Old Los Angeles Zoo — Attraction in Los Angeles

The Old Los Angeles Zoo is one of those weird, unexpected gems tucked into Griffith Park. If you like quirky urban history, a little graffiti, and a short, fun walk that doesn’t feel like your average nature trail, this place is worth checking out.

The walk to the old enclosures is easy and short, maybe 10–15 minutes from the parking area, with only a little elevation gain. Definitely kid-friendly. You’ll find plenty of open picnic space along the way too. Parking was super easy when we went, tons of spots available, and it’s free, which is a win in LA.

Once you get there, you’ll see the old animal cages and stone structures from the zoo’s original layout back in the 1930s. It’s got this kind of eerie charm, like a time capsule crossed with a movie set. There’s graffiti all over the place, but it doesn’t ruin the vibe; honestly, it adds character and gives the site this layered, lived in look. Some of the cages and rooms are open, so you can walk inside and explore. Great photo ops all around, and kids absolutely loved climbing in and out of the old enclosures.

It’s not a traditional “attraction” with signage or plaques explaining the history, so if you’re coming here expecting a museum style experience, you’ll be disappointed. But if you go in knowing it’s more of a DIY exploration spot, it’s really cool.

Dropped one star because some areas are a little run down and could use cleanup, and it’s not super well marked, so it’s easy to miss a turn or end up on a side trail if you’re not paying attention. But honestly, that’s part of what makes it feel like a hidden spot rather than a polished tourist trap.

Great for a quick adventure, especially if you’ve got kids with energy to burn or you’re looking to do something unusual in LA without spending a dime. Bring water, your camera, and maybe a flashlight if you want to check out the darker enclosures. Definitely...

My favorite zoo of all.... EMPTY! a nice place to stretch while you're getting ready for your hike and good place for the picnic.. Unexpected wildlife, like deer and coyotes.... It's urban and natural. Lots of shade on a hot day.....I love it .. people come from all over to see the graffiti art in the hidden stairwells they even shot a episode of America's next top model in them .... keep in mind the mostly young artist risk their criminal records to share and exhibit their art .... We ran into a 5 kids with backpacks and skateboards in their teens being given citations .... I was sadden cause I was just admiring the art they left behind.... But chuckled at the diversity of the crew... They appeared to be a UN of artist Asian, Hispanic and Jewish kids. I knew this because I heard the park ranger mocking them ... I'm not for graffiti in any other areas of the park other then the hidden stairwells and think if the young artist were given the opportunity to burn a stairwell by random selection Los Angeles , the young artist, the visitors and the community could coexist in a time when the arts have been taken from the...

If you love abandoned places, run to The Old Zoo. If you don't, still go to use the picnic tables for lunch, but skip the exploration part. If you are a thrill seeker, budget 45-60 minutes to explore all the old, empty cages. There's a lion's den, bird cages, monkey cages, etc. Most of the cages are closes, but a few are open for people to crawl throw and see what it was like to be a zoo animal decades ago. The highlights:

1. Lion's den: There's one you can crawl up into and see the crawl spaces and the graffiti art now in it.

2. Monkey cage: Behind the main area, hike up and keep going until you come to another cage that you can go in and walk on top of.

3. Back den: There's a large area that goes on and on. In the very front is a water way with a dry tunnel you can crawl through if you're brave enough.

If you like unique things or taking unique photography, go here! It's in Griffith Park, which is fun to...