Take to the Sea, Land and Air in Los Angeles

Picture yourself catching a curling wave along a long stretch of sandy beach. If you can't fantasize doing that, maybe your tastes run more to inline skating, horseback riding or mountain hiking. If you're daring enough, you can try sea kayaking, windsurfing or hang gliding. They're all beloved outdoor activities in Los Angeles.

Blessed with one of the best locations in the country for those who love active outdoor pursuits, Los Angeles boasts both topographic diversity and a nearly-perfect year-round climate. Mountains, sea and overall flat areas all meet in the same small region, enabling visitors to pick from a wide range of active outdoor activities while their Los Angeles vacations. If you're energetic adequate you can you swim or kayak in the ocean, ride a bike or roller skate along scenic trails, then hike in the mountains. And in Los Angeles you can do it all in the same day. But it gets even better. When you're done for the day, you can participate of a delectable gastronome meal or some tasty comfort food, go shopping or museum-hopping, or take in a game that's being played by one the city's several expert sports teams.

Roller Skates Shops

On the Water

Thanks to The Beach Boys in the early 1960s, Southern California almost automatically pops to mind when many Americans think about surfing. The Los Angeles area has great waves for surfing and the song "Surfin' Usa" mentions many of the area's prime surfing spots. Along some beaches the waves are challenging-enough to satisfy even extremely experienced surfers, but surf schools with experienced instructors are plentiful, so don't worry if you're a novice. And who knows, you may find surfing to be addictive! Redondo Beach, Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach and Malibu Beach are some of the area's customary surfing sites, but there are many more than just those few.

Whether you try sea kayaking in a calm harbor or on the open ocean, you'll be paddling while a quiet, serene maritime journey. Much like sailing, no machine noises detract from the perceive -- the only audible distractions will probably come from the occasional seagull or other water bird. It's just you, the kayak and the water. This is a beloved water sport in Los Angeles, and kayak lessons and rentals are readily available.

Windsurfing, sometimes called sailboarding, is another water sport that's beloved in the area. Great fun, but more difficult than it looks. Not to worry, because as with sea kayaking, windsurfing lessons and rentals are easy to find.

On Dry Land

If you're more concerned in land-bound activities, take a shot at horseback riding straight through the area's scenic hills. Unless you ride on a regular basis you'll work some unaccustomed muscles, but you'll actually get a nice workout. Guided rides for even new horseback riders are ready throughout the day in Griffith Park. And if you'd like a minute horseback romance, take a underground night ride with your sweetheart at Sunset Ranch. Located just on the edge of Griffith Park beneath the preponderant hillside Hollywood Sign, all levels of riders can enjoy day rides there too.

Los Angeles is a veritable mecca for motorcycle riding. Long-distance riders can enjoy all or part of a 22-mile paved motorcycle trail in the middle of Pacific Palisades and Torrance, with stops along the way at Venice, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo beaches. Water fountains, food stands and restrooms are scattered along the trail. If mountain biking is more your thing, the trails straight through the around Santa Monica Mountains would be perfect. Because you probably didn't bring your bike with you on your vacation, motorcycle rentals are ready in several places throughout the region.

These same Santa Monica Mountains also contribute a great spot for mountain hiking and wild animal-spotting. The mountains climb to just over 3,000 feet and contribute a good workout. They can get hot in the summer, so make sure you bring water. Hiking straight through Temescal Canyon in Pacific Palisades is easier, but Pacific Palisades also offers intermediate and advanced hiking. It rewards those who make the tougher climbs with views of Los Angeles and the Pacific that can't be beat.

The Los Angeles area also features one of the premier rollerskating spots in the country, the same lengthy trail in the middle of Pacific Palisades and Torrance that's so often used by bikers. Skating is also a beloved active pastime on the boardwalk at Venice Beach, but truth be told, citizen in Los Angeles roller skate just about in any place that bicycles are ridden. Inline and approved skating are both very popular, and rental skates are ready in several locations.

In the Air

If you like a minute more elevation in your sport, try taking to the air for some hang gliding. The geography of the Los Angeles area provides plenty of opportunities, from beginner level lessons at bunny hills to thrilling solo flights at the expert level. Originate yourself off the top of one of the many hills in the area.

I'll Just Watch, Thank You!

Several Los Angeles outdoor activities are also great fun to watch. Surfing and windsurfing, in particular, offer prime opportunities for onlookers. But

If you just want to watch, hang gliding might be the most spectacular occasion of them all. Even without trying, spectators often catch these gorgeous kites and their riders gracefully soaring in the air.

Take to the Sea, Land and Air in Los Angeles