The best outdoor activities in Los Angeles

With 70-degree-plus days year-round and miles and miles of picturesque coastline, Angelenos can enjoy a day at the beach from January to December. Malibu’s Point Dume is one of our absolute favorites, but really wherever there’s water, there are sandy beaches on which to stroll—or waves to ride. And those beautiful sunsets don’t hurt, either.

Time Out tip: Point Dume’s iconic rock face makes it a frequent filming location—if you’re feeling adventurous, you can repel up and down the rock or take an idyllic hike along its summit.

Everybody has to go to Griffith at some point (including, yes, lots and lots of tourists). But there’s a reason for that: It’s awesome. Spanning an impressive 4,210 acres, it’s easy to feel as though you’ve escaped into the wilderness once you’re inside L.A.’s largest public green space. For more activity-minded folks, there are myriad attractions (the Los Angeles Zoo and the Observatory, to name just two), not to mention some great dusty hiking trails that afford truly stunning views. In the summer, seeing a concert at the Greek Theatre is a must.

Time Out tip: Head to the Fern Dell Trail for a shady, easy stroll that feels more like you’re in a fairy tale forest than a stone’s throw from Los Feliz Boulevard. For a more immersive experience, download composer Ellen Reid’s “SOUNDWALK” app, which will provide a site-specific soundtrack to your Griffith Park saunter.

If it was up to us, every unoccupied rooftop imaginable in L.A. would be outfitted with tables and chairs. Alas, rooftop bars are surprisingly sporadic in a city where every sunset could land on a postcard. That’s thankfully started to change in recent years—so we’ve narrowed down L.A.’s sky-high bars to a dozen-plus standouts in the list linked here.

Time Out tip: New to this year’s guide is Florentín Rooftop Bar in Downtown L.A. And along the coast, Venice’s best rooftop bar, atop Hotel Erwin, recently rebranded as Greek concept Kassi. 

Tucked between the kind-of-grimy Venice Boardwalk and the posh Abbot Kinney, the Venice Canals offer a completely different side of the famed beachfront neighborhood. Take a stroll through these four Italian-esque canal-lined blocks—hence the name, Venice—and you’ll discover an idyllic scene: arching pedestrian bridges, charming beach houses, bunches of ducklings and the occasional paddleboarding bulldog.

Manhattan Beach boasts two miles of sparkly coastline, almost all of it stacked with dreamy hillside homes. Most of the activity is centered around the walkable waterfront slope of Manhattan Beach Boulevard, with additional shops and an increasingly essential dining scene trailing along Manhattan Avenue as well. Head down to the beach via the Strand—the bike and walking path that traces the shoreline—for countless volleyball nets and the Manhattan Beach Pier.

Time Out tip: Manhattan Beach is famous for its beach volleyball scene and annual tournament, the Manhattan Beach Open. Look down on the pier, and you’ll see the names of past winners memorialized on bronze volleyball-shaped plaques.

There’s only one place where you can feel like you’ve truly escaped from L.A. without ever actually leaving the county: Catalina Island. The rugged strip of land—accessible by ferries from Long Beach or San Pedro—has all the makings of a well-rounded vacation: rich history, beach town relaxation and outdoorsy adventure. It’s only 22 miles from the mainland (about an hour by boat), but whether you stay for a day or the whole weekend, you’ll be on island time in no time.

Time Out tip: Start your morning with some adrenaline zip-lining through the trees of Catalina with the Zipline Eco Tour ($150 and up), then relax all afternoon at the idyllic Descanso Beach Club—make sure to order the island’s signature drink, the Original Buffalo Milk.

Bars aren’t the only establishments that get to boast amazing views. And in fact, unlike some rooftop bars, the mostly open-air eateries linked below offer excellent (rather than merely passable) food and gorgeous views—though you’ll almost surely need to nab a reservation to dine in such rarified air.

Time Out tip: Many of the city’s best rooftop restaurants are actually perched atop hotels—including San Laurel at the Conrad (which boasts views of the Walt Disney Concert Hall) and Butterfly at the Shay, two new entries, both from the Jose Andrés Group.

Free reservations required.

