Pony rides and Los Angeles views at Griffith Park and then seeing the Hollywood Walk of Fame were part of our first day in Los Angeles.
(Our family spent three days in the Los Angeles area while my husband was at a conference. We began our summer trip to Las Vegas and then drove to Los Angeles and back. This drive allowed us to see both places out West!)
Griffith Park Pony Rides
Our first stop was on the east side of Griffith Park so Andrew could ride the ponies. They are different sizes for different weights.
Our son rode the medium-sized ones since the big ponies were on break. The ponies have breaks so some of them are not available at certain times.
We were lucky when we got there because there was going to be a break for all the ponies soon.
Located near the concession stand are restrooms. We grabbed some snacks as we waited in line after paying for his ticket.
It was fun to watch the kids ride the ponies.
Then it was his turn. I had to wait behind a fence and the pony handler took over. He put Andrew on the pony and allowed for a photo op before Andrew rode off.
He rode around twice and he loved it. I felt it was a good value for the chance to ride a pony.
Pony Sizes
- Pony-Go-Round minimum age is 1, maximum weight is 90 pounds.
- Slow Ponies – minimum age is 3, maximum weight is 75 pounds.
- Medium Ponies – minimum age is 4, maximum weight is 85 pounds.
- Big Ponies – minimum age is 7, maximum weight is 110 pounds.
Admission: $5 per rider
Griffith Park Petting Zoo (Same Area)
You can feed farm animals along with interacting with miniature goats, sheep, and rabbits.
We also allow kids to pet and groom the animals with a soft brush.
Admission: $5 for one child and includes one free adult admission if the child is under 14 years old.
Other Activity: Pony Barrel Ride (Same Area)
Another attraction here is the Pony Barrel Ride.
Kids sit in cut-off barrels behind a tractor going around the park area near the ponies for five and a half minutes.
Admission: $5
We did not do this activity and decided to do the Griffith Park and Southern Railroad.
Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday – Sunday, Closed Mondays
Address: 4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Griffith Park and Southern Railroad
The train is on the north end of the parking area and also has its own lot.
The train goes through the park and passes by a few sites. This includes a cactus garden, a recreation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and an old west town.
Hours: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and only 3:30 p.m. in Winter, Monday- Friday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and only 4:30 p.m. in Winter, Saturday- Sunday (Closed for lunch from 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. Weekdays)
Admission: $4 Adults; $3 Children; $3 Seniors
Address: 4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Near the train ride is a simulator ride that costs $5 for all ages which we did not do.
Griffith Park Observatory
Next, we headed up Vermont Canyon Road to the Griffith Park Observatory.
Reached by a different road than the ponies and railroad. There are free lots as you drive up to the observatory, but they require walking uphill.
The main parking lot at the top is $10 and you must take the receipt to the car and place it on the dashboard.
After paying the fee we walked up to the observatory to take a picture with the Hollywood sign.
Along the walkway around the observatory is a bust of James Dean. Filmed here was a scene in Dean’s movie “Rebel Without a Cause.”
Up by the observatory, you have skyline views of Lost Angeles.
The observatory was not open the day we were there, the hours of the park were longer.
Admission: The Observatory is free, but The Samuel Oschin Planetarium ticket is $7 for adults and children older than 12.
Observatory Hours: 12 – 10 p.m., Fridays; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday-Sunday; Closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
Park Hours: 5 a.m. – 10:30 p.m., Daily
Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
After checking out the observatory we drove to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Parking lots are available along Hollywood Boulevard. The best place to be is near TCL Chinese Theatre where you can also check out the Hollywood hand prints that are in front of the theatre.
Along the street I found Dolly Parton, Judy Garland, and Sally Field along with many actors and actresses I have not heard of.
At the TCL Chinese Theatre, we looked for the handprints of actors and actresses. We wanted to locate R2-D2 and C3PO from Star Wars, but no luck. Although my son was happy to find the Avengers prints.
After this, we headed back to the hotel after a full afternoon in Los Angeles.
TCL Chinese Theatre Address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
NOTE: I used public transportation the other two days but took a rental car to Griffith Park and the Hollywood area.
The two places in Griffith Park are not easily reached by each other so the rental car was the better option.
I could have used public transportation to the Hollywood area but I decided to go ahead and check it out since Griffith Park was near it.
Also, our stay was at the university where the conference was held so I am not able to make a hotel recommendation based on our stay.
EXPLORING THE LAS VEGAS AND LOS ANGELES AREAS
Los Angeles: A Day at Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica is where we swam in the ocean, checked out sea life at an aquarium, and rode the rides at Santa Monica Pier!
Explore LA: La Brea Tar Pits and Downtown
See the fossils of a saber-toothed tiger and the huge tusks of a wooly mammoth at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
Hoover Dam Experience
Staying the night near Hoover Dam allowed us to experience this dam without the crowds and explore the train tunnels used to help build it.
Doing Las Vegas With the Kid
See a clash of swords, watch a circus show, or visit an old west fort, which can all be a part of a trip to Las Vegas.
MORE OUT WEST ADVENTURES
Seattle: Touring the Space Needle
Space Needle panoramic views, a ride on a monorail, and watching a salmon run were part of a full day in Seattle.
Seeing Snoqualmie Falls
Gazing at the 270-foot cascading waterfall is the highlight of going to Snoqualmie Falls just outside of Seattle, Washington. Along with seeing the falls.
