Griffith Park (Images of America)

Carved from the former Spanish land grant known as Rancho

Los Feliz, Griffith Park, a rugged, 4,300-acre wilderness located

in the heart of Los Angeles, has been the principal playground for

Angelenos for over a century. Since 1896, when the land was donated

to the city by controversial philanthropist Col. Griffith J. Griffith,

generations of weekenders have picnicked, camped, golfed, ridden

horses, hiked, bicycled, and played ball in the park. To this day, visitors

still climb aboard its mini-train and merry-go-round and explore its

zoo, museums, amphitheater, and world-famous observatory. The park,

which lies in the shadow of the Hollywood sign, has been a frequent

filming site for legendary movies like Back to the Future, Birth of a

Nation, and Rebel Without a Cause.