"A vagrant is everywhere at home." - Martial
You might not think of Southern California, specifically the greater Los Angeles area as a bastion for pastoral, itinerant wandering, but you should. LA is home to thousands of trails, strolls, beaten tracks, walkabouts, climbs, constitutionals and promenades. Whether it be a strenuous mountain trek, or an urban discovery reconnaissance, the point is to stir your inner Magellan and get off yer bum and go for a walk. Don’t forget to take ample H2O, comfortable shoes, and a child-like sense of adventure.
Here are Seven Ways to take a hike (in Southern California):
Terranea Discovery Trail - Right in our own backyard, you can hike the TDT any time of year. This 2.2 mile, easy to moderate trek is fun for all ages, and has plenty to do along the way. Marvel at the beautiful wildflowers regnant throughout, spelunk in a sea cave, or stop at Nelson’s for a goblet of Chardonnay. Park at the Pelican Cove Parking area, and find the trailhead nearby. 31300 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
TreePeople - The trailhead for this low-profile jaunt starts at the headquarters for TreePeople, and non-profit that encourages the embrace of our arboreal amigos. This 3 mile loop is with 450 ft elevation gain from the Coldwater Canyon Park to Wilacre Park Estate with vistas of the San Fernando Valley, chaparral-shrubbed ridges and sylvan canyons, all surrounded by local ‘hoods. California Black Walnut trees incurvate over much of the beaten track, providing early shade and beauty along the way. 12601 Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills, CA
Griffith Observatory - A fundamental L.A. spot with memorable views, an enormous Zeiss telescope, a Tesla coil, and a planetarium, it's a world of astronomical wonders. There are dozens of hikes to choose from in GP, one of the largest urban parks in North America. 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Downtown LA - Not all hikes need to be bucolic. An urban constitutional can be just as invigorating, and perhaps even more informative. Taken from the fine Secret Stairs - A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles by C. Fleming, the sojourn starts at the base of Bunker Hill between the Grand Central Market and Angel’s Flight funicular, and carries you through the heart of the city and over some 1000 stairs. 350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area - You’d be surprised to discover that there is a 308 acre outdoor recreation area adjacent to Ladera Heights. This expanse of broad lawns, groves of eucalyptus, sumac and oak, several lakes, a rushing stream and a Japanese garden. And perhaps the best city views in Los Angeles. 4100 South La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90008
Elysian Park - This verdent patch in the heart of the ciudad is Los Angeles’s oldest park, founded in 1886. At 600 acres, it’s city’s third largest, behind O’Melveny Park in the Valley (672 acres) and it’s more well known neighbor, Griffith Park. With panoramic mountain and city views, it’s a convenient pre-game ritual to enjoy before any Dodger game. Much of the route through the northwest sector of the park is shaded and there’s not much climbing required, making it a good spot to keep in mind on hot days. Elysian Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Bridge to Nowhere - The near-ten mile trail meanders along the San Gabriel River through spiky yucca plants and calescent, lapidarian mountains to drop anchor at the giant Bridge to Nowhere; a failed government project turned bungee jumping mecca (much akin the $77 billion bone-head currently at the dead letter office in Sacramento). The route can be cruel and punitive, so start early to avoid the heave of post meridian heat. Camp Bonita Rd, La Verne, CA 9175
Bonus: California Coastal Trail - This 1200 mile stretch of the California coast visits 15 counties from the Oregon border to Mexico. Read the journal of those that made the wayfaring in 2003.