Stick To Your Resolutions — Places to Exercise Outdoors in LA

Getting healthy is at the top of the New Year’s resolutions list for many people, but going to the gym isn’t for everyone. Luckily, we live in beautiful Southern California where the sun is always shining and there is the opportunity to exercise outdoors almost year-round. There are plenty of unique and fun ways to workout outdoors right here in our community, and several are completely free! Check out the Halton Pardee team’s list of our favorite spots to workout outdoors.

Walking

PARDEE PICK: Venice Canals

  • Where: Washington Blvd. & Dell Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90292
  • Why we love it: The Venice Canal Historic District is a district in the Venice section of Los Angeles, California. The district is noteworthy for its man-made canals built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as part of his Venice of America plan. Take a stroll through these three canal-lined blocks—hence the name, Venice—and you’ll discover an idyllic scene: arching pedestrian bridges, charming beach houses, bunches of ducklings and the occasional paddle boarding bulldog.

RUNNER UP: Bluff Trail Park

  • Where: 1 W Bluff, Playa del Rey, CA 90293
  • Why we love it: A nice, clean walkway that is well-maintained. Great for a nice jog, romantic stroll with a view or a more-scenic-than-usual dog walk. This secret pathway is a haven for locals to get a little sun and fresh air along this quiet overlook above the wetlands, city, and Pacific Ocean.

Stairs

PARDEE PICK: Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

  • Where: 6300 Hetzler Road, Culver City, CA 90232
  • Why we love it: Take in breathtaking views, hike through restored native habitat, and enjoy a state of the art visitor center at your stunning new urban park, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Visitors can begin to discover, or residents can rediscover Los Angeles from this 500 ft. peak just southwest of downtown. Exhibits tell the story of this once drilled and exploited land, which has now become a symbol of restoration, conservation and hope. A short walk away, visitors are treated to a panoramic view of the entire Los Angeles Basin, the Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains.

RUNNER UP: Mar Vista Stairs

  • Where: 3301 Granville Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066
  • Why we love it: These 97 concrete stairs are great for those seeking a workout with less of a crowd. With easy parking, the steps are the perfect depth and height to provide a nice workout and have less tripping hazards. At the top of the stairs, there are great views of downtown L.A. and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Hiking

PARDEE PICK: LMU Hiking Trail

  • Where: 7299 Loyola Marymount University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045
  • Why we love it: For those times when you can’t get out of LA to go for a hike, the city offers several urban trails. Those who live around Loyola Marymount University (in Culver City, Ladera Heights, Marina Del Rey, Playa Vista, Westchester, West LA, etc.) may enjoy getting a taste of the outdoors along with some exercise on the LMU Trail, also know as Westchester Fire Road. This partially paved road crosses the bluff below Loyola Marymount University (and the white LMU lettering) and is a level 2.15 miles from point to point. There is a side trail along the way that climbs to the top of the bluff, which can be used to add a short hill workout to the hike for an all-in distance of 4.7 miles round trip with 125 feet of elevation gain.

RUNNER UP: Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

  • Where: 4100 South La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90056
  • Why we love it: Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area is an urban oasis and one of the largest inner-city parks and regional open spaces in greater Los Angeles. This lush and peaceful 338-acre recreational retreat offers hikers healthy but challenging trails that provide some of the best and most breathtaking views unlike any other in the city! There is also a Japanese Garden, baseball and soccer fields, and ten station workout course.

Beach Yoga

PARDEE PICK: YOGAqua

  • Where: 13977 Palawan Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
  • Why we love it: A YOGAqua class is a combination yoga and paddle boarding class on the ocean that lasts 90 minutes long. The first 30 minutes is dedicated to learning how to properly use a paddleboard and peacefully paddle around the harbor. The remaining hour is dedicated to yoga on the paddleboard. What better workout is there than jumping on a SUP and doing yoga on the ocean waves.

RUNNER UP: Body Love Yoga

  • Where: Thornton Avenue, Venice, CA 90291
  • Why we love it: Join instructor Rose on the beach for a challenging workout that still allows ample room for breath and centering. While mixing up familiar movies with new ones, you get an intense workout that keeps you on your toes and in the sand. Whether you’re a first time yogi or an expert, it’s hard to beat yoga on the beach at sunset!

Biking

PARDEE PICK: The Marvin Braude Bike Trail

  • Where: 17000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Will Rogers State Beach, Los Angeles, CA 90272
  • Why we love it: The Marvin Braude Bike Trail is a 22-mile paved bicycle path that runs along the Los Angeles County coastline from the northern terminus at Will Rogers State Beach to the southern terminus at Torrance County Beach, and is open year-round. Our favorite strip is the Santa Monica Bike Path, where you can people watch while riding alongside the beautiful Santa Monica beach.

RUNNER UP: Ballona Creek Bike Path

  • Where: Culver City, CA 90232
  • Why we love it: The Ballona Creek Bike Path starts at Syd Kronenthal Park in east Culver City and extends about 7 miles to the Coast Bike Path along the beach. With the improvements and increased ridership, the bike path is an enjoyable and safe place to exercise, commute, and ride to the coast, school, or other destinations.

Swimming

PARDEE PICK: Culver City Municipal Plunge

  • Where: Culver City, CA 90232
  • Why we love it: “The Plunge” operated by the City of Culver City’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department was opened on August 31,1949. Their mission is to provide comprehensive aquatics programming that meets the needs of the community through highly accessible, enjoyable and varied opportunities for learning and recreation. They strive to offer a safe, responsive and welcoming aquatics environment that promotes the health and well-being of our City’s residents.

RUNNER UP: Annenberg Community Beach House

  • Where: 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402
  • Why we love it: The Beach House is a unique community destination. With spectacular views, splash pad, playground, gallery, Marion Davies Guest House, beach courts + fields, community + cultural events, historic pool, free Wi-Fi, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Exercise Parks

PARDEE PICK: Sand Dune Park

  • Where: 33rd and Bell Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
  • Why we love it: This park acquired its name from the 100-foot high sand dune located there. It is a favorite destination for kids of all ages. Steps and switchbacks lead up into the nature area as a trail that provides different ways to reach the top. The trail winds through plant life and provides an interesting and educational nature walk. The top of the dune provides a panoramic east-facing view of the City.

RUNNER UP: Muscle Beach

  • Where: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
  • Why we love it: Visit, watch a show or work-out at Muscle Beach Gym. Located steps from the sand on Venice Beach Boardwalk, Muscle Beach Gym is one of the treasures of Venice. Once the home gym of bodybuilders Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, the newly outfitted facility still serves the community as the only outdoor weight room around.

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