Review: Echo Park Lake

What’s the vibe here? Echo Park Lake is in dozens of movies and TV shows, but it remains one of the most down-to-earth spots in Los Angeles. Since its renovation in 2014, the lake has become even more of a meeting point, picnic spot, and jogger's paradise. With plenty of ducks, swan-shaped pedal boats available for rent, and lotuses floating on the man-made body of water, the lake is a family-friendly and date-friendly destination, complete with a fountain that continuously shoots a stream of water 200 feet into the air. And there's plenty of street food options if you get hungry—try to find the lady who cooks blue flour quesadillas.

Any standout features or must-sees? Rent a swan-shaped pedal boat and cruise around the lake. Every July there is a Lotus Festival featuring dancing dragons and ornately decorated longboats.

Was it easy to get around? You can see from one end of the lake to the other—and it's easy to navigate. The lotuses are on the west side and the picnic hill and pedal boat rentals are on the east side. There are plenty of open benches, and the jogging path is a simple one-mile loop.

What—and who—is this best for? Echo Park Lake is perfect for families looking for an outdoorsy afternoon in notoriously unwalkable L.A.; anyone looking for a relaxing picnic; and couples looking for an alternative daytime date. Joggers delight at the wide path, as do those who love to see famous filming locations—classic scenes from Chinatown (1974) and Charlie Chaplin’s Twenty Minutes of Love (1914) were both filmed here, as was the swan boat scene from Under the Silver Lake (2018).