In Los Angeles, with the magnificent array of state-of-the-art gyms, yoga studios, cycling zones, tennis courts, swimming pools, personal trainers, surfing spots, polo fields, martial art centers, golf courses, dance academies and climbing walls, it is easy to forget that one of the easiest ways to burn calories, catch-up on your bronzing and enjoy the gorgeous California weather is also free. It's called walking.
Perhaps walking is overlooked due to the allure of flashy sports cars and breezy convertibles or neglected because LA's sprawl over 450 square miles can seem daunting to tackle on foot. Regardless, spotting habitual pedestrians in the city can be more difficult than spotting a celebrity. Walking is increasingly a rare mode of transportation in LA!
With summer's long days (sunsets no earlier than 8pm), why not forego the hip destination across town for a few hours discovering your neighborhood on foot? From new shops and fruit stands to guerilla artist murals and local flora, you may be surprised by what you can find while moving at a walking pace.
A personal tucked-away favorite in a neighborhood of Los Feliz is a set of three staircases starting at the top of Prospect Avenue (past Prospect Studios on your left) that leads just 300 steps shy up, up, up between houses on several avenues; Deloz, Hollyvista, and finally to Franklin Avenue. As you catch your breath at the top, you also catch view of your reward—a view of the city to rival any downtown rooftop.
If you're more for organized sports, and not sure if you're ready to navigate the streets on your own, lucky you: next weekend is The Big Parade. For two days this Los Angeles event will cover around 40 miles of LA walking including a secret dirt road between Silverlake and Echo Park and pass by many famous landmarks (and some you didn't even know about). Walkers are welcome to join for the whole trek or even just a few blocks.
More information here: http://bigparadela.com/
Whether it be on your own, in a group, or with a parade, summer's a great time to exercise outdoors and explore Los Angeles using your own two feet. Slather the sunscreen, grab your favorite shades and hit the streets. What better way to show off your hot new pair of kicks.
For more on getting around the city without a car (and about The Big Parade), check out L.A. writer/public transit oficianado Alissa Walker's site here: www.gelatobaby.com
Tune in next thursday... updates on my" is the balm".. lip balm.
