What to do for Mother’s Day in Los Angeles?

Griffith Park is full of hidden gems, but Amir’s Garden is particularly unique to discover with a mom who loves the idea of ​​hiking uphill. The 0.4 mile hike, which is steep at first, ends at a shaded garden filled with lush greenery. Once you pass water reservoir #73 you are about halfway there.

Bring a lunch and relax at one of the few picnic tables (have a rag handy to wipe off dust and absorb small water spots). Then stroll through the 5-acre garden first lovingly planted in the 1970s by Amir Dialameh after a bushfire left a landscape of scorched earth and tree stumps. You’ll feel transported out of LA into a secret garden, until you return to the main trail and see the Glendale city skyline, the LA Zoo, and a driving range. Keep in mind that the sandy trail may seem slippery on the way down at the end.

Park at the Mineral Wells Picnic Area, which is on Mineral Wells Road off Griffith Park Drive. You will see a yellow gate in front of the entrance to the nearby Fire Road, also known as North Trail. This will take you to Amir’s Garden. You can also park near the Wilson Harding Driving Range and walk up the Mineral Wells Trail which starts at the intersection of Griffith Park Drive and Camp Road, but this will add another 0.4 miles to your hike. You may hear coyotes barking in the distance.

If your mom loves trail walking but prefers a mostly flat, tree-covered trail, head to the Ferndell Nature Trailwhich is about a half mile round trip and features over 50 species of ferns. Trails, a café offering coffee, sandwiches and pies, is nearby. Rhubarb is a favorite. Street parking along Fern Dell and Black Oak driveways. —Brittany Levine Beckman

📍: Griffith Park
⏰: Griffith Park is open from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; unless you want night hike, go before dusk. The Trails are open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays
💰: Free, unless you grab a bite to eat at The Trails