Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [112]
Wagon Wheel Ranch ( 310-567-3582; www.pvhorses.com; Palos Verdes Peninsula; 1/2hr rides $60/100) Rides explore the wild side of posh Palos Verdes Peninsula delivering views of the ocean and the city. Moonlight rides available too. Riding is Western-style. Call ahead for reservations and directions.
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HIKING IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS
Hiking may not be an obvious activity to get your kicks in LA, but trust us: exploring the city’s ‘wild side’ will feel like taking a micro-vacation from the mad bustle. Chumash Native Americans once roamed the hilly, tree- and chaparral-covered coastal range now protected as the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (www.nps.gov/samo). It extends from Griffith Park in Hollywood to Point Mugu across the Ventura county line. The 65-mile Backbone Trail covers its entire length, but there are lots of scenic shorter hikes, including those listed below. For more ideas, see Will Rogers State Historic Park, drop by the Visitors Center (Map; 805-370-2301; 401 W Hillcrest Dr, Thousands Oaks, take Lynn Rd exit off 101 Fwy; 9am-5pm) or consult www.lamountains.com.
Malibu Creek State Park (Map) Nature puts on a magnificent show in this park, which has cameoed on film as Wales, the South Pacific and, most famously, Korea in M*A*S*H. Don’t miss the lovely trail leading to the latter’s main set, where an old Jeep and other relics rust serenely in the California sunshine. Stop by the visitors center (open weekends) to study stills from the shoots. The main parking lot ($8) is on Malibu Canyon Rd. Coming from Hwy 101 (Hollywood Fwy), take the Las Virgenes Rd exit. Another famous filming site in the park is the Paramount Ranch (Map; 818-735-0896; Cornell Rd; 8am-sunset; ), a historic movie ranch. To get there, continue on Malibu Canyon Rd and turn west on Mulholland Hwy, then right on Cornell Rd. Both Malibu Creek and Paramount are stops on the ParkLINK Shuttle (Click here).
Runyon Canyon Park (Map) Keep your celeb radar on high while exploring this gem of a park right above frenzied Hollywood Blvd. Paris Hilton has been spotted working her quads in sequins and on our last visit we quite literally bumped into British crooner Robbie Williams, jogging fresh out of rehab. Views of the city are stellar. Even if you’re too short on time (or breath) for the full 3.5-mile loop, at least make it to Inspiration Point, reached in 15 minutes tops. Pooches are allowed to romp around off-leash. Mornings and late afternoon are best; weekends are the busiest. Catch the trail at Vista St or Fuller St in Hollywood or at the top on Mulholland Dr. For the full lowdown, see www.runyon-canyon.com.
Fryman Canyon (Map) Sweeping views of the San Fernando Valley, deep forest canyons and year-round springs are among nature’s gifts to hikers venturing along the 3.3-mile Betty B Dearing Trail, which continues through Wilacre Park. Most people start in Fryman Canyon Park at the Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook off Mulholland Dr. To get to the trailhead, take Laurel Canyon Blvd to Mulholland Dr, turn right (west) and the parking lot will be on your right. This is one of the most heavily traveled trails around here, so avoid weekends if possible. You can also pick up the trail at Wilacre Park, on Fryman Rd, just off Laurel Canyon Blvd.
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Skateboarding
Skate rats should check out Santa Monica Skate Park (Map; 310-458-8228; cnr 14th St & Olympic Blvd, Memorial Park) with 20,000 sq feet of vert, street and tranny terrain.
Spas & Massages
Get your stressed-out self over to these pampering shrines where they’ll work out the kinks and turn you into a glowing lump of tranquility.
Kate Somerville (Map; 323-655-7546; www.katesomerville.com; 8428