Hike to the Griffith Park Teahouse

A collective of artists serruptitiously erect a teahouse on the side of an obscure peak in Griffith Park, and you get the zen moment.

The Griffith Park Teahouse was assembled on the side of Taco Peak at the end of June. The teahouse was constructed from redwood scavenged from the 2007 Griffith Park fire, thoughtfully designed and fabricated atop an existing concrete pad. It’s a wonderful little reminder of what makes LA special, and you should hike to it while you can.

The future of this fun little teahouse with the big views is still up in the air as park officials decide what to do with it, so go now.

UPDATE: The teahouse was moved from this location on July 28th. Not sure where it’s going to be moved to, but it wasn’t demolished. You can still hike to the site of the teahouse, enjoy the views, and imagine what was.

Thank you, LA. We’ll see you again. (Photo by Jeff Adam Ingalls.) pic.twitter.com/YkE1HbMGWv

— GriffithParkTeahouse (@GParkTeahouse) July 28, 2015

Trail Details

Distance: 2.4 miles
Time: 60-80 min.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 505 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Start at the Griffith Observatory parking lot, heading into the trees at the end of the parking lot directly across from the famous observatory. You will pass through the Berlin Forest — named in honor of LA’s sister city in Germany — and continue across the tunnel “bridge.”

Here’s where your grippy shoes come in handy. 

The main fire road veers left, but a steeper, shorter route peels up the slope. This trail is for the sure-footed. Follow it up to the next fire road, then turn right.

You’ll continue past Dante’s View and follow the main fire road as it curves left around Mt Hollywood. At the junction, continue straight across the ridge-line toward Taco Peak. When you see the trail with a big pipe in it (it almost doesn’t look like a trail)–take it. It continues for about 50 yards to a level clearing with a cluster of trees and…the Griffith Park Teahouse.

Breathe in deeply. Write your wish for LA on a shingle and hang in on the pegs inside, or read the wishes others have made. Then ring the bell, sip some tea, and enjoy your moment of zen.

The shingles are each stamped with one of several patterns, and visitors are encourage to write their wish down on and hang it on one of the pegs lining the inside of the tea house.

When you’re done soaking in the views and the positive vibes, retrace your steps to the trailhead.

Griffith Park Tea House Trail Map

Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version.

The shingles are each stamped with one of several patterns, and visitors are encourage to write their wish down on and hang it on one of the pegs lining the inside of the tea house.

Tea and pot.

Taken two weeks before the Tea House installation.

Griffith Park Tea House Tips

• The Griffith Observatory is closed on Mondays, but the parking lot still fills up with people who come just for the views. Well worth stopping to enjoy.
• There is a bathroom at the Griffith Observatory parking lot, and a cafe at the observatory.
• Early morning and late afternoon are my favorite times to hike here. Avoids the worst heat of the day, and makes for more colorful skies.
• Follow @GParkTeahouse on Twitter and Instagram
• Tag your photos with #gparkteahouse

More Griffith Park Tea House Resources

• Directions to the trailhead via Google Maps
• Download the GPX file
• A longer loop route via Modern Hiker
• Sign the petition to keep the Griffith Park Teahouse standing
• LA Times article on the opening of the teahouse

Griffith Park Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”90027″]