Los Angeles is a beautiful place with awesome weather, no doubt about it. With pristine coasts, rolling hills, and dense forests, LA has something for everyone. It stands to reason that whether you live here or are just visiting, you’d want to spend some time outside, right? Whether you are a total nature-lover or someone who would really rather just stay inside, here are some things you can do to enjoy the gorgeous outdoor environments of LA.
Backbone Trail
Are you really fit? An aspiring athlete? A glutton for punishment, perhaps? Maybe the Backbone Trail is right for you. This newly completed trail has been in the works for over 50 years, and is a whopping 67 miles long, extending from Will Rogers State Park to Point Mugu all the way in Malibu. This trail goes through the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains. Obviously you don’t have to hike the whole trail in one go, but do try different entrances and locations for a variety of beautiful views along the trail.
Cabrillo Beach
Of course, we have to include a beach on this list! Cabrillo Beach is a beautiful family-friendly beach with two different sides creating different experiences. This beach features a roped-in area for swimming and posts for volleyball nets. There’s also barbecue pits for parties and a children’s play area. People visiting this beach can enjoy various activities like surfing, swimming, scuba diving, volleyball, beach-combing, and more! Do be warned – this beach is not pet-friendly! If you want to bring your dog, check out Long Beach. It’s the only beach in LA that has an off-leash area for pets.
Vista Hermosa Natural Park
Not too keen on really heading into the wilderness? We understand. Vista Hermosa Natural Park is an urban park spanning 10.5 acres. Just minutes from Downtown LA, this park lets you experience some nature without having to get too far away from the city. You can enjoy beautiful views of the LA skyline here, especially at sunset. Even though this park is located in the heart of bustling Downtown, you’ll find huge trees, streams, walking trails, picnic areas, and a playground for the kids. It’s the perfect little breath of fresh air in the city.
Murphy Ranch
Interested in history? We highly recommend checking out Murphy Ranch. This nearly 4 mile trail will take you to the ruins of a ranch built by Nazi sympathizers back in the 1930s. Although many of the ruins have been demolished by the city of Los Angeles due to safety concerns, there are still some interesting things to see, including the famous 500-stair staircase built into the trail.
Runyon Canyon
Located near Hollywood Boulevard, Runyon Canyon is a 130 acre popular destination for celebs as well as tourists. For pet lovers this public park is a great choice, as dogs are allowed off-leash in over 90 acres of the park. The has plenty of walking trails ranging from easy difficulty, perfect for bringing along your dog, to challenging, for more advanced hikers. On clear days, enjoy views on the Pacific coast and Catalina Island.
Los Angeles experts – how’d we do? Did we include your favorite outdoor getaway on this list? If not, let us know what we missed in the comments!
