There's more to Los Angeles than movie stars, gridlocked traffic and professional sports teams, but the city isn't often thought of as an outdoor-lover's paradise. Even so, there are plenty of outdoor opportunities and chances to turn your L.A. vacation into an active experience. Run through the sights, go for a swim, take a hike, head to the beach or check out the city's famous Famers Markets to put a healthy spin on your Los Angeles trip.
Sightseeing
Why drive around Los Angeles to see all the sights when you can run, jog and turn sightseeing into a game? Several guide companies in the L.A. area offer a more active approach to sightseeing, from running tours that take you past Hollywood filming locations, down Rodeo Drive and into Santa Monica, to competitive, clue-based scavenger-hunt tours through the city.
Swimming
Los Angeles' traditionally warm weather makes the city's many swimming pools look inviting. The City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department operates 59 swimming pools, so you won't have much trouble finding a place to take a dip. If you'd rather not swim in a manmade pool, the city's Aquatics Division also oversees 10 lakes and staffs lifeguards at Cabrillo Beach in nearby San Pedro, California.
Hiking
Los Angeles and its surrounding mountains are replete with hiking trails that offer panoramic views of the city. Griffith Park, home of the Griffith Observatory, has a pair of two-mile hikes. For a longer trek, try the six-mile round-trip trail at Will Rogers State Historic Park. The Runyon Canyon Loop is a three-mile round-trip trail in the Hollywood Hills with views of the city from the summit at Cloud's Rest.
The Original Farmers Market
The Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles, created in 1934, is open daily at the corner of Third Street and Fairfax Avenue. The Famers Market has dozens of locally owned vendors selling a wide variety of goods, including clothing, jewelry, toys, housewares and souvenirs, and an array of local foods from restaurants and fresh meat and produce from grocers and gardeners.
Beaches
It's a short drive to the coast from downtown Los Angeles, and L.A.-area beaches that join up with the Pacific Ocean offer an array of opportunities. Venice Beach is just 14 miles away, and its famous boardwalk is a perfect place for rollerblading, bicycling or just taking a stroll. A couple of miles north of Venice are the beaches at Santa Monica, home of the Santa Monica Pier, and Pacific Palisades, home of Will Rogers Beach.
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