Active Cities: Escape from L.A.

Published: Mar 25, 2014

(Photo: Matthew Gush/Getty Images)

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There’s more to this western city than movie making and an epic coastline. From mountain biking to running to exploring, follow these tips to get outside in Los Angeles. And make sure you check out before planning a trip.

Local

“There’s a Starbucks at Westlake Boulevard and Agoura Road where a lot of rides start. From there you can go west down to the coastal plain for flat rides or up and over any of the canyon roads that lead to the Pacific Coast Highway. My favorites are Latigo Canyon and Yerba Buena Road.”

Local

“The Rose Bowl is the East Side’s recreational focal point. Also, 3,207-foot Echo Mountain has a steep hike up an abandoned railway that local mountaineers use to get in shape. For wildlife, hike Ontario Peak, near Mount Baldy—I’ve seen bighorn sheep up there.”

Trail Run

Los Angeles california Griffith Park — A view of downtown Los Angeles, California, from a trail in Griffith Park a short hike north from the Griffith Observatory. (Serouj/Wikimedia)

Griffith Park: has more than 56 miles of mountainous fire roads, bridle paths, and dirt trails allow you to piece together runs of any length and intensity, thanks to the park’s 1,200 feet of vertical.

Road Run

San Vicente Boulevard: The wide median in the posh stretch from Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica to Montana Avenue in Brentwood creates a perfect seven-mile out-and-back.

Mountain Bike

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: There are hundreds of miles of trails here, with 150 of them open to mountain bikers. The Zuma Ridge and Backbone trails, just west of Kanan-Dume Road, offer the best lung-busting climbs and fast descents.

Road Bike

San Gabriel River bike trail 2.75 long beach california — A photograph of the San Gabriel River bicycle trail at mile 2.75 on the border of Long Beach, California. (Chisq/Wikimedia)

San Gabriel, River Bike Trail: This scenic path parallels the river for 38 uninterrupted miles, from the base of thein Baldwin Park to the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach.

Explore

Echo Park, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake
These 100-year-old, tree-covered neighborhoods are riddled with concrete stairs that tie them together. Pick up a copy of and get ready to log some serious elevation gain.

Stay

La Shore Hotel Los Angeles Blue night ready for launch — La Shoe Hotel (Courtesy of La Shore Hotel)

Shore Hotel, Santa Monica: This minimalist, 164-room, is just a few short paces from Santa Monica State Beach Park, the city’s pier, and the Pacific Coast Highway, which provides a convenient escape route. From $309.

Work Out

Easton Gym LA california hollywood west — Inside Easton Gym (Courtesy of Easton Gym)

Easton Gym, West Hollywood: For more than 80 years, has been helping celebs get in shape with its unpretentious vibe. The original spot in West Hollywood has a roof deck with views of downtown L.A.

Gear Up

Helen's Cycles Biking LA — Inside Helen's Cycles in Santa Monica (Courtesy of Helen's Cycles)

Helen’s Cycles, Santa Monica: At , rent a Cannondale road bike with a Shimano Ultegra drivetrain. $65 per day, $325 per week.

Runner's Circle Shop Los Angeles — A Runner's Circle (Courtesy of A Runner's Circle)

A Runner’s Circle, Los Feliz: Scope out nearby routes in Griffith Park and sign up for the store’s free fun runs, at 6 p.m. on Thursday nights, starting at .

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