The Japanese Garden — Attraction in Los Angeles

Overall Zen Experience - 5⭐!

One of the many things I love about living in LA, are the countless hidden gems all over the city. I have lived here over 20 years and I still find new and interesting things to do all the time. A great example of a hidden gem that I wish more people would discover is the completely free The Japanese Garden in the Lake Balboa area of the valley.

While my recent visit was not my first time here, it was the first time I've been back since I left Sherman Oaks. A fact I find interesting about the site is that it uses reclaimed water from the nearby water treatment facility. You may even notice an interesting odor while entering.

The Japanese Garden is part of the really large Lake Balboa park area. While it doesn't have the hills of Griffith Park or other areas, it is a nice place to explore. There are areas for sports and in the spring and summer, on the weekend, the fields are full of all kinds of players. I've even seen cricket players out there doing their thing.

Even with everything going on around it, The Japanese Garden is a lovely place. It is not a large garden and you can explore the entire area within about 15 minutes. It is thoughtfully designed and has some unique elements where they were able to combine traditional Japanese garden elements with some unique architecture. There is a tea house but I do not think they serve tea there. There are lots of places to sit and relax. There is an abundance of birds.

There is a check in booth, I'm assuming so they don't let too many people in at once. Everyone who works with the park is friendly and helpful. The grounds are very well maintained, not just from a garden perspective and they even have their own parking lot so you don't need to hike all the way over from the main park.

It is a lovely way to relax and unwind. And it is free. I highly...

Driven past the place countless times over the years. I know it's there and always wanted to take my kids through the place but it's just not very welcoming from the outside at all. It's a split entrance. To the right, the park to the left a 15 foot tall iron gate. Closed. No employee or guard to ask how to access the wonders beyond the gate. Just no info on the gate at all. Sign when entering park says Japanese Gardens but no site of any thing remotely close to a garden. When I see just that gate I feel like the costs of everything beyond it are out landish and once past that gate youre stuck. No one wants to visit a jail for a day out with fam. The place is a prime example of typical business mistakes most small business's are failing for in this state nowadays. No visible signage from main street crossing entry, no visible cost of entry signs, if there's an employee on payroll, he damn sure isn't at this place. The place is government supported and is in no threat of going broke but for Pete's sake open the gate!! Let the world come see what they pay taxes to build and then have to pay to use. Id like to see the place someday...Open the...

My friend and I decided to come here today, I do photography as a hobby and thought it would be a perfect place to get some really good photos as well as just enjoy the day and the scenery of the Japanese Garden. Upon trying to enter the parking area we were told by the female security guard that dogs were not allowed. I get it all the time, I have a service dog that accompanies me wherever I go, so I started this to the security guard, she said it doesn't matter and denied us access, I informed her that denying access to someone with a service dog was actually illegal. She responded with "it's their policy, you can stay there if you want and I'll have LAPD come out and explain it to you". My blood was boiling and my desire to see anything inside of the gardens left me. I'm 100% NEVER coming back here. I have all his paperwork, that I don't even legally again have to show to gain access to a facility. So everyone who has a disability please do yourself a favor don't bother coming here. It's a waste of time and gas. I should have just let her call the real cops and let her make herself...