Best Things to Do in Los Angeles: 5 Perfect Outdoor Dining Spots

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Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles? Outdoor dining works really well here. The weather's usually good, and there are plenty of parks where you can actually sit down and enjoy your food.

I've tried enough spots around LA to know which ones work and which ones don't. Some look great but have terrible parking, others are nice but too windy to actually eat. Here are five best things to do in Los Angeles that involve food and parks – the ones I keep going back to.

Best Things to Do in Los Angeles: Echo Park

The center of the park has a lake with fountains and walking paths. Summer brings lotus flowers on the water, which makes for good scenery when you're eating.

I recommend the area behind the Nuestra Reina de Los Angeles statue – you get lake views and downtown skyline, plus shade from trees.

Along Park Avenue, food trucks offer different options. Look for Elote (Mexican grilled corn) – grilled corn with Mexican seasonings that actually tastes good.

Your hiking snacks taste even better when you're watching lotus flowers bloom while downtown LA rises behind the lake.

Location: 751 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026

Los Angeles Outdoor Dining: Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

This spot in Culver City has trails that go through the Baldwin Hills with views of LA – South Bay, Pacific Ocean, downtown, and San Gabriel Mountains.

There are playgrounds, sports fields, and barbecue areas. The trails work well if you want to walk before eating. You can work up an appetite and then find a spot to sit down with your food.

Location: 4100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043

Things to Do Los Angeles: Silver Lake Reservoir

Silver Lake Reservoir sits in LA's urban area. The trail around the lake works for walking, and the grass areas work for eating outside.

Set up by the lake and you get city views with some quiet. The setup here lets you take your time with meals – you can settle in and not feel rushed.

At the park's south end, dogs can run and play off-leash with other pups, while visitors can enjoy water views and local performances.

Location: 1900 Bellevue Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Best Things Los Angeles: Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park

This dog park sits in the San Fernando Valley, part of the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. Dogs can run around freely here. There are trees for shade and benches plus picnic tables.

This area was used for filming movies like "Terminator 2," especially the LA River channel parts. If you have a dog, this works well for combining dog exercise with outdoor eating.

Check out our waterfall hikes guide if you want to combine your LA outdoor dining with some actual hiking adventures.

Location: 17550 Victory Boulevard, Encino Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Ernest E. Debs Regional Park

This park in northeast Los Angeles is a little-known treasure. Near the Audubon Center, there's a wide lawn area that's perfect for picnics. From here you can see the distant downtown skyline, but you're far from the city noise.

The park has multiple easy trails, perfect for post-meal walks, plus a pond with lots of turtles and a children's playground. I especially recommend visiting on Sunday mornings – you can stop by the Audubon Center to learn about local ecology. Remember to bring binoculars, this place is great for bird watching too!

According to the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, these municipal parks are designed to provide diverse recreational opportunities for all residents, making them perfect foundations for memorable outdoor dining experiences.

For longer outdoor adventures, pack everything in a reliable bag – the 28L waterproof backpack works perfectly for carrying your outdoor dining supplies while keeping your hands free for setup.

Location: 4235 Monterey Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90032

Making the Best Things to Do in Los Angeles Work

Weather in Los Angeles is usually fine, but you still need to plan. According to the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, these parks provide recreational opportunities for residents, making them good foundations for outdoor dining.

Pack everything in a decent bag – the 28L waterproof backpack works well for carrying your outdoor dining supplies.

The best things to do in Los Angeles often involve slowing down enough to actually enjoy your food while looking at the scenery. These spots don't require expensive restaurants – just planning and picking the right place.

For more outdoor dining inspiration, check out our best hikes in Washington where locals have perfected the art of combining great trails with great food.

Have fun!