Old Los Angeles Zoo

The Old Los Angeles Zoo is one of the most unexpected places in the city — a set of 1930s-era zoo enclosures, iron cages, and concrete grottos tucked into Griffith Park, completely abandoned since 1966 when the current LA Zoo opened across the park. What remains is a genuine urban ruin, overgrown and atmospheric, that offers a kind of exploration experience you simply can't find anywhere else in LA.

For kids who are drawn to history, mystery, and hands-on discovery, this is gold. The empty cages are large enough to walk into (which children absolutely will do). The grottos have an almost jungle-like quality as vegetation has reclaimed them over the decades.

The concrete walls still show the painted murals and design details from the original zoo. There's even an old amphitheater nearby that adds to the historical character.

This is free — completely, entirely free. No admission, no parking fees in most of Griffith Park's lots. You're in a public park. The only cost is the picnic you should absolutely pack because there's no food service here.

The experience is best for kids ages 5 and up who can appreciate the exploration element. Very young children won't get much from abandoned concrete structures. But school-age kids, tweens, and teens consistently find it compelling — there's something genuinely thrilling about exploring the ruins of a real zoo.

Combining the Old Zoo with a hike on the nearby Griffith Park trails or a stop at the Los Angeles Zoo (the modern one) makes for a natural full-day Griffith Park outing. The contrast between the old ruins and the current zoo is itself an interesting conversation for older kids.