Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/71905
The coyote's call is familiar to residents living near Griffith Park. ABOVE: Travel Town features a world-famous scale steam rail- way as well as historic full-scale steam engines, drawing steam buffs from the world over. RIGHT: The Griffith Observatory is open to the public year 'round with an abundant offer- ing of exhibits and attractions. Photo by Tom LaBonge BELOW: Cahuenga Peak, the land adjacent to famed Holly- wood Sign, was added to Grif- fith Park in 2011. Photo by Tom LaBonge to Mount Lee, the place where the legendary Holly- wood sign is perched. In 2010 LaBonge was heavily in- volved with environmentalists and the Trust For Public Land in raising $12.5 million to save the surrounding land – known as Cahuenga Peak – from development. ey fa- mously covered the sign with a banner saying "SAVE THE longer. If you have more time, hike up beyond it for an even more amaz- ing view." You can also look down PEAK" and after reaching their goal (in- cluding $1 million from Playboy Maga- zine founder Hugh Hefner), the land was indeed donated to Griffith Park. Just near the for one or two hour trails through the park or the four hour Sunset Dinner or Lunch Ride, which stops for food (and maybe a margarita) at a Mexican Restaurant. 36 DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD / SUMMER 2012 Hollywood sign is the Sunset Ranch, where serious horse riders can saddle up the Harbor, Berlin has the Brandenburg Gate, China has the Great Wall, and here in Hollywood we have the Griffith Observatory." DH though, LaBonge has no hesitation about where you should go: "In Paris you see the Eiffel Tower, in Sydney there's wheels – albeit smaller ones – to be found if you hire a golf cart and play a round at one of the five golf courses. When you have reached your destination you can picnic, enjoy the flora and fauna or even watch – and perhaps take part – in sports: there's a baseball diamond (LaBonge is hoping to increase this number), soccer fields, basketball court, tennis courts and a summertime swimming pool known as "e Plunge". If you only have time for one trip into the park Before you return to your own car, there are four