In 1974, oil magnate J. Paul Getty opened a museum of his holdings in a faux villa. Eventually the decorative arts and paintings were moved to the Getty Center, but the villa remains as the home of Getty’s collection of Mediterranean antiquities. While major exhibitions are held indoors, the palatial courtyards and manicured gardens are a draw in their own right—expect to spend plenty of time outdoors admiring the grounds. After surviving the recent Palisades Fire, the property closed for 5 1/2 months of cleanup efforts. It’s finally back open again in time for summer, albeit with limited hours.

Time Out tip: In the fall, don’t miss the villa’s Outdoor Classical Theater series. Seeing a play in the ancient Greece–style amphitheater as you feel the Pacific Ocean breeze is a special experience.

Oh, you think you’ve tried a good blood orange? Come back to us after visiting the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market. These farmers’ markets across the city are where the best chefs in L.A. buy their produce, where you can indulge in your love for cheap eats with endless samples, and where cartons of avocados seem to stretch as far as the eye can see.

Time Out tip: Farmers’ markets aren’t just for the weekends—you can find a market teeming with local vendors almost every morning of the week, from Culver City on Tuesdays to Hollywood on Sundays.

Can’t make it to the beach? Roll out a blanket instead at one L.A.’s beautiful parks. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a devoted dog owner, there’s a slice of nature that fits your lifestyle. So take a stroll through our 25 favorite (and free) parks in Los Angeles.

Time Out tip: Many parks also boast picture-perfect views: Head to Elysian Park, Los Angeles State Historic Park or Vista Hermosa Natural Park to see the Downtown skyline; Palisades Park or Point Fermin Park for waterfront views; or Lake Hollywood Park for a great vantage of the Hollywood Sign.

Alright, true, this one’s technically in your car. But roll the windows down and make sure to stop at the half-dozen or so overlooks along this winding road of classic make-out points, silver-screen chase scenes and scenic splendor. On the eastern end, the Hollywood Bowl Overlook offers the only view of the skyline, while the Universal City Overlook has the go-to vista of the Valley (plus Hogwarts and a giant minion, courtesy of Universal Studios). 

Time Out tip: If you have the time, follow the highway to its western end and explore San Vicente Mountain Park, where you’ll find a decommissioned radar tower with one of the best 360-degree views in the entire county.

L.A. may not exactly be known for its Oktoberfest spirit, but it does have a few year-round beer gardens where you can grab a pint or a flight outdoors. Our picks below don’t just focus on German-style taprooms here: Yes, we’ve included some of our favorite Bavarian-inspired beer bars, but also some spots that simply have patios too pretty to pass up.

Time Out tip: For even more hoppy options, check out our list of the best breweries in Los Angeles, all of which brew their beer locally and boast taprooms where you can sit and sip.

You hit up a hiking trail and reach the summit—only to find you’re a sweaty mess with the return hike still to go. Well, these hikes have a cooldown built in: The waterfall trails linked below will keep you cool by journey’s end with some of the area’s most impressive waterfalls (which, to be honest, in the summer are sometimes no more than a trickle).

Time Out tip: Many of our favorite waterfall hikes have been severely impacted by the recent L.A. wildfires, but Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks and Sturtevant Falls in the Angeles National Forest are open to hikers, as well as Malibu’s Solstice Canyon, which recently reopened.

When’s outdoor dining season in L.A.? Now. But wait, you don’t know when I’m asking this question. Doesn’t matter—it’s still now. Aside from those few days of rain, you can have a meal in a garden, tucked behind a bungalow or right on the beach just about any day or night of the year in Los Angeles.

Time Out tip: While some restaurant patios’ cozy canopies are the main draw, others—including Nobu Malibu, Castaway in Burbank, and Catch in West Hollywood—stand out for their stellar views.

Alfresco screenings usually start to pop up across the city in the late spring, be it atop rooftop bars, at L.A.’s best parks or even at a Hollywood cemetery. The schedule is definitely most packed during the summer (when there are even a few free options), but you’ll find a spike in screenings into the fall and winter holidays, as well.

Time Out tip: Rooftop Cinema Club, atop Level DTLA, is the one screening series that keeps a stream of modern classics and recent releases (as well as the occasional TV marathon) going all year long—even installing heaters in the winter for coziness.

