What's one of the best parts of living in the LA apartments? You'll be excused for first highlighting LA's amazing scenery, the lovely people, and the happening food and beverage scene, but we'd like to remind you that Southern California is also home to some absolutely magnificent places to hike. As Modern Hiker notes:

"Los Angeles is not a city known for its hiking — but it should be. With a variety of distinct climate zones, fascinating geology, nearby wilderness areas and nearly-perfect weather year-round, L.A. really does have something for everyone who’s looking to get outside. And in some case, you might not even have to leave your neighborhood!”

And just where are all these great hiking spots? That's exactly what we're going to be covering today. We might not be able to get to them all, but we can certainly highlight where some of the best hiking trails in the city are located, so you can pack a big, hit said trail, and start seeing Los Angeles from a whole new perspective.

MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK

Ah, Malibu Creek State Park. Does it get any more pristine than this natural paradise? You'll find these hiking trails just 25 miles away from DTLA, and there are 15 miles of streamside trails that wind through the sycamore and oak forests. Those trails will lead you to sweeping views of the terrain, and you'll be able to snap some shots of areas like the Las Virgenes Valley and Malibu Canyon once you've made the walk. The campgrounds have reopened this year, so you can stake out a spot and extend your visit if you so choose, and while you're here, take part in some fishing, bird watching, and rock climbing too, if you're feeling the craving for adventure.

GRIFFITH PARK

Few areas in LA are more noteworthy than legendary Griffith Park, and while you're out there exploring, you might want to head to the southwestern quadrant and check out the popular Bronson Canyon trails. It's almost like being transported to another world (part of the reason so many filmmakers have used it as the backdrop for their movies, and that tunnel entrance featured prominently in the 1960s Batman TV show as the entrance to the Batcave). You can also check out the Griffith Observatory Trail Loop while you're here, which will offer up some great views of the Hollywood sign.

THE GROTTO TRAIL

Located in the canyons above Malibu around the Circle X Ranch you'll find a trail leading to the Grotto. The creekside makes for a lovely hiking setting, as does the sparse coastal Mediterranean ecosystem. there are plenty of lizards and other small wildlife animals you might spot on your journey, and if you feel like a bit of an extra challenge, you can also hike up to Sandstone Peak while you're here, which is the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Either way, you'll love the area, and the hike is suitable for even less-experienced hikers to handle.

FRANKLIN CANYON PARK

You'll find Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills, and covers about 605-acres in total, giving you plenty of room to explore between the San Fernando Valley and Beverly Hills. The ecosystem is what you might expect in this part of California — grasslands and plenty of oak forests, dotted with lakes and other natural features that make it all a joy to look at. You'll experience all of this as you hit the hiking trails, which include the Discovery Trail, Hastain Trail, and the Berman Trail. Stick to Discovery if you just want to take a short loop. The Hastain Trail provides a longer, 2.3 mile walk, and the Berman trail sits near the middle at 1 mile in length.

RUNYON CANYON

For something a little bit different than the standard wilderness hike, you'll want to check out the Runyon Canyon Trail Loops, which include the Runyon Canyon Fire Road, east Ridge Trail, and Western high Way Trail. These trails are located within 160-acre Runyon Canyon, at the eastern part of the Santa Monica Mountains, and you can spend anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours walking around this expansive outdoor area. As you set out through the Hollywood Hills, you'll be treated to lovely views of the city and beyond, so make sure to bring that camera with you!

PARADISE FALLS

Who wouldn't want to see a beautiful waterfall during their hike? You can find one when you head to Paradise Falls in Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks. The waterfall itself is about 40-feet tall, making it a nice size for you to get in close and capture on camera if you want. As for the hike leading up to the falls, it covers about 2 miles if you're taking the easy route, and nearly 5 if you opt for the alternate version that stops off at Lizard Rock. Note that the waterfall isn't the only thing you'll get a great view of on this trail, as you'll also get to see Stagecoach Bluff and the expansive valley that surrounds it.

ADDITIONAL HIKING AROUND LA

We've only just scratched the surface of all the great hiking in Southern California. Be sure to keep your ear to the ground to learn about other great spots, or if you're short on time, check out LA Magazine's 50 Essential Hiking Trails in Los Angeles, which will give you a short introduction to even more awesome trails in and around the city.

THE LA APARTMENTS PROVIDE THE PERFECT PLACE TO EXPLORE

You'll be hard pressed to find communities more rich, divers, and ripe for adventuring than Linea. Here, among the splendors of West LA, near DTLA, you'll find there isn't much that's out of arm's reach. From hip bars and restaurants to lovely boutique stores and venerated American cultural institutions — it's all part of the fabric of the neighborhood, and all just a few fateful footsteps from your front door. What's more, getting around, to all the rest that the LA area — and Southern California in general — has to offer, is as simple as deciding where you want to get and heading out. This is how LA was meant to be experienced, so come and enjoy a new West LA where discerning tastes are welcomed. Drop us a line, and learn how to make Linea your brand new city abode.