Wild Backside of Griffith Park and LA River by Luxury E-Bike
Description
This is a more remote and rugged tour of Griffith Park to show the wild backside of this massive urban wilderness. Riders start on the LA River, roll into Griffith Park, the Ranger's Station and the old Zoo, dance like Ryan Gosling at Cathy's Corner (infamous site of the "LA LA Land" dance sequence) and head to Bee Rock for sweeping views of the valley across to the San Gabriel Mountains. You get a real scale of LA wrapping around the park. We'll also hug the largest avocado tree in the USA. NOTE this ride is cooler in summer, as sun is on the other side of the hill.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our local guide will meet you at our office, a dedicated bike bungalow in adorable Atwater Village, an easy walkable neighborhood known for its cafe scene and artisanal shopping. We'll introduce you to your ebike and get you acquainted (yes all the ebikes have names!) and fitted with safety gear.
We head off into quiet residential streets for the LA River.
We stop at the car-free "Red Car Bridge", so named after the legendary Red Car Trolleys that rumbled over the L.A. River at the same spot more than 60 years ago. The new metal bridge with red stripes running down its sides is only for pedestrians and cyclists. We'll also learn about our beloved LA River, the lifeblood of Los Angeles throughout its early history, providing essential water for life in this arid region. Without this river, LA would have never existed.
We'll drop by the Griffith Park Ranger Station and the vintage Griffith Park Carousel - an iconic Merry-Go-Round built in 1926 and featuring 68 elaborately decorated wooden horses & an organ, where Walt Disney's imagination first took flight.
We'll cycle amongst the ruins of this abandoned former zoo (1912 - 1966) which is now a hidden hiking spot with old cages and caves home to Shakespeare in the Park.
We'll head for Cathy's Corner, made recently famous by the movie LA LA Land with Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone’s dance sequence. This stop also offers a breathtaking view of the Valley, Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, the San Gabriel Mountains, Verdugo Hills and down into Royce's Canyon. We’ll then stop at The Notch, which overlook Hollywoods, WeHo (West Hollywood) Palos Verdes, Santa Moncia, Century City. On a clear day you can also see Catalina Island, the Pacific Ocean and Santa Barbara. Here we’ll veer off to Del Valley Vista Drive headed for Beehive Rock and other mega vistas of LA. We’ll stop at Cedar Grove, a local micro-forest that attracts Hollywood hikers to explore its unexpected, woodsy wildlife. Located on a low-profile Los Feliz hillside, this hidden gem offers sweeping city views of Glendale to Downtown, and Hollywood to the sea.
We'll roll further into Griffith Park. With over 4,210 acres of both natural chaparral-covered terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park has something for everyone.
The most significant geological outcrop and natural landmark within Griffith Park. Its highest elongated peak points toward the east, hovering over the Old Zoo, and towering over picnic areas and the Wilson-Harding Golf Course.
Leave the park and wend through quiet, residential streets, looking at homes spanish colonials....
We’ll head back to the LA River, stopping by the new La Kretz Crossing, also known as the North Atwater Bridge - a cable-stayed steel pedestrian bridge that crosses the Los Angeles River, linking Griffith Park with Atwater Village. We’ll pay a visit to a special Rose Gum tree, named by the LA Times as one of 10 beloved L.A. trees that Angelenos should enjoy — and protect at all costs. This Rose Gum, from Australia, is a cousin of the eucalyptuses, but from an older family line.
We’ll ride down LA River, past equestrian stables, to another smaller bridge at Sunnynook known as "Love Lock Bridge" where visitors have attach personalized padlocks to its railing, like it’s more famous Parisian cousin. Rolling back into Atwater Village's quiet residential streets we’ll pay our respects to a designated “national champion” - a huge avocado tree over 100 years old that is the largest of its kind in the nation.