Everyone needs to escape the city sometimes—even this one—and there’s no better place for hiking, camping and exploring than California. We’re surrounded by miles of coastline and forested mountains, but maybe save the desert for a cooler season. Pack your bag, grab a map and take your pick of these rustic weekend getaways.

Time Out tip: The beach probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind when you think “camping,” but Leo Carillo State Park, Refugio State Beach and San Mateo Campground at San Onofre State Beach all provide easy access to the water.

For bargain hunters, there’s nothing better than perusing wares and hunting for treasures at a classic flea market. Los Angeles, luckily, has a ton of them—from Venice to the Rose Bowl—offering everything from vintage clothing to record store surplus, kitschy kitchenware and custom-made furniture. And though they’ve been stuck with a decidedly off-putting name, these open-air, ragtag gatherings of disparate vendors have remained some of L.A.’s preferred shopping experiences for decades, thriving by taking advantage of the city’s temperate climate.

Time Out tip: The Melrose Trading Post, located just blocks away from the Grove, is a bustling, scene-y option come Sunday. Beyond shopping, it also offers live music and a food court.

For a generally pooch-friendly paradise, Los Angeles is pretty lousy when it comes to dog beaches. In fact, the four-acre Rosie’s is the only legal off-leash dog beach in L.A. County (you can bring a pup to Leo Carrillo State Park, but they have to stay on leash). The park is named after the area’s late local canine celebrity, Rosie the English bulldog. You can easily spot the dog-friendly area by the colorful “Dogs at Play” silhouettes (between Granada Avenue and Roycroft Avenue).

Time Out tip: Rosie’s recently welcomed Monty’s Dog Beach & Bar, an adorable (and very crowded) new bar/snack shop with outdoor seating and an agility course for your pup.

Los Angeles—and California as a whole—is a pretty amazing place, botanically speaking. Stick practically any plant in the ground, and it’ll grow almost any time of the year. Even though some of us can reach out our windows and pluck an avocado from a tree, a trip to one of L.A.’s many manicured gardens, from the Huntington to Descanso to South Coast, reveals vegetation that simply can’t be found on our city streets.

Time Out tip: While some of the city’s most famous gardens are ticketed, others are free, including Exposition Park’s Rose Garden and the Getty Center’s Central Garden, where you pair your garden stroll with a museum visit.

Take a walk along the palm- and eucalyptus-lined bluffs, and it becomes obvious why tourists flock to Santa Monica. With the beach on one side and mountains on another, it’s the essence of that postcard picture of Southern California’s coastline. You’ll find more than just a beach town, though; there are plenty of things to do in Santa Monica without setting foot on the Pier or Third Street Promenade, from fresh dinners prepared straight from the farmers’ market to bars with a view.

Time Out tip: Speaking of the Third Street Promenade, an ordinance recently passed creating an “Outdoor Entertainment Zone,” which means you can stroll the street while enjoying to-go cocktails.

The historic Echo Park Lake in recent years finally became a family-friendly destination worthy of its bold backdrop: the Downtown skyline amid the lotus flower blooms, fountains and the Lady of the Lake statue. You can pedal your way through the lake in a swan boat ($13/person)—a prime date activity, especially when the sun sets and the boats light up. 

Time Out tip: The same swan-boat company, Wheel Fun Rentals, also operates deep in the Valley, at Lake Balboa, where the scene is admittedly less hip but also less crowded.

At L.A.’s upscale, outdoor shopping destination the Grove, shoppers can catch the trolley for free and take it from one end of the mall to the other. There’s nothing quite like hopping on an old-school streetcar for a lift after a day’s worth of retail therapy. And since the ride only takes about five minutes, you can spend the rest of your day stall-hopping at the Original Farmers Market, people-watching on the grassy area where musicians often take the stage, and catching the Grove’s fountain show that takes place at the center of the mall every hour.

Time Out tip: For similar vibes and another (even shorter) trolley ride, head to the Grove’s Glendale sibling, the Americana at Brand, where you’ll find many of the same retailers, restaurants and a dancing fountain.

In a city where open space is sparse and the sprawl can feel endless, climb up to escape from it all. These hikes below provide a great workout and unmatched views that really put Los Angeles in perspective. Whether you’re more cityscape gawker or ocean gazer, we’ve got the trek for you in this list of the best hikes in L.A. (And yes, they all have sweet views.)

