Five times the size of New York’s Central Park and home to the Griffith Observatory, Greek Theatre and Autry Museum, Los Angeles' communal backyard covers over 4300 acres of land, with over 50 miles of hiking trails. It's where you'll find the LA Zoo, quaint train museum Travel Town and the richly festooned, 1926-vintage Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, frequented by Walt Disney and his young daughters and the reputed inspiration for his future Anaheim theme park.

Locals come to this grassy community park on the bluffs to jog, picnic, watch wind- and kitesurfers, cool off in the shade of spreading magnolias, gaze at the silhouette of Catalina Island and enjoy live jazz on balmy summer Sundays. In the park is the restored 1874 Point Fermin Lighthouse (one of the oldest on the west coast). Nearby is Fort MacArthur Military Museum, the Korean Bell of Friendship and the aging biker bar, Walker's Cafe.

On gently rolling hills across from Malibu City Hall and next to the Malibu Country Mart, this 15-acre park is a microcosm of six Southern California landscapes all in one place: coastal prairies, vernal pools, woodlands, coastal bluffs, riparian corridor and wet meadow, all with inspirational views of the Malibu Hills. Natural scenes are punctuated with statues of local icons, from surfers to pail-toting beachgoers.

This gorgeous cliffside park is perched dramatically on the edge of the continent. Stretching 1.5 miles north from the pier, this palm-dotted greenway sees a mix of resident homeless people, joggers and tourists taking in the ocean and pier views. Sunsets are priceless.

This meticulously designed green space connects Ocean Avenue to the Santa Monica Civic Center area. Well-lit and maintained, there are palms and agave groves, kinetic sculptures, cascading fountains, amphitheater seating, trim lawns and an adorable, ergonomic playground for tots. Designer James Corner Field Operations also worked on, among other projects, the High Line in New York City.

Surrounded by shingled craftsmen homes that rise with the steep streets and looming hills to the north, and blessed with keyhole Downtown views to the south, this tranquil, enchanting park draws everyone from cool rockers and laid-back vatos (dudes), to families and bookworms. Originally a reservoir, its centrepiece lake is flanked by a cafe that rents out swan-shaped pedal boats for those wanting a relaxing aquatic break.

The centerpiece of MacArthur Park is its 14-foot deep lake. Originally a swamp, the lake reached 6th Street before the extension of Wilshire Boulevard sliced right through it in the 1930s, leading to the draining of its northern half. Today its glassy waters ripple with tales of suicide, drownings and showbiz lore: a bound Harry Houdini once plunged into (and escaped from) the lake, while Charlie Chaplin shot numerous films here, including his 1914 comedy, Twenty Minutes of Love.

Everything from free lunchtime yoga to music concerts and long days of lounging and people-watching takes place at this preened Downtown park, cascading from the Music Center down to City Hall. You'll find manicured lawns and plenty of benches on each tier, as well as free Wifi.

Radiating a Spanish Colonial vibe, this soothing courtyard garden connects Beverly Drive with Canon. It was built by the developers of the Montage to create more public usage of the hotel and at lunch the fountain-side picnic tables are full. It's also a lovely spot to work, with free Wifi and power sockets near the corners of the central courtyard.

Close by the Original Muscle Beach, the search for the next Bobby Fischer is on at the International Chess Park. There are more than 65 regular-sized chessboards set into the tables, plus a giant chessboard with giant pieces available from the police substation at the nearby pier. Anyone can join in.