Old Los Angeles Zoo

Welcome to the sprawling, sun-drenched confines of Griffith Park, a tranquil sanctuary nestled within the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles. As you stand here today, surrounded by the rustling leaves of ancient oak and…

We begin our journey at the primary approach to the ruins, a space that currently serves as a popular picnic and recreation area. As you walk up from the parking lot, you are presented with a choice between a gently sloping paved…

We now stand before a row of incredibly small, dense iron bar cages built directly into the steep embankment. These crude structures are the oldest surviving elements of the nineteen twelve construction, and they offer a sobering…

You have now stepped off the main public pathway and entered the shadowy, oppressive realm of the keeper corridors. These narrow, concrete hallways run directly behind the main exhibition cages. …

Emerging back into the light along the main bend of the trail, we arrive at a distinctively different architectural zone. These are the primate and small mammal enclosures, heavily renovated during the nineteen thirties. …

You have now arrived at the undisputed architectural centerpiece of the Old Los Angeles Zoo. These are the grand bear grottos. …

As we walk further up the trail, moving toward the prominent rocky outcropping known as Bee Rock, the density of the cages thins out, and the environment feels significantly more isolated. Here, nestled deep into the hillside, we…

As we begin our descent back toward the main park entrance, the trail narrows, plunging into the heavy, shifting shadows of the deep forest canopy. The temperature drops noticeably here, and the thick foliage dampens the sounds…

We have now emerged from the shadows of the haunted trails and returned to the bright, open expanse of the main picnic area, bringing our journey through the ruins of the Old Los Angeles Zoo to a close. Standing here in the…