The StairMaster at the gym offers a fine enough workout. But, let’s say it’s a beautiful day in Los Angeles, and after a long day at work, you’d like some outdoor exercise. Maybe you’d even like to gaze out at the Pacific.
Enter the staircase walk. Public stairway passages carve through L.A.
’s many hills and mountains. Not only can they show you a new side of the city, but they will also, inevitably, tone your glutes. An elite few also offer ocean views, making a tough climb that much more worth it.
Regardless of whether you find yourself in Beachwood Canyon or Redondo Beach, rigorous adventure in the form of a staircase and a glimmering lookout awaits. Each of the walks below was inspired by one of two local stair climbers: author Charles Fleming, a former L.A.
Times writer who penned two “ Secret Stairs ” books, or Dan Gutierrez of SoCal Stair Climbers, which is both a social club where folks meet up to do guided walks, and a free website where Dan outlines each of his walks in great detail. Several routes are near transit, so you can skip our dear city’s infamous traffic and see it from a different vantage point..