There are plenty of outdoor activities in Los Angeles, from surfing and rock climbing to hiking and bike riding, whether on the beach or in the mountains. (Check out a whole list of the top outdoor activities here.) So the question comes to mind, if you're an outdoor enthusiast: what's the best LA neighborhood for you to live in? Apparently U.S. News & World Report had the same question, so they talked to some of LA's top realtors to find out. Their suggestions may surprise you.
1. Topanga: It's relatively close to the beaches in Santa Monica and is also home to Topanga State Park and Tuna Canyon Park, both of which offer many outdoor adventures including miles of hiking trails and mountain biking.
2. Baldwin Hills: This hillside suburban community wouldn't normally come to mind as an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts, but as U.S. News & World Report points out, it's home to the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation area, which offers a fishing lake, hiking trails and the popular Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, which people will have to climb 282 steps to get to. If this sounds up your alley, you might want to act fast because property values are climbing.
3. Hollywood Hills: Its close proximity to Griffith Park means that Hollywood Hills residents have easy, quick access to the Hollywood Reservoir, Runyon Canyon and the dozens of other hiking trails in the area.
4. Los Feliz: Similar to the Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz is close to Griffith Park (it's practically across the street), but it's also close to the LA Zoo and is a super walkable neighborhood (it's easy even to walk to Silver Lake or Thai Town from here).
5. Mount Washington: Because it's tucked into the hills, Mount Washington tends to be spared the hectic city-life feeling that LA can have at times. It's also home to many hiking trails, and atop the mountain there is a yoga and meditation center with public gardens that Mount Washington residents often use.
Okay, so these are all pretty good suggestions, but we have a couple others, just in case the ones above don't appeal to you.
1. San Pedro: This port town has surfing, wind surfing and fishing, and is close to the dozens of hiking trails on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
2. Burbank: Likely one of the most horse-friendly neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Burbank has a number of parks, is also close to hiking trails and can be quite walkable.
3. Torrance: Can't afford to live in Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach? Head inland just a little and you'll find the more affordable town of Torrance, which is not only close to the beach, but it technically has its own: Torrance Beach. You'll also find plenty of parks and hiking trails up on the Peninsula, and you're close to the South Coast Botanical Garden, perfect for leisurely strolls.