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Located in the Pacific Palisades, Will Rogers State Historic Park is one of Los Angeles’s best kept secrets. One of the most popular and highest paid actors of his time, Will Rogers purchased this 186-acre property during the 1920’s as a retreat for his friends and family. An avid rider and horse fanatic, Will Rogers built an expansive ranch which included a 31-room ranch house, stable, corrals, riding ring, and a polo field. In 1935, Will Rogers was the victim of a tragic plane crash, and following his wife’s death in 1944, the ranch was converted into a State Park.

One of the most popular activities to enjoy at Will Rogers State Historic Park is hiking. Take the easy/moderate 3-mile trail loop up to Inspiration Point where you’ll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and the Pacific Coast. If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, head up along the Backbone Trail into the Santa Monica Mountain. The trail offers a fantastic opportunity for mountain biking, horseback riding (BYOH – Bring Your Own Horse), and hiking – leading you as far as Point Mugu State Park in Malibu.

Will Rogers State Park is also popular for picnicking – there is tons of green space available for you to set up and enjoy picnic (first picture below).

For something completely different, head up to the park on the weekends for an exciting polo match. The polo field (second picture below) is the only regulation size field in Los Angeles County; in fact, it’s the only polo field period. During the season (April through October), the Will Rogers Polo Club holds matches on Saturday – from 2pm to 5pm, and Sunday – from 10am to 1pm. The matches are absolutely free to the public, so if you’ve never seen a game of polo in person, make sure to come by and check it out.

Getting Here

Getting to the park is quite simple. Take Sunset Blvd westbound towards Pacific Palisades and make a right on Will Rogers State Park Rd. You’ll take the road for about half a mile until you reach the park entrance. Entrance to the park is free but there is a $7 fee for parking.