10 Best Cheap Training Shoes

Best Cheap Training Shoes in 2023

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4 Gorgeous Trail Hikes Off the Streets of Los Angeles

Trailheads leading from major L.A. streets directly into California State Parks and woodlands are surprisingly accessible and amazingly beautiful.

If you live in Los Angeles or pay her a visit from time to time, you undoubtedly know about pleasant hiking trails about Griffith Park. Once they have been easily conquered, one looks about the city's mazes of divot ridden roads and naturally wonders where the other trails may be. So, what about wide canyons as green and majestic as Yosemite? How about parkways with luscious pines instead of brittle palms, loge style ranger stations and a pristine woodchip path to the beach?

Now we are beginning to talk about true nature hiking adventures. But, winding paths of fresh soil and luscious trees in Los Angeles?

Yes, they do exist.

I refer to these hiking areas as "Urban Trails," due to their surprisingly easy access from major Los Angeles thoroughfares. Try not to let the term "Urban" fool you, as each one will take you deep into nature where cars horns give way to blue jay calls and smoggy air parts for crisp gusting evergreen.

Here are four such trails more than worthy of a drive and hike:

Bronson Canyon
In Hollywood, take Canyon Drive straight into Bronson Canyon Park where the trailhead starts just beyond the parking lot. Or, climb a small hill above the park to the Bronson "Bat" Caves (no bats though) featured in the opening of the 60s "Batman" television series. The main trail connects to the Griffith Observatory trail to the East, while winding behind and underneath the Hollywood Sign to the northwest. Expect a medium Grade with smooth dirt the entire way and an occasional group of riders on horseback. (Distance: 1.5 miles to the Hollywood sign)

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Start at the base of a steep climb known "The Stairs" off Jefferson Blvd in Culver City to go straight to the overlook, or use the parking lot across from the "Bone Yard" Dog Park on Duquesne Avenue where a more scenic assembly of wooden steps takes you to the trailhead behind the baseball diamonds in Blair Hills Park. Expect a steep rocky Grade with wooden steps up to an amazing view panning across Culver City and West L.A. Visit the Overlook/Ranger Station at the top of the hill to view displays on local flora and fauna. (Distance: .7 miles to the Overlook)

Veterans Parkway
This is an easy hike along a flat woodchip path running through the cities of Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. Start at the parking lot below the intersection of Sepulveda Blvd and Rosecrans Avenue, head under the bridge and you will immediately find yourself surrounded by a gorgeous urban greenbelt. Accessing the beach is a 3-5 block wander down any number of west facing streets along the path. (Distance: 3.75 miles)

Temescal Canyon
West of the city but still just off Sunset Blvd, Temescal Canyon boasts two steep, main trails that connect in a loop atop a rock formation known as "Skull Rock." The climb up both trails is a bit rigorous, yet the payoff is an arching view above the Pacific Palisades and the boundless Pacific Ocean. Pay to park at Temescal State Park, where there is a flat path along a quiet flowing creek leading to the trailheads, or park for free off Temescal Canyon Road that connects southwest to Highway 1. (Distance: 4.4 miles loop, 5.4 miles to Skull Rock)

Enjoy your urban hiking adventure.

Sources:

Laparks.org, Bronson Canyon:

California State Parks, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook:

City of Manhattan Beach, Veterans Parkway: