Runyon Canyon

What it is: Runyon Canyon
Where to find it: Hollywood, CA
What it costs: Nothing
Why you want to go there:

If The Wizard of Oz taught us anything, it’s that sometimes you don’t need to travel any further than your own backyard to discover something amazing.

When asked to contribute to jetsetextra.com, I thought each week it would be fun to choose something – an place, an activity, a local bite – from each of the places I visit that really stands out to me as part of that destination’s experience. And since Los Angeles is my current home, I thought this would be the best place to start.

Of course, picking one favorite thing from your hometown is far from easy: nine years of living here has given me a long list of things to recommend. But, I’ve narrowed it down to two (the other I’ll post at a later date). Here’s the first…

Runyon Canyon, to me, is one of the things that is quintessentially great about LA: right in the middle of all the urban sprawl sits a 130-acre park that boasts some pretty great features both tourists and locals can enjoy. The trails – of which there are many – offer amazing opportunities for a workout in a natural setting (for something a bit more strenuous try the path up the “steps” off the Fuller entrance or the really steep climb along the ridge which you can get to off the main path that starts on Vista), dog walking, celebrity sightings, and some of the best, most stunning views of Los Angeles you can get anywhere.

The park is open daily from sunrise to dusk. For more information, visit here.