Brookside Park

Just south of the Arroyo Seco's most famous tenant—the Rose Bowl—this 62 acre park provides a scenic green space for locals and out-of-towners alike. Set against the stunning San Gabriel Mountains, you'll find plenty of open space to run and play among the multipurpose sports fields, along with some shade near the pirate ship-themed playground. There's a proper fitness trail around the park, but you'll find many active visitors running and biking along a trail that flanks the entire east side of the park, all the way north past the adjoining golf course. If you're willing to shell out a few bucks, stop by the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center's dual pools or the hands-on Kidspace Children's Museum. Parking isn't an issue, thanks to that 90,000-seat stadium, but remember that the Rose Bowl Flea Market sets up shop the second Sunday of each month, while UCLA plays home games on Saturdays during the fall.