For a Weekend Diversion Head to Lake Hollywood

If you’re tired of Los Angeles traffic, looking for an affordable peaceful retreat and don’t want to drive over an hour to the beach, there is a free close refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city just around the corner from Toluca Lake.

Located minutes from Riverside Drive just below the Hollywood sign, there is a beautiful lake. Well, actually two lakes that make up the Hollywood reservoir.

Built by architect William Mulhulland in 1925, the reservoir was created to supply L.A. with water. The lake is 80 feet deep at its deepest and about 3 and a half miles around. Water flows 340 miles from the Sierra mountains and is pumped over the Hollywood Hills into the reservoir.

There’s a path perfect for strolling, jogging or biking around the lake winding through thickets of chaparral and pine trees. The paved road is traffic free and follows the perimeter of the lake, which because it is a source of drinking water is fenced off from use.

I dragged my neighbor to the reservoir to expand our weekend walks beyond Riverside Drive. We were surprised at the fabulous views of the Hollywood sign and the lake. I immediately added the reservoir to my list of places to take visiting friends from other cities.

In addition to joggers, bikers and walkers, redtail hawks, coyotes and grey foxes like to frequent the reservoir. Part of Lake Hollywood’s charm is that it is never really crowded. We saw about six people on our Sunday morning walk around the lake.

To get to the reservoir, take Barham Boulevard to Lake Hollywood Drive and follow the road south over the mountain until you see the lake.  Admission is free and the reservoir is open from 6:30 a.m. to dusk.