Loews Hotel Magazine Spring/Summer 2015 | Page 51

TOP PHOTO BY CELSO DINIZ/SHUTTERSTOCK; ROGA PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA MONICA PIER; BICYCLE PHOTO BY HICKMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK Embrace the Oudoors Since it was established in 1875, Santa Monica’s sound infrastructure has grown rapidly with new restaurants, condos, shops and attractions, but its seaside landscape remains unchanged. Miles of sandy beaches, public parks and a world-famous boardwalk inspire locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in outdoor fitness. The city attracts the active crowd, who take up hiking, swimming and organized classes in the park, such as boot camp, yoga and beach volleyball (which arguably originated in Santa Monica in the 1920s). A new outdoor experience luring fitness aficionados is Roga on the Pier. A hybrid of running and yoga, Roga is a free workout on Saturday mornings with a 2- to 5-mile scenic run (or walk), followed by a yoga class at the end of the famed Santa Monica Pier. The next session will run Sept. 19 through Oct. 24. Thanks to a citywide bicycle movement, biking has pedaled its way to the top of the outdoor activities list. In fact, the Santa Monica Bike Center (which Left: Fun mingles with fitness with Roga at the Santa Monica Pier. Right: With a long beach trail and plenty of bike lanes, Santa Monica is one of the most cyclefriendly cities in the country. LOEWS MAGAZINE LO5_SantaMonica-eV4-e_v5-e.indd 51 51 4/14/15 10:05 AM