Even in a city of 3.9 million people, there are places to be found in Los Angeles where you can simply exist alone; many of these places are unknown to greater Los Angeles. While it’s easy to find popular brunch spots and places to take Instagram photos, it can be difficult to find places to turn when you want to be alone, free of other Angelenos and tourists alike. Los Angeles is a city conducive to loneliness — there’s no denying this given the city’s sheer size, busy nature, and car culture. However, the city is deeply connected in many ways and there are thriving communities and spots of solitude to be found.

Lonely Los Angeles is a project that seeks to find and promote some of the best places in the City of Angels to simply be alone and exist. Consider it a lonely Angelenos’ guide for unfrequented places to visit in this massive metropolis.

Sunken City of San Pedro

Point Fermin, San Pedro

The Sunken City is the name given to a landslide that occurred in a beachside neighborhood in San Pedro that had fallen into the sea nearly a century ago.

In 1920, developer George H. Peck built a community of seaside homes and bungalows with the vision of allowing Angelenos to live with a picturesque view of the Pacific Ocean. Yet, in 1929, a landslide occurred, plunging these series of homes into the water.

While many establishments have been washed away, there are concrete slabs and some foundations that remain on the beach for visitors to see.

While there, I spoke with Yannick Peterhans, who has been visiting the Sunken City intermittently for the past few years.

“I really like it cause of all of the ecology and the rocks are falling apart. It’s very poetic of my own life at that point,” said Peterhans.

“I feel pretty cathartic cause it reminds me of the lives that used to live on this cliff and how they don’t have anything of that time anymore,” Peterhans added.

As of now, the Sunken City is mainly known to locals and there are seldom visitors. Those interested in visiting should aim to be safe while navigating the rocky terrain and only go during daylight hours.

Arlington Garden

Pasadena

Arlington Garden in Pasadena is a peaceful community garden nestled in a quaint neighborhood. It’s a great place to visit for some quiet time or to chat with a stranger who may also be experiencing some loneliness. 

A unique aspect about Arlington Garden that makes it a great go-to when you’re searching for peace of mind is that there is a row of trees in the center of the garden where guests are encouraged to write their thoughts, wishes, and dreams on pieces of paper and tie them to branches. This helps visitors get weight off their chests and empty up their minds. And hey, when you’re alone, sometimes it can help to read the thoughts and troubles of others to remind you that we’re all human.

Notes at the garden vary in age and intent. A 7-year-old girl named Mitra wrote down that she wished for the rest of school to be good. A married couple wrote asking for prayers that their fertility treatments will finally work. A college student wrote asking for help getting an internship.

James Lilley is one of the visitors who wrote a note while at the park. While Lilley wouldn’t share with me what he wrote, he was happy to tell me why he was there and what the park means to him.

“I’m actually here because there was a death in the family. But this place is close to my sister’s house and I think it’s a good place to go and relax. My fellas [dogs] like it here and it’s a good place to think,” said Lilley.  

The plants and sounds of nature at Arlington Garden make it an excellent place to be alone. Listen to the audio of the garden below and imagine yourself deep in your thoughts on one of the garden benches on a warm day.

Shipwreck Hike

Ranchos Palos Verdes Estates

In 1961, due to heavy fog and navigation errors, a Greek freight ship crashed ashore on the coast of California right near Ranchos Palos Verdes. The coast guard and crew spent days trying to get the ship back into the seas, but the unforgiving terrain of the Palos Verdes kept the ship grounded for the next several decades. Now Angelenos can go on the unique (and short!) hike to see the remnants of the shipwreck and enjoy the otherwise calming scenery.

This hike not only ends with the remnants of the S.S. Dominator, but it is a relatively quiet, unknown hike that features plenty of natural scenery. 

The hike is approximately two miles roundtrip but has somewhat rough terrain. It’s free to visit any time or day of the year, but free parking near the trail is limited. 

While on the hike, I saw few other people but did run into Mike Williams, 56, a USC alum who actually lives near the shipwreck.

