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Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Categories: Active Life Parks Active Life Hiking Parks, Hiking [Edit]
6300 Hetzler RdCulver City, CA 90232
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
182 reviews for Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
182 reviews in English
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Review from Valerie D.
Manhattan Beach, CA
5/18/2012
Kimmie and I talked about doing the san mo stairs today but we decided to change it to hiking at runyan later on and then ended up at Baldwin HIlls Scenic Overlook ... that's what happens when we are together .. from zero to sixty just like that ...
Baldwin Hills Scenic has both the hike and the stairs ... I think I liked the route we took today much better. I was not sore and the entire workout was not as intense. I do think however, that this was milder on the body so if you like it hardcore then you might want to carry a kangaroo or Valentino Liberaci on your back to intensify it a little bit.
I liked this place a lot. Parking is easy. Not too crowded and I had enough energy afterwards to hit the ellipticals. -
Review from Kurdy S.
5/22/2012
Hey look, its the stairs to heaven!! Ok, ok, its not really, but it sure looks like it. I've never been on stairs quite like this.
The primary reason we wanted to go up this hill was to take in the view of everything LA and westward. Unfortunately, the weather did not play very nice. Only thing viewable was hazy air that blocked just about anything worth looking at.
The plus side was that it was short and painless if you take the steps. There's about three levels where you can take a break before you resume your brisk workout.
To me, this would be a great spot to workout those legs, gluteus maximus and cardio! Plus enjoy the view. View of the whole town, not view of those sculpted exercisers. ;-)
Anyways, parking seemed easy to find. If you park along the canal side, be cautious of litter, yes, litter, easy to step into. Next time, gonna go on clear sunny day.Listed in: My LA Irresistibles, You can't see me Haters!
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Review from Marivell C.
Chula Vista, CA
5/12/2012
Love this! When I need my fix of nature and accessible trails, I come here to take in beauty. I feel so accomplished jogging up the paved path and trailing down the dirt path.
Great view
to enjoy for both visitors and LA residence.
Highly recommend this gem! -
Review from Roger L.
5/7/2012
I thought I was in decent shape, and after looking at the pictures on yelp I was like "Yeah, I'm going to sprint this". WRONG
I got a third-way up the stairs and eat my words. I love the way you can customize this workout. If you're just starting out you can hike the trail to the top. If you're mediocre you can climb part of the stairs and take a trail. If you're a hardcore trainer, I've seen some super fit people sprint it with strapped weights.
I'm training for a tough mudder event, and this place blasts the shiz out of your legs and core. If you up the intensity it is also an insane cardio workout. -
Review from Reena D.
Los Angeles, CA
This is a great place to get an intense workout whether you need a short workout or a long one.
I live in the area and I frequent these stairs. It's amazing I never knew they were there until somebody told me about them -- they're practically in my backyard!
The stairs are uneven: some are steep, some are not. You definitely have to pay attention to what you're doing. It takes me about 10 minutes to get up them. I'm sure a more fit person could do them in 5. I don't recommend going DOWN the stairs, because I did that once and it KILLED my knees!!! But some people do, so it's your choice. I choose to use the zigzag dirt trail to go down, then I go back up the stairs again; repeat as many times as I'm up for.
There are clean bathrooms at the top which is a definite plus!! And a water fountain.
The view is fantastic!
This is NOT the place to go if you are looking for a classic hike, with nature and leisure walking. This is basically a stairclimber but outside.
Weekends are crowded. I would avoid going then if you can. I went yesterday, Monday, around 2pm and there were only about 7 other people there. :D
Park for free on the street. Pay attention to signs so you don't get a ticket though! -
Review from Vanna C.
