The Trails

6/14/2016

• 1 check-in

I had heard about The Trails for a year or so and their famous lavender baked goods and by chance just happened to drive by it on the way up to Griffith Observatory and had to stop!

It's such a cute place, it really is a hidden gem, as one yelper put it, nestled within Griffith Park. I grabbed one of their house brewed iced teas to go with my chocolate chip lavender scone, did a quick walk around their outdoor seating area, and then headed back to the car to the observatory. It was so good! I'm so glad I got a chance to see and eat at this place before I moved from Los Angeles!

Definitely come stop by here when you're in the park for a quick snack.

10/2/2016

• 1 check-in

This is a really cute place with lots of shady picnic tables to soot at surrounding the cafe. I went with a big hiking group and they were able to take our order in advance and accommodate in a timely manner.  

The avocado sandwich was filling and tasty. It was definitely on the healthy side and their food looks very homemade,  which i love. I really want to try their applepie!! My friends said the egg sandwich is good as well. I noticed the quiche and apply pie slices are a decent size too. If you want bang for your buck.. id go with the egg or avocado sandwich. They are about 9 bucks.

9/15/2016

In W. Hollywood again visiting grandkiddies. They went to school, mom went to work, dad was hiking in Montana ... and WE went to The Trails for breakfast!

Always a great visit when we get to go to The Trails. Their tomato, parmesan and something quiche and a cup of coffee was just what the doctor ordered to set off a grand day in LA.

7/12/2016

The location is absolutely adorable, and it was really easy to find! It's right across from the playground and beginnings to many of the different hiking trails. There's a bowl of water right in the front for doggies, so that was a nice touch.

My friends and I were there around 1pm on a Saturday, and it was quite crowded. While we did patiently wait, I want to say it took about half an hour or more before we could finally order. We were in a bit of a rush, and excited to start, so we each grabbed a baked good.

I got the Buttermilk Biscuit: Chedder and Chives for $3. I didn't get it heated up, and I bet it would be even more amazing if I did. It was flavorful and extremely fragrant. Most definitely would get it again.

My friends ended up getting the Peach Scone, and I think a Chocolate Lavender Scone. Both of them liked theirs too. We all agreed that it was all pretty darn tasty. The scones where $4 each.

Another thing I liked about this place was how the amount posted on the board was the amount you paid! So no need for calculations and worrying about not having enough.

I would come back again!

5/21/2016

• 1 check-in

This place is such a hidden gem. I live really close to Griffith Park so it's nice to go on a little walk on the weekends. We stopped here for some food after a hike and we were so glad we did! The line was super long and we have to wait awhile but it's the weekend so what do you expect. The people working were so efficient. They took our order fast and made the food almost faster. Which was nice since we had to wait in line for awhile.

I got the avocado sandwich. It was pretty good! For some reason the tomatoes tasted weird, but the avocado was great.

I also tried the lemon poppyseed scone, chocolate chip cookie, gf snickerdoodle, and the strawberry rubarb pie. The pie was amazing! As was the chocolate chip cookie.

The location and ambiance is definitely the best part about this place. Its so relaxing to sit on a picnic table in the woods. We even saw some horses!

This is a must go if you go to Griffith Park!

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  Love the atmosphere here

  Love the atmosphere here
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  Horses!

  Horses!
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  The avocado sandwich

  The avocado sandwich
• See all photos from Britta G. for The Trails

5/17/2016

• 1 check-in

I usually don't venture up here too often, but a friend of a friend lives nearby and suggested here for our meet up.

There were some great selections here, but I went with the popular avocado sandwich and it was delish!  I complemented with some great latte here.  In an area where you can bike/walk/run, this is a perfect pit stop to indulge for lunch or a snack.  They were also selling pies here too!  Hopefully, I'll come back soon!

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  Avocado sandwich

  Avocado sandwich

4/15/2016

• 1 check-in

I finally came here!  You can find this hidden gem on the bottom of the Griffith Onservatory.  They have plenty of free parking and it's all outdoor seating.

