Masa of Echo Park

Pedal a swan boat past the lotus beds with the downtown skyline behind you. Every rider gets a life vest, and after dark the boats light up for night rides.

Organic vegan soft serve in 30-plus rotating flavors, with sprinkles, shakes and banana splits, so dairy-free kids get a real ice cream outing.

A sunny corner patisserie for petit fours and coffee crunch cake, with a lunch menu and a marketplace of jams and chocolates to take home.

A big play area right by Echo Park Lake, so you can pair playground time with a walk around the lotus beds or a swan boat ride.

A gated pocket playground with a pirate ship to climb and a fast metal slide built into the side of the hill. Shade trees cover the picnic tables above the play area.

A nature-themed playground with a slide built into the hillside, plus easy trails, a stream and meadows with one of the best downtown skyline views around.