Secret Walks #6: Elysian Park & Grace E. Simons Lodge, 2.5 miles.

This was Barbara's and my fourth trip to L.A.'s oldest (1886) and—at 600 acres—second largest park smack dab in middle of the city. We hiked the northwest section up and down dirt paths lined by a sea of mustard flowers under blue skies, with northern views of the mountains and southern views of downtown L.A. We renamed this hike "Happy Dog Trails" in honor of the scores of slap-happy dogs with lolled tongues and toothy smiles bouncing ahead or sniffing behind their owners. Tomorrow the park will be filled with picnickers celebrating opening day at Dodger Stadium across the street in the northeast section, but today was all about Mother Nature parading her Spring best. Stunningly beautiful—one of our favorites!