Outdoor Activities and Recreation

With its beautiful weather year-round, you'd be crazy not to spend some of your time in L.A. outdoors. Whether you want to relax or get active, here are some of the best outdoor recreational activities Los Angeles has to offer.

Beaches

You can't come to Los Angeles and not spend some time at the beach, whether to pick up a good tan or just enjoy people watching. Popular area beaches include Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan, and Malibu, but there are also many less crowded parts of the coast that you might want to stop at.

The best way to see the coast is to drive up the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1, sometimes called PCH). Take the 10 Freeway West until it turns into PCH and then just keep driving along the beautiful shoreline until you find a spot where you want to stop. You'll also pass Pepperdine University and a variety of fresh fish restaurants where you can stop for a snack.

Hiking

If you're looking for a fun way to burn a few calories while in L.A., hiking is a fun and beautiful way to get some exercise. Many hiking trails have historic significance, great views of the city or coastline, or both. We recommend Runyon Canyon, Will Rogers State Park, Temescal Canyon and Griffith Park, but trails can be found all over the Los Angeles area. Check out This Hiking Trail's map to find one near wherever you're staying.

Camping

To fully experience the natural landscape and beauty of Southern California, pitch a tent at one of the many campsites in the Los Angeles area. You'll find a wide variety of RVing and campgrounds throughout the area. Visit the CAOutdoors website for a listing of sites.