Rose for Lily fountain disney hall Los Angeles

Amazing aerial path and secret gardens high up in Disney Hall

Disney Hall garden entrance
At the top of 60 stairs is a kind of walking mediation spiral that a father and his two children were racing around. The woman in blue was walking intently–she looked as if she was late to a meeting.

I’m not sure how I managed to miss them, but there is a state park–actually more of a garden–and a winding aerial pathway that wraps all the way around Disney Hall, high above the street level. The garden is charming and the views are spectacular.

The entrance is at 2nd and Grand Avenue where 60 stairs take you up to the garden. Not up for that number of stairs?  There is an elevator in the building you can use. There are docent tours, too. Here is some of what I saw on a warm Sunday afternoon.

broken porcelain on fountain
I eavesdropped on a tour as a docent gave detailed information about the Delft porcelain used on the fountain, shown below.
Secluded lunch place Disney Hall
Nestled here and there are chairs and tables perfect for a secluded lunch or conversation.
drought-tolerant trees Disney Hall
The plants in the rooftop garden are all drought tolerant and beautiful! It seems a world away from the high rise office buildings in the surrounding blocks.
blue flower fountain Disney Hall
This fountain is called “A Rose for Lily” in honor of Lillian Disney the true moving force behind Disney Hall. While it may be designated as a rose, it reminds me of a fantasy water lily. The water trickles slowly from one petal to the next. It’s very peaceful–not the kind of fountain that shoots water up into the air.
Photographer at Disney Hall garden
A photographer at work in another curving corner of the garden. There were several photographers at work taking photos of couples and families.
A surprise! A small rooftop amphitheater on top of Disney Hall.
A surprise! A small rooftop amphitheater on top of Disney Hall.
Look down Grand Avenue from Disney Hall
The view down Grand Avenue from the Disney Hall aerial pathway, which winds up and down and around the entire building. You can see one corner of the Broad Museum which is right across the street.
L.A. City Hall
Los Angles City Hall as seen from a high point on the aerial pathway around Disney Hall
structure inside Disney Hall
What’s behind all those curving stainless steel panels? A complicated iron structure!