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Spring is here, so now is the perfect time for an entertaining dinner in the open air, such as picnics.
Grab a blanket, a ball or a frisbee and your favorite foods. And if you need more motivation, it’s your duty: Sunday is National Picnic Day.
Here are some suggestions of where you can pack it:
Griffith Park: 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles; 323-913-4688; www.laparks.org/griffithpark; Urban oasis with hiking and horseback riding trails, views of the city of dynamite and the Los Angeles Zoo
Irvine Regional Park: 1 Irvine Road, Orange; 714-97306835; www.ocparks.com; 475 acres of parkland, bike and walking trails, a lake, pony rides, and a fun railroad
Glen Helen Regional Park: 2555 Glen Helen Parkway, San Bernardino; 909-887-7540; cms.sbcounty.gov/parks; several picnic areas, two lakes, an aquatic complex with swimming pool; and large spaces to run and play
Riley’s farm: 12261 Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa; 909-797-7534; www.rileysfarm.com; multiple places to stop and all kinds of activities on Saturdays including tomahawk throwing, archery and candle soaking
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve: 39400 Clinton Keith Road, Murrieta; 951-677-6951; www.Rivcoparks.org; 9,000 acres of land protected and home to native trees, riparian wetlands, 49 endangered or threatened animal and plant species, hiking trails, and the Moreno and Machado Adobes
Joshua Tree National Park: Near Twentynine Palms; 760-367-5500; www.joshuatree.org; hiking trails, boulder jumps, ranger programs and wildflowers
Roches de Vasquez Natural Park: 10700 Escondido Canyon Road, Agua Dulce; 661-268-0840, parcs.lacounty.gov. 932 acres of rock formations, interpretive center, hiking, climbing and photo opportunities as it is the filming location for many TV shows
Arlington Garden: 275 Arlington Drive, Pasadena; 626-441-4478; facebook.com/arlingtongarden; small 3 acre botanical garden built by the community and is the only free public garden in town
Barnsdall Art Park: 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles; barnsdall.org; 11-acre park with grassy areas offering beautiful views of the city of Los Angeles and adjacent to the Hollyhock House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery
Los Arboles Park: 5101 Calle De Ricardo, Torrance; www.torranceca.gov/22183.htm Known to residents simply as Rocketship Park due to its 28-foot steel spacecraft in its play area, the 6-acre property is considered one of the highest spots in the area, offering a breathtaking view of Torrance, the areas of Palos Verdes and Los Angeles.
Roseraie exhibition center: 701 State Drive, Los Angeles; 213-763-0114; www.laparks.org/park/exposition-rose-garden; a magnificent 7 acre rose garden surrounded by the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, California Science Center, fountains and great views of USC, located across the street.
Hasley Canyon Park: 28700 Quincy St., Castaic; 661-259-1750; parcs.lacounty.gov; playground, hiking trails and plenty of space to run
Carbon Canyon Regional Park: 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea; 714-973-3160; ocparks.com/parks/carbone; 124 acres with hiking trails, horseshoe pits, tennis and volleyball courts, and barbecue grills
Huntington Beach Central Park: 18002 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach; 714-536-5486; www.huntingtonbeachca.gov; 343 acres with dog park, fishing, Frisbee golf course, driving range and nature center
Crystal Cove State Park: 8471 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach; 949-494-3539; www.crystalcovestatepark.org; 5.2 miles of pristine Pacific coastline dotted with canyons and the charming historic district of Crystal Cove of beach houses and plenty of inland hiking trails
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