Los Angeles, CA
5/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
We arrived here on a Saturday afternoon. There were plenty of parking spaces on both sides of the street at the foot of the hills. As we walked closer to the bottom of the stairs, I thought to myself "Wow, it looks pretty short!" But boy was I wrong! After the 5th step, my thighs were on fire! It was also sunny and hot, so I felt like a chicken burning in the oven...Took us about 15 to 20 min to get up to the top. I think if I walked up and down the stairs for about 5 times, it'll be a good workout. At the top of the hills, there is a small science/history center, which was kind of random. But, the fact that it was located at the very top was pretty awesome because of the views and such. I wouldn't mind doing it again...after I recover...
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Review from Pamela B.
Los Angeles, CA
5/15/2012
This place is awesome, great view, easy to find street parking. great workout! I would highly suggest coming here!
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Review from Karl B.
Culver City, CA
3/29/2012
I'm in good shape--I lift 3X a week and take care of myself. Though I dislike cardio, and when I do it, I want it to be hardcore. So when I heard about the Baldwin Hills steps I was excited to try them out. I hit the place up, ran up the trail like a champion, started jogging the steps and quickly realized I'd better slow down else risk a heart attack--this is a ridiculously good workout.
Most people who do the steps are slow--I took my time, but I was still faster than most; I'm not saying this to brag, but to let y'all know the one pain in the booty is dealing with the a-holes who don't move out of the way when you're passing them. I considered hip-checking them off the steps, but my 'O'Doyle Rules!' days are over.
When I reached 'the summit' I was definitely out of breath. At the top is a beautiful view and a welcome center of sorts--a nice set of restrooms, a water fountain and offices--it's not dirty or grungy--impressive, actually. I believe there's an educational center there as well, but I didn't want to enter the area and barf all over the displays.
I walked the road down the hill--it wasn't very enjoyable--too easy.
Once at the bottom, I debated whether or not it'd be a good idea to do the steps again--I did them; my spit coagulated and turned to that sweet, metallic taste that only happens when your body's screaming, "WTF, bro?!" Again, it's a heck of a good workout!
This time, I took one of the trails down the hill--a much better idea; the scenery is nicer; it's a more pleasurable walk than the road.
And my legs were Jell-o--if I'd attempted the steps down, I would have tripped and accidently taken people out.
So it's thirty hours after my Baldwin Hills experience and my shins/ankles are sore as hell--I feel like an old Italian woman, minus the stockings and moustache. Ha ha (DISCLAIMER: I'm half-Italian). And my hips are rather sore--it's a great feeling in that I discovered some underutilized muscles in my body.
I'll definitely return to Baldwin Hills sometime this weekend once I'm healed--I'm sure it'll be busy with people, but it's a good time, and there are a decent amount of attractive chicks there = extra motivation (I never said I was cool! ).
I should add--parking isn't too bad; one can park on either side of the street; what sucks is trying to get across the road--why there isn't a pedestrian crossing is anyone's guess--it'd be nice since this place has a lot of people crossing the street, but I digress.
UPDATE: I jog the steps twice a week. I'm a freaking animal! If you like a challenge and want to switch up your interval training, try these steps. ADVICE: If you want to job these steps, go in the evening maybe an hour before dark - before that, there's too many people, and if you want to jog the steps, you might have trouble doing so - trust me - it sucks when you want to jog the steps and there are lots of slowpokes in the way. -
Review from Gina F.
Los Angeles, CA
3/29/2012
Do you hate the gym? Are your exercise DVDs not cutting it? I love my Tae Bo and Core Fusion programs, but sometimes you gotta mix it up! That's why the Baldwin/Culver stairs are a godsend! My friend has been helping me train for a stairclimbing race and mentioned we try this place. After looking on Yelp and seeing all of these crazy pictures, I knew I was in for a fun, rewarding challenge.
You can park on Jefferson, and surprisingly, you shouldn't have any problems finding a spot. Then, you walk up a little path, and BAM! You see the Babel-esque stairs. They look like stairs leading to the promised land or something! It's a little overwhelming to look at, but it's so fun to see how much you can do. The stairs vary in height: some were easy-peasy and others were about a foot and a half high. I don't think you should do these stairs if you have bad knees because it's pretty intense to take such high steps. There are plenty of spots after you climb clusters of steps to regroup before tackling the rest. Once you get to the top, you feel like Rocky Balboa! Throw your hands in the air and take a deep breath of that clean, smog-free air!
