Los Angeles
Active things to do in Los Angeles
The City of Angels is known for its beautiful people and sunny climate, and fitness is an important part of life here. Luckily, there are hundreds of places where visitors can follow in the footsteps of locals and keep up their healthy lifestyles while on holiday. From national parks and beaches to golf courses and horse riding ranches, make the most of the great American outdoors with this two-day active itinerary in LA.
Day one
Start the day at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
The Beverly Hills Hotel
Start the day right with a yoga class at The Beverly Hills Hotel. The hotel’s 9021-OMTM yoga programme offers classes overlooking the pool from 9.30am–10.30am on Saturdays. Mats, fresh fruit and water are provided, so just turn up in your yoga gear and enjoy the class led by celebrated yoga instructor Amy Rose.
Next, take a 20-minute drive from The Beverly Hills Hotel to Griffith Park.
Griffith Park
With over 4,000 acres of landscaped parkland offering some of the best views of Los Angeles, Griffith Park is an unmissable urban wilderness in the heart of the city. Hike up to famous sights such as the Griffith Observatory, a fascinating facility dedicated to space and science; the Bronson Caves, which have appeared in many movies; or the famous Hollywood Sign, an attraction that needs no introduction.
Then, seek out Sunset Ranch, located within Griffith Park.
Sunset Ranch Hollywood
If there’s no time to walk, explore Griffith Park on horseback with Sunset Ranch Hollywood. The riding school offers one and two-hour guided tours taking in many of the park’s key sites and attractions, as well as longer four-hour tours over the mountain, which include a lunch stop.
Next, take a 40-minute drive to Angeles National Forest.
Angeles National Forest
With spectacular scenery, endless woodlands, quiet lakes and dedicated wilderness areas, Angeles National Forest is a hiking enthusiast’s utopia. While it’s impossible to explore its 655,000 acres in one day, there are hundreds of trails with differing levels of difficulty to choose from, offering snippets of the great park.
Next, head to the south-western edge of the forest, to find Angeles National Golf Club.
Angeles National Golf Club
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, a round of golf on the scenic Angeles National Golf Club championship course is an unforgettable experience. Book a round or schedule a private or group lesson with the experts at the JRL Golf Academy.
The Hotel Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel are both a 30-minute drive from Angeles National Golf Club.
Day two
Begin day two with a trip to Santa Monica, a 20-minute drive from both The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air.
Santa Monica
The coastal town of Santa Monica is not only beautiful; it’s also a workout hotspot. Head to the beach at any time of day to see runners, roller skaters and cyclists speeding along the promenade, and muscular fitness enthusiasts working out at the open-air gyms on the beachfront, like the legendary Muscle Beach. Join the locals for an early morning workout.
Then, head to Blazing Saddles on Santa Monica Pier, where the bike tour departs.
Perry’s Café and Beach Rentals
Take in the top sights of Santa Monica and Venice Beach on the Legends Beach Bike Tour, operated by Perry’s Café and Beach Rentals. A great way to soak up the California sunshine and find out more about the area, this tour will even take you past the homes of a few Hollywood stars for good measure.
Next, hail a taxi for a 10-minute drive to Rustic Canyon Recreation Center.
Rustic Canyon Recreation Center
Those interested in trying out popular American sports such as basketball, baseball and volleyball should head to the Rustic Canyon Recreation Center. The Santa Monica-based sports and leisure complex is also home to tennis courts, a swimming pool and barbecue pits for those keen on cooking their own lunch.
Continue your tour of LA’s best beaches with a 27-minute drive to El Porto Beach.
El Porto
El Porto is a surfer’s paradise. The protected beach attracts surfers from near and far with its consistently large waves, caused by a natural underwater canyon. Local surf schools such as Campsurf offer private and group lessons for beginners and intermediate surfers, while a selection of other local companies offer board rental and other water-based sports such as stand up paddle boarding.
The final stop on the itinerary is Long Beach, a 25-minute drive from El Porto Beach.
Long Beach
Sailing enthusiasts shouldn’t leave LA without visiting Long Beach. With a number of clubs to choose from (Long Beach Yacht Club and Shoreline Yacht Club, to name but a few), sailors are spoilt for choice. Whether you’re interested in boat rental, sailing lessons or sports such as jet skiing and kayaking, you can find it all in Long Beach.
From Long Beach, it’s a 40-minute drive to The Beverly Hills Hotel or a 35-minute drive to Hotel Bel Air.
All journey times are approximate and subject to variation.