Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip
Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - The Storied Sycamores of Griffith Park
Griffith Park, Los Angeles's sprawling urban parkland, is home to many natural wonders, but none as iconic as its stately sycamores. These majestic trees have borne witness to the park's history since its founding in 1896 and continue to draw visitors today with their beauty and grandeur.
The sycamores' white and brown mottled bark makes them easy to identify, even from a distance. Up close, their enormous trunks dominate the landscape, some measuring over 10 feet in diameter. Their branches spread wide, creating ample shade on hot L.A. days. Sitting under one of these sycamores feels like resting in a natural cathedral, the sunlight filtering down through the canopy high above.
Several sycamores in Griffith Park have achieved landmark status for their age, size and history. The Toluca Sycamore, estimated to be over 300 years old, bears a plaque marking it as the “oldest living thing in Los Angeles.” This mighty tree was already mature when the Tongva people dwelled in the area and Spanish missionaries arrived in the late 1700s.
Near the Travel Town Train Museum stands the Colonel Griffith Sycamore, named for the man who donated the land that became Griffith Park. At over 100 feet tall and more than 15 feet in diameter, this sycamore was likely a sapling when Colonel Griffith first explored these hills in 1882.
Picnic areas throughout the park invite visitors to rest and take in the scenery under the shade of the ever-present sycamores. A stroll through Fern Dell in the Western Canyon brings you past several sycamores that have grown up around the natural spring that gives the area its name. Even a ride on the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round in the Los Feliz neighborhood takes place under the outstretched limbs of noble sycamores.
For many, a trip to Griffith Park would not be complete without stopping to admire these gentle giants. Photographers capture the sycamores' sculptural shapes at sunrise and sunset. Kids challenge each other to tree climbing contests, scrambling up the huge gnarled trunks. And hikers seek out the trees' shade after making the trek to the Hollywood sign or up to the Griffith Observatory.
What else is in this post?
- Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - The Storied Sycamores of Griffith Park
- Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - Magnificent Maples of the Natural History Museum
- Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - Celebrating Cherry Blossom Season in Echo Park
- Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - The Towering Redwoods of Descanso Gardens
- Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - Marvel at the Mighty Oaks of Elysian Park
- Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - See the Splendor of the Jacarandas in Exposition Park
- Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - Grand Ginkgos and Glorious Elms at the Arboretum
- Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - Palms, Pines, and More at Franklin Canyon Park
Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - Magnificent Maples of the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is beloved by Angelenos as one of the city’s premier cultural institutions. Beyond its world-class exhibits, the museum is also home to a stunning outdoor space that highlights some of Southern California’s most beautiful trees—including several magnificent maples.
A stroll through the Nature Gardens behind the museum treats visitors to a veritable maple rainbow. Japanese maples with lacy green leaves stand out against the redbrick museum walls. Sugar maples splash the landscape with vibrant fall colors. And a grove of bigleaf maples towers overhead, providing ample shade along the garden paths.
The diversity of maples here allows you to compare their different shapes and sizes up close. Japanese maples are prized for their delicate, horizontally layered branching—almost like a cascading fountain frozen in time. Sugar maples have the classic maple leaf shape that adorns the Canadian flag, turning brilliant shades of orange and red in autumn. Bigleaf maples have the largest leaves of any maple, some measuring over a foot wide, which small children love comparing the size of their own heads to.
Beyond different foliage, the maple bark also varies between the species. The mature red bark of Japanese maples resembles peeling skin, showcasing warm tones of cinnamon and mahogany. Sugar maples have more subdued gray bark with thick vertical ridges running up their trunks. And bigleaf maples stand out with their own patchwork bark of olive green, silver, and brown.
For many visitors, the Natural History Museum is their first introduction to such a wide variety of maples in one location. It’s a great opportunity to observe how these trees compare and contrast depending on their lineage. Seeing the Japanese and sugar maple varieties side-by-side is a lesson in the diversity created by plant hybridization and cultivation over centuries.
