DREAM ON ELM STREET
L.A.’S TREE CANOPIES OFFER SHADY RELIEF ON SUMMER’S HOTTEST DAYS.
TREES CAN solveso many problems.
On the hottest of summer days, their evergreen canopies cool our homes and streets and shelter us from ultraviolet rays.
Anyone who has gotten lost in the intricate details of an ancient African Cape chestnut tree in Elysian Park or the thick bark of a coast live oak in La Cañada Flintridge knows they are magical too.
As the coronavirus pandemic drags on, and we are constrained in our travels, L.A.’s urban forest — and the allure of the outdoors — feels more important than ever.
Trees may not be able to solve all our problems, but they can offer a leafy reprieve from the isolation and anxiety that come with COVID-19.
Here are a few of our favorite places to find shade in L.A. this summer, and you’ll find more online at latimes.com/lifestyle. Note that some parks and arboretums have limited hours and require timed ticketing. So call or consult websites before heading out, and don’t forget your face masks.
AUDUBON CENTER AT DEBS PARK
> The urban nature center in Montecito Heights has a beautiful tree canopy consisting of mostly Southern California black walnut, toyon and coast live oak, making it a beautiful place to walk and bird watch. It’s closed until Tuesday, so watch the website for updates. 4700 N. Griffin Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 221-2255, debspark.audubon.org
CHAVEZ RAVINE ARBORETUM
> Grand in scale, with approximately 140 types of trees from all over the world, the oldest arboretum in Los Angeles offers plenty of room to escape the heat while allowing for social distancing. Free. Chavez Ravine Road, Los Angeles, (213) 485-3287, laparks.org
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
> Claremont is home to 23,000 trees, including American elms along Indian Hill Avenue and in Memorial Park and the College Avenue eucalyptus trees. Camphor trees provide further shade in the city’s popular Claremont
Village. thevillage claremont.com
CORRIGANVILLE PARK
> The former Simi Valley movie ranch features four trails shaded by coast live oak and sycamore trees. 7001 Smith Road, Simi Valley, (805) 584-4400, rsrpd.org
CRESCENTA VALLEY COMMUNITY REGIONAL PARK
> Half the park, which offers three miles of trails shaded by sycamores and coast live oaks, loops around to the base of the Verdugos, where you can find coyote and bobcat scat from the night before. 3901 Dunsmore Ave., La Crescenta, (818) 249-5940, parks.lacounty.gov
DESCANSO GARDENS
> There’s a spectacular oak woodlands canopy here that provides a cool reprieve even on a triple-digit day. The canopy is thick enough that you can sit on a bench and enjoy the shade all day. Admission is $9 for adults, $4 for children 5 to 12. Advance tickets are currently required for nonmembers. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, descanso gardens.org
EL DORADO NATURE CENTER
> The 105-acre park includes stocked fishing lakes, a stream and walking trails. Parking is limited and costs $5 and up, cash only. Pedestrians and cyclists enter free. 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach, (562) 570-1745, long beach.gov
FERN DELL
> This 20-acre tree-shaded trail inside Griffith Park follows a trickling stream dotted with native coast live oak, Western sycamore, a huge Roxburgh fig tree and California coastal redwoods. Free. 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Feliz, laparks.org
KENNETH HAHN STATE RECREATION AREA
Enjoy the shadow of a eucalyptus, sumac and oak trees inside the 308-acre recreation area, just off La Cienega Boulevard in Baldwin Hills. 4100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, parks.ca.gov
POINT FERMIN PARK
> Curl up under a giant Moreton Bay fig tree and enjoy the ocean views and coastal breeze. 807 W Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, (310) 548-7705, laparks.org
RANCHO LOS ALAMITOS
> This historic landmark includes 4 acres of gardens, a ranch house and a restored barnyard surrounded by Canary Island palms and two enormous Moreton Bay fig trees. Free tickets are currently required. 400 E. Bixby Hill Road, Long Beach, (562) 431-3541, rancholosalamitos.com