Old LA Zoo Ruins

Today our group of offbeat adventurers searched Griffith Park to find the ruins of the Old Los Angeles Zoo. The original zoo opened at this location (just south of the present one) in 1913. Inadequately funded and maintained by the city, the zoo struggled for years with bad press and animal escapes (in fact during the first world war many of the animals died as a result of food rationing and improper care and housing) Later voters approved an eight million dollar bond to move the zoo to its present location. We decided to look for the fragments of this first zoo that still remain in the park.

Old Los Angeles Zoo Ruins: Large Animal Habitat

Just northwest of the Griffith Park Carousal (an old working Merry-Go-Round that is not only a creepy but a nostalgic remembrance of childhood or being tormented by Freddy Cougar) the ruins can be found.

Note: If you want to take the Offbeat Frontier Trail (by this I mean going off the beaten path, hiking 50 yrds up a hill that seems to be a construction zone or future site for the fourth Jurassic Park film, all one has to do is veer left at the playground.)

Past a playground four to five rock cave habitats are still intact. (Pictured above)

The first has a picnic area (perfect for the five year old bear hibernation themed birthday party) The second habit is by far the best as you can explore the man made cave and animal holding cells. Straight out of a scene from the Warriors or Escape from L.A., you can climb up this urban cave filled with graffiti and beer bottles. A real treat. Through out the complex there are buildings that time forgot that are waiting to be ventured into. (As long as they are accessible, i.e. broken fence and/or wall).

Old Los Angeles Zoo Ruins: More Cages

A few yards away are an array of cages (that possibly housed birds, reptiles, and the original cast of the Little Rascals).

The best part about this whole venture is that you can experience a place that time has seemed to forgot. The visitor sees how nature takes over what we build over time. Fascinating and fun.

So far this trip has been by far the best that the Offbeat Frontier has discovered. A great place to visit and simply explore. The group took a short hike around the park, suckers.

Amazing how in the middle of this urban area filled with traffic and the stresses that city offers, that a piece of the wilderness still can coexist. A nice local escape.

Definitely looking foreword to returning and exploring what the park has to offer.

Fore more photos and videos, check out the Offbeat Frontier Facebook Group Page of Awesomeness.