Time Out tip: Climb the 282 steps of the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook for a panoramic viewpoint of L.A. And for a more urban alternative, jog up Silver Lake’s many painted stairways, which are open to the public.

It’s impossible to cruise along Grand Avenue and miss the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a twisted metallic explosion of Frank Gehry’s imagination. You may not realize, though, that the acoustically impressive hall harbors a lush garden in its shadows. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to sit on your lunch hour or a climb along the iconic building’s lustrous exterior, the Blue Ribbon Garden is the perfect spot to both appreciate and escape the city.

Time Out tip: If you have kids in tow, walk across the street to Gloria Molina Grand Park, where a splash pad offers a fun and free way to cool off.

It might seem absurd to swim at a public pool when we share a border with the Pacific Ocean. But we aren’t all lucky enough to be blessed with pools in our backyard, and—assuming you’re even within a reasonable distance—sometimes the beach can fall short on shade and parking. For summer days when you’re just looking for a cheap place to cool off, consider taking a dip in these public pools across the city.

Time Out tip: Some of our favorite pools—Hansen Dam Aquatic Center and Verdugo Aquatic Facility in the Valley, as well as Stoner Park Pool and the Hollywood Recreation Center—boast water slides, which doubles the fun.

Head to the county’s southernmost point (Catalina aside) to find this icon perched over the Pacific in San Pedro: the Korean Bell of Friendship. A 1976 goodwill gift from South Korea, the mighty metallic bell’s rusty green finish complements the ornately painted hipped roof. Its front lawn—an exposed, grassy bluff with ocean views—is an ideal spot to fly a kite or just lounge in the grass of Angels Gate Park.

Time Out tip: Just a two-minute drive away, you’ll find the wooden Point Fermin Lighthouse from the 1800s, as well as the Sunken City, seaside San Pedro ruins that you can view from a fenced-in trail.

Take a fuel-efficient walking tour and cherish L.A.’s urban architectural heritage, thanks to the Los Angeles Conservancy. The group’s walking tours take in some of the city’s most iconic structures, including Downtown’s historic theaters and Art Deco buildings (on a weekly basis), as well as the modern skyline (monthly).

Time Out tip: Can’t get enough historic architecture? Not far from Downtown, the Conservancy’s monthly tour of Angelino Heights takes you past some gorgeous Victorian homes you’ve probably seen onscreen.

Rocky coves dominate this small but beautiful state beach in Malibu, which boasts easily the most scenic stretch of coastline in the region. It’s only accessible via a steep gravelly path from a paid parking lot—so wear shoes and don’t bring too much gear. But the effort is worth it to watch the waves lap against the rocks at sunset. Just make sure to check the tide before you go: The beach here is pretty narrow, and sand comes at a premium.

Time Out tip: El Matador and nearby El Pescador and La Piedra beaches collectively form the Rober H. Meyer Memorial State Beaches. All three are worth a visit. Or consider walking down to Lechuza for a less dramatic but less busy stretch of sand.

Part day trip, part wilderness trek, these mountainous oases offer a cool dip in a scenic locale, oftentimes at the end of a waterfall hike. If you’re not afraid of a bit of walking and fecal bacteria—we’re only half-joking—then reward yourself with a dip in one of these swimming holes near L.A. Keep in mind, though, that water levels vary with the season and drought conditions; warm summer weather unfortunately coincides with L.A.’s driest stretch of the year, so these swimming holes may be more like “wading holes.”

Time Out tip: All of these spots require moderate hikes to access. Also, rocks are hard, slippery and unforgiving, so stay on the trails and don’t climb onto or jump off of any boulders.

If you’re not near Silver Lake, try this stair workout in Santa Monica instead. The nearly 200 steps at the twin sets of stairs (both wooden and concrete) are a mecca for hard bodies and weekend fitness warriors who also jump rope, stretch, jog and power through pull-ups, push-ups and sit-ups in between climbing.

Time Out tip: If the popular workout spot is too busy, try the secret La Mesa stairs around the bend—their 201 narrow steps are just as tough (minus the crowd, and railing).