There were people from all walks of life at the Baldwin/Culver stairs: intense athletes, retirees, children/families, and even some elderly folks taking the footpath trail alongside the stairs. Enjoy this free activity! Can't wait to go back and see if I can take fewer breaks. -
Review from Jen D.
Torrance, CA
5/11/2012
This place is awesome. Take water and wear work out shoes. Some people 'jog' the stairs and some wear weight vests.. I applaud them. This work out is no joke. Great workout!
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Review from Manami Y.
2/21/2012
Loved this nature's stairclimber! What a great workout! I was sweating bullets by the time I reached the top. Man, I'm out of shape! I like the fact the the stairs are uneven. You really pay attention to your footing and feel it in your glutes.
You can shoot straight to the top by taking the stairs or you can take a longer, slightly less strenuous way by way of the zig zag trail. Either route you take, it's a nice workout. The 360-degree view from the top is great! This is better than a step class at the gym!Listed in: All Within a 5-mile Radius
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Review from Renita K.
Los Angeles, CA
4/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Such a great place to get a good workout... it's tough but it doesn't take too long to get to the top (5 mins without breaks) and once you do, you get the most incredible view of LA! You can see all the way from DT to the ocean... it's amazing.
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Review from Diana M.
Montebello, CA
3/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Beautiful scenery, both nature and city.
They do not allow dogs.
Great place to workout. -
Review from Tati R.
1/2/2012
Right by my work, and super close to my favorite sandwich spot, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook gives me a great workout with a awesome view, right in the middle of Los Angeles.
On a monthly basis my girlfriend and I claim that we are going to get in shape. Motivated and inspired we head over to the Jefferson stairs and start to climb. We prefer to park on the street and and walk up along the trails as our warm-up. Then we hit the stairs, because we hate ourselves. In case you are wondering who those two girls are that stop every three stairs to catch their breath, it is us, just pass on by. You can make this as long or as short as you like. Explore the short trails or else go for the stairs, I like the mix.
At the very top there are buildings with bathrooms and a drinking fountain. It would be nice if there was a vending machine to buy water since I always forget mine. This would actually benefit my friend as well since I drink all of hers.
So today we hiked, hopefully we will stay motivated and be back a couple more times this week, maybe. -
Review from Phung D.
Rosemead, CA
2/20/2012
Parking: street parking
Distance: 0.5 mile for one way (if you take the stairs route) or according to some people, it's 200+ steps. It takes about 20 mins or less just to get up there but that's cause we took breaks!
Path: 2 routes to get up to the top. From the left, you head for the stairways. From the right, you walk on the regular road where people can take the cars up there. Those were some big steps if you opt for the stairs! It didn't even feel that long either. But because I felt nausea, it was a killer for me.
View: it was just an okay view in my opinion. You could see the city of LA but that's about it? Nothing spectacular. I'm sure there are other trails with that kind of view in my area so it was a waste of trip. Not just that, it didn't even feel like it was a workout considering how short it was. If I didn't get motion sickness, I would totally walk down and walk back up again for a good workout!
I'm sure this is a nice place to see the city at night. The trail is short and pretty safe to take so it's not too bad. Maybe I'll go check it out at night to see if it's nicer than the time I was up Garcial trail.Listed in: Hiking in SOCAL
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Review from Crystal K.
Los Angeles, CA
I wouldn't consider this a true hike unless you're running up the hill and/or stairs... multiple times. AND I'm not one that avidly works out either... if at all. It takes about 10-15 minutes to reach the top and 5 minutes to come down via stairs. There is an alternate option of climbing (more like walking) up the hill.
