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Warmer temperatures in Los Angeles are an excellent time for Angelenos to eat at least one meal outside. The beautiful beaches, parks, and many other open-air venues offer a vast array of ideal picnic spots. If you love the outdoors and fresh air, all you need to do is search for some of the best picnic spots in LA that strike a perfect balance of shade, nature, good vibes, and people-watching.
Once you choose the picnic spot, the next step is to look for essential items to relax your trip. For example, Jackery Portable Power Stations are compact and lightweight charging solutions that supply steady electricity to small picnic electronics, such as mini-coolers, portable fans, mobile phones, laptops, etc. This guide will walk you through the ten best picnic spots in LA and give you some tips to make the trip memorable.
Why Do People Love Picnic in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has sun-splashed weather, making it one of the best cities for picnicking. From state parks to cultural attractions and zoos, there are many places where you can spread out a blanket and have a picnic.
- One of the primary reasons behind planning a picnic trip is to enjoy some fresh air on a warm day — especially when food is involved.
- Additionally, a relaxing picnic in an LA park or beach does not require many things. All you need to do is fill your basket with favorable treats, gather friends or family, and head outside.
Here are some reviews from people who planned a picnic in LA and loved it!
"I love the dog-friendliness and the abundance of green grassy picnic zones. Perfect to bring a book and lean against a tree. Lots of benches, walking paths and nooks." — Nicholas Curren.
"The iconic view of downtown LA from the park is something you've likely seen in countless movies." — Wonderland Boudoir.
Best 10 Picnic Spots in Los Angeles
The climate and beauty of Los Angeles's shoreline are no secret. Here's a list of the best beaches, ideal for sunbathers, outdoor enthusiasts, surfers, and picnickers.
Griffith Park
Location: 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Contact Number: 323-644-2050
Website: Griffith Park
Facilities: Camping, golf, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, jogging, swimming, and more.
Griffith Park is one of the most beautiful and largest parks, with 4210 acres of natural chaparral-covered terrain, landscaped parkland, and picnic areas. The Old Zoo at Griffith Park is one of the best spots — all thanks to the picnic benches, grills, and old animal cages. If you love plants, you'll also love the Park's plant communities that vary from oak and walnut woodlands and coastal sage scrub to riparian vegetation with trees in the Park's deep canyons.
Hancock Park
Location: 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Contact Number: 213-763-3499
Website: La Brea Tar Pits and Hancock Park
Facilities: Outdoor parking, parking garage, playing area for kids, boot camping, and more.
Hancock Park is located between the museum and the Tar Pits. It's a fun community resource where all the boot camp participants meet and train. There's space for kids to play next to super-sized Ice Age mammals. You can find Angelenos and tourists strolling and picnicking around the park.
Point Dume State Beach
Location: 6800 Westward Beach Road, Malibu, CA 90265
Contact Number: (310) 457-8144
Website: Point Dume State Beach
Facilities: eBike locations, EV charger locations, and parking.
Point Dume State Beach, located in Malibu, is one of the go-to spots for beach lovers. This picnic spot in LA offers sandy shores, a scenic cliffside setting, and a nature reserve, making it ideal for most Angelenos. The panoramic views of the ocean and the surrounding landscapes will indeed offer a memorable picnic experience.
Echo Park Lake
Location: 751 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026
Contact Number: 213-250-3578
Website: Echo Park Lake
Facilities: Pedal boats, picnic tables, walking paths, and more.
Echo Park Lake is bustling all the time—and for good reason. The waterfront picnicking opportunities, pedal boats, and tall trees surrounding the location make it an excellent choice for outdoor eating spots.
Grand Park
Location: 200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Contact Number: 213-972-8080
Website: Gloria Molina Grand Park
Facilities: Memorial fountain, performance lawn, community terrace, event lawn, tree-shaded sidewalks, and more.
