With weather that is perfect year-round, Los Angeles is the ideal city for anything and everything exploration. If you’re a fan of nature, this is the place for you. There are tons of terrains, beaches, and trails, making for great weekday and weekend outings.
In all honesty, Los Angeles is an outdoor paradise. And with all of the things that LA offers, the number of options can be quite overwhelming. That’s why we’ve decided to help you out – below, we’ve listed our top 7 nature spots in Los Angeles. Whether you’re looking for an exciting nature activity, or you’re looking for a relaxing spot to hang outside – these are great ways to spend your Saturday, Sunday, Monday, or any other day of the week.
Not to be too biased, but whale watching is pretty awesome. Especially if you’re looking to get your nature fix. As one of the top spots for whale watching in the world, SoCal’s Pacific waters are great for observing whales (of all types), dolphins, and other marine life. And with daily departures, Harbor Breeze’s Los Beach and Los Angeles locations offer visitors the opportunity for every day, all the time.
Want to camp? How about hike? Maybe look at some beautiful scenery? If you said yes to any of these questions, then you gotta check out Topanga State Park. Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga offers amazing views and makes for an amazing family expedition.
As a go-to nature spot near LA, Joshua Tree is a place like no other. With two different desert ecosystems (the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert), Joshua Tree offers unbelievable views and experiences. Oh, and you can’t forget about Joshua trees, a unique type of tree that gave Joshua Tree National Park its name.
With approximately 130 acres of multiple themed gardens, the Botanical Gardens at Huntington Library is a great place to relax, walk around, and look at some absolutely gorgeous plants/plant species. At times, it almost feels like you’re on another planet, walking around and seeing so much green (and of course, any vibrant color you can think of as well).
Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Channel your inner Mogli and visit the LA Zoo where you can see almost any animal you can think of. From gorillas to snakes to piranhas, there are tons of exhibits that showcase animals from all biomes and areas of the world.
As an LA nature spot we can’t recommend enough, Runyon Canyon Park is a fantastic spot for an afternoon or mid-day hike. Also situated in the Santa Monica Mountains, Runyon Canyon Park offers great skyline views of the city. But heads up, you’ll want to make sure to watch where you’re walking, as rattlesnakes are common in the area.
Kind of a hard spot to find, Bronson Caves is a very popular location known for its inclusion in many films and tv shows. Located in Griffith Park, these man-made caves give you a sense of exploration like no other, providing great photo opportunities and fantastic views. An LA nature classic.
There isn’t a better, more fun nature-like thing to do in Los Angeles than going on a whale watching cruise with Harbor Breeze. With an expert crew guiding you through the shining Pacific waters, you’ll see and learn about some of the most beautiful creatures on this planet. And you’ll have the time of your life while doing it – we guarantee it!
