Courtesy of Wheel Fun Rentals.
Los Angeles has no shortage of things to do, from exploring legendary movie theaters to spending an afternoon at the beach, but it is easy to overlook the simpler, more affordable ways to enjoy the city. Sometimes, all you need is a little sunshine, some open water, and an hour to slow down…
That is where Echo Park’s swan boats come in. The lake’s pedal boats offer an easy way to spend an afternoon outdoors without driving out of L.A. or turning the outing into a full-day production. And yes, the boats are shaped like oversized swans that were once banned from the lake!
What to know before renting a swan boat
Visitors can rent a swan-shaped pedal boat for $13 per person, with each rental lasting one hour. The boats come with a shaded canopy, a roomy back seat and U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, so the experience is pretty straightforward once you get on the water.
You can pedal your way around the water or simply take in the scenery, with lotus beds, fountains and the DTLA skyline providing plenty of photo opportunities. It’s an especially easy plan for couples, families or anyone who wants an outdoor activity that requires considerably less logistical gymnastics than a hike.
A lake that once banned actual swans
Los Angeles: Swan Boats Rental
The lake’s swan boats have an ironic connection to Echo Park’s history. Back in 1929, the Los Angeles Parks Department banned two real swans from the lake, along with ducks, because the birds were eating the lotus shoots and damaging the plants, the L.A. Times reported.
The lotus beds were an important part of the lake’s landscape, and the hungry birds were making it difficult for the plants to grow. The decision may sound strange today, but the lake’s lotus gardens have long been one of its defining features, including during its major restoration in the 2010s.
The real swans may have been unwelcome nearly a century ago, but their oversized counterparts are now a staple of Echo Park Lake, giving visitors a chance to cruise the same water in a decidedly more plant-friendly version of the bird…