Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Photo by Michael Zikry (www.instagram.com/yungzik/)

LA, why you gotta be so darn smoggy?!

Photo by Michael Zikry (www.instagram.com/yungzik/)

​If you're looking for an outdoor location to get some quality exercise while also taking in breath-taking views, look no further! The Culver City Stairs that lead to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is a spot you'll need to experience for yourself if you're a local to the Los Angeles area. I recently came here with my friend Michael (who's also a super talented photographer, as evidenced from the photos he took of me above - make sure to follow him on Instagram here) and after climbing our way to the top, we spent about an hour or so shooting the views and the sunset. 

This 500 foot-high scenic overlook is south of downtown Los Angeles and will present you with panoramic views including the San Gabriel mountains, LA skyline, and Pacific Ocean on a clear day (...but no promises, we all know that LA is no stranger to smog). Also, wayyy off in the distance you can even see the Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Observatory! This spot is pretty cool because you feel like you really are in the middle of Los Angeles - able to experience a 360 degree birds eye view. To get to the top, you can either climb the Culver City Stairs - 282 cement stairs - or you can take the more leisurely route, a roughly one mile trail from the park entrance (basically on the road you drive up if you'd like to park at the top and enjoy the views without the workout - but keep in mind it's a $6 parking fee). 

Once at the top, you can catch your breath and enjoy the views, stop at various spots for lunges/sit ups/etc., and check out the pretty gardens with various plants and flowers.  I'd recommend coming here at sunrise or sunset in order to capture some great pictures and enjoy the beautiful skies as you get your booty kicked by the stairs. I can only imagine how hot it can get here during the middle of a hot day, so make sure you bring water to hydrate yourself during the climb.

The park's main entrance is located at 6300 Hetzler Rd. in Culver City off of Jefferson Blvd. There is plenty of free parking at the base of the stairs, but as always in LA, make sure to read all parking signs posted. You wouldn't want to pull a New Girl move and get a $78 parking ticket (this didn't happen to me here, but it happened to me recently in Hollywood...major OOPS.).