Parks, Gardens & The Los Angeles Zoo

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Parks

Check out Pan Pacific Park, a hilly retreat near the Farmers Market and CBS Studios, named for the Art Deco auditorium that, unfortunately, no longer stands at its edge.

Greystone Mansion--If you've seen The Witches of Eastwick or War and Remembrance, then you already know how beautiful and opulent the Greystone Mansion and surrounding gardens are. Situated on a gentle slope overlooking Beverly Hills, the 18 1/2-acre park is a prime filming location where dozens of TV episodes, movies (Spiderman, X-Men, Batman, Ghostbusters, The Bodyguard), commercials, and music videos are filmed annually. It's worth a visit just to admire the matriarch of Beverly Hills mansions and the meticulously groomed gardens. A self-guided tour takes you through the Formal Gardens, Mansion Gardens, and Lower Ground Estate. Picnics are welcome in designated areas (as are dogs), and Afternoon Tea on the Terrace is offered 1 Saturday per month from May through August at 4pm. The price is $34 for nonresidents and includes musical entertainment and a tour of the Mansion's first floor. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling tel. 310/550-4796. The park is located at 905 Loma Vista Dr., just off Doheny, and is open daily from 10am to sunset. Admission is free. For more information, log on to www.beverlyhills.org.

Sunset Margarita Horse Rides--This is so cool. Every Friday night, the Sunset Ranch Hollywood Stables company hosts the Friday Night Dinner Ride. They saddle you up on a big ol' horse, and then y'all take a scenic 1 1/2-hour ride through Griffith Park -- with the city lights shining far below -- to the Viva Fresh Mexican restaurant in Burbank. After dinner and a few tasty margaritas, you mount up and ride back to the ranch, arriving at about 11pm. Is that cool or what? Anyone under 250 pounds can go, and no reservations are required -- it's strictly first come, first served. The ride costs $50, not including dinner and drinks (they just get you there -- they don't serve you). Sign up begins at 4:30pm and the ride leaves at 5:30pm. Consider yourself warned, however: Many a sore derriere has wished it hadn't been subjected to 180 minutes in the saddle. The ranch is located at the very end of Beachwood Drive off of Franklin Avenue, just under the HOLLYWOOD sign. For more information, call tel. 323/469-5450 or log on to www.sunsetranchhollywood.com.

Views

It's not always easy to get a good city view in Los Angeles. Even if you find the right vantage, the smog may keep you from having any kind of panorama. But, as they say, on a clear day, you can see forever. One of the best views of the city can be had from Griffith Observatory; unfortunately, it's closed for renovation until May 2006, but you can still walk around the grounds. The view of Santa Monica Bay from the end of Santa Monica Pier is also great.