If you live in the area, it is worth checking out since it does offer a 360 view of Los Angeles. Go east on Jefferson and the entrance will be on your right side - if you go during normal hours, I'm sure you'll see people and know when to stop and park on the streets. -
Review from M C.
Beverly Hills, CA
2/5/2012
Ouch!
Running up this place is a sick workout! It goes high up... Probably takes a few minutes even if you run all the way up.
Each step is a little different so you will always work hard and not grow used to the pace.
Nice view of the city at the top.
Decent parking.
In terms of difficulty of workouts I've done so far involving running up inclined places so far from hardest to easiest:
Manhattan Beach Sand Dunes
Culver City Stairs
Santa Monica Stairs -
Review from Kay G.
4/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is gorgeous. Since there was no street parking available I, foolishly yet bravely, drove up the narrow and steep path to the top for parking. Once I reached the top though...you absolutely CANNOT beat the view at any point in Los Angeles. Totally worth it. Since parking in the lot costs $6 I didn't stay for long. Not to mention, the park sheriffs were keeping a watchful eye for anyone that did not pay to park (me). After taking in a hurried view I left. Definitely worth a second visit. A perfect place to exercise with plenty of walking paths and inclines. And did I mention the views? Perfect reward after a nice walk.
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Review from Lea G.
Henderson, NV
4/10/2012
This place is amazing!! The stairs were a great challenge first thing in the morning and the views make it worth the hike! I would come here all the time if I lived close by!
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Review from Thuy T.
Rosemead, CA
2/20/2012
This has got to be the shortest hike for me. I honestly do not think it is worth the drive. We parked on the streets and started from the left, behind the sign. Let's just say, we took many breaks. My friend was saying how she felt motion sickness halfway up and I was surprised because she is a pro at hiking too. I never seen her act like that before.
Anyway, it took us about 20 minutes to get to the top with our slow place. i'm sure a pro can finish it in 5 minutes if he or she ran it. It felt so good to reach the top! This time, the air was clearer. To the left were building of Culver City, to the right was DTLA buildings, and the the back was the ocean. It was a really amazing 360 degrees view!
After the stairs, you have the choice of walking back down the stairs, or continue on to the back and take other routes. It even had restrooms that looked pretty clean inside and out. Here's a warning for people that park on the top! Be careful and make sure you pay the $6 if you plan to park up there. I guess 3 cars didn't and I saw the parking cop give out the tickets to all 3 of it. And I don't understand why anyone would park up there anyway. Its free parking on the streets! -
Review from Ali A.
Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA
4/12/2012
If you are visiting LA or if you have lived here all your life and haven't been to this park you are missing out. Just go there and experience LA from a view point that you will never forget. Tip: Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes. The hike is challenging to say the least.
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Review from Everett D.
Culver City, CA
2/8/2012
This park is great! The family and I go here all the time. Weather you want to throw the baseball around, shoot some hoops at the basketball court, or get in a quick workout and hike to the top, it's a great spot all around.
I recommend walking your way all the way to the top. It offers, in my opinion, the best view of the city 360 degrees around.
For the last few years we have spent the fourth of July at the Baldwin Overlook and its great. You can see the fireworks going off all across the city. -
Review from Peter D.
3/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Awesome view. Nice stairclimb action right here, too. Even on an overcast day, you can see all the way from Downtown LA to Santa Monica. Great workout for local folks, but I don't really live close enough to make this a consistent venue for exercise. Check it out if you've never been then reward yourself with a hearty breakfast and brunch at some of the local spots nearby.
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Review from Cyndi H.
Los Angeles, CA
12/13/2011
LOVED this place! the stairs are killer, but definitely do-able. Lot's of free parking, and plenty of gorgeous scenery.
I'll definitely be coming here often. -
Review from Michelle C.
Los Angeles, CA
11/17/2011 1 photo
Hiking in Culver's very own backyard!
