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Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Telephone: +1 310 260 8744
Marking a return to the California pleasure piers of the early 1900s, this old-fashioned amusement park sits right on the historic Santa Monica Pier, offering unbeatable views of the coast. During the peak summer season, Pacific Park is always hopping with families, teens and tourists. The rest of the year, it's more of a weekend destination, with only a limited number of attractions operating on weekdays.
200 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Telephone: +1 310 458 8900
This near-legendary pier is a breezy, sunny mecca not just for Angelenos, but for anyone with an interest in pop culture, beach life or California history. It's been a destination since 1909. Despite having hosted flappers in the '20s, swingers in the '40s and conservationists in the '80s, the pier is now best known for its TV and film appearances. Forrest Gump ended his cross-country run here. "The Sting" took a turn on the carousel.
Temescal Canyon Rd and Sunset Blvd
Santa Monica, CA
At the intersection of Temescal Canyon Road and Sunset Boulevard, proceed north on Temescal Canyon Road past signs for parking at Gateway Park. Either of two trails, Canyon or Ridge, begin just beyond the restrooms. Follow the Canyon Trail into Topanga State Park and reach a wooden footbridge over Temescal Canyon Falls. Following that is Skull Rock, which is well-worth the trek. Turn back down the Ridge Trail to encounter spectacular views that stretch west to the ocean and Catalina, south to Palos Verdes and east to downtown, not to mention the almost always clear expanse of Santa Monica and the rest of the Westside.
A small range that runs only 50 miles (81km) from Griffith Park to Point Mugu, on the coast north of Malibu, makes Los Angeles a great place for hiking. The mountains, which peak at 3,111 feet, are part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, a contiguous conglomeration of 350 public parks and 65,000 acres. Many animals live in this area, including deer, coyote, rabbit, skunk, rattlesnake, fox, hawk, and quail. The hills are also home to almost 1,000 drought-resistant plant species, including live oak and coastal sage. Hiking is best after spring rains, when the hills are green, flowers are in bloom, and the air is clear. Summers can be very hot; hikers should always carry fresh water. Beware of poison oak, a hearty shrub that's common on the west coast. Usually found among oak trees, poison oak has leaves in groups of three, with waxy surfaces and prominent veins. If you come into contact with this itch-producing plant, bathe yourself in calamine lotion, or the ocean. For trail maps and more information, contact the National Parks Service tel. (818) 597-1036
Mulholland Drive travels 21 miles (34km) along the peaks and canyons of Hollywood Hills and the Santa Monica mountains, straddling Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. The winding road provides some amazing views of the city (particularly at night) and offers many opportunities to pull over and simply enjoy.
13759 Fiji Way
Telephone: +1 310 822 3625
This venue offers four deep-sea boats departing daily on half- and full-day ocean fishing trips. Of course, it depends on what's running when you're out, but bass, barracuda, halibut, and yellowtail are the most common catches on these party boats. Excursions cost from $22 to $30; tackle rental is available. Call for reservations.
The canyon is a long and difficult climb that rises steadily for about 3 miles (5km). At the top, hikers are rewarded with fantastic views over the Pacific. At the top is Trippet Ranch, a public facility providing water, restrooms, and picnic tables. From Santa Monica, take Pacific Coast Highway (Calif. 1) north. Turn right onto Sunset Boulevard, then left onto Palisades Drive. Then continue for 2 1/2 miles (4km), turn left onto Verenda de la Montura, and park at the cul-de-sac at the end of the street, where you can find the trailhead.
Las Virgenes and Malibu Canyon Rd
Malibu, CA 91302
Telephone: +1 818 880 0367
If you're visiting the park and suddenly feel a sense of déjà vu, there's a reason: This lush 8,200-acre slopeland has been used for the settings of both "Planet of the Apes" and "M*A*S*H," among other notable movies and TV shows. Just 25 miles from downtown L.A., the park is set in the rugged Santa Monica mountains, with more than 4,000 acres of fishing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and bird watching. Fifteen miles of streamside trails wind through the oak and sycamore woodlands, mostly following the 25-mile Malibu Creek that runs from Boney Mountain to Malibu Lagoon. Wildflowers are in bloom nearly all year and several areas are prime locations for coyote and deer spotting.
