Explore: Greystone Mansion and Park (Los Angeles)

Greystone Mansion and Park in the City of Beverly Hills has long been on my list of places to visit in Los Angeles. I found myself with some free time one beautiful November day and took a spontaneous trip there. I always saw my visit including a small picnic on the grounds of the park, but that was not to be on this day.

Completed in 1928, Greystone used to sit on 12.58 acres of land owned by the Doheny family. Over the years, the property was subdivided and sold to various interests. In 1965, the City of Beverly Hills acquired the remaining portion of the property, including the mansion grounds, for $1.3 million. The city eventually dedicated the property as a park. Today, the park is open to the public and the grounds are a popular special events and film location. The property has been featured in such films as Ghostbusters, There Will Be Blood, Big Lebowski, and X-Men.

Greystone has always intrigued me for a number of reasons. First, it is a great example of repurposing a landmark. Second, it is a peaceful sanctuary in an urban setting. Third, it gives visitors a chance to see how the extremely wealthy live.

My favorite feature of the park is the descending staircase. The grounds feature a manicured and well-maintained garden and koi and turtle pond. Wandering the grounds and coming upon statues and fountains is a fun experience, and being one of LA’s more well-kept secrets, there are no crowds in this serene setting. The mansion itself is not open except for special events including weekly music presentations and a once a year tour of the mansion. 

View of the grounds from the parking lot

 

The mansion

Turtle Pond

Greystone Mansion and Park

905 Loma Vista Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Park Hours: 10 am to 5 pm
Admission to the grounds and parking are free

Things to do before I leave LA

- Eat a bacon-wrapped hot dog from a street cart
- Watch a Derby Dolls match
- Get a naked scrub down at a Korean spa
- Watts Tower
- Self-Realization Fellowship
- Palm Springs date shake
- Eat a chili burger at Tommy's

Things to Do in LA Before I leave

So as many of you know, I will be leaving the mild climes of Los Angeles to the arctic tundra of Washington DC in a few months time. As the unknown as of yet date approaches, I keep trying to come up with things I have to do before I leave and I need your help. For those of you in LA and those of you ex-Angelenos, what do you love to eat, do, and go? What do you miss? And what is on your list of "oh yeah, I've always wanted to do that?"