Griffith Park - Images of America Author:E.J. Stephens, Marc Wanamaker Carved from the former Spanish land grant known as Rancho — Los Feliz, Griffith Park, a rugged, 4,300-acre wilderness located — in the heart of Los Angeles, has been the principal playground for — Angelenos for over a century. Since 1896, when the land was donated — to the city by controversial philanthropist Col. Griffith J. Griffith, — generations ... more »of weekenders have picnicked, camped, golfed, ridden
horses, hiked, bicycled, and played ball in the park. To this day, visitors
still climb aboard its mini-train and merry-go-round and explore its
zoo, museums, amphitheater, and world-famous observatory. The park,
which lies in the shadow of the Hollywood sign, has been a frequent
filming site for legendary movies like Back to the Future, Birth of a