By Expedia Local Expert, on February 13, 2017

6 ways to get your nature fix while visiting LA

From idyllic horseback rides through the Hollywood Hills to helicopter adventures that swoop past the coast, there are plenty of things to do in Los Angeles for devoted urbanites, sports enthusiasts, and everyone in between. Here are our suggestions for how to get your nature fix while sightseeing in the City of Flowers and Sunshine.

  1. Ever-popular LA is known for its bustling interstates pulsing with traffic. Why waste time on the highway when you can lower your carbon footprint and take LA by bike with Bikes and Hikes LA? Pedal through Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach on an accessible 32-mile (52-km) ride. When your stomach starts to rumble, refuel at True Food Kitchen, where fruit juices and grain bowls beckon. Or, head to Poke-Poke in Venice Beach to sample a protein-rich poke bowl with scrumptious So-Cal additions like Sriracha, pickled ginger, and avocado.

  1. Want to soak up Los Angeles’ gorgeous vistas without having to work up a sweat? No problem! Whir past Downtown Los Angeles’ looming skyscrapers during an aerial sightseeing tour with Celebrity Helicopters Tours. A pilot swoops the chopper toward the Palo Verdes Peninsula, where frothy waves impale themselves on the cliffs below. When you’ve filled up on sights, stroll along Santa Monica Boulevard and treat yourself to an omakase experience at Hamasaku, where you can indulge in mouthwatering rolls with front-row seats at the sushi counter.
View of cityscape at sunset in Los Angeles
  1. Combine sightseeing with a picturesque excursion through 5,000-acre (2,023-ha) Griffith Park during a guided horseback ride led by Extreme Tours. Hit the dusty trail with a knowledgeable local who escorts you past through lush environs that make you feel like the thrumming city is miles away. Trot to the peak of Mount Hollywood, where panoramic vistas await. Want more sights? Visit the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens—located a stone’s throw from the stables. Or, consider the vastness of the universe at Griffith Observatory before refueling with lunch at a nearby In-N-Out Burger.

Group on horseback with Hollywood Sign in background in Los Angeles

  1. Of all the things to do in Los Angeles, a guided surfing lesson offers arguably the most iconic immersion into nature. Whether you can already hang ten or are just getting your feet wet, the certified instructors at Wavehuggers are eager to provide you with tips and tricks to improve your surf game. Paddle into the swells and pick up new skills—from how to duck-dive to the local etiquette when lunging after that perfect wave. Once you’ve caught the bug, make the pilgrimage to Huntington Beach—home of the International Surfing Museum, a trove of all things surfing-related.

Woman surfing as instructor cheers in water in Los Angeles

  1. See where Patagonia-founder Yvon Chouinard learned to climb at Stoney Point Park, in the north end of Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Deemed one of the prettiest places in all of Los Angeles, this otherworldly climbing and bouldering attraction offers a bevy of exquisite sights, as well as a chance to scale sandstone rock walls with the experts at Rock Climb Every Day. Scramble to new heights under the tutelage of a professional guide. Then, select a lunch spot from the range of eateries along Devonshire Street, which offers everything from po’boys to pho—as well as a local REI where you can stock up on climbing gear.

  1. A trip to Los Angeles wouldn’t be complete without an outing in Beverly Hills. Zip through the neighborhood most frequently associated with Southern California’s glitz and glam with the wind in your hair during a Segway excursion with Another Side Tours. As the golden California sunshine pools around you, an enthusiastic local leads you past attractions like the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and Rodeo Drive, as well as along Santa Monica Boulevard, where tall palm fronds nod in the breeze. After your tour, treat yourself to a refreshing cold brew from the brand-new Blue Bottle Coffee on South Beverly Drive.

What about you? Where would you head to get your nature fix in the City of Flowers and Sunshine?