Why visit
Grand Park offers one of the easiest, most central green breaks in Downtown LA, with no admission fee, direct Metro access, and a clear sightline to the iconic City Hall tower. It's ideal for travelers combining nearby museums and concert halls who want a relaxed outdoor spot to regroup, picnic, or catch a free community event.
Stretching across four blocks between the Music Center and Los Angeles City Hall, Grand Park is one of Downtown's most accessible open spaces, threading together civic buildings, a performance lawn, and shaded terraces. The park's signature magenta movable chairs and the restored Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain give it a playful, photographable identity, while broad walkways connect Grand Avenue at the top to Spring Street at the bottom. On a typical day you'll see office workers eating lunch, families letting kids splash in the membrane fountain, and visitors lining up the perfect shot of City Hall framed at the end of the green.
The park is also LA's go-to gathering place for large free programming, from cultural festivals and farmers markets to its enormous New Year's Eve celebration. Because it sits directly atop the Civic Center Metro station and is surrounded by the Music Center, The Broad, and Walt Disney Concert Hall, it works well as a starting or resting point for a Downtown arts day. Bring a blanket, grab a coffee from a nearby cafe, and you can easily spend an hour people-watching with the skyline as a backdrop.
History
Grand Park opened in 2012 as part of the broader Grand Avenue civic revitalization, transforming an underused stretch of Civic Center land into a continuous public park. It preserved and restored the historic Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain, originally dedicated decades earlier, as its central water feature, and was conceived as a deliberately inclusive 'park for everyone' linking the cultural institutions of Bunker Hill with the seat of city and county government below.
Insider Tips
- ✦Combine a visit with The Broad or Walt Disney Concert Hall just uphill on Grand Avenue.
- ✦Bring a blanket for an impromptu picnic on the performance lawn.
- ✦Arrive early for major festivals, as crowds and security lines build quickly.
Photo Tips
- 📸Shoot from the upper terraces to frame City Hall at the end of the green lawn.
- 📸Catch the pink chairs and fountain together for a pop of signature color.
- 📸Golden hour light softens the surrounding office towers for warmer skyline shots.
Before You Go
- ✓Check the events calendar before visiting, since festivals can change access and parking.
- ✓A common mistake is driving when the Metro stop is literally under the park, so consider transit.
- ✓Confirm whether the fountain is running if your kids plan to splash.
Visiting with family
Kids love splashing in the membrane fountain on warm days, so pack a towel and a change of clothes. The open lawns are great for letting little ones burn off energy between Downtown stops.
Where to Eat Nearby
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Grand Park FAQ
Is Grand Park free to visit?
Yes, the park is free to enter, though some special events may have separate ticketing, so confirm before visiting.
Can kids play in the fountain?
On warm days families often let children splash in the membrane fountain; bring towels and confirm it is running before you go.
How do I get there without a car?
The Civic Center/Grand Park Metro station sits directly beneath the park, making transit very convenient.
Nearby Neighborhoods
DowntownLittle Tokyo
Little Tokyo is one of only three remaining historic Japantowns in the United States, a compact and walkable enclave on the eastern edge of Downtown LA. It pairs century-old institutions and temples with ramen counters, mochi shops, and a thriving contemporary arts scene.
DowntownChinatown
LA's Chinatown is a colorful slice of Downtown blending classic Chinese architecture with a new generation of art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Its Central Plaza, with neon signage and pagoda rooflines, remains one of the city's most photogenic corners.
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Grand Park on the map
See Grand Park and what's nearby in downtown-la.
Map pins are approximate and for visitor planning only — they may not mark the exact entrance or parking. Please check official directions before visiting.
Places shown on this map (6)
- Grand Park — Parks
- Los Angeles City Hall — Architecture
- Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels — Architecture
- MOCA Grand Avenue — Museums
- Little Tokyo — Neighborhood
- Chinatown — Neighborhood