| Picture yourself catching a curling wave along a | | | | work some unaccustomed muscles, but you'll |
| long stretch of sandy beach. If you can't imagine | | | | certainly get a nice workout. Guided rides for |
| doing that, maybe your tastes run more to inline | | | | even inexperienced horseback riders are available |
| skating, horseback riding or mountain hiking. If | | | | throughout the day in Griffith Park. And if you'd |
| you're daring enough, you can try sea kayaking, | | | | like a little horseback romance, take a private |
| windsurfing or hang gliding. They're all popular | | | | night ride with your sweetheart at Sunset Ranch. |
| outdoor activities in Los Angeles. | | | | Located just on the edge of Griffith Park beneath |
| Blessed with one of the best locations in the | | | | the famous hillside Hollywood Sign, all levels of |
| country for those who love active outdoor | | | | riders can enjoy day rides there too. |
| pursuits, Los Angeles boasts both topographic | | | | Los Angeles is a veritable mecca for bicycle riding. |
| diversity and a nearly-perfect year-round climate. | | | | Long-distance riders can enjoy all or part of a |
| Mountains, sea and extensive flat areas all meet in | | | | 22-mile paved bicycle trail between Pacific |
| the same small region, enabling visitors to choose | | | | Palisades and Torrance, with stops along the way |
| from a wide range of active outdoor activities | | | | at Venice, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo |
| during their Los Angeles vacations. If you're | | | | beaches. Water fountains, food stands and |
| energetic enough you can you swim or kayak in | | | | restrooms are scattered along the trail. If |
| the ocean, ride a bike or roller skate along scenic | | | | mountain biking is more your thing, the trails |
| trails, then hike in the mountains. And in Los | | | | through the nearby Santa Monica Mountains would |
| Angeles you can do it all in the same day. But it | | | | be perfect. Because you probably didn't bring your |
| gets even better. When you're done for the day, | | | | bike with you on your vacation, bicycle rentals are |
| you can partake of a delectable gourmet meal or | | | | available in several places throughout the region. |
| some tasty comfort food, go shopping or | | | | These same Santa Monica Mountains also provide |
| museum-hopping, or take in a game that's being | | | | a great spot for mountain hiking and wild |
| played by one the city's several professional | | | | animal-spotting. The mountains climb to just over |
| sports teams. | | | | 3,000 feet and provide a good workout. They can |
| On the Water | | | | get hot in the summer, so make sure you bring |
| Thanks to The Beach Boys in the early 1960s, | | | | water. Hiking through Temescal Canyon in Pacific |
| Southern California almost automatically pops to | | | | Palisades is easier, but Pacific Palisades also offers |
| mind when many Americans think about surfing. | | | | intermediate and advanced hiking. It rewards |
| The Los Angeles area has great waves for | | | | those who make the tougher climbs with views |
| surfing and the song "Surfin' USA" mentions many | | | | of Los Angeles and the Pacific that can't be beat. |
| of the area's prime surfing spots. Along some | | | | The Los Angeles area also features one of the |
| beaches the waves are challenging-enough to | | | | premier rollerskating spots in the country, the |
| satisfy even highly experienced surfers, but surf | | | | same lengthy trail between Pacific Palisades and |
| schools with experienced instructors are plentiful, | | | | Torrance that's so often used by bikers. Skating |
| so don't worry if you're a novice. And who | | | | is also a popular active pastime on the boardwalk |
| knows, you may find surfing to be addictive! | | | | at Venice Beach, but truth be told, people in Los |
| Redondo Beach, Santa Monica Beach, Venice | | | | Angeles roller skate just about everywhere that |
| Beach, Manhattan Beach and Malibu Beach are | | | | bicycles are ridden. Inline and conventional skating |
| some of the area's well-known surfing sites, but | | | | are both very popular, and rental skates are |
| there are many more than just those few. | | | | available in several locations. |
| Whether you try sea kayaking in a calm harbor | | | | In the Air |
| or on the open ocean, you'll be paddling during a | | | | If you like a little more elevation in your sport, try |
| quiet, serene marine journey. Much like sailing, no | | | | taking to the air for some hang gliding. The |
| engine noises detract from the experience -- the | | | | geography of the Los Angeles area provides |
| only audible distractions will probably come from | | | | plenty of opportunities, from beginner level |
| the occasional seagull or other water bird. It's just | | | | lessons at bunny hills to thrilling solo flights at the |
| you, the kayak and the water. This is a popular | | | | expert level. Launch yourself off the top of one |
| water sport in Los Angeles, and kayak lessons | | | | of the many hills in the area. |
| and rentals are readily available. | | | | I'll Just Watch, Thank You! |
| Windsurfing, sometimes called sailboarding, is | | | | Several Los Angeles outdoor activities are also |
| another water sport that's popular in the area. | | | | great fun to watch. Surfing and windsurfing, in |
| Great fun, but more difficult than it looks. Not to | | | | particular, offer prime opportunities for onlookers. |
| worry, because as with sea kayaking, windsurfing | | | | But |
| lessons and rentals are easy to find. | | | | If you just want to watch, hang gliding might be |
| On Dry Land | | | | the most spectacular opportunity of them all. |
| If you're more interested in land-bound activities, | | | | Even without trying, spectators often catch these |
| take a shot at horseback riding through the area's | | | | beautiful kites and their riders gracefully soaring in |
| scenic hills. Unless you ride on a regular basis you'll | | | | the air. |