do I need reservations?
No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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