A city walk, to a hilltop lake, open to the public, with killer views of downtown Los Angeles? Yes! This hike departs from the southeastern edge of Montecito Heights and climbs into Ernest E. Debs Regional Park.

Start this walk at the free parking lot adjacent to Travel Town. Begin by following the equestrian trail for this 3-mile hike that features a surprising amount of shade for Griffith Park.

Limekiln Canyon Park is an unexpected, shady oasis. This nearly 4-mile hike takes you from the street, through the canyon to sweeping vistas. Expect the hike to take about 2 hours.

Hike Point Mugu State Park’s Sycamore Canyon — to stunning ocean views. This 3-mile hike is only a hint of the massive park acreage in the Santa Monica Mountains. It serves as a great introduction, offering a gentle canyon approach, a moderate climb through switchbacks and a series of breathtaking ocean views.

For walkers who love the convenience of Pasadena but don’t want to join the stream of walkers and joggers at the Rose Bowl, this route is a great alternative. The walk is about two miles round trip.

A short, steep walk begins with some local history and ends with fabulous mountain views. Make sure to go early in the day and wear sunscreen — there isn't much shade on this 1.75 mile hike.