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With about 329 sunny days and an average temperature in the mid-60s, it’s almost criminal not to take your workout outside in Los Angeles. Here are our picks for the best ways to enjoy the perfect weather.
Urban Hiking and Running: Runyon Canyon
You may already know about this place, but that’s for good reason. “It’s packed, but it’s almost impossible not to see a celebrity there,” says L.A. resident Jennifer Blankenship. The only downside: Parking can be an enormous challenge, so take public transportation if you can. Both the Metro Bus 217 and the Metro Red Line stop nearby.
More info here.
Not-So-Urban Hiking: Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak
This trail, located in the Santa Monica Mountains, starts about an hour outside of downtown Los Angeles and is tops on the list of moderate hikes. It’ll take you about three or four hours, and reward you with views of the valley, the Pacific Ocean, and plenty of interesting rock formations throughout. Plus, the trail starts near the famous seafood restaurant Neptune’s Net, so your post-hike meal is already determined.
More info here.
Camping and Surfing: San Onofre State Beach
Camp right near the beach in the town of San Clemente, which is about an hour and a half south of downtown L.A. A 1.5-mile nature trail connects the San Onofre-San Mateo campground to legendary surf spot Trestles, and there are plenty of breaks for rookie surfers as well. Also try Mammoth Mountain. It’s a five-hour trip, but worth it for the total escape from city life.
More info here.
Easy Biking: The Strand
Officially dubbed the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, this 22-mile path stretches from Pacific Palisades to just past the Redondo Beach pier, and is an easy, breezy shoreline ride through famous towns like Santa Monica and Venice. It’s also a great path for running, although it can get congested with runners, walkers, skateboarders, and bikers, especially on summer afternoons. Need a bike? There are tons of rentals along the way. Also try Griffith Park’s nine-mile bike loop.
More info here.
Challenging Biking: The Donut
This 28-mile loop in Palos Verdes is named for a donut shop that once stood at the start. There are bike lanes throughout most of it, as well as rolling hills to tire you out. The ocean views, however, make it all worth it. Keep an eye out for Catalina Island and the Port Vicente and Port Fermin lighthouses.
More info here.
Beginner or Longboarder Surfing: Surfrider Beach in Malibu
There’s no surf spot more quintessentially California than Malibu. It has multiple breaks especially good for longboarders and a laid-back vibe that welcomes both newbies and those who know their way around a wave. The only drawbacks: The crowds can be dense on busy summer weekends, and you should avoid the ocean if there’s been heavy rain—the runoff pollutes the nearby water.
More info here.
Shortboarder and Advanced Surfing: Zuma Beach in Malibu
Zuma Beach occasionally gets epic swells that bring in pro surfers, but even during smaller surf it’s a pretty consistent break for surfers with some know-how. It also has cleaner water than many of the other surf spots in L.A., and is often less crowded.
More info here.
Traditional Workouts: Muscle Beach in Venice
It’s hard to think of L.A. and exercise without Muscle Beach, the home of countless fitness competitions and the prime spot for finding muscled men and women working out right on the beach. “It's cliché, but you have people on basketball courts, on the rings, doing bodyweight exercises, or just playing on the beach. It's awesome,” says Adam Bornstein, the founder of Born Fitness and a Santa Monica resident. Best of all, a day pass costs only $10.
More info here.