Home Sweet Home - congratulations on an epic ride!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(10)
This was an amazing tour. Our tour guide was excellent, super friendly and very knowledgeable of the area. I have lived in LA for over 30 years and learned more about Griffith Park in 3 hours than I have learned in all of my time living here. The ride was beautiful and peaceful and with the e-bike it can either be easy or challenging depending on the effort you want to put into peddling. I highly recommend this tour.
G'day Gregory, Thank you for the kind words—and for choosing to ride the Wild Backside with us! It’s especially meaningful to impress a longtime Angeleno, and we’re thrilled to hear the tour gave you and Anna a fresh perspective on Griffith Park. That mix of peaceful scenery, local stories, and the choose-your-own-adventure pace is exactly what we love most about this ride. Whether you’re coasting with ease or powering up those climbs, it’s a pretty special corner of LA—and we’re so glad you got to experience it with us. Hope to welcome you both back again soon! Warmest regards, Shelli-Anne & Gavin
I had the marvelous good fortune to go on an eBike Tours L.A. tour through the hillsides around and behind Griffith Park. I’d never been on an ebike before, but Gavin (tour guide/owner/historian) walked us through the use of the very high-end and sturdy ebikes before we saddled up. Having the motion-amplifier of the ebike motor was great, particularly when going up hills! And the views were beautiful!! I have only good things to say about the whole experience. Gavin and Shelli-Anne were both terrific, professional but laid-back in the best way possible. I strongly recommend.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had such a positive first e-bike experience with us. Gavin takes great pride in making sure every rider feels confident and comfortable before we roll—and we’re so glad you enjoyed the stunning views and smooth hillsides of Griffith Park. It means the world to hear that you found the experience both professional and laid-back—that’s exactly the balance we aim for. Thanks again for riding with us, and we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure anytime you're in LA! 🚲🌿🌄
I loved the e-bike ride with E Bike Tours. It was so fun and an amazing way to experience Griffith Park. The bikes were great and Gavin was such a light hearted and fun guide with endless reservoirs of stories, wisdom and jokes. I highly recommend E Bike tours.
Tusind tak! You brought elegance and sparkle to the Griffith Park trails—cycling never looked so chic! We’re thrilled you loved the ride and that Gavin’s endless well of stories and cheeky humor made the journey even more memorable. The e-bikes certainly add that extra breeze of magic, and we’re so glad it all came together for an unforgettable LA experience. Tak for riding with us—we’d love to welcome you back anytime the West Coast calls again! 💫🚴♀️🇩🇰 Med venlig hilsen fra LA, Team E Bike Tours
Very pleasant ride with beautiful views. The e-bikes really helped our group with mixed fitness levels stay together going up the steeper hills. The tour guide was very organized and knowledgeable.
Thanks so much for the kind words! We love hearing that the e-bikes made the hills a breeze and helped your group stick together—it’s one of the best perks of riding with us! We’ll also be sure to pass along your compliments to your guide, who always aims to make every tour smooth and memorable. Come back anytime for more views and vibes with us!
Visiting LA and looking for a nature filled e-bike experience….look no further. Gav and Timo are expert guides, great fun and passionate about both bike and City. My daughter and I loved the ‘Wild Backside’ tour and as an LA resident she appreciated and learned just as much. 5 stars, must do LA experience. Thanks!
James, we absolutely loved having you and Willow join us on the Wild Backside of Griffith Park! And how about that perfect moment when Willow met Willow the bike? 😄 The lads had a fantastic time sharing LA’s hidden nature and stories with you both. It’s always a win when even the locals—like your daughter—walk away learning something new about this wild city! Thank you for the 5 stars and the kind words. Next time you’re back visiting Willow (your daughter, not the bike 😉), we’d love to have you both back out on the trails. Big cheers from all of us at E Bike Tours LA! 🚲🌿☀️
This tour is exactly what you need to get a feel for the Los Angeles region. Gavin leads you up to the top of the hills in Griffith Park along lightly traveled roads. Starting out near the zoo (ish), you start climbing through wilderness and once you reach the top, every minute you'll find a new vantagepoint overlooking to city. EBTLA is well-run, and safety is a priority. Also, the eBikes are easy to use and make the steep hills melt away.