It was actually a rainy day when I went, but with some tables under the tree I was fine.  They have som seating that was covered too.

There isn't much of a selection for lunch, but they have a good amount of breakfast things.

Here's what I had:

AVOCADO SANDWICH - $9
Avocados, tomatoes, red onions, soy "bacon bits", alfalfa sprouts, cheddar cheese, mayo.
You know I never order vegetarian.  But I sure am glad I ordered because it was really good and beautifully crafted!  The generous amount of mayo and soy "bacon bits" made this so tasty!  Happy there was cheese too...oh and I felt less guilty eating this.  Give it a try!

BUTTERMILK BISCUIT - $3.25
Cheddar & Chives.
It's a decent biscuit that they will heat up upon order and will include butter.  I appreciated that a lot!  It wasn't the best biscuit of my life but it was definitely not bad!

SENCHA TEA
It's pretty much green tea. Something nice for the cold and rainy weather out :)

I like it here.  I really do! To be out in meatier with lots of trees, trails, etc.  feeling full? Lots of trails to walk it off!  It was an overall nice experience at The Trails!

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  Buttermilk Biscuit - Cheddar & Chives

  Buttermilk Biscuit - Cheddar & Chives
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  Avocado Sandwich - $9 - Avocados, tomatoes, red onions, soy "bacon bits", alfalfa sprouts, cheddar cheese, mayo

  Avocado Sandwich - $9 - Avocados, tomatoes, red onions, soy "bacon bits", alfalfa sprouts, cheddar cheese, mayo

1/23/2016

• 1 check-in

This cafe definitely caters to the clientele, super trendy, kitschy, vegetarian, etc. And therefore a little pricy ($9 for sandwiches). But after a hike in Griffith Park you don't have a TON of options unless you get in your car and leave. It is cute and rustic but for the prices the food was just okay. I ordered the cheddar and chive buttermilk biscuit and an "egg in a basket". Both were kind of hard with not a lot of flavor, I ended up loading on Tabasco sauce which helped a lot.
So it's okay, not great, with long lines, and slightly high prices. If anything you're paying for the rustic-chic ambiance.

8/27/2016

• 1 check-in

We visited Saturday for lunch, and waited for 1 hour until got Avocado sandwich. Seems 10 order acceptable per hour. Must have more capability, but sandwitch are fresh and healty.

9/12/2015

• 2 check-ins

You go to Trails because you're already at Griffith Park; you don't go out of your way to go to Trails. Their food is not amazing but it's serviceable enough and hits the spot after hiking. For breakfast they offer quiche, muffins, scones, and biscuits. After 10:00am they start serving hot items like sandwiches. Note: They will make you wait until like 9:58am to order those items. They also have an array of cookies and pies.

The worst thing I've eaten there was the vegan strawberry banana scone. It tasted like particle board. The strawberry lemonade is on the watery side. I prefer their summer peach iced tea. I didn't like the tasteless red pepper quiche. The strawberry rhubarb muffin is pretty good and so is the cheddar one. The lavender shortbread is a tad too soapy for my taste.

Anyway, I might sound like I'm hatin' on Trails but it's fine and you gotta appreciate a cafe in the middle of the park. I just wish their food was better. Bring your dog, get a snack, sit at a picnic table under the trees and enjoy being outdoors!

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  Strawberry Rhubarb Muffin (good) and Vegan Strawberry Banana Scone (very, very bad) $4 each

  Strawberry Rhubarb Muffin (good) and Vegan Strawberry Banana Scone (very, very bad) $4 each

9/18/2016

Love the avocado sandwich. I think the secret ingredient that makes it so delicious, aside from the large portions of avocados and veggies, is the bacon bits. Yes, the bacon bits make this sandwich. A bit overpriced for a sandwich, but a filling treat while in Griffith park.

9/17/2016

Tucked away little spot with delicious teas and quiche and such.                                        A great place to stop in before hiking the trail.

