Old Los Angeles Zoo

The Vibe: Hauntingly Beautiful Walking into the Old Zoo feels like stumbling onto the set of The Last of Us. While "abandoned" is the common term, it’s actually a public park. The juxtaposition of families having sunny Sunday picnics right in front of rusted, graffiti-covered iron cages is jarring but fascinating. It’s quiet, macabre, and deeply atmospheric. What You’ll See: • The Stone "Caves": These are the most iconic structures—large, man-made grottoes built into the hillside. You can walk inside them and see the perspective the animals (mostly bears and big cats) had while looking out at the public. • The Barred Cages: Smaller, more traditional metal cages sit along the trail. Many are open, allowing you to step inside for a claustrophobic, sobering look at early 20th-century animal care. • Street Art: The ruins are a canvas for local graffiti artists. While some see it as vandalism, it adds a layer of "urban grit" that makes the site a favorite for photographers and music video directors. It is a must-visit for anyone who loves urban exploration, LA history, or quirky photography spots. It’s one of the few places in Los Angeles where history hasn’t been torn down to build a luxury condo, but instead left to be reclaimed by nature.

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 worth the stop.

This now abandoned zoo is cool to visit and free! The old animal cages are interesting to see and you can walk right into them to see the back areas where animals used to hide in peace. Even better for both hiking and biking are two wide well-groomed trails with beautiful views of Glendale. They are named on Google Maps as the Lower and Upper Old Zoo trails.

We love coming to the old zoo. You can see where they used to keep the animals. Some cages are open but most are locked. They're also great hiking trails going up the mountain. As well as a nice playground area with plenty of benches and grass. You can have a lovely picnic and lay out under the trees. There are so many great places to choose from.

Picnic tables in the area which was once a cage. You can see the places where the animals were kept as well as many different cages. Free parking near by with a short walk to the site. All very clean and well kept.

Parking is obviously easier on a weekday. This is a good place for light hiking. None of the surrounding trails are strenuous at all. You’ll probably see some coyotes around the picnic areas :) Bathrooms are easily available near the parking lot!

The old LA zoo is very wonderful. Cite, to look at the history of what zoo life used to be, and how far we have come from there that period in time. There is a lot of nature surrounding you. But with that comes the dangers of nature being around you, including things such as coyotes, remember to be safe when you're walking trails.Especially ones that are so close to wilderness areas.

I went to the zoo because I found it on 'hidden gems' in LA. I was a bit disappointed as most of it is fenced off but there is a lovely area next to it where dozens of people were having barbecues. There is quite a bit of information about the old zoo which explains the poor conditions the animals had and makes you happy that animal welfare has come a long way from those times.