Although Los Angeles is a very large metropolitan city, there are many outdoor activities that feature beautiful scenery and great chances to take part in recreational activities. Some of the outdoor activities in Los Angeles include a variety of beaches, forests, and parks.
At Angeles National Forest, which is located in the northern part of Los Angeles County, there are many outdoor opportunities. The park includes 650,000 acres of wilderness, including mountains, lakes, and forests. Visitors can take part in a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, camping, nature trails, boating, hunting, target shooting, riding ATVs, and winter activities like skiing and snowmobiling.
One of the other activities that families in the area may enjoy is a visit to Inyo National Forest, where you will find the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which is home to the oldest living trees in the world. At the Visitor Center, you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of these majestic trees. There are also nature trails in the area for hiking.
There are many beaches along the coast, where visitors can sunbathe, swim, or surf. Some of the best beaches include Venice Beach, Hermosa City Beach, Leo Carillo State Beach, and Royal Palms State Beach.
The city's amusement parks are also great outdoor activities in Los Angeles. These include Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, and Pacific Park, which is located on the Santa Monica Pier. At these amusement parks, you can go on roller coasters and other rides, play games, and enjoy other activities.
Another of the famous outdoor places is Griffith Park, which features more than 4,000 acres of forest land, though in 2007, a wildfire burned much of the park's foliage. At the highest point of the park, there is an observatory, where visitors can use telescopes to get a great vantage point of the sky at night. Griffith Park is also home to the Los Angeles Zoo, a place that children and adults can enjoy together.
Though much of Los Angeles is covered with buildings and freeways, there is still a remarkable amount of beautiful scenery and natural wildlife in the city. With a wide variety of beaches, forests, lakes, and mountains, there are plenty of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.