DK Travel : Los Angeles : Outdoor

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Hermosa Beach

South of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa (see South Bay) has a busy bar and restaurant scene right where Pier Avenue meets the sand. Beach volleyball is the local pastime and national tournaments take place throughout the year. Only the paved South Bay Bicycle Trail that runs from Marina del Rey to Palos Verdes lies between the sand and private homes.
Hiking

Around 600 miles (1,000 km) of hiking trails meander through the Santa Monica Mountains, stretching from Griffith Park in Hollywood to the north of Malibu. Will Rogers State Park and Topanga State Park are good gateways for hiking.
Huntington Library, Art Collections, & Botanical Gardens

A perfect synthesis of nature and culture, this amazing estate houses priceless collections of paintings and rare manuscripts that were started by railroad tycoon Henry E. Huntington and his wife, Arabella, in the early 19th century.
Inline Skating

Enjoy skating along this 22-mile (35-km) paved trail parallel to the beach from Temescal Canyon Road north of Santa Monica to Torrance Beach. Rental outfitters are abundant in both Santa Monica and Venice.
Kayaking

One of the nicest places for sea kayaking is off the coast of Catalina Island. Traveling leisurely by yourself allows you to explore its craggy coastline and to discover your own secret cove.
Laguna Beach

The picturesque setting of this friendly seaside resort has captivated artists for over a century. In summer, Laguna hosts three major art festivals, including the Pageant of the Masters, which recreates well-known paintings as living tableaux using a cast of costumed locals. The Laguna Art Museum showcases vintage and contemporary California landscapes.
Malibu Lagoon State/Surfrider Beach

Wedged in between the Malibu Pier and the Malibu Colony gated celebrity enclave, this popular beach offers many diversions. Watch surfers shred the waves at Surfrider Beach. The eponymous lagoon is a major stopover for migratory birds, while the nearby Adamson House with its idyllic gardens overlooks Malibu Pier and Malibu Lagoon. The house showcases pretty ceramic tiles (see Malibu Adamson House & Malibu Lagoon Museum).
Manhattan Beach

The Beach Boys, who grew up around here, found inspiration for their inimitable surf music in the white sands and glorious waves of this upscale yet relaxed seaside town. Longboarders still compete for the perfect ride, especially in the area around the Manhattan Pier, which is home to an aquarium (see South Bay).
Mission San Fernando Rey de España

The 17th of the 21 missions founded by Franciscans in California, San Fernando was established in 1797 to supply food for El Pueblo de Los Angeles. The mission church is an exact replica of the original, destroyed in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. The adjacent convento (living quarters) is the state’s largest surviving adobe structure.
Mission San Gabriel Archangel

Heavy flooding forced the fourth of the California missions to relocate to this spot only five years after it was founded in 1771. Though struck twice by earthquakes, the mission prospered with the help of Indian converts, many of whom are buried here. The grounds are peppered with fountains and fireplaces. A small museum has other exhibits.