Bryan + Terri Sue - thank you so much for your wonderful review of our 'Wild Backside of Griffith Park' loop! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the beauty of Los Angeles. Griffith Park truly offers some incredible views, and we're glad that our electric bikes helped make those climbs a breeze! Your feedback about the safety and ease of the experience means a lot to us, as we strive to make each ride both fun and smooth. We know you're big travelers so hope to see you again for another adventure soon! Cheers! Gavin and Shelli-Anne
We took a great trip on a June morning-before it got too hot. Richie was our tour guide and was assisted by Eve. The bikes were in excellent shape and Richie made sure we were all comfortable before hitting the road. Helmets, safety vests, water and snacks were included with the bikes. The four inch wide bike tires made it easy to ride on the various surfaces we encountered (asphalt, dirt, concrete). We rode about 18 miles and saw all of the famous sights in Griffen Park and by mid-ride we were at the top with fantastic LA views. We even saw rabbits and coyotes. I hope to take their other tour offerings the next time I am in LA.
Thank you for the fantastic review - you tackled 'The Wild Backside of Griffith Park' like a true explorer! 🚴♂️ Ritchie and Eve will be thrilled to know they helped make your ride such a smooth, fun adventure. Those 4-inch wide tires are like the secret sauce for cruising through all the different terrains—dirt, asphalt, concrete... bring it on! 🌟 And how cool that you got some LA wildlife sightings too—rabbits and coyotes make for some wild tour companions, right? 🐰🐺 We’d love to have you back to check out our other tours on your next LA trip. Until then, keep riding high and chasing those views! 🌄
This was such a fun tour. It's a very unique and adventurous way to see the park and the city. Being able to see everything by bike helped peel back more layers rather than being stuck in a car. The bikes took us places cars can't go and gave sweeping views of the city. Gavin has deep knowledge of it all... the route, the sights and the safest ways to get there. My only regret is not taking any pics. I will be doing another tour and bringing my camera.
Look forward to having you back again soon!
Wild and wooly Griffith Park ride with @ebiketoursla the day after massive rainfall was an ocular & cellular explosion of senses. I highly recommend it. Ever notice the clumpy bits along trails, all rutted and rocky? They were streams crossing our path, carrying away excess water from the still weeping soils. Dry arroyos magically flowed and tumbled lightly alongside our glide up into the secret part of the park that may have housed notorious P-22: Los Angeles’ beloved late lion. Grab a friend and reserve this ride and see for yourself the delights that lie in your own backyard.
Ocular and cellular explosion of senses - LOVE IT! So awesome to host such an appreciative audience!
I met up with Gavin my tour guide at his office in Atwater Village and he gave me a safety and instructional tour of the Aventon bikes we were riding. They are very robust machines with huge tires which make you feel very safe and comfortable! After stocking up on a few drinks and snacks we were off zooming down the bike paths of the LA river on our way to Griffith Park. We did a few stops on the way at the Autry museum, LA Zoo, Travel Museum and Gavin was constantly feeding me with information and history about spots along our route. It wasn’t long before we were climbing up the backside of the park with spectacular views of The San Fernando Valley. I’ve ridden my peddle bike up to The Observatory a few times and believe me this is a lot more enjoyable! You still have to peddle but going uphill at 15+ mph is quite the experience! Once at the summit we stopped to take pictures, drink and eat snacks and Gavin continued to feed me with information about the parks history and point out interesting sights such as Catalina Island and all the neighbourhoods you can see from “The Top Of LA” The decent was just as fun as the climb and after 3 hours I’m actually looking to buy my first e-bike! Thanks for a great day Gavin!
Thanks for such a deliciously detailed review!
