Barnsdall Art Park sits on Olive Hill in East Hollywood, at 4800 Hollywood Boulevard. Its lawns and terraces look towards the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory, with shade beneath large trees for a picnic or a quiet break. The park’s main architectural draw is Hollyhock House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; galleries, a theatre and arts spaces add more to explore. Check the house’s tour schedule before you go, since it is open to visitors only on certain days.
A hilltop arts park in East Hollywood
Barnsdall Art Park occupies Olive Hill above Hollywood Boulevard. Aline Barnsdall bought the land in 1919 and commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design a group of buildings. Her plans for a larger arts complex were never fully completed. In 1927, she gave the house and land to the City of Los Angeles for public use as an art park.
Today the grounds bring together open lawns, historic architecture and arts venues. The Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory can be seen from the hilltop. They are distant views, so a zoom lens can help if you want them prominent in a photograph. The lawn beside Hollyhock House is a place to sit, picnic and watch the light change over the city.
Hollyhock House and Wright’s design
Hollyhock House is the park’s best-known building. Designed by Wright for Barnsdall, it is among his early Los Angeles projects and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its angular forms and stone details include abstract references to the hollyhock flower. Visitors can see the house on scheduled tours, but access is not available every day, so check the current tour schedule before setting out.
The house is part of a wider group of buildings planned for the hill. Wright’s intended complex was never completed, but the site still serves as a place for art and cultural activity. The grounds and exterior give a sense of the relationship between the architecture and its hillside setting; entry to the house itself requires a ticket.
Galleries, events and time outdoors
The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and Barnsdall Gallery Theatre add exhibitions and performances to the park’s programme. The site also has arts spaces, including the Barnsdall Junior Arts Center, where outdoor murals and sculptures can be seen. Programmes and events vary, so check the park’s schedule if you are visiting for a particular activity.
The park works well as a short stop even if you do not tour the house. Walk the grounds, find a place in the shade and take in the views, or bring a blanket for the lawn. Trees provide sheltered spots, and the park has public restrooms. Parking is available at the top of the hill and at its foot, though spaces can be limited.
Häufige Fragen
Can you visit Hollyhock House?
Yes. The house is open for scheduled tours on certain days, and entry requires a ticket. Check the tour schedule before you go.
What can you see at Barnsdall Art Park?
The park has Hollyhock House, the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre and other arts spaces. Its hilltop grounds also look towards the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory.
How long should you spend at Barnsdall Art Park?
Allow about 1 to 2 hours to explore the grounds and visit the house if a tour is available.
Is there parking at Barnsdall Art Park?
Parking is available near the top of the hill and at its foot. Spaces can be limited.
