Favorite Routes Lists

The 15 Best Runs in Greater Los Angeles

This is a collection of the best runs in Los Angeles, including L.A. proper, Orange County, Long Beach, and towns cities north of L.A. stretching to Santa Barbara. Our list below is from north to south. For more in the area, see our guides to Catalina Island, Santa Barbara, and Palm Springs.

 

Griffith Park

Los Angeles, CA
The largest municipal park with urban wilderness in the U.S., with 53 miles of trails and fire roads, many good for running. Attractions include the L.A. Zoo, Griffith Observatory, Autry National Center, and the Greek Theatre.
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Palos Verdes Peninsula

Los Angeles, CA
The Palos Verdes Peninsula offers significant opportunities for running. There are some great roads with incredible ocean views, and a huge network of trails, some suitable for running, others more rugged.
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Long Beach Waterfront

Long Beach, CA
A wonderful series of paved paths along the water, running from the Aquarium in Long Beach for 7+ miles south to the Peninsula in Belmont Shore. Great water views, passing Shoreline Village, Marina Green, Junipero Beach, & more. Beach also runnable.
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Crystal Cove State Park

Orange County, CA
Run a beach and a canyon all in one run! Fantastic state park has a 2.5+ mile paved coastal trail and 10+ miles of backcountry trails in Moro Canyon. You can enjoy the promenade, with great views, or do a more strenuous trail run with 2,000 feet elevation gain!
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Irvine Regional Park

Orange County, CA
Pleasant, 475-acre park with several miles of trails nestled among a grove of heritage oak and sycamore trees. Best bets are 4-mile Equestrian Loop, 3 mile Horseshoe Loop Trail 1.3 mile Road Runner loop. Paved & dirt paths.
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Anaheim Hills & Regional Parks

Anaheim, CA
A series of regional parks 10 miles east of Anaheim offer a terrific variety of running options. Most extensive are Irvine Regnal Park and and Peters Canyon Regional Park. Yorba Regional Park is pretty, with 4 lakes and the Santa Ana River Trail.
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