Runyon Canyon Park

Runyon Canyon Park lies at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, and it consists of 2 ridges that parallel each other with the canyon between. Both ridges have trails leading to them, as well as up and over them, with scenic high points overlooking Los Angeles and Hollywood, and on a good day as far as Santa Monica and the ocean, even Catalina Island.

The Runyon Canyon trails are extremely popular with locals and their fur-pups, so if you're looking for isolation and quiet they may not be for you. Even before dawn, hikers appear and as the day wears on toward sunset the number of people and their pets increases as well. What you give up in solitude, however, is more than made up for with pawtastic off-leash doggy socialization and exercise, furtastic views, and a sense of community with the other hikers you'll meet. You'll also get a pretty good workout, depending which routes you take.

The 3.3-mile loop that begins at the North Fuller Street Trailhead consists of the Runyon Canyon Fire Road Trail, the Western High Way Trail and the East Ridge Trail. The Canyon Fire Road is a wide, paved route with water at its entrance, so be sure to fill your water bottle here. A grassy area to the left is pawrfect for stretching, or yoga before the gradual climb which takes you clockwise around the canyon. You can also choose a much steeper climb up the ridgeline, with wooden steps embedded into the trail to help with the ascent to Inspiration Point, where you can rest on a bench before continuing along the mostly flat East Ridge Trail. At its end is Clouds Rest, another lookout point over LA and the iconic Hollywood sign. The views just across the canyon to the hikers on the other ridge are pawsome, and among the sights are the mansions cantilevered into the hillsides. Wildflowers and chaparral cover the ridges, and you'll catch some shade near the top of Indian Rock, the highest point in the park. 

This looped set of trails is frequently on The 10 Best Trails in LA list for its accessibility, its balance of challenges and rewards and its reputation as a 130-acre off-leash dog park!