“…When the wife and the kids get [to be] too much or I just need space, I come here. Not too many people know this place. It’s quiet. It’s beautiful. The waves are relaxing.”

Mike Williams

Museum of Jurassic Technology

Culver City, Los Angeles

The Museum of Jurassic Technology was founded in 1988 and considers itself to be “an educational institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and the public appreciation of the Lower Jurassic.”

This museum consists of unusual collections, exhibits and objects with varying and uncertain degrees of authenticity. While wandering through the museum’s many rooms, one question persists in your mind: what kind of place is this? The Museum of Jurassic Technology captures science mingled with art in the pursuit of striking questions.

After wandering through the many curious exhibits, visitors will be pleasantly surprised to be met with a rooftop garden at the end of the museum’s maze. The garden features dozens of doves, sleepy dogs, live music and complimentary tea and cookies. The musician who plays his guitar above the rooftop, who asked to go only by Joe, says it is one of the best-kept secrets in LA.

“I don’t think many people know this place exists, and that’s what makes it special. If you need time to yourself to look at curiosities and art and ask yourself questions — and then for those difficult questions to all be answered while you have tea and sit with doves on the roof— I think… that is what life is about,” said Joe.

Secret Swing at Elysian Park

Elysian Park, Los Angeles

Sometimes you need to be reminded of the vastness of a city such as LA. The Secret Swing at Elysian Park does just that.

Parks in urban Los Angeles are already a rare find, but Elysian Park is a hidden gem, largely due to the Secret Swing kept there. Elysian Park is a hilltop park near Dodger’s Stadium, and at one of the highest points of the park is a swing that when you use it, you can see sprawling parts of Los Angeles.

The swing was put there by an organization known as “Secret Swings Los Angeles” which aims to place swings at the end of picturesque hikes in LA County to encourage outdoor activity. The swing in Elysian Park is one of their most popular ones, but don’t be fooled, it remains a secret to many. There’s also nothing like swinging over a city of millions to clear your mind and give you the space that you need all while enjoying some physical activity, too.

The founders of secret swings have placed swings throughout all of southern California in an effort to motivate Californians to exercise and have fun. Finding the other swings can be a bit of a scavenger hunt, so the Elysian Park one remains the easiest and most accessible for Angelenos.

“We wanted something that could get people to get up and go out there. You need to hike to each location so you’re getting up and you’re exercising. It’s this exercise and being in the outdoors that really helps clear your mind but it is also so good for your body too.”

Secret Swing Co-Founder

Los Angeles Hidden Underground Tunnels

Downtown Los Angeles

Did you know that there are hidden tunnels beneath Los Angeles? 

Behind the Hall of Records on Temple Street is an elevator that leads down into the LA Underground Tunnels. The tunnels were initially created to simplify travel and make money transfers safer in downtown. They were then converted to allow for criminals to be transported out of the public eye. Now, anyone can visit them during the week. 

The tunnels can be overwhelming and borderline terrifying. If you plan on visiting, be sure to bring along a friend.

Hermosa Natural Park

Downtown Los Angeles

“I like the giant snake, screamed Jason Lim as he hopped across the body of the giant concrete creature in Hermosa Park. 

Hermosa Park is a hidden gem in downtown Los Angeles — and a great place to be alone. A quick scroll through the park and you’ll see dozens of other Angelenos having picnics alone, taking pictures, or giving their kids (like Jason!) some outside time.

In LA, it can be difficult to find a place to be outdoors, but Hermosa Park can help you feel connected to nature and give you a place to be alone. 

Downtown Los Angeles can feel soulless and empty at times. Visting this park in the middle of such a metropolis is a great way to get perspective and take in the city around you. One of the best places in the park to think about life and loneliness is this lone bench along one of the hiking paths. It provides an excellent view of Los Angeles and gives you a great spot for solitude.

Hermosa Park is both a great escape away from the city and a great mental escape. Listen to the sounds of nature in the park below.