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.