The view is spectacular at the top. A wonderful incentive to keep pushing yourself up the long flight of stairs. The stairs weren't as gnarly as I thought they would be (you Yelpers scared me when I went for my first time...), but definitely a fabulous workout. Just be cautious if you have sensitive knees!
I like to trek up the stairs, enjoy the view, then stroll down the trail that wraps around the hill to return to the street. It's a great "me" time option. Definitely recommend. Grab a bottle of water, be like Nike, and "Just do it." -
Review from Brenda G.
Los Angeles, CA
12/22/2011
This is a great and convenient place to work out out doors. It is a hill you can zig zag up or you can choose to take stairs to the top. The steps are different widths apart which make for an semi-intense climb.
I park on the street on Jefferson. There are always people around, so I always feel safe. A great one-hour workout for me is running to the top, running to the bottom, and then going up the stairs and running back down. There are clean bathrooms at the top and water fountains. Great spot! -
Review from Anayo A.
Los Angeles, CA
3/28/2012 10 Check-ins Here
Great workout, great view!
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Review from Brian W.
Los Angeles, CA
10/24/2011
Sister: LETS GO HIKING. YAY!!!
Me: YAY!!! OKAY!!!
*time lapse*
Me: *hyperventilates*gasps for air* DA FAWK DID I DO TO MAKE YOU HATE ME, SIBLING!?
Sister: Lalalalala...
Carved by Zeus himself did these stairs come into existence with the sole purpose to weed out obese, junk food indulging couch potatoes from elite Olympians with incredibly fiiiiine "arses". You will require a solid pair of glutes if you want to make it to the top. I've seen senior citizens, large folks, and little children ascend to the top - so maybe I'm just weak sauce. Climbing these stairs, I feel my inadequate butt pop and slightly deflate. How I wish I did squats before this. *ices bum*
When you reach the top, there is a certain type of awe. A more beautiful view of LA you will never find. Equip yourself with a camera beforehand and your photo will become an awesome bragging right when you post it onto facebook. Believe me, when your butt pops too, you're going to want a trophy to commemorate your efforts. Suck it bitches! I made it! -
Review from Michael F.
Los Angeles, CA
10/6/2011
The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook provides an awesome view and a great workout rolled into one. There are three challenging ways to get to the top; a paved road, trail, or an uneven set of stairs. All three reward you with one of the best views of Los Angeles that you will find. Once at the top, you can see all the way from the beach to Downtown LA, and beyond.
I recently went on an evening tour of the Overlook offered by the Park Rangers. It was a short session focused on the types of plant and wild life in the region, and what the city is doing to preserve them. It was very informative, and offered a great perspective on the Overlook.
The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is one of the great outdoor gems of the city. It is a must to check out if you enjoy the outdoors, and love Los Angeles! -
Review from Brittany G.
Los Angeles, CA
5/2/2012
I love the stairs! Its hard, the first time i did it i felt like i was going to die. Now I time myself and have gotten my time under 6 mins. It can get pretty crowded. My pet peeve is when people stand in the middle of the stairs and stop. so just a tip, if you get tired on the stairs, just move off to the side. The view from the top is also beautiful. Clean bathrooms and water fountain are also available at the top.
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Review from Sean B.
10/3/2011
"Show up at noon and wear sneakers" was all I was told. And every once in a while I do what I'm told. Today was such a day.
I didn't realize that my soon-to-be-hiking-companion lived so close to this site, but after a five minute walk we were at the base of the stairs, looking straight up toward the top of the peak, what seemed about 500 steps above our heads. OCD Yelpers, you've counted, feel free to correct me with this exact number.
My only mistake was taking a hiking companion who was more aesthetically pleasing than the view itself. I hear that you can see miles, panoramically, and that it's quite exceptional. Perhaps next time, if I go alone, I'll take better notice. My attempts to describe the view would read more like a teenage girl's "Twilight" fanblog and much less like anything from National Geographic.
