Elysian Park (San Fernando, Lincoln: gangs, garden, safe)

[KnoxTown]

I was thinking about going down to take some pictures(i heard it has good views) and was wondering if anyone had been there. Will I be able to just park my car and walk around or it is hiking style? Is it really busy during the day?

What's the best way to get there? I was thinking 101S to Alvarado to Sunset to Elysian Park Drive...

[Hungry For Cheese]

Don't go on a Sunday during the summer or you might not like the lowriders and gangster looking people.

I always take 5S but I come from the Valley. I exit Stadium Way. Just mapquest it to find a good entrance. I actually like the back way coming down Elysian Dr. but I am unfamiliar with those streets. Expect to hike a small amount.

[nickdahammer]

Originally Posted by Hungry For Cheese

Don't go on a Sunday during the summer or you might not like the lowriders and gangster looking people.

I always take 5S but I come from the Valley. I exit Stadium Way. Just mapquest it to find a good entrance. I actually like the back way coming down Elysian Dr. but I am unfamiliar with those streets. Expect to hike a small amount.

I love the area around Radio Hill. Used to take my little brother there on weekends, never any issues, just great views. There is a little butterfly viewing path up there- it was kinda run down last time I was there but certainly unexpected. The botanical garden (kinda misleading, actually) area by the Grace Simons Lodge is nice and there are some nice little areas just up the hills on the Echo Park side.

[happ]

Originally Posted by nickdahammer

I love the area around Radio Hill. Used to take my little brother there on weekends, never any issues, just great views. There is a little butterfly viewing path up there- it was kinda run down last time I was there but certainly unexpected. The botanical garden (kinda misleading, actually) area by the Grace Simons Lodge is nice and there are some nice little areas just up the hills on the Echo Park side.

I enjoy the palm gardens & beautiful subtropical trees in winter. Its a safe park, in part, because the LAPD academy is in the park & Dodger stadium is close by.

[KnoxTown]

Thanks everyone. Is there a certain place I shuold park and start from?

[happ]

You can drive to most areas of the park w/ a little hiking to some outlook points.

[Sorcerer68]

The views! I love those closeup downtown views. Ahhhh....

[nickdahammer]

There is a little-used bikeway that dead-ends at Stadium Way, right at an entrance to the park. It's a bit of an adventure to get there: you go up some steps at San Fernando Road and the 110N in Lincoln Heights. Then you are at the start of the bikeway, right next to the freeway. Travel south over the river. You'll then come to a spiral staircase right at the crossroad/confluence of the I5, 110 and the river. It's quite a spot, with some incredible views.

Go up the stairs, then continue down along the path next to the freeway. It's a gradual downhill slope so you start picking up speed pretty fast. Take it to the end, then turn to your left, which is Stadium Way. Then you can head to the park, bike down to Chinatown, the Cornfield, etc.