When you think of Los Angeles, you probably picture something along the lines of a film set, with rich locals experiencing the glitz and glamour of a celebrity lifestyle. Lights, camera, action! There are swanky restaurants, bustling bars, and celebrities on every corner, right? Well, although this might ring true for certain parts of L.A., there’s also another side to the second largest city in the United States. Here are some suggestions of where to find the natural beauty Los Angeles has to offer:
The Beach
Head to one of the nation’s busiest airports on your Los Angeles flights, and from there you can hightail it to somewhere more peaceful. Why not make one of the L.A’s beaches your first stop?
Just 15 minutes from LAX, Marina del Rey is close enough to enjoy even if you only have a few hours of a layover. The beautiful stretch of waterfront is a popular area for boating and you can even take a sailing lesson from these shores. The nearby Venice Beach is also worth seeing, not only for its natural seaside beauty but also some fantastic people watching as well!
For a more serene, romantic atmosphere, check out El Matador Beach, a rocky, peaceful shore and lovely place to watch the sun go down. Leo Carrillo State Park, in Malibu, provides another magical beach for experiencing L.A.’s more natural side. Scan the tide pools for interesting sea creatures, explore the sea caves or join a guided nature walk to get the most from this picturesque location.
The Desert
Being the major city that it is, people often forget that Los Angeles has desert-like terrain too. Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, a Los Angeles County park that spans nearly 1,000 acres, is well-worth the quick drive from L.A.
In the park you’ll see rock formations and be able to go on more than just a handful of desert hikes. Famous Rocks, a particular rock formation in the park, is fairly close or for an extended trek, try the Pacific Crest Trail and Foot Trail loop. Here you’ll see striking sandstone formations and experience a more than 300 foot change in elevation.
The Canyons
There are several canyons around L.A., so why not join the locals and walk, hike or run through this landscape. The rocky terrain around Bronson Canyon, near Hollywood, is perfect hiking territory. Visit Bronson “Cave,” actually a 50 foot long tunnel, which featured prominently in the 1960s ‘Batman’ television series.
Franklin Canyon Park, located at the eastern end of the Santa Monica mountains, includes miles of hiking trails as well as the Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir and the Sooky Goldman Nature Center. You’ll see plenty of birds and wildlife around the reservoir and can learn about the history of the park in the nature center.
The Waterfalls
Finally, to experience nature and cool off from that California sun, visit one of the area’s many waterfalls. Sturtevant Falls, a 60 foot waterfall in the San Gabriel Mountains, can be reached after a 3.25 mile hike through the tranquil Angeles National Forest.
Escondido Falls, located in the Santa Monica mountains, features an impressive 200 foot waterfall cascading over two levels. The upper falls can be a challenge to reach, so ensure you wear proper footwear, but once you get there you’ll be glad you made the journey.
So, although L.A.’s natural beauty sometimes flies under the radar compared to the city’s glitz and glamour, it’s more than worth checking out when you’re in town.
Photo Credits
Leo Carrillo State Park – Wikipedia Creative Commons
Rock Formations – Some rights reserved by channone on flickr
Heavenly Pond – Wikipedia Creative Commons
Sturtevant Falls – Some rights reserved by Mitch Barrie on flickr
Guest Author Bio
Hal Wilcox
Hal Wilcox is a traveler and life coach. Despite traveling all over the world, he retains a special passion for his native United States.
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