Los Angeles Area Running Trails

The Los Angeles area is full of excitement and variety. Whether you are looking for amusement parks, nature hikes and camping, beaches, or sports, there is no end to the choices here. When it comes to running or jogging, the choice of trails and routes is just as varied. There are several areas where you can find your perfect course. The beaches and boardwalks are great for the runner that enjoys the calm ocean as a backdrop and there are several mountains and canyons for the more extreme or natural runner. You can always just grab a map of the stars' homes and choose a route that may get you a gander at your favorite movie personality. Whatever it is that drives you, you can find it in the LA area. Here is a look at some of the more traveled routes as well as some of the more scenic destinations.

Hollywood -

If you are into movie stars, this one might be for you. While the stars don't really live here (they have homes here, but many are more reclusive and choose to live elsewhere), there is always a chance that they may be in the area for a film or show. An early morning jog could net you a famous running partner as you weave your way through these streets. It is not uncommon to see a couple of the actors out in their running gear for an early morning jaunt. You can also plan your route to pass some of the many film studios in the area. Since there is always something in production here, there is a chance you can meet up with some of your heroes of the silver screen along your route. This route can be customized for any level of runner. There are several hills that can be added or avoided and you can map out any distance up to about ten miles or more if you weave it right.

Beaches -

From Santa Barbara all the way to San Diego, you can easily plan a nice beach run in this area. The coast is populated almost all the way to Mexico if you are in for a very long jog (it is at least a three day walk). There is a large variance in the type of terrain as well. The northern section of beach has several hills and some amazing seaside cliff views to inspire your running while Redondo Beach and south is mostly flat. There is a lot of historic and famous coastline to partake in while jogging the beaches in Los Angeles. Muscle Beach is one of the must run routes for any true jogger in the area. While it is pretty flat and quite easy, it is one of the fitness landmarks of the world and worth the visit at least once. One of my favorite courses is from Seal Beach and south. You can run for as many miles as your heart desires and never tire of the amazing view. Between Seal Beach and Oceanside you can find some of the best beach area for a morning jog. You have to watch the signs the farther south you go since Camp Pendleton takes a lot of the beach front and there are some areas that are off limits. There is enough beach for a great run though. I would only recommend this route on the weekend for your first time though. You can easily lose track of time and end up late for work.

Road Work -

There are many different courses that have been outlined for those that are training for events or want one of the more traveled routes that LA has to offer. You can find these route suggestions and their distances as well as difficulty levels by clicking the "Road Work" headline for this section. These range in difficulty and distance. I would recommend looking at the map of these routes if you don't intend on going over ten miles one way though. You can always cut these short to fit the distance you are comfortable with. They also vary in different locations and sites along the way. These are some of the more used and populated routes so parking is not a problem and you can often find partners or groups that run these regularly. This is a great starting point for anyone that wants to hit the pavement either on occasion or even daily. It is also a great source for finding some new routes to keep the boredom away and keep you focused. I used some of these routes to even familiarize myself with the area and some of the lesser known sights and eateries.

Mountain Trails -

Finding a mountain or canyon with some dirt trails for that truly outdoors running experience in LA is like looking for a ride at Disney; you can find them everywhere. Whether you live in town or just outside, there are no shortages to the off road trails in the area. If you want to get away from the city, there are many areas that are a short (less than an hour) drive away. This is my favorite type of run. Trudging through the mud, forging streams, and jumping logs adds a certain flavor to a run that is just amazing. You can find these types of trails nearby and they will not disappoint you. Some of my favorites are located in the Rocky Peak area that separates Simi Valley and San Fernando Valley. There are many more of these trails around though. They can be found both in and out of town and are detailed by the site linked in the header of this section.

The entire LA metro area is full of well used running areas. There is a little something for everyone and even some routes that will get a couch potato out of the house. Whether you are looking for paved routes, beach areas, or mountain trails, there are an assortment of each type of trail. You can also take your dog along as a partner on many of these routes. The possibilities are endless when it comes to getting active around this area.

Sources:

Hiking Trails - LA Mountains.com

Los Angeles Area Trail Running

LA Trails

Los Angeles, California Running Routes and Maps - Run.com