01
Best all-around pick
El Dorado Nature Center
East Long Beach • Lakeside Nature Preserve With Dirt Trails • Best All-Around Family Hike
Gentle loops around ponds and under tall trees make this the easiest place nearby to forget you’re in the middle of the city.
The Nature Center’s one- and two-mile loops thread through cottonwoods, willow thickets, and over small bridges, with plenty of shade and birdlife to keep things interesting. It’s an easy win for families, new hikers, and anyone looking for a peaceful hour outside without committing to a big climb. Aim for mornings or weekdays if you want quieter paths and easier parking inside the regional park.
02
Closest to home
Rynerson Park & San Gabriel River Trail
Lakewood – San Gabriel River • Riverside Greenbelt With Paved Path • Easiest Access From Lakewood Neighborhoods
A flat, breezy path along the river where you can turn a quick walk into a longer out-and-back whenever you feel like it.
From Rynerson Park you can hop on the river trail and stroll north or south as far as your legs will take you, with open sky and steady river views the whole way. It’s ideal for relaxed evening walks, casual jogs, or mixing hiking with a bike ride if you’re sharing the outing. There isn’t much shade, so bring a hat and water on hotter days and enjoy the sunset light over the river in cooler months.
03
City-view favorite
Signal Hill – Hilltop Park Trails
Signal Hill • Urban Hilltop Park With View Trails • Best For Sunset Views
Short but steep sidewalks and dirt paths reward you with big-sky views over Long Beach and the harbor, with the skyline spread out below you.
Start near Hilltop Park and wander the network of sidewalks, stairways, and short dirt connectors that loop around the hill. The climbs are brief but punchy, making this a fun spot for intervals or a leg-stretch with a payoff that feels bigger than the mileage. Time it for golden hour and bring a light jacket so you can linger on the lawn while the lights come on across the city.
04
Local mountain feel
Turnbull Canyon Trail – Whittier Hills
Whittier Hills • Chaparral Canyon Network In The Foothills • Best Cardio Workout Close To Town
Rolling singletrack and wide fire roads give you a real backcountry feel without driving all the way to the high mountains.
Turnbull Canyon’s web of trails lets you tailor anything from a short out-and-back to a longer loop with steady climbing and big views across the San Gabriel Valley and downtown Los Angeles. Expect exposed slopes, brushy chaparral, and the occasional steep section that will get your heart rate up. Go early in warm weather, watch your footing on loose stretches, and keep an eye out for mountain bikers sharing the route.
05
Coastal day trip
Portuguese Bend Reserve
Palos Verdes Peninsula • Coastal Bluff And Canyon Preserve • Best Coastal Escape
A maze of ocean-facing trails where every turn seems to reveal another postcard-ready slice of coastline.
About a half-hour’s drive from Lakewood, Portuguese Bend feels worlds away, with switchbacking trails that drop toward the sea and climb back through open, shrubby hills. You can keep things mellow on contouring paths or add steeper canyon descents if you want more of a workout. Plan for limited shade and some loose, rutted segments, and give yourself time to stop at overlooks and soak in the views of Catalina and the sweeping South Bay shoreline.