Los Angeles State Historic Park
Rate this placeNearby: Elysian Park Alpine Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Los Angeles State Historic Park is a 32-acre park located in downtown Los Angeles, California.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park opened in 2017 and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and families.
One of the main reasons to visit Los Angeles State Historic Park is to learn about the history of the area. The park is built on the site of the former Southern Pacific Railroad Yards, which played a vital role in the growth and development of Los Angeles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Some of the specific points of interest to see in the park include the Interpretive Center, which features exhibits on the history of the railroad yards, and the North Broadway Bridge, which offers stunning views of the Los Angeles skyline. Visitors can also enjoy walking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a large grassy field for sports and recreation.
Interesting facts about Los Angeles State Historic Park include the fact that it was nearly demolished to make way for a warehouse district in the early 2000s, but was saved by a grassroots campaign led by local residents and environmental activists. The park is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including several rare and endangered species.
The best time of year to visit Los Angeles State Historic Park is in the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and the park is in full bloom. Visitors should be aware that the park can get crowded on weekends and holidays, and parking can be limited.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Orlando
|
||
Gould Mesa
|
||
Millard
|
||
Henninger Flats
|
Elysian Park
Alpine Park
Buena Vista Hill Park
Los Angeles Plaza Park
Downey Recreation Center