Runyon Canyon Park sits just above Franklin Avenue, a few minutes from the heart of Hollywood. Its loop trails are short but steep in places, so it feels like a real workout without needing a whole morning.
Most people do a loop of two to three miles, climbing the ridge on one side and coming down the other. At the top you look out over Hollywood, downtown and, on clear days, all the way to the ocean.
It's famously dog friendly, and you'll share the trail with plenty of four-legged hikers. There's very little shade, which is exactly why mornings are the time to go.
Wear shoes with good grip for the loose, sandy sections, bring more water than you think you'll need and check park hours before you set out.
Street parking in the neighborhood is limited and carefully signed, so read the signs or walk in from Hollywood Boulevard.
