Culver City: Baldwin Hills, Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area, Stocker Corridor

Culver City, in the southwestern part of L.A., is known for its movie studios, restaurants & nightlife scene. The best running is in the area off Jefferson Blvd: the Ballona Creek Bike Path toward Playa del Rey; and scenic, hilly running combining three adjacent areas: Baldwin Hills/Culver City Park, Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area, and the Stocker Corridor Trail. One can put together a run of several miles here, with options for easier/flatter and more rugged, hilly trail running. We’ve broken this route into three sections. A one-way run from Jefferson Blvd. (Baldwin Hills) through Kenneth Hahn to the west east end of the Stocker Corridor Trail is nearly 6 miles…and 600+ feet of climbing.

Baldwin Hills/Culver City Park. This 58-acre hilly area features winding trails through restored coastal sage scrub habitat. A highlight is the Scenic Overlook, at 420 feet. From Jefferson Blvd., take the 0.7 mile trail, or the heart-thumping Culver City Stairs (282 steps!). The reward is great views! Access also from Hertzer Rd.

Use the 0.5 mile Jim Webb Trail to connect Baldwin Hills with Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area via the Park to Playa Bridge, crossing La Cienega Blvd. (Note: the kiosk maps in Baldwin Hills are outdated, not showing the bridge as complete). 

Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area. This 308-acre park is the anchor point of running in the area. There are 7 miles of trails featuring a small lake, Japanese garden, workout course, athletic fields & more rugged, hilly trails. The area around Gwen Moore Lake just west of the main park road is the easiest/gentlest for running. Most of the other footpaths/trails are hilly, with great views and generally good footing. Some options include the include the 2.2-mile Burke Roche trail, the 0.8-mile Bowl Loop, the 2.6-mile Ridge trail, the 1-mile Waterfall Trail, and the 1/2 mile Ballfield Walking Path. There are kiosks with maps and a Visitor Center. It’s ~3 miles from the the north end of the park at La Cienega Blvd. to the south end at Stocker St.

Stocker Corridor Trail. This is a 1.5 mile city trail that follows Stocker St. The gravel trail is a good resource for joggers in the area. From west to east, it’s a gradual decline.

Add-Ons: Just across from the Baldwin Hills trailhead on Jefferson Ave. is the Ballona Creek Bike Path (use Obama Blvd. or Duquesne Blvd. to access). There’s decent residential neighborhood running in the View Park area south of Stocker St. Quiet streets with sidewalks.