In addition to the Nature Gardens, several stunning maple specimens can also be found gracing the front entrance of the museum. A towering red maple stands guard near the iconic Art Deco doors, its leaves a vibrant crimson beacon welcoming guests inside. And the lawn is dotted with large Japanese maples that frame the building’s imposing marble facade. Their cascades of autumn foliage steal the show each fall against the museum's white walls.
Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - Celebrating Cherry Blossom Season in Echo Park
Each spring, the cherry blossoms in Echo Park burst into bloom, transforming this Los Angeles neighborhood into a sea of pink and white flowers. For two fleeting weeks, locals flock to Echo Park Lake to partake in the Japanese tradition of hanami— cherry blossom viewing. Picnickers lay out blankets under the trees while photographers eagerly snap photos of the cotton candy clouds of flowers overhead. The fallen petals carpet the ground, releasing their sweet almond scent into the air.
While cherry blossom season draws crowds all over the world, from Kyoto to Washington, D.C., L.A.’s celebration in Echo Park has a particular intimacy and laidback atmosphere. The small scale of the neighborhood park makes hanami here feel communal, as strangers chat and share food under the boughs of the 20-some ornamental cherry trees that encircle the lake. Despite the crowds, there is an air of tranquility that surrounds the lake as people pause to appreciate the beauty of the short-lived blossoms.
Aficionados know to arrive early to secure a coveted spot under one of the largest, oldest cherry trees that tower over the southeast end of the lake near Glendale Blvd. These decades-old trees put on an especially stunning floral display, with branches that rain down confetti-like petals on delighted visitors. Photographers angle for close-ups capturing the flowers backlit in the morning sun. The fallen petals floating on the lake create scenic reflections in the water.
While professional photographers are there for the ‘gram, families are there for the memories. Parents lift small children up to touch the blossoms, the kids’ faces lighting up with delight. Teenagers pose flirtatiously for selfies under the flowering boughs. Grandparents reminisce about springs gone by, as another generation discovers the magic of hanami.
And while the blossoms steal the scene, the community is the real heart of Echo Park’s hanami tradition. Neighbors reconnect after long winter months spent indoors. Friends meet to share a meal and conversation under the trees, a serendipitous encounter with nature bringing people closer together. Hanami here isn’t just about admiring flowers—it’s about people coming out of hibernation to enjoy the company of others, all made a little giddy by the fleeting beauty surrounding them.
Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - The Towering Redwoods of Descanso Gardens
Among the camellias, roses, and lush greenery of Descanso Gardens, it’s the towering coast redwoods that make the biggest impression on visitors. These giants of the plant kingdom inspire awe with their colossal height and mythic aura. Make the pilgrimage under their canopy and you’ll understand why the redwoods capture imaginations worldwide.
It’s humbling to stand at the base of one of these ancient redwoods, peering skyward to try and glimpse its top. The mature specimens in Descanso Gardens reach up to 150 feet tall, higher than the average 15-story building. Even the youngest saplings stand over your head, giving you a sense of their potential for greatness. Reaching out to touch the furrowed bark, you marvel at how these giants have weathered storms and fires over centuries of growth.
There’s something primal about being enveloped in the cool shade under the redwood branches. A stillness settles over you, the outside world receding. It’s not difficult to understand why the native peoples of the California coast considered these trees sacred. The redwood grove becomes a cathedral-like retreat for reflection.
For children, there’s no better place for imaginary adventures than amid the massive redwood trunks. The hollowed bases are perfect for enacting childhood fantasies of everything from Fairy Houses to Ewok Villages. One young visitor commented, “It’s like being inside a treehouse as big as a mountain!” Scrambling over the giant roots and seeing ferns sprouting from the bark sparks wonder about the natural world.
And while each person’s experience is subjective, all come away transformed after visiting the redwoods. As one guest noted, “I feel small standing next to them, but also connected to something bigger.” Another remarked, “Seeing them reminds me of the things that matter beyond day-to-day life.” And one visitor mused, “It gives you perspective to think they were seedlings before the Roman Empire even existed!”
Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - Marvel at the Mighty Oaks of Elysian Park
Elysian Park's sprawling acres are home to some of the city's most magnificent oak trees. Majestic and mature, these hardy oaks have withstood the test of time to become hallowed monuments to Los Angeles history.
The park's largest concentration of mature oaks is found near the Chavez Ravine Arboretum. Towering valley oaks, recognizable by their thick trunks and sprawling canopies, dominate this landscape. Several over 100 feet tall cast cooling shade over the walking paths. "Their canopies are so wide, it's like being under a living roof," shares one visitor. Resting on a park bench surrounded by these gentle giants makes the hustle of downtown L.A. feel far away.
Throughout Elysian Park, you'll also spot stately coast live oaks, whose twisting branches add sculptural beauty to the hillsides. In contrast to the valley oaks' rounded crowns, the coast live oaks have a meandering silhouette, with branches dipping and curving as if animated. "Seeing their funky shapes makes me want to pick up a pen and sketch them," shares an amateur artist who finds inspiration in their form.
Several designated "heritage trees" in Elysian Park give testament to the oaks' impressive longevity. Near the Recreation Center stands a 300-year-old coast live oak believed to have been a mature tree when the Spanish arrived in the late 1700s. And not far away, an elder valley oak estimated to be over 500 years old spreads its colossal limbs, each nearly as thick around as an average tree trunk.
These elders stand as striking symbols of L.A.'s past. Imagine the histories they've witnessed, from native Tongva villages to the rise of modern Los Angeles. "I feel in awe, and emotionally moved, being in the presence of these ancient oaks," shares one visitor. "It's like being transported back centuries."
Beyond age, the oaks also represent L.A.'s natural heritage. They recall a time when oak savannas blanketed the basin's rolling hills and provided sustenance for indigenous peoples. Though the city has grown up around them, these hardy oaks continue spreading their branches defiantly toward the sun, refusing to relinquish their ground.
Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - See the Splendor of the Jacarandas in Exposition Park
Each spring, the jacarandas of Exposition Park erupt in a vivid display of purple blooms that turns the neighborhood into a sea of color. When the jacaranda trees explode into flower, locals flock to the park to admire and photograph the vivid floral show. The blossoms cascade down in a lavender waterfall, perfuming the air with their sweet, distinctive scent.
Seeing the jacarandas in full bloom is a delight for the senses. One visitor describes the experience as “walking through a cotton candy dream.” The vision of vivid purple flowers hanging over the sidewalks is almost surreal. Running your fingers along the hanging clusters of trumpet-shaped blooms, you’re amazed that anything growing in earthly soil could produce such electric hues.
Beyond visual splendor, Exposition Park’s jacarandas also provide welcome shade on hot L.A. afternoons. Locals bring picnic blankets to camp under the canopy of purple flowers. The dappled sunlight filtering through the petals creates a soothing, meditative atmosphere. Listening to the bees humming as they dart among the blossoms, many visitors find their busy thoughts calming as they relax into the moment.
For longtime residents, the jacarandas bring back fond memories. One reminisces, “When I was a kid, the blooming jacarandas signaled school was almost over for summer.” Neighbors reconnect under the trees, sharing stories of seasons past. And children make new memories, eagerly collecting fallen blossoms to press into scrapbooks.
In a city filled with exotic imports, the jacarandas represent Southern California’s inimitable flora. The trees originated in South America before being brought to California in the late 19th century. Over generations, they’ve adapted to flourish in the warm coastal climate. Seeing them thrive here is a point of pride for Angelenos.
Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - Grand Ginkgos and Glorious Elms at the Arboretum
A meander along the winding paths of the Los Angeles County Arboretum transports you into a living museum of the world’s most wondrous trees. But while palms, pines, and eucalyptus dazzle the crowds, it’s the Arboretum’s ginkgos and elms that offer hidden gems for tree enthusiasts.
