Exposition Park

Though some of the majesty of past Olympics has faded (you’ll find the names of champions from 1932 and ’84 just outside the Memorial Coliseum), Exposition Park still stands as one of L.A.’s most significant institutions. You’ll find green spaces scattered around the USC-adjacent property, but the most charming section resides in the fragrant Rose Garden. Rest in one of the gazebos or take a stroll around the central fountain, all the while admiring its beautiful brick neighbors. If you’re up for the museum shuffle, take advantage of the free California African American Museum and California Science Center as well as the excellent Natural History Museum, which harbors a handsome nature walk and a seasonal butterfly garden. (The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will join the array of institutions in 2025.) With light rail service on the north end, the park has all the building blocks you’d expect for a traditional urban museum campus—and people say L.A. has no culture…