While tourists from all around the world flock to visit Los Angeles for the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios, the actual locals are spending their time in a completely different location. Runyon Canyon is one of LA’s best-kept secrets, and it’s become a trendy hotbed for young adults and even celebrities.
A 160-acre park located at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, Runyon Canyon is a beautiful trail that isn’t too rigorous but also not your typical walk in the park, so to speak. It does require persistence if you want to complete the entire trail, but you can still have a great experience if you don’t hike the entire thing.
Ironically, we framed it as a “secret”, but most Angelinos are in on it—so it can get pretty packed at certain times of the day. It’s also very dog-friendly, which is another reason so many people love taking this trail. Ultimately, this is one of LA’s best hikes, and it offers plenty of picturesque views of the city’s wonderful mountain ranges and lush greenery.
Perhaps it’s that last line that’s the true secret of Runyon Canyon, and LA itself. So many non-locals don’t realize that LA’s biggest asset isn’t Hollywood or the celebrities that you might run into on the street—it’s the beautiful nature.