Grand Park, also called Gloria Molina Grand Park, is located in the heart of Downtown LA. It's a 12-acre civic park stretching from The Music Center to City Hall. The park provides Angelenos with year-round free public programming and green spaces to enjoy picnics!
Mount Wilson Observatory
Location: 75 S. Grand Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105
Contact Number: 626-440-9016
Website: Mount Wilson Observatory
Facilities: Telescopes, cooking, dining, public programs, and safe drinking water.
The Mount Wilson Observatory drives about 40 minutes up Angeles Crest Highway and Mount Wilson Red Box Road. You can walk from the Mount Wilson Observatory's parking lot to the Skyline Park pavilion. However, there's one caveat: Visitors can access the parking area seasonally and on weekends from April through September.
Lake Hollywood Park
Location: 3160 Canyon Lake Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Contact Number: (818) 243-1145
Website: Lake Hollywood Park
Facilities: Children's play area and picnic tables.
Lake Hollywood Park is another of the best picnic spots in LA. It features shaded picnic benches, a small playground, and fantastic views of the Hollywood Sign. The large grassy areas and trees around the park make it an ideal choice for most outdoor enthusiasts.
Palisades Park
Location: Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Contact Number: (310) 458-8411
Website: Palisades Park
Facilities: Benches, picnic tables, restrooms, and public arts.
Palisades Park is an iconic park stretching over 26 acres along Ocean Avenue. The gorgeous views of Santa Monica Bay from the landmark park draw visitors worldwide. It has many features, including artworks and monuments, a rose garden, benches, picnic areas, the Camera Obscura Art Lab, and more.
Los Angeles State Historic Park
Location: 1245 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact Number: (323) 441-8819
Website: Los Angeles State Historic Park
Facilities: eBike locations, EV charger locations, parking, and drinking water available.
Los Angeles State Historic Park is an excellent place for recreation and education in the heart of LA. The 32 acres of open space allow park visitors to wander pathways, enjoy a view of downtown, and discover LA's natural and cultural heritage.
Runyon Canyon Park
Location: 2000 N. Fuller Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
Contact Number: 323-644-6661
Website: Runyon Canyon Park
Facilities: Children's playing area and picnic tables.
Runyon Canyon Park is a beautiful 160-acre park in LA, California that offers picnic tables and a children's playing area. You must carry water to stay hydrated and protected from heat waves. The 130-acre dog park is located on the east end of the Santa Monica Mountains in Hollywood, providing hikers with a few overlapping loops.
Picnic in Los Angeles Tips
If you love enjoying life outdoors and are planning a picnic in LA, it is essential to do some research beforehand. Here are some tips for picnics in Los Angeles that will help you enjoy time outside.
Choose Your Picnic Location
The ambiance of a picnic is one thing that makes it different from other outdoor dining styles. It gives you the chance to travel to your favorite park or beach and enjoy the location. While you can even plan a backyard camping trip, it is essential to put your thoughts into the location. It's better to look at the amenities the park offers and ensure they match your needs.
Select the Right Foods
Next, you need to plan the menu for the picnic. You can bring whole foods, such as jams, cheeses, olives, meats, etc. You can also pack whole fruits, such as strawberries, as a snack. Additionally, since picnics are typically a warm-weather activity, you need to pack water and other drinks, such as iced tea and lemonade.
How to Pack
If you are planning a picnic for the first time, it is essential to pack smartly so you don't have to carry an unnecessary load. For example, you cannot have a picnic without a picnic blanket. It's better to look for a waterproof blanket that does not get spoiled because of accidental spills. Additionally, you must carry insulated picnic baskets to keep your cold items cool.
The overuse of plastic and paper products can quickly turn a festive picnic into a bummer. The best method to avoid this problem is to invest in reusable dining utensils. Additionally, you can carry portable coolers, mini refrigerators, mobile phones, Bluetooth speakers, etc., to the picnic area to make the trip comfortable and entertaining.
