Ascot Hills Park
Ascot Hills Park offers 93 acres of nature, community, and learning in the heart of Northeast Los Angeles.
Ascot Hills Park at 4371 Multnomah Street sits on the former Legion Ascot Speedway (1924–1936) and offers 360° views from rolling hills, with the downtown skyline framed by the hilltop. Trails pass an amphitheater and small BBQ areas, and on clear days the vantage extends to Catalina Island and snow-capped Mt. Baldy.
Ascot Hills Park's Former Speedway Site
Ascot Hills Park is a 93-acre urban park in northeast Los Angeles that opened in 2006 on the site of the former New Ascot Speedway, where tens of thousands of fans filled the stands between 1924 and 1936. The park was funded by Proposition 40, a 2002 California parks bond, and sits on land leased from the LADWP, which had owned the site for over a century for water storage. The location was recommended to visitors by fellow photographer Richard Luu.
Best Photo Spots
Here are five photography spots at Ascot Hills Park, including overlooks, trails, a ridge, a micro forest, and an amphitheater.
Ascot Hills Park Overlook
Photographs of This Location
History of Ascot Hills Park
Ascot Hills Park opened in 2011 after Great Recession delays, with amenities including an amphitheater, benches, picnic tables, a restored stream, and new trails. The land carries layered history: the Tongva (Gabrielino) people used the area for resources and managed it with fire from 6000 BC until 1769, and it later formed part of Rancho Rosa de Castilla (1769–1850), when it was used for grazing. A 2007 municipal project left behind a dilapidated parking lot and entrance gate that were never finished, and the former Legion Ascot Speedway—nicknamed "the killer track" for 24 fatalities during its operation—was located in the Ascot Hills area.
Common Questions
Ascot Hills Trail is dog-friendly; leashed pets are welcome on the trails.
Participants meet at the entrance gate at 4371 Multnomah St, Los Angeles, CA 90032 and walk together with the class to the photo location.
Ascot Hills Park spans 93 acres in northeast Los Angeles.
On clear days at Ascot Hills Park, you can see Catalina Island from the viewpoints.
The park has a public restroom, water fountain, picnic tables, a small amphitheater, and is dog-friendly.
History Of Park's Development And Preservation
Proposed in 1930 as part of the Olmsted Plan, the site saw repeated delays including an economic downturn and a state budget crisis that held up funding. In 2000, a citizens' initiative blocked a city plan to grade the hills for football and baseball fields, an effort supported by retired civil engineer Jerry Schneider, who pushed to preserve the area as natural habitat. The park opened about six years after its 2005 transformation, and the land previously hosted the Legion Ascot Speedway, where Wilbur Shaw debuted the first racing helmet in 1932.
Practical Information
4371 Multnomah St, Los Angeles, CA 90032; I-10 exit 19 (Soto St); 4371 Multnomah Street, CA
Two parking lots and street parking; Multnomah Street; street parking
5:30 a.m. to sundown daily; sunset; sunrise to sunset
Free; There is no entry cost to visit Ascot Hills Park.
Tripods are allowed at Ascot Hills Park.
Tipps fürs Shooting
- Photographers should plan to follow the edge of sunlight by progressing from the park entrance up to the overlook.
- At Ascot Hills Park, photographers should respect that people live nearby, avoid damage to plants, and stick to paths and barriers.
- A tripod is required and a remote shutter release is recommended (though not necessary) for the workshop.
- Photographers should be back at their cars before sunset, since the park closes at sunset.
- Hike northwest from the park entrance for elevated views of DTLA, choosing either the steeper direct path or the switchback path that follows a small utility road.
Was anziehen
- Wear comfortable shoes for the 10-minute hike of modest incline.
- Hikers should bring water, comfortable hiking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and layers for changing temperatures at Ascot Hills.
- Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty, because the trail is very dusty.
- Comfortable hiking or tennis shoes are recommended for the trails at Ascot Hills Park.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
1:23 PM - 1:48 PM
1:48 PM - 2:48 PM
12:34 AM - 1:34 AM
1:34 AM - 1:58 AM
Beste Jahreszeit
spring
Vermeiden
summer
| Monat | Sonnenaufgang | Sonnenuntergang | Tageslicht |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:58 | 17:06 | 10h 8m |
| Feb | 06:37 | 17:36 | 10h 59m |
| Mar | 07:02 | 19:00 | 11h 57m |
| Apr | 06:21 | 19:24 | 13h 2m |
| May | 05:51 | 19:47 | 13h 56m |
| Jun | 05:40 | 20:05 | 14h 24m |
| Jul | 05:52 | 20:04 | 14h 12m |
| Aug | 06:14 | 19:39 | 13h 25m |
| Sep | 06:36 | 18:59 | 12h 22m |
| Oct | 06:58 | 18:18 | 11h 20m |
| Nov | 06:25 | 16:48 | 10h 23m |
| Dec | 06:51 | 16:44 | 9h 53m |
What to Expect During Your Session
Workshops at Ascot Hills Park begin a half-hour before sunset from the main parking area, where participants head northwest via either a steep direct path or a switchback along a small utility road to the hilltop overlook. From there, the sun sets directly behind Downtown Los Angeles, and a tripod is required to capture the transition through blue hour, when light painting with a model is typically introduced. The park closes at sunset, though photographers are encouraged to stay for the colorful sky and city lights after the sun dips below the hills.
The session started from the park entrance and progressed to the overlook at the top of the park.
The workshop session begins a half-hour in advance of sunset to discuss pre-sunset lighting, sunset, and blue light post-sunset strategies.
Immediately following blue hour, the instructor introduces light painting with a light painter and model performing light artistry.
Hikers head northwest from the park entrance via either a steep direct path or a switchback path along a small utility road to reach the hilltop view.
“Even after the sun disappears over the hills, photographers should stay to capture the colorful sky and city lights.”
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Barrierefrei
- Ascot Hills Park is not wheelchair accessible.
- Parken
- The park provides two parking lots plus street parking.
- Öffentliche Verkehrsmittel
- Reaching Ascot Hills Park by bus is impractical, and biking is about 20 minutes faster than taking transit from the author's location in Northeast LA.
- Fußläufig
- 4371 Multnomah St., Los Angeles