Climb boulders, surf Venice Beach, and kayak on the river.
There's no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had in Los Angeles County including surfing Venice Beach and climbing boulders at Stoney Point Park. Here, four al fresco activities and where to rejuvenate and refuel afterwards:
Rock climb in Stoney Point Park
Whether you prefer to rock climb with ropes or boulder without them, Chatsworth’s Stoney Point Park, to the northwest of the city, should be your destination. Made of sandstone, the park's giant boulders have been a location for recreational climbing since the 1930s. Consider a challenging bouldering climb like Master of Reality (30 feet) or The Crack (15 feet). At the top of the rock formation, find sweeping views of the Santa Susana Mountains and the San Fernando Valley.
Recover: Book a regenerative or performance massage at the Spa at Equinox Encino, less than 30 minutes away.
Refuel: Head to Furn Saj Bakery for a traditional Lebanese spread (smooth hummus, chicken shawarma, and oven-baked mana’ish, a flatbread with toppings like fresh vegetables). Or check out Vinh Loi Tofu, a vegan Vietnamese spot that makes its own tofu.
Surf at Venice Beach
Kapowui Surf Club on Venice Beach provides lessons for all levels, as well as board and wetsuit rentals. Thanks to the mild temperatures, surfers can take advantage of the beach year round. Head to the Venice Fishing Pier for more advanced swells or consider Venice Breakwater for a mellower (if busier) experience.
Recover: Regenerate at Sanctum, a wellness studio that holds group breathwork classes and workshops.
Refuel: Try local favorite Gjusta. Order the brown rice bowl with mushroom sugo, sautéed kale, fried egg, and harissa or the arugula-fennel salad with lemon and Parmesan.
Hike in Malibu
Along the Solstice Canyon Loop Trail in Malibu, expect ocean views, stone ruins, and a small waterfall. The 3.2-mile path offers demanding inclines and, if you come in early spring, the possibility of a superbloom. Solstice Canyon tends to sprout thousands of beautiful yellow and purple flowers along the hillsides.
Recover: Schedule an acupuncture session at Malibu Acupuncture & Herbs.
Refuel: For refined Japanese cuisine in a stunning space, reserve at Nobu Malibu. Order seafood specialities like yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño and miso black cod while watching the waves out front. More casual fare can be found at Malibu Seafood, a busy shack on the side of the Pacific Coast Highway, with freshly-caught red snapper and steamed mussels.
Kayak in the Los Angeles River
Though most of the Los Angeles River flows through a concrete channel, the Elysian Valley stretch features a tree-lined riverbank filled with wildlife and low-grade rapids. Go on a three-hour urban nature excursion with LA River Kayak Safari.
Recover: Ancient Korean-style baths and five distinct sauna rooms are the specialty at Wi Spa, which is just 15 minutes away. Come for a soak and then pop from the super hot bulgama sauna to the mineral-filled salt sauna to the natural clay sauna.
Refuel: Grab a sandwich at Wax Paper, where choices (named after radio broadcasters) include the Lakshmi Singh, with shaved seasonal vegetables, pickled onion, and pecan pesto on a baguette, and the Terry Gross: roasted turkey, pepper jack, cilantro-radish slaw, tomatillo vinaigrette, and green chili aioli on focaccia.