I Visited Tree Tunnels Throughout Los Angeles And Photographed Them, And They're Absolutely Breathtaking
I've lived in Los Angeles for over a decade, so I've learned to appreciate pretty things while I drive around my city — it makes traffic tolerable. And one of my favorite things about L.A. is its "tree tunnels."
Tree tunnels are essentially tree-lined streets that lead to a distant focal point. If you look straight down them, it gives the illusion that you're looking through a tunnel. If trees (or holes) are your thing, I totally recommend driving through them!
Recently, u/keenonkyrgyzstan compiled a list of tree tunnels throughout Los Angeles County based on other Angelenos' recommendations. So, I hopped in my Jetta to check out most of them for myself and save you gas money. Here's what I saw:
1.Surreal shade above Stansbury Avenue in Sherman Oaks.
These towering trees reign over a residential street in the San Fernando Valley. They provide plenty of shade which makes it a great walking route, and many people were doing just that when I visited.
Tree type: Mostly Jacaranda (they turn an iconic purple in late spring)
Address: 4101 Stansbury Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA between Ventura Boulevard and Valley Vista Boulevard
You can click the address above for a street view you can virtually "drive" through.
2.Quaint evergreens of Hazeltine Avenue in Van Nuys.
In the center of the San Fernando Valley lies a quiet and quaint street of modest homes and towering trees. It's perfect for your windows-down-main-character drives, or putting your car in park and walking your dog. These evergreen trees are currently showing off their bright young leaves since they just shed their old ones.
Tree type: Camphor
Address: 7999 Hazeltine Ave, Panorama City, CA between Lanark Street and Stagg Street
3.Wicked-looking trees on Cantura Street in Studio City.
I gasped when I turned onto this storybook street of bungalow homes. It also once housed the Malcom In The Middle residence before a remodel. Residents love these trees and previously petitioned for the trees to be protected from developers. I'm happy to say they're now a historic landmark and not going anywhere.
Tree type: Sycamore
Address: 12100 Cantura St, Studio City, CA between Rhodes Avenue and Vantage Avenue
4.Century-old palm trees scattered over Santa Monica.
Most of the palm trees in California aren't native to the state. Still, Southern California is known for its palm trees. This palm-lined street in Santa Monica leads to the mountains, and it's just blocks from the beach. It's a vibe.
Tree type: Mexican Fan Palms
Address: 4th St. & Washington Avenue, Santa Monica, CA between Wilshire Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard
5.This famous suburban street, as seen in "Back To The Future."
Skinny sidewalks and narrow lanes make the famous Roslyndale Avenue seem much tighter than it did in the classic film Back to the Future. It's undeniably the same neighborhood from the movie, minus the DeLorean, so there was a sense of nostalgia brewing inside me while I stood at the end of the street waiting for Doc and Marty McFly to pick me up and take me out of this time period.
Tree Type: Italian Stone Pines
Address: 9480 Roslyndale Ave, Arleta, CA between Garber Street & Kagel Canyon Street
Here's the street now and as it appears in Back To The Future for comparison:
6.The classic Chinese Elms of Mentone Avenue in Culver City.
There was something so comforting about this street. Perhaps it was the sunlight still poking through the trees' generous coverage, or the basketball hoop facing the street. If I was a teenager in this neighborhood, I would have frequently had existential walks while listening to my iPod Nano with my wired headphones.
Tree type: Chinese Elm
Address: 4199 Mentone Ave, Culver City, CA between Culver Boulevard & Braddock Drive
7.Cedar trees towering over White Oak Avenue in Granada Hills.
These 100+ trees are a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and had a spotlight moment in the E.T. bike chase scene. They're located in a busy part of the San Fernando Valley near Cal State Northridge, and the sight of these gigantic trees will make you feel like you're more upstate.
Trees: Deodar Cedar
Address: 10930 White Oak Ave, Granada Hills, CA between San Fernando Mission Boulevard & San Jose Street
Here's the street now and as it appears in E.T. for comparison:
8.This fairytale tree-lined street in Santa Monica.
This tree tunnel of La Mesa Drive felt like it was out of a fairytale. It's located in the Brentwood neighborhood of West Los Angeles and is mostly filled with big modern homes. There were several signs warning that armed patrol services are watching the area, and that kind of ruined the fantasy. It also reminded me that I shouldn't overstay my welcome, and I promptly left.
Tree type: Moreton Bay Fig
Address: 2134 La Mesa Dr, Santa Monica, CA between 19th Street & 21st Street
9.Bushier palm trees decorating Beverly Hills.
These palm trees are thicker than the ones from up earlier in the lists, and they make where they're leading seem incredibly grand — I suppose that's on-brand for Beverly Hills.
Tree type: Canary Island Date Palms
Address: 726 Foothill Dr, Beverly Hills, CA between Lomitas Avenue & Elevado Avenue
10.The crown of Grant Street: This perfect tree canopy.
