Photography: Old Zoo at Griffith Park

Old Zoo in Griffith Park

The old zoo in Griffith Park was opened in 1912, to a barrage of many complaints about the cages being too small for animals. The site is merely ruins at this point, with partial cage walls falling over tall grass, and huge dark staircases and tunnels leading to several more small cages.

It is a dark and spooky place, but totally worth checking out. Tons of beautiful graffiti is hidden inside these dark cavernous cages, that housed many miserable animals before the new LA Zoo opened in the 1960s. 

Directions: Take the 5 Freeway to the Los Feliz Boulevard exit. Drive west on Los Feliz Boulevard to the first light and turn north on Crystal Springs Road. After 1.5 miles, turn left on Griffith Park Drive. Continue a quarter mile and turn left into a parking area just before the road bends to the right. There is a row of parking spaces by the turnoff and more parking as you drive into the picnic area. If all spaces are full, you may park at the larger lot by the merry-go-round and walk a little further to the picnic area.

Trailhead address: Griffith Park Drive, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Trailhead coordinates: 34.13527, -118.286357