It's a great workout, easy to get to and from, with an exceptional view (I hear) and close to lots of fast food if you're determined to undo the good as soon as you're back at the bottom of the hill. It's definitely going to compliment my Runyon regimen. -
Review from Cole C.
11/17/2011
A belittling scoff to anyone who boasts about the Santa Monica stairs. Compared to Baldwin Hills, those stairs are the little league.
In addition to the great workout, the overlook offers one of the best views in all of LA, ESPECIALLY if you make it there the day after it rains.
Hands-down, my favorite way to burn off the consequences of my incorrigible drinking and dessert habits. -
Review from Caroline W.
Los Angeles, CA
10/27/2011
I go here at least once a week to climb up the stairs and enjoy the wonderful view, which is AMAZING! If you ever have a day when you just wanna move away from LA and all the crazies, please just hike up here and you will remember why you love this city.
.... It felt like Mission Impossible the first time I came here and my bun and legs was ON FIRE!!!!Listed in: LA county tours, Step outside and feel the…
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Review from Candy O.
Los Angeles, CA
3/6/2012
PROS: Free glute/quad workout, scenic views, and free parking if you can snag a spot on Jefferson Blvd.
CONS: Packed on weekends
I always forget about this spot until I see the line of cars parked on Jefferson. It's definitely a hot spot on weekends as westsiders huff & puff and bitch & moan their way uphill. But it's a good reminder that you haven't been working out like you said you would and now you have to haul those extra pounds uphill, possibly regretting those delicious Sauteed Banana House Special pancakes you just had to have at the Metro Cafe, hmmm? -
Review from Brian S.
Los Angeles, CA
Ok,for starters,DO NOT COME HERE WITHOUT KNEE PROTECTION UNLESS YOU ARE A REGULAR, these stairs will have your knees on fire if you think its a game.
The view from the bottom is like looking up a mountain that has a stairway to the moon. It appears to be 3 ways to get up the hill. The stairs are a shorter way as fas as time wise,my review is strictly on the stairs. The spiraling mountain trail can be very confusing when you are coming down for the first time but I will get to that later
The stairs are very steep to the point that u will definitely lift your knees high as you push upward to keep your balance. It can be very taxing if you don't create a pace to go by,if you do too much than you wont be able to go up any further. You can easily run out of breath if you aren't careful. Take your time. If you think you are in shape you will certainly be tested cause the incline will make mice of men. It was a guy that says he goes up and down 10 times each visit. One was enough for me right now,I hope to make it 2 times up and down one day,I just need more practice. It is beautiful once you make it to the top,the view is worth the hard work. As you go up it will be people who aren't on the same fitness level that will stall in the middle of the stairs. It is more friendly to either move to the sides or wait at the next break spot.
Coming down the stairs...good luck with that. I went down the trail and got lost damn near so next time I will use the spiraling road. They have bike racks to lock your bicycles and parking is hit or miss. Be careful when crossing because car traffic doesn't yield for pedestrians.Listed in: Highly Impressive
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Review from lil s.
Los Angeles, CA
11/20/2011
These stairs are amazing! They will completely kick your ass if you try to run up (in my case, when I tried to run up approx 5 steps--pathetic, I know). It's an awesome workout, and wasn't too crowded when I went so I didn't have to feel like a complete jackass blocking traffic every time I took a [teensy short] break.
There's 250+ steps and they're all of varying sizes so you really have to pay attention if you're a bit clumsy like I am. Come around sunset and stick around at the top, especially on a clear day. The view is pretty amazing.
There's plenty of street parking at the bottom too, so that helps! I'll probably back once my muscles recover... whenever that'll be. -
Review from Monica R.
Santa Monica, CA
8/16/2011
Outdoor exercise in the middle of a metropolis. Automatic win.
The Overlook consists of a series of winding pathways through native brush, but the dominating feature here is the steep set of stairs that everyone stomps up for a serious butt burn. As a workout it's pretty great, I like to head up it two or three times so I can feel good about myself later on when cramming beer and burgers in my face.