9000 W Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265
Telephone: + 818 880 0350
Located between the Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu shoreline, Point Mugu State Park boasts more than 70 miles of hiking trails. The La Jolla Valley trail traverses it all--from rugged chaparral strewn with prickly pear and yucca to lush, fern-filled canyons with streams, small waterfalls and stands of oaks. The hike eventually gives way to beautiful rolling grasslands busy with scurrying roadrunners.
La Jolla Valley is one of the few places left in Southern California that has resisted the foreign grasses imported by the Spanish for pasture. Look for wild chocolate lilies in them. The chaparral in springtime is a heady potpourri of sages, wild lavender, manzanita, wild currant, yellow broom and bushy astors spilling pinks, purples, yellows and whites all over the moderate-to-difficult trail.
471 S Roxbury Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Telephone: +1 310 550 4761
The words "municipal park" don't usually conjure up images of verdant grassy knolls, well-manicured flower beds resplendent with poppies, and croquet matches played in cricket whites, but tack on a Beverly Hills address and it all makes sense. This green gem is nestled at the base of Beverly Hills and Century City high-rise apartment buildings, whose well-to-do dwellers make good use of its location.
6000 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90038-1864
Telephone: +1 323 469 1181
Founded in 1899, the former Hollywood Memorial Park has a checkered past: legendary movie star interments, scandal-plagued management and a mid-'90s bankruptcy that's led to new ownership and a name change. Forever Enterprises has initiated extensive restoration of the grounds and now offers a revolutionary form of remembrance. Futuristic video memorials--combining family videos, interviews and even favorite songs of the deceased--let folks decide beforehand how they'll be remembered.
Los Angeles, CA 90291
People watching doesn't get any better. Tourists and locals of all shapes, sizes and piercings cruise this renowned boardwalk at all hours. Renovated in early 2001, the cleaned-up strand now boasts enhancements such as skateboarding areas and basketball courts. It's eccentric and outlandish and that's how everyone likes it. Street performers juggle chainsaws and ride unicycles in front of beachfront cafes and shops peddling typical souvenirs. For a less strenuous endeavor, rent in-line skates and join the masses rolling by.
Franklin and Fuller Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
The 134-acre park's main drag is a wide path snaking along the canyon floor, gradually ascending to the scenic point called Cloud's Rest. From Cloud's Rest, fitness buffs can chose to proceed downward via a steep dirt fire trail. However, most hikers opt to retrace their path for a gradual and paved return to the bottom. Up and down on the paved path is a little over two miles and takes about an hour.
1691 Spinnaker Dr #105B
Ventura, CA 93011
Telephone: +1 805 642 1393
Hop aboard an Island Packers Cruises' charter boat for a trip that offers expansive coastal views as well as abundant wildlife sightings. Blue, gray and humpback whales, orcas, dolphins and otters are just a few of the sea mammals that can be spotted along the way. After the hour long boat ride, passengers can swap city stress for the serenity of this undeveloped island and its rolling green hills, beautiful beaches and cliff side bluffs dotted with wildflowers. A series of hikes, 11 in all, allow visitors to explore what Los Angeles looked like more than 100 years ago. The Potato Harbor Overlook is a fairly easy, four-mile hike offering breathtaking coastal views. The Scorpion Bay hike is more strenuous, but allows sightings of the endemic island jay. The moderate, two-mile Cavern Point hike leads to one of the best places to spot gray whales in the winter.
15101 W Lancaster Rd
Lancaster, CA 93534
Telephone: +1 661 724 1180
Imagine a fiery field of golden blooms blanketing a hillside. This is as close as gets to a Technicolor heaven in Southern California. Located in the Antelope Buttes, the 1,745-acre preserve was established to protect various wildflower species, including cream cups, owl's clovers, goldfields and lupines. But the abundant poppies always take center stage. Poppies grow best where there is some disturbance to the land, such as fire and animal grazing. While park management doesn't water the flowers, they do have to keep sheep from overgrazing the hillsides. The reserve features several loop trails--one is partially wheelchair accessible. The best path for viewing the poppies is the North and South Poppy Loop, a combined two-mile walk that should take about one hour to finish.
Angeles Crest Hwy
La Canada, CA 91011
Telephone: +1 626 574 5200
Make your way up the winding cliffside road of Angeles Crest Highway, where tall pines sway in the breeze and the San Gabriel Mountains erase all signs of the city. About a quarter mile east of Angeles Forest Highway, look for the sign announcing Switzer Picnic Area, then get ready for a sublime outdoor experience.
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