2/16/2016

• 3 check-ins

The Trails is by far one of my favorite spots in Los Angeles. Being able to combine two great loves of my life --- coffee and hiking --- creates a wonderful little spike in my happiness level every time.

Once you find parking, walk up and order at the counter (either "for here" or "to go" like you would at most other coffee shops). There's no inside seating area. Everything is outside surrounded by trees and plants to the left of the little hut that you order from. You'll find a mix of everything from large picnic tables to logs that have been re-purposed into seats. They provide high chairs - kid friendly! - and water bowls - dog friendly! - which makes this a great spot for pretty much any park visitors.

The coffee is always on point. They food is unique and varies on a daily basis (pie and pastries are amazing if you're wanting to splurge.) The avocado sandwich, as many people have mentioned here, is the perfect post-hike lunch. I'm also a big fan of their homemade granola with yogurt if you're interested in fueling up before you hit the trails.

Is it a little pricey? Yeah. Sometimes crowded? Sure. But to me this spot is worth it. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. If you have the availability to go on a weekday when the lines are almost non-existent, you'll be in heaven.

9/15/2016

Love this spot on weekday afternoons for coffee and quiet contemplation in a sylvan setting under an oak canopy.

1/13/2016

• 1 check-in

Get the sandwiches here!

The Avocado Sandwich, Egg Sandwich, PB&J, I've tried all three and they are delish (and talk about FRESH).

My friend and I've become regulars at The Trails; every Sunday mornings, we're here after our brisk hike up to the Observatory and back. Staff are friendly and chill, my Earl Grey Crème warms me up every time and food is served relatively fast despite the intimidating long line.

9/9/2016

I love this place SO MUCH. Dark chocolate lavender scones & avocado sandwiches are both delicious. Plus eating in the park is beautiful/peaceful.

1/27/2016

• 3 check-ins

• Listed in Yelp 100 Challenge! 2016 Edition.

This place is the cutest!!! A charming outdoor cafe right in Griffith Park at the end of the Fern Dell trial. They serve stumptown coffee, fruit, pastries and more. I stopped by on a Sunday morning, and there was a line, but it moved fast. They take cards, but there is a $5 minimum (the largest coffee is less than $4). There are picnic tables and seating available nearby. Staff gave my pup dog treats while we waited. This has become my new weekend coffee spot!

5/5/2015

• 1 check-in

I was watching an old Huel Howser PBS clip and saw this food stand being reviewed by Huel for his documentary show.  The food looked and sounded great, so I had to try the Avocado sandwich, which was a few years ago.  Today, I had to be sure this place is still as good as I remembered, so I visited Fern Dell and drove up the road along the trail to find "The Trails" at the beginning of the picnic tables and rest station.

Yup, the food was still here and more popular than ever.  There were tourists and seniors taking in some of the best organic food before their slight hike through the ferns.  Try the Avocado Sandwich, which is probably the best that I've had, and could not reproduce.  I also bought the Apple Pie, which was tasted on TV by Huel Howser.  I just had to taste it for myself.

Although this restaurant is not Zagat rated (I don't think) it is a most quaint restaurant that does a brisk business for breakfast and lunch.  During the summer, I think they do even better, and seems like an oasis after a long hike through Griffith Park.

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  I saw this on Huell Howser for PBS a long time ago and wanted to check it out again.

  I saw this on Huell Howser for PBS a long time ago and wanted to check it out again.

4/27/2016

• 1 check-in

Friendly staff.. overpriced, tiny meals. The ambiance is the only part I loved!!

We tried the avocado open face and the egg one as well... they are served in styrofoam! Not good for the earth and tacky. I wish they would use at least eco friendly materials or recycled plates. The food was very bland. I honestly didn't like either of them.

Customer service is great. Maybe try the coffee next time...

rate 2/5. Great ambiance. Friendly staff. Bland food.

9/27/2016

Food is good but not fresh. Its microwaved and soggy. The staff works soooooo sloooow. There is little to no organization of who takes the orders, who makes the food, and who prepares the drinks. The environment earns it four stars, the food earns it one, and the decade long line subtracts three stars!