While this isn't a quiet street, it felt incredibly epic reaching this particular tree tunnel because I had to drive up a small hill to get to it. As soon as I cleared the hill, I saw this beautiful tunnel. So I lowered my windows, blasted Green Light by Lorde, and allowed myself to be obnoxious for the 30-second drive through it.
Tree type: Indian Laurel Fig
Address: 1228 Grant St. Santa Monica, CA between 11th Street & 14th Street
11.Canary Island Pines along this Beverly Hills boulevard.
It's Beverly Hills, so you can only park for two hours if you want to take a walk. There's even a small park at the end. If you just want to drive through, make sure to roll down your windows — the woody, strong aroma will make you feel like you're being hugged by the Brawny paper towel mascot.
Tree type: Canary Island Pines
Address: 702 Sierra Dr, Beverly Hills, CA between Elevado Avenue & Sunset Boulevard
12.The picturesque potential of Harvard Drive.
Honestly, this was an underwhelming visit. Many of the trees seemed so bare. But I wanted to include it because this particular street is going to look like it's out of Demon Slayer when the purple flowers of these Jacaranda trees bloom in a few weeks.
Tree type: Jacarandas
Address: 1001 Harvard St., Santa Monica, CA between Washington Avenue & Wilshire Boulevard
13.My new favorite tree tunnel: Mayflower Avenue of Monrovia.
While this tree tunnel was along a major road, there were good stretches of time where it seemed like I was the only one on the road. I think out of all the tree tunnels, this one was my favorite. It's quiet, wide, and captivating — the kind of street that makes you feel thankful to live in Los Angeles.
All you need is a soundtrack.
Tree type: Oak
Address: 900 Mayflower Ave, Arcadia, CA between W Duarte Road & E Camino Real Avenue
14.The serene setting of Green Street in Pasadena,
This laurel fig-lined street in Pasadena feels like the small towns you see in movies. Small local businesses border the trees and lend to this area's romantic vibe. There are coffee bars, breakfast spots, and even a cannabis dispensary along this popular street that make it the perfect tree tunnel to stroll through on foot.
Tree type: Indian Laurel Fig
Address: 951 E Green St, Pasadena, CA between Mentor Avenue & Michigan Avenue
15.The alluring sycamore trees of Alpine Drive in Beverly Hills.
It was an out-of-body experience driving through this majestic tree tunnel, surrounded by Beverly Hills homes I won't be able to afford, nor have a desire to live in, in this lifetime. This winding and eerily quiet tree-lined street will transport you to another reality. Until you hit Sunset Boulevard.
Tree type: Western Sycamore
Address: 700 N Alpine Dr, Beverly Hills, CA between Elevado Avenue and Sunset Boulevard
16.The brighter-than-sunshine Shearin Avenue of Eagle Rock.
Nestled in the eclectic Eagle Rock neighborhood of L.A. is this street of bright green trees that are just as down-to-earth as the community that surrounds it. While I wouldn't drive out of my way to see this tunnel, it's definitely worth taking a detour if you're on this side of town to experience it for yourself.
Tree type: Camphor
Address: 5120 Shearin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90041 between Colorado Boulevard & Las Flores Drive
17.Maple trees on Maple Drive in Beverly Hills.
Maples on Maple. Incredibly on the nose, and that doesn't make it any less beautiful. This charming street felt like an incredible route to thrive in the sun. The trees are so picture-perfect that I almost felt like they were leading me to a cemetery, where attention to landscaping is usually incredibly intricate.
Tree type: Maple
Address: 702 N Maple Dr, Beverly Hills, CA between Elevado Avenue & Lomitas Avenue
18.This special little street known as "Christmas Tree Lane."
This is the second time cedar trees are appearing on this list, and it's for good reason. Every December, the neighborhood goes all out for the holiday and turns into Christmas Tree Lane — visitors from all over the city pay pilgrimage to massive cedar trees draped in red, green, blue, and yellow Christmas lights.
And if you're not into holidays, it's still incredibly captivating sans string lights.
Tree type: Deodar Cedar
Address: 2401 Santa Rosa Avenue, Altadena, CA between Mariposa Street and Calaveras Street
19.And finally, the stunning trees along Palm Drive.
It's no surprise that the streets of Beverly Hills were a repeat contender on this list. Money doesn't grow on trees, but it can buy them. Luckily, roads are public, and nature is free. This particular Jacaranda-lined street is stunning in early spring, and it's sure to look out of this world when it's purple in the summer.
I'll be back.
Tree Type: Jacarandas
Address: 400 N Palm Drive, Beverly Hills, CA between Burton Boulevard and Burton Way
What are your favorites from this list? What tree tunnels in your own city stick out to you? Let me know in the comments!
And if you're interested in the full list of L.A. tree tunnels, you can find it here.
