THE 20 LARGEST PARKS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which encompases 60,000 acres scattered throughout the mountain range, provides many of the largest parks in Los Angeles County, including the biggest one--Topanga State Park. The widest range of facilities is offered at the City of Los Angeles’ landmark Griffith Park, which features, among other things, a zoo, observatory, 650-seat amphitheater and several golf courses. The following are the largest parks in the county, by acreage, and the activities they offer:

1. Topanga State Park: 9,000 acres

20825 Entrada Rd., Topanga 213/455-2465

Picnic area; hiking; equestrian trails

2. Castaic Lake State Recreation Area: 8,700 acres

32132 Ridge Route, Castaic 805/257-4050

Picnic area; equestrian trails; lakes for boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing; children’s play area

3. Malibu Creek State Park: 7,000 acres

28754 Mulholland Highway, Agoura 213/454-2372

Picnic area; hiking and equestrian trails; fishing

4. Griffith Park: 4,107 acres

4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles 213/665-5188

Children’s play area, including merry-go-round and pony ride; lighted tennis courts; outdoor swimming pool; hiking and equestrian trails; Griffith Observatory; Los Angeles Zoo; Greek Theatre; golf; Travel Town; camping

5. Saddleback Butte State Park: 2,875 acres

17102 East Avenue J, Lancaster 805/942-0662

Picnic area; hiking trails; camping

6. Cheeseboro Canyon: 2,300 acres

Ventura Freeway, exit on Cheeseboro Rd. 818/888-3770

Hiking; equestrian trails; mountain bike paths

7. Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area: 2,031 acres

17017 Burbank Blvd., Encino 818/995-1690

Lighted baseball diamonds; lighted tennis courts; basketball courts; volleyball courts; children’s play area; picnic area; bike path; model airplane field; wildlife refuge; golf

8. Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park: 1,975 acres

120 Via Verde Park Road, San Dimas 714/599-8411

Children’s play area; picnic area; equestrian center; hiking trails; lake for swimming and fishing; boat and jet-ski rentals

9. Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve: 1,700 acres

4555 W. Avenue G., Lancaster 805/899-4537

Picnic area; hiking trails

10. Hansen Dam Recreation Area: 1,437 acres

11770 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace 818/899-4537

Children’s play area; picnic area; equestrian and hiking trails; amphitheater; bike path

11. Devil’s Punchbowl: 1,350 acres

28000 Devil’s Punchbowl Rd., Pearblossom 805/259-7721

Hiking trails; picnic area

12. Pyramid Lake State Recreation Area: 1,297 acres

I-5, exit at Hungry Valley 805/257-2986

Picnic area; swimming beach; fishing boat area

13. Whittier Narrows Regional Recreation Area: 1,092 acres

823 Lexington-Gallatin Road, South El Monte 818/444-9305

Children’s play area; picnic area; lighted baseball diamonds; lighted tennis courts; equestrian and hiking trails; boating; archery, skeet and trap shooting range

14. Castro Crest: 910 acres

Pacific Coast Highway, Corral Canyon Rd. 818/888-3770

Picnic areas; hiking; equestrian trails; mountain bike paths

15. Omelveny Park: 672 acres

17300 Sesnon Blvd., Granada Hills 818/989-8190

Picnic area; hiking

16. Otterbein State Recreation Area: 600 acres

17250 East Colima Road, Rowland Heights 818/965-5868

Children’s play area; picnic area; equestrian arena; equestrian and hiking trails

17. Santa Fe Dam Park: 600 acres

15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale 818/334-1065

Children’s play area; picnic area; lake for fishing, boating and swimming; nature preserve; hiking and bike trails

18. Elysian Park and Recreation Center 585 acres

929 Academy Rd., Los Angeles 213/225-2044

Community building; lighted baseball diamonds; basketball court

19. Solstice Canyon: 556 acres

3800 Solstice Canyon Rd., 213/456-7154

Picnic area; hiking and equestrian trails

20. Charmlee County Park: 460 acres

2577 Encinal Canyon Rd., Malibu 213/457-7247

Part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Sources: National Park Service; State Department of Parks and Recreation; Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation; City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department