Tucked away in a corner behind the Australian section grows an impressive stand of towering ginkgo biloba trees. Though they’re one of the world’s oldest tree species dating back 270 million years, ginkgos are relatively rare sights in modern landscapes. Getting to admire these “living fossils” up close is a special treat for nature lovers. Describing her encounter with these specimens, one visitor gushed, “Seeing the sheer size of the trunks, I felt like I was stepping back in time to the days of dinosaurs!”
Beyond massive trunk girth, the ginkgo’s distinct fan-shaped leaves also capture the imagination. Kids delight in comparing them to duck feet or butterflies. In autumn, the leaves transform into a vibrant golden cascade before dropping suddenly to carpet the ground. “It was magical, like seeing a tree raining gold coins,” shared one autumn visitor.
As one of few trees that thrive in urban settings, the ginkgo holds special meaning in Los Angeles. Several street trees planted in the 1930s have matured into local legends, showing the ginkgo’s resilience. Seeing them flourish at the Arboretum is a testament to the hardiness hidden within their prehistoric origins. As one guest noted, “They give me hope that life always finds a way, despite the odds.”
The stately elms scattered around the Arboretum also impart lessons about endurance. Once a ubiquitous urban tree, Dutch elm disease wiped out millions of elms in the 20th century. Walking among these surviving elm sentinels, you gain renewed appreciation for their grandeur.
One of the largest elms stands guard near the entrance, its weeping branches cascading gracefully down like a giant green fountain. Painters and photographers flock to capture its majestic form which seems destined for museum walls. Kids challenge each other to count its countless branches, eyes widening at the scale of this gentle giant.
"When I see them, I’m reminded how fragile life is, and how important it is to care deeply for living things bigger than us," shares one visitor. Though reduced in number, the Arboretum's mighty elms endure as evidence of why we must fight to protect vulnerable natural gems.
Leaf Peeping: 10 Majestic Trees in L.A. Worth the Trip - Palms, Pines, and More at Franklin Canyon Park
Amid the rolling hills between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley lies Franklin Canyon Park, an oasis of natural beauty in the heart of Los Angeles. Beyond its scenic lake and lush lawns, this 605-acre park is also home to a fascinating diversity of trees. Meandering the trails here leads you past palm, pine, and cypress specimens that tell the tale of Southern California’s complex flora.
Perhaps most emblematic of the region are the park’s stately Mexican fan palms. Towering over 100 feet tall, these iconic palms evoke the sun-kissed landscapes of old Hollywood and midcentury suburbia. “Seeing their silhouette against the sky transports me to a glamorous poolside party in the 60s,” shares one visitor. Up close, the thick trunks are etched with the scars of old leaf fronds, hints of the decades these veterans have weathered.
Scattered among the palms, Aleppo pines also add texture with their scaly bark and umbrella-like canopies. In sharp contrast to the bare palm trunks, the pines’ stout branches burst with soft needles in hues of sage and seafoam. “Being under one feels like hiding inside a sheltering cave,” describes a mother picnicking with her kids in the pine’s shade. Cones litter the ground, tempting kids to collect these textured treasures.
The park’s Monterey cypress specimens also invite curiosity. Found along the Franklin Canyon Lake, their exposed roots gnarl down cliffsides like serpents frozen in place. Visitors are challenged to balance as they follow the loop trail tracing close along the water’s edge. The cypress knees contain worlds within them—birds nest among the hollows while lizards dart under twisting roots. “It’s like venturing into the giant’s arboreal playground,” shares one visitor.
Seeing this blend of palms, pines, and cypress together sparks an appreciation for L.A.’s crossroads location where arid desert meets coastal range. The diversity reflects the city’s history as an experimental horticultural melting pot. “It’s amazing to see symbols of different California ecosystems blending together in harmony here,” shares a botanist admiring the palm-pine-cypress bouquet.