Jackery Portable Power Stations are a great charging solution for keeping electronic items charged throughout the picnic. They are lightweight and portable solutions that can be carried anywhere to keep most small appliances charged. If you are still unsure what to bring to a picnic, here's a picnic packing list that covers the essential items for a memorable trip.
Jackery Portable Power Stations for Picnic in Los Angeles
Jackery is a reputable and acclaimed manufacturer and seller of portable power stations, solar panels, and solar generators. The Jackery Portable Power Stations can be recharged with the highly efficient Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels to keep appliances charged for a relatively long time.
The solar panels absorb sunlight in the park and recharge the portable power station. Thus, the Jackery Solar Generators can offer an uninterrupted electricity supply to outdoor appliances. The portable power stations' lightweight design does not emit high noise levels, making them an excellent choice for outdoor picnic trips.
Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station has a high-capacity NMC battery that can charge most small appliances during picnic trips in LA. The compact portable power station weighs 13.3 lbs or 6 kg and can be carried to the picnic spot in LA and charge outdoor appliances. It features multiple AC, DC, USB-A, and carports to charge various appliances, such as mini-refrigerators, coolers, phones, blenders, and more. For example, this portable power station can charge a mini-cooler (150 W) for 2.9 hours and mobile phones (30 W) for 14.6 hours.
Customer Review
"Charging my phone while camping on a box that was powered by the sun that rocks." — Kimberly.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station has a stable LiFePO4 battery, which is ideal for picnicking, camping, and other road trips. It weighs only 8.27 lbs and can be carried to the picnic spot with its sturdy handle. The dual PD ports can offer up to 100 W output and support charging multiple appliances simultaneously. For example, you can charge a solar-powered outdoor speaker (10 W) for 24.4 hours and a phone (30 W) for 8.1 hours.
Customer Review
"The unit's well built, lightweight, and very reliable. I have many plans in mind for this unit, from camping to road trips and equipment backup. I highly recommend this unit and plan to invest in more "plus" backups with higher capacity." — Stanley Daniel.
Picnic in Los Angeles FAQs
What size generator do I need for a picnic in Los Angeles?
The size of the solar generator required for a picnic in Los Angeles depends on the wattage consumption of the appliances you are charging simultaneously and for how long. For example, let's assume you are charging a smart speaker (10 W), mini-cooler (150 W), and a mobile phone (30 W) simultaneously with the Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station. The working hours can be calculated using the below formula:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of Appliances = 518 Wh * 0.85 / 190 W = 2.3 hours.
Note: The efficiency rate is 0.85 because there will be some power loss when charging the appliances.
Where is the best beach to have a picnic in Los Angeles?
Santa Monica Beach is a popular picnic spot in LA. Its 2-mile-long sandy beachfront makes it ideal for walkers, runners, and bikers. Some popular water activities in the area include swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding.
Can you have a picnic at Griffith Park?
Yes, Griffith Park has over 4,210 acres of landscaped parkland and picnic areas and natural chaparral-covered terrain that is ideal for planning a picnic.
Can you have a picnic at Barnsdall Park?
Yes, you can have a picnic at Barnsdall Art Park in Los Angeles, California. It has a grassy area with city views and a shady area with trees. You can bring your own blanket or use a camping chair or planter area as a bench to enjoy your picnic.
What do you wear to a beach picnic?
You must keep it cool and casual with a breezy top made with breathable fabric like cotton or linen, a pair of shorts, and trendy sneakers or sandals.
Final Thoughts
The pleasant weather of Los Angeles means never-ending opportunities for picnics and outdoor dining. If you want to enjoy the fresh air, consider choosing the best picnic spots in LA and packing the essential items. Jackery Portable Power Stations are lightweight and portable solutions for charging gadgets while enjoying a picnic. They do not emit toxic fumes and have a noise level of less than 30 dB, making these portable power stations ideal for outdoor adventures.
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