The only bother is how incredibly crowded it gets here. A lot of parents bring their young kids too, so navigating up the slender stairway can sometimes be frustrating. Some of the hikers here lack basic manners like staying to one side, moving to the side when catching your breath, etc. I've come close to lashing out at people who park themselves for a breather smack in the center of the stairs. Argh.
But yeah, it's exercise and I need it. The view from the top, especially as the sun sets, is pretty spectacular. The whole city comes into view and on a clear day it's pretty awe inspiring. I've watched myself go from huffing and puffing and crawling up the stairs in tears to practically jogging them, so that feels good too. -
Review from T L.
Los Angeles, CA
2/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
This could be the BEST VIEW IN LA. On a clear twilight, Manpanion and I watched the full moon rise over the Angeles Mountains, and the sun set over the Pacific, simultaneously. On a clear day you can see from Catalina and Rancho Palos Verdes to Pomona, to the Mountains beyond the San Fernando Mountains, which must be Santa Clarita and the entire city stretched out in the LA basin. 360 degree view. Awesome informational center at the top with bathrooms! Rigorous stairwalk, jogging trails. $6 parking up top, so park on Jefferson or in the Culver City park and walk up. Extraordinary. No dogs at the Baldwin Hills scenic overlook, but there is a Dog Park in the adjoining Culver City Park. Secret trail between the Culver City Park baseball fields and the Scenic Overlook trail....
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Review from Smitcha B.
Los Angeles, CA
7/1/2011 3 photos
Don't get it twisted, just because I'm reviewing some steps doesn't mean that I'm this fitness freak. I actually thought that there was going to be that bacon wrapped hot dog lady at the top so that's why I climbed these steps in the first place.
We arrived on a Saturday morning around 10ish and the place was already a zoo. It reminded me of those times when you stood in line to get to the top of the water slides at Raging Waters except this line you have to keep moving. Each step isn't your average step, you're going to have to extend that foot a little bit longer/higher than usual.
Although it was almost 10min to the top non stop, you should find yourself breathing heavily three quarters in. To my unpleasant surprise, there was no cart lady at the top but just a scenery reward. Especially on a clear day, you'll be able to get a snap shot of our metropolis we Angelinos call home. Take a breather, stretch out because you should be feeling the burn by now. Hope you brought a camera or at least your phone because it is a photo opportunity up there. Seize the moment, get emo if you must, enjoy the view for a minute.
You have the option of taking the stairs back down but if you want a longer route, take the road or the dirt path so it snakes around the mountain (you can even do that on the way up instead of the steps). If you're a beast, go non stop and jog it up or do a few laps up and down the stairs itself.
All sorts of people work out and hike this and most are pretty courteous especially when you want to pass them up. I think it's great for people of all ages, sizes, and is even great for beginners or those who haven't done something like this in a while or ever.
I love canines but please keep your doggies at home. They're not allowed on this site nor do I want to step on their poop & take that present home. Lots of people burn their calories here so you may want to arrive early. Parking is free on the street. -
Review from Lisa A.
Culver City, CA
7/3/2011
I like to come here every now and then when I want to collect my thoughts, view the scenery, get in a little excersise or whatever.
It's great that there's free street parking along Jefferson at the bottom of the hill, but it can be a little crowed at times.
You can take the zig jag trail or take the stairs up the hill to the top. Some times I do half and half. I'm in fairly good shape, but the design of the stairs makes them a little difficult for me to maneuver. I cant't just put my "auto pilot on" and take the trek. I'm on the shorter side and the stairs are really wide, far apart and non-uniform so I really have to pay attention and focus on how and where I take each step(if that makes sense). I guess it keeps things interesting. For a taller person this probably isn't much of an issue.
The view at the top is a nice reward for getting to the top. Has places to sit and take in the view if you want. Maybe I'll come back at sunset one day to check out the view which I've never done
