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and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in observance of New Year’s Day.

Expedition L.A.

Expedition L.A.

Spending time outdoors is associated with better mental and physical health, but many parks are not accessible to all Angelenos. Local parks and recreation areas may not be convenient or comfortable spaces for everyone. Sometimes finding the time, figuring out how to get there, and deciding what to do doesn’t come naturally.

Expedition L.A. is a series of programs designed to remove barriers and demystify the natural beauty that surrounds Los Angeles.

By providing various themed hikes and other outdoor-oriented activities, we hope to broaden your horizons inside and out. By the end of this series, you will have the tools to feel more comfortable in nature and be empowered to take your place in the care and use of these spaces – protecting them for the next generation to enjoy.

Expedition L.A. is made possible by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.


Events & Activities




Available to Los Angeles Public Library card holders, free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state park units operated by State Parks.


Track your Expedition L.A. hike and activity progress by marking the spaces on the printable bingo board!

  • 101 Hikes in Southern California: Exploring Mountains, Seashore, and Desert

    101 Hikes in Southern California: Exploring Mountains, Seashore, and Desert

    Schad, Jerry
  • 160 Great Hikes

    160 Great Hikes

    Stone, Robert
  • 50 Hikes With Kids: California

    50 Hikes With Kids: California

    Gorton, Wendy
  • 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles, Los Angeles: Including Ventura and Orange Counties

    60 Hikes Within 60 Miles, Los Angeles: Including Ventura and Orange Counties

    Randall, Laura
  • Afoot & Afield Los Angeles County: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide

    Afoot & Afield Los Angeles County: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide

    Schad, Jerry
  • Best Dog Hikes Southern California

    Best Dog Hikes Southern California

    Mullally, Linda B
  • Best Easy Day Hikes, West Los Angeles

    Best Easy Day Hikes, West Los Angeles

    Fox, Bryn
  • Best Hikes Near Los Angeles

    Best Hikes Near Los Angeles

    Riedel, Allen
  • California Plants: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora

    California Plants: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora

    Ritter, Matt
  • California State Park Rangers

    California State Park Rangers

    Lynch, Michael G
  • Coastal Trails of Southern California: Including Best Dog Friendly Beaches

    Coastal Trails of Southern California: Including Best Dog Friendly Beaches

    Mullally, Linda B.
  • Day Hikes & Overnights on the Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California: From the Mexican Border to Los Angeles County

    Day Hikes & Overnights on the Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California: From the Mexican Border to Los Angeles County

    Kast-Myers, Marlise
  • Day Hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains: From Los Angeles to Point Mugu, Including the Entire Backbone Trail

    Day Hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains: From Los Angeles to Point Mugu, Including the Entire Backbone Trail

    Stone, Robert
  • Day Hiking Los Angeles: City Parks, Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains

    Day Hiking Los Angeles: City Parks, Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains

    Schreiner, Casey
  • Discovering Griffith Park: A Local's Guide

    Discovering Griffith Park: A Local's Guide

    Schreiner, Casey
  • Ecstatic Trails: The 52 Best Day Hikes and Nature Walks In and Around Los Angeles

    Ecstatic Trails: The 52 Best Day Hikes and Nature Walks In and Around Los Angeles

    Campbell, Rob
  • Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures

    Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures

    Sheldrake, Merlin
  • Field Guide to California Insects

    Field Guide to California Insects

    Will, Kipling
  • Fodor’s Southern California: With Los Angeles, San Diego, the Central Coast & the Best Road Trips

    Fodor’s Southern California: With Los Angeles, San Diego, the Central Coast & the Best Road Trips

    Travel Guides, Fodor's
  • Hiking Southern California: A Guide to Southern California’s Greatest Hiking Adventures

    Hiking Southern California: A Guide to Southern California’s Greatest Hiking Adventures

    Scheer, Roddy
  • Hiking Waterfalls Southern California: A Guide to the Region’s Best Waterfall Hikes

    Hiking Waterfalls Southern California: A Guide to the Region’s Best Waterfall Hikes

    Thomas, Elizabeth
  • Hooked On Hiking: Southern California, 50 Hiking Adventures

    Hooked On Hiking: Southern California, 50 Hiking Adventures

    Brown, Ann Marie
  • Lonely Planet Best Day Hikes California

    Lonely Planet Best Day Hikes California

    Lonely Planet Publications (Firm)
  • Lonely Planet Best Day Walks California

    Lonely Planet Best Day Walks California

    Lonely Planet Publications (Firm)
  • Lonely Planet Best of California

    Lonely Planet Best of California

    Lonely Planet Publications (Firm)
  • Lonely Planet California

    Lonely Planet California

    Atkinson, Brett; Bender, Andrew; Benson, Sara; Bing, Alison; Bonetto, Cristian; Brash, Celeste; Bremn
  • Lonely Planet Pocket Los Angeles

    Lonely Planet Pocket Los Angeles

    Bender, Andrew
  • Los Angeles County: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide

    Los Angeles County: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide

    Schad, Jerry
  • Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles

    Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles

    Fleming, Charles
  • Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles

    Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles

    Fleming, Charles
  • Sibley Birds West: Field Guide to Birds of Western North America

    Sibley Birds West: Field Guide to Birds of Western North America

    Sibley, David
  • Top Trails: Los Angeles

    Top Trails: Los Angeles

    Schad, Jerry
  • Urban Hikes Southern California: A Guide to the Area’s Greatest Urban Hiking Adventures

    Urban Hikes Southern California: A Guide to the Area’s Greatest Urban Hiking Adventures

    Inman, Robert
  • Walking Los Angeles: 38 of the City's Most Vibrant Historic, Revitalized, and Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods

    Walking Los Angeles: 38 of the City's Most Vibrant Historic, Revitalized, and Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods

    Harris, Erin Mahoney
  • Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature in and Around Los Angeles

    Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature in and Around Los Angeles

    Higgins, Lila M.

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