Journal destination
Stories from this city location. Explore published field notes, guided trips, and local perspectives.
The collection
01Leave Los Angeles before sunrise and chase a line of changing landscapes—desert hoodoos, giant sequoias, and glacially carved granite—on a purposeful drive to Yosemite Valley. This guide blends big-sky inspiration with precise, on-the-ground logistics for a road trip that’s as smooth as it is spectacular.
02Explore Manhattan Beach, where laid-back beach vibes meet a vibrant cultural and gastronomic scene. Surf waves, stroll the Strand, and discover a coastal retreat rich in both history and adventure.
03Tucked between the boardwalk and Abbot Kinney, the Venice Canals are a compact, historic network of waterways and footbridges—quiet, photogenic, and perfect for a slow morning walk or an e‑bike detour. Here’s how to see them with purpose.
04Perched above Hollywood, Griffith Observatory pairs accessible trails, sweeping city views and a free public planetarium. Hike to the Hollywood Sign, watch sunrise from the terraces or take a private e-bike through the park—this is LA outdoors with a cultural twist.
05Lake Hollywood’s loop offers a compact wilderness in the middle of Los Angeles, with trails, viewpoints, and guided options that get you close to the Hollywood Sign without the crowds. Choose a hike, private tour, or e‑bike and tailor the climb to your pace.
06Lake Hollywood Park is Los Angeles in miniature: a grassy bluff, a quiet reservoir, and some of the most immediate views of the Hollywood Sign. This guide blends practical route choices with local history and tips for getting the shot—and the hike—you came for.
07Part beach, part performance stage, Venice Beach is where surf instruction, street art and countercultural history collide. This guide shows you how to experience the shoreline’s best—practically and vividly—so you can plan a day that’s both active and deeply local.
08An unexpected urban sanctuary, Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) is a quiet doorway into the Hollywood Hills: explore memorial art by morning, earn skyline views on nearby Griffith Park hikes, and finish with a playful mini-car ride through the city’s cinematic corners.
09Climb switchbacks that reveal the city in layers and stand close to the iconic Hollywood Sign. This guide packs history, practical route advice, and the best ways to experience the Hills—on foot, by tour, or at sunset.
10Runyon Canyon condenses the best of Los Angeles into a 30–90 minute walk: skyline views, a fitness scene, and dog-filled company. This guide walks you up the trails, through local culture, and straight to practical tips for a successful visit.
11Pedal from the salt-scented Santa Monica Pier through Venice’s canals and into the boulevards of Beverly Hills on a five-hour guided tour that stitches together LA’s coastal beauty and celebrity-lined streets.
12Two days, guided instruction, one night under the stars: this beginner surf adventure is designed to teach technique, ocean safety, and wave-reading in compact, practiced sessions ideal for new surfers who want lasting improvement.
13Two hours of premium eMTB thrills through oak canyons, flowy singletrack and a Cold War tower—this intermediate Santa Monica tour packs ocean views and fast descents into a compact, unforgettable ride.
14Two hours of charged climbs, rocky singletrack, and a ridgeline view that makes the effort worth it—this advanced Chilao e‑bike loop is a compact San Gabriel Mountains experience for skilled riders.