Trail Review: Greek Theatre to Vista Viewpoint via the Riverside Trail, Griffith Park

Alyssa
May 1
3 min read

Updated: May 5

Trailhead: The Greek Theatre, 2700 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Parking: Free parking in the lot next to the Greek Theatre unless there is an event going on. There is free street parking on some side roads like Commonwealth Canyon Drive and Vista Del Valle Drive.

Distance: 2.6 miles out & back

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Griffith Park is a great place to visit in the spring. After the rainy season has brought some much needed hydration to the area, the park ends up with such lovely flowers and greenery. So recently, I decided I wanted to do a hike I've done many times before but haven't yet reviewed so that I could see the springtime florals of Griffith Park!

Cars parked in a lot under a clear sky, surrounded by tall trees. — Greek Theatre parking lot

The path is called Riverside Trail and it starts directly across from the Greek Theatre parking lot. On a week day, there is usually plenty of free parking either in the lot or along the side streets. On the weekends, you may have to loop around the parking lot or the street waiting for someone to leave... What can I say? Griffith Park is a popular place!

If you're able to park in the parking lot, the trailhead for Riverside Trail is directly across from the northern section of the lot. There is a crosswalk at the south end but if you don't feel like walking down there to cross, just be very careful crossing four lanes of traffic!

The hike immediately begins with a short uphill section to get the heart rate up. It's only about a tenth of a mile and then it quickly flattens out for some time. For another half mile or so, it's a nice, relatively easy walk along a path that overlooks the Vermont Canyon Tennis Courts. You'll also be able to see Downtown LA and get a peak into the Greek Theatre.

About half way around the tennis courts section, the trail makes a slight dip and meets up with a path that would lead you directly to the tennis courts to your right. Just stay on the main path and back up hill (or take a rest on the nice, little bench shaded by a tree!).

Dirt path curves through lush green hills under blue sky. Red bench sits beneath a large tree, casting shade on the ground. Serene setting.

The easy part of the hike ends as you turn a corner at the end of the canyon with the tennis courts. The trail dips one more time to intersect with a short path that would bring you to Commonwealth Canyon Drive; a paved road that would lead you back to the Greek Theatre. If you don't want to do the harder part of this hike, now would be the time to turn back or take the road back.

Dirt path divides in lush, green park under a clear blue sky. Hills in the background. A trash bin and post are visible on the right. — The path down & to the right leads to Commonwealth Canyon Dr.

Once the trail starts gaining elevation again, this will be the longest stretch of uphill hiking. It's about three tenths of a mile and it definitely got my heart rate up again. Thankfully, it's a wide trail and there are lots of places to stop, rest, and take in the view.

You'll know you're at the end when you see a small green hut. Once you pass the hut, the Vista Viewpoint is just to the right on the paved road. The viewpoint itself is a large paved semi-circle and you can easily see much of Los Angeles from it. It's a great place to rest and eat a snack. You may even catch a glimpse of a hawk (which I did!)