July is National Parks & Recreation Month, and all month long LAist will be featuring a hand-selected park a day to showcase just a few of the wonderful recreation spaces--big or small--in the Los Angeles area.
A Park a Day: Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Culver City
A Park a Day: Palisades Park, Santa Monica
July is National Parks & Recreation Month, and all month long LAist will be featuring a hand-selected park a day to showcase just a few of the wonderful recreation spaces--big or small--in the Los Angeles area.
Walk 101 of L.A.'s Public Staircases this Weekend at The Big Parade
The nooks and crannies of Los Angeles are some of the most fulfilling discoveries. From the quiet walkstreets of Venice to the staircases of Hollywood Heights. It doesn't make up for the fact that Los Angeles is park poor per capita (we rank #10 of big cities), but as the New York Times said this weekend, the most popular gym in Los Angeles is the city itself.
The 'Hidden Staircases' of the Hollywood Bowl
There is something so completely odd, yet refreshing, about running up and down the stairs at the Hollywood Bowl during daytime hours. In a place you're used to sharing with 17,000 other people, being there completely alone--not even a security guard in sight--made us realize that this is one of Hollywood's biggest secrets (Read Part 1 of this series, The Hidden Staircases of Hollywood Heights, which are right next door).
The Hidden Staircases of Hollywood Heights
In the early days of Hollywood, one of the spoils of the wealthy who built their homes tucked into the area's plentiful hills was the option for seclusion. Many of the homes were built into the hills and accessible by staircases and pathways. In the era of the automobile, anyone navigating the hills behind the wheel knows how steep and precarious the ascents and descents can be--not to mention the fine art of parking. But take away the heavy machinery and strap on a good pair of shoes and you can slide into what feels like another world (and get in a workout!) when you explore the hidden staircases of Hollywood Heights.

