Why you should experience Old Los Angeles Zoo in Los Angeles, California.
Old Los Angeles Zoo in Los Angeles, California is an abandoned animal enclosure complex tucked into Griffith Park where concrete grottos and rusted gates remain as relics of a different era of zoological design.
Located in the northeastern section of Griffith Park near the current Los Angeles Zoo, the site preserves the skeletal remains of the city's former zoo, which operated here until the 1960s. Today, the enclosures stand empty, their barred windows and cave-like interiors open to hikers, explorers, and curious visitors who wander freely through what once housed big cats, bears, and primates. The terrain is dry and sunlit, eucalyptus trees casting shadows across cracked concrete. What was once structured containment now feels like an outdoor ruin. The experience is quiet, uncurated, and slightly surreal, a piece of municipal history left intact within one of Los Angeles' largest public parks.
What you should know about Old Los Angeles Zoo.
Old Los Angeles Zoo opened in 1912 and later expanded in the 1930s before ultimately being replaced by the modern Los Angeles Zoo facility in 1966.
The original enclosures were designed in the grotto style common to early 20th-century zoos, using artificial rock formations and recessed cages to simulate natural habitats while maintaining visibility for visitors. Over time, standards for animal care evolved, and the older infrastructure became outdated, prompting the construction of a new facility nearby. Rather than demolish the old structures entirely, the city left many of the grottos and holding areas standing. The result is a rare urban artifact: an accessible former zoo complex that visitors can physically enter. Graffiti, weathering, and vegetation have altered the surfaces, but the architectural layout remains clear. Walk through the back corridors and you can trace how animals were displayed, how keepers moved between enclosures, and how visitor pathways once guided crowds past steel-barred windows. The site offers a tangible study in how public spaces evolve and how recreational ethics shift across decades.
How to fold Old Los Angeles Zoo into your trip.
Old Los Angeles Zoo fits naturally into a broader Griffith Park exploration.
Wear comfortable shoes suitable for dirt paths and uneven ground, as the area blends paved remnants with natural terrain. Visit during daylight hours when the interiors of the grottos are easier to navigate and photograph. Pair the walk with nearby hiking trails or a visit to the current Los Angeles Zoo to experience the contrast between past and present zoological design. Approach the site with awareness and respect, as it remains an unsupervised public space. Fold Old Los Angeles Zoo into your Los Angeles itinerary as a reflective interlude defined by concrete, history, and the quiet persistence of structures that outlived their original purpose.
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