SELECT Magazine Summer 2020 | Page 21

Sunset over Downtown L.A. LOS ANGELES The City of Angels might not be the first to come to mind when you think of a road trip (the humorous take on traffic provided by “La La Land” probably is); but that’s part of what makes L.A. the ideal sort of place to visit on your getaway. There are plenty of points of wonder sprinkled between the everyday, plenty of off-the-beaten path adventures threaded among the tourist staples. Some might start their day with a cold brew and slice of avocado toast, but for the decent swimmers, we recommend a few laps in the Pacific. Tower 26 in Santa Monica is a very popular starting point: One mile north is Santa Monica Pier, while two miles south is Venice Pier. Whichever way you head, you’ll likely find a group to go with — swimming while the sunrise ignites the surf with hues of orange is a surefire way to jumpstart your endorphins. After a well-earned breakfast, pass on perusing Rodeo Drive or Sunset Boulevard to instead enjoy a walk on the wild side. A hike through Topanga State Park sees you traversing scenic canyons, soaking up coastal ruins, discovering dilapidated ruins … Murphy Ranch is a peculiar blip in L.A.’s history. Raided right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, it’s continued a slide into a state of disrepair ever since then, garnering coats of graffiti like rings on a tree — a surreal sight in the otherwise idyllic countryside. Or, alternatively, if you’d like a more familiar site with less hiking on your part, opt for a trail ride through Griffith Park. You’ll still benefit from a dose of fresh air, but nature tends to take on a whole new perspective when riding horseback — as does the fabled Hollywood sign. To cap off the day, catch a film in a graveyard: Outdoor screenings at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery are a fairly regular occurrence, and make for the sort of moment you can’t replicate anywhere else. CONTACT US TODAY TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE VIP AMENITIES | 21