Walk, Run, and Hike

Why include all 3 into one category?  Because your fitness level determines what activity you will be doing at these locations!  I have seen all types of people on the trails walking, running, training for various events, or simply just enjoying the day! 

Kenneth Hahn State Park, LA:  This park has hiking trails with great city views, a large "track" type area at the top that circles an old reservoir now a grassy field that people run around, and various workout areas.  It is also a hilly park so no matter what fitness level your at this is a great park.  Free during the week.

Culver City Park, Culver City:  This is a hilly park that has a wooden walk way going up the hill so its a lower intensity hill workout, but it also has a hill with varying small sets of stairs.  This is not a good place to workout if you like flat and round, you have to be creative here.

West LA College, Culver City:  You can run around the campus which has a good size hill on it.  This is best used on weekends when there are no students.  If your a Culver City resident and have a Culver City ID card you can also use the track and field area here.   

Ballona Creek Trail:  Although this is a "bike" trail people also use it for walking and running just be sure to stay to the side.

Cheviot Hills Recreation park:  This park says it has a mile long trail around it but it is not well defined, but it is still a good place to walk around. 

Temescal Canyon Trail, Pacific Palisades:  This park is a popular hiking destination.  With bathrooms, drinking fountain, paid parking inside and with free street parking outside the park, decently marked trails, and a great view- you can see why!  There is a well defined circular route you can take or you can keep going up into the mountains for quite a ways along trails and fire roads.  This hike can be challenging but I have seen all types of people make it... and when you get to the top you are rewarded with a great sense of accomplishment and views!  Dogs are not allowed on the trails, only at the bottom.

Stairs

You might be asking yourself, "Why are they talking about stairs, I thought this section was about was about getting out doors and exercising?".  Well it is, there are actually some great places that have outdoor stairs to exercise on! 

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Culver City:  This is a tough and wonderful set of challenging stairs set into the side of the hill at the Baldwin Hills State Park on Jefferson (west of La Cienega, East of Duqesne).  This is newer park that also has a trail and road to get to the top of the hill if stairs are not your thing.  It has bathrooms, drinking fountain and a information shop at the top.  It costs money to park at the top if you want to drive, but you can park for free on Jefferson.

Santa Monica Stairs, Santa Monica:  This is probably the most famous of the stairs, they have been known to have celebrities work out here- who doesn't like a free great outdoor workout?  There are actually 2 sets of stairs here just a bit apart, use both of them and vary the scenery!  Located at 4th and Adelaide Dr. in Santa Monica.

Rose St. Stairs, Palms:  This is a secret set of stairs on Rose St. in Palms.  Located between Midvale and Glendon is a set of stairs going up the hill in between two apt buiding's, up to Kingsland St..  This is a great set of stairs if you're local to Palms.

Mar Vista Stairs, Mar Vista:  This is another great local neighborhood set of stairs, its even maintained by a local girl scouts troop.  Offering great views of the Hollywood sign and downtown this set of stairs is a great place to get a stair workout in.  Note: its right next to a school so you might want to avoid these stairs when school gets out. 

Rustic Canyon Trail, Brentwood:  This is an interesting set of stairs to say the least!  What starts out as a mountain nature hike can quickly turn into a (thankfully) abandoned Nazi camp from WWII.  I did say interesting right?  Now it is an abandoned set of buildings and a water tank completely graffiti covered, but back to the topic of stairs- to get from the fire road to the camp is a very long windy set of stairs all the way to the bottom.  A great step workout that can be part hike and exploration as well.  BRING WATER!  The abandoned water tower will do you no good here, there are no facilities, its basically a hike in the mountains so come prepared with enough water for everyone!     

Biking

Yes, that's right, there is biking in Los Angeles!  For the advanced "urban" biker, a lot of roads have bike lanes like Venice Blvd, parts of Washington, Culver, and Motor Blvd., but for those of us that want to ride fast, or slow, with no red lights, or the fear of buses, there are a couple of great options as well.   

Ballona Creek Bike Path:  This is about a 6 mile path from La Cienega and Jefferson, to the Ocean.  It has no cars or stop lights- just a great 2 lane bike path along the water way!  Runners and walkers also use the path, but no cars, busses or other motorized dangers.  This is a MUST know if you like to bike in West LA!  Once you get to the Ocean you can head south along the Marvin Braude bike trail all the way to Torrance if you want or head north around the harbor (still on a bike trail but now there are stops and traffic) to the bike path along the beach in Marina Del Rey up to Santa Monica.  This is also a wonderful way to get the beach and avoid all the traffic and parking hassles!  There are multiple entry/ exit points onto the trail. 

Marvin Braude Bike Trail:  This is the quintessential California beach bike ride!  Starting at Will Rodgers State beach on the northern edge of Santa Monica, it continues 22 miles to the south all the way to Torrance beach!  During this ride you will see the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, the harbor in Marina Del Rey, the sea channel, hang gliding lessons, fire pits on the beach, airplanes flying right over your head, and maybe a dolphin or two in the water, and that's just the first half!  Its a wonderful ride.  TIP #1:  From the start at Will Rodgers to the channel can be a slow ride because the trail is curvy and there are a lot people, but south of the channel in Play Del Rey you can open the throttle a little bit.  TIP #2:  If your south of the channel, watch the route some of the other riders take, there are short cuts so you don't have to stay on the curvy portion of the trail. 

NEW FIND!!!  Bluff Creek Trail, Playa Vista:  Next to the largest current build site in the LA area is a nature trail that is wonderful!  There are 2 trails, an upper and lower, and they are perfect for walking, running, and I have even seen bike riders. Another great thing is that dogs are allowed, and lots of dogs were out getting exercise with their humans.  This almost 2.5 mile trail has two entrances, one near the corner of Centinela and Bluff Creek Dr., head west on Bluff Creek passing a couple workout areas then follow the trail (limited parking is available a Court Park), and one entrance just north of the LMU campus entrance.  There is a open fence where I saw people parking as well. The trail May continue on the other side of Lincoln as well...

Active Lifestyles

Where you can play in the ocean breeze

West Los Angeles has perfect weather all year round to get outside and play!  Whether you're into biking, hiking, surfing (or anything else that lets you feel the sun on your face and cool ocean breeze on your skin), you are guaranteed to find some thing fun here!