If You Want Things To Do, Los Angeles, How About A Walk In The Park?

We’re back again, with some more recommendations for things to do, Los Angeles. In this article, we’ll be talking about some of our favorite public parks. There are some great ones in Southern California, and you can enjoy being out in nature, in most cases completely free of charge.

One of our top picks is Lake Balboa Park, in Van Nuys. It has a dog park, so bring your pooch, and he or she should have lots of company, especially on the weekends. There’s also a lake, a horticultural and a recreation center, and a skatepark, where you’re likely to see some hotshots working on their best moves. In the spring, the cherry trees blossom, and their fragrance fills the air.

Next is Angel’s Gate Park, on Gaffey Street, the centerpiece of which is the Korean Bell of Friendship. This is a bell housed by a pagoda, which sits on a bluff sloping down to the Pacific. The landscaping around it is immaculate, and the smell of the salt air is tremendously refreshing. The bell was a gift to Los Angeles in 1976 by the Republic of Korea. It’s meant to honor those who gave their lives in the Korean War, and it is a symbol of friendship, honor, and peace.

The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, in Culver City, can be a fun place, but it’s not for the faint of heart. This is a trail that will take you to a drop-dead gorgeous view, with Marina del Rey on your left and the Hollywood sign on your right. The only issue is that you have to climb up a long column of steep and weathered steps. It’s so worth it, though, and you’ll have a feeling of accomplishment when you make it to the top.

Our last pick is the El Dorado Park and Nature Center, in Long Beach. This is a sanctuary for plants and animals, located between the 605 Freeway and the San Gabriel River. There are dirt trails of one and two miles, and a paved trail that’s about a quarter of a mile, so if you have children with you, you can go the shorter distance, and it it’s just the adults, you can tackle a more ambitious hike.

That’s all this time around. Any of these parks and trails are a fine way to burn some calories and soak up some sun, so take advantage, Southern California.