Overrated/Underrated LA

We can’t knock the sprawling view of LA from the centrally-located Runyon Canyon. But this dusty trail runs short on shade and long on a runway show of yoga pants and shirtless bros. If you’re willing to give up a bit of the see-and-be-seen vibe, head farther west along the Santa Monica Mountains. The loop at Temescal Canyon winds through a densely wooded, well maintained trail with sweeping ocean views and a seasonal waterfall. It’s a popular spot, but thankfully not popular enough to be plagued by dog shit and parking woes.

Splash Mountain is still one of our favorite Disneyland rides; its cheerful critters are a reliable recipe for a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah day. But no way are we waiting an hour in the midday sun to find half of the animatronics on lunch break and to somehow only have one side of our body drenched in musty water and regret. Stick us on another flume ride instead: “it’s a small world.” We know what you’re thinking—that song!—but if you can’t get past any disdain for that cheerful earworm then you’re really missing out on one of the most delightful rides ever. A mid-century explosion of creativity, artistry and whimsy really makes this the happiest cruise that ever sailed.

We love the the view from the idyllic Silver Lake Meadow—other than the massive fence that separates it from the reservoir, of course. While residents pine for recreational beaches and imagine what neighboring Ivanhoe Reservoir would be like without 400,000 black plastic balls, we’ve moved on to the LA River. Unlike the reservoir, this body (okay, trickle) of water is open to the public for recreation during the summer, and with a potential $1.3 billion makeover, it’s primed for greatness. Walk along its banks or head out on a kayak; it's alright, the water won’t hurt you—actually, we’re not scientists, so don’t quote us on that.

The Downtown LA skyline is sparse and stumpy, stuck somewhere between postmodernism and a pre-Blade Runner future. We always appreciate a fresh, illuminating view of the hypnotic city center, but you know what we don’t need? More long exposures, overdone HDR and helicopter shots—the DTLA skyline just isn’t that grand. On the other hand, we never get tired of photos of one of the city’s (really the globe’s) most mundane, inevitable phenomena. Social media may be saturated with stunning dusk shots, but we’re all for not-so-gently nudging everyone about LA’s beauty. Bonus points for a photo fronted by silhouetted palm trees or backed by snow-capped mountains.