Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and its trails open early. The fire roads that climb toward the observatory are wide, well used and easy to follow, which makes them a favorite for a pre-work walk.
Start near the Greek Theatre or the Fern Dell entrance and head uphill. In about half an hour of steady walking you'll be looking out over the basin, with downtown to the southeast and, on clear mornings, the ocean glinting far to the west.
The observatory building itself opens later in the day, but the terraces and the views around it are the reward for getting up early. Watch the light come up over the San Gabriel Mountains and the haze lift off the city below.
Bring water even on cool mornings, wear proper shoes for loose dirt, and keep an eye out for coyotes and the occasional rattlesnake in warmer months. Parking near the top fills fast on weekends, so walking up from below is half the fun.
Finish with coffee in Los Feliz Village on Hillhurst or Vermont. You'll have done more before 9 a.m. than most of the city.
