Pan Pacific Park

The wondrous thing about Pan Pacific Park is that it's in the middle of a very busy section of Los Angeles near The Grove Mall, The Original Farmers Market and bustling Fairfax Avenue. However, stepping into this 28-acre Los Angeles Park is a nice respite for locals and visitors. With a .75-mile, semi-hilly walking loop, basketball court, three baseball diamonds, soccer field (often dirt in the summer), children's play area, picnic tables and barbeque pits, Pan Pacific Park offers much to the urban dweller. Adjacent to the Park is also Pan Pacific Recreation Center, which comprises a summer pool (outdoors/unheated), as well as indoor basketball court and gym that offers classes for kids and adults alike.

Must See/Do at Pan Pacific Park
Pan Pacific Park celebrates the all-ages diversity of Los Angeles. For those looking to exercise, walk or jog along the hilly path or utilize the gym equipment located at the center of the Park. (Note: there is a more formal gym in the Pan Pacific Park Recreation Center.) For dog owners, Pan Pacific Park allows dogs, but they must be on leash. Catch the multitude competitive sports—little league baseball and soccer games are played throughout the weekend. Or sit on the grass under a tree and read (or people watch—local celebrities have been spotted).

Visiting the Pan Pacific Park
Pan Pacific Park and Recreation Center is located at 7600 Beverly Blvd. The Park encompasses an area between The Grove Drive and N. Gardner Street between Beverly Blvd. and Third Street. There is ample parking in the lot next to the Recreation Center off Beverly Blvd. There is also street parking along Third Street. The Park's hours of operation are primarily dawn to dusk, daily. The Recreation Center is open Mondays 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesdays through Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday the Recreation Center is closed.

Food at the Pan Pacific Park
There is no food at the Pan Pacific Park. However there are picnic tables and barbeque pits throughout the park, for visitors to bring in and enjoy their own food (The Grove and The Original Farmers Market are only a few blocks west). There are several drinking fountains around the walking/jogging path, as well as a portable toilet near the soccer field. Inside the Recreation Center, there are men and women's bathrooms.

Insider tips for visitors to Pan Pacific Park
Pan Pacific Park is a great spot for family/friend barbeques or children's parties. After a visit, one can walk one block west to The Grove Mall or visit the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust at the northwest corner of Pan Pacific Park, which offers free admission.

Author's bio: Lori Huck works in television development as well as writes on entertainment, the arts, and travel. She's a fan of the vibrant arts scene in Los Angeles and is a member of various film, TV and arts organizations. She's also a fan of Parks.