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Runyon Canyon Park
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Hollywood
2000 N Fuller
Fuller and Franklin
Los Angeles, CA 90189
(323) 666-5046
2000 N Fuller
Fuller and Franklin
Los Angeles, CA 90189
(323) 666-5046
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
238 reviews for Runyon Canyon Park
This should be called "Runyon Canyon DOG Park," because that's probably why 95% of the people are here. Dog-friendly hiking is surprisingly scarce in LA, similar to housing/apartments...still a mystery to me why so many buildings are such dog haters when 60% of the population owns dogs. But I digress...Runyon is a great place to come for a hike with the poochie dogs. You can take them off leash, there's water fountains/bowls and poop bags. If there's an abundance of excrement on the ground, blame the owners, not the dogs! They can't pick their shit up and most of them have never had yards and don't know what digging is.
The majority of dogs are friendly, even the big scary-looking bull mastiffs and pits running abound. But of course there are some slightly aggressive dogs, even in play. And as always there will be irresponsible owners that bring violent dogs off-leash. So if your pup is small I would just keep an eye out and keep him close to your side (my biggest fear is that my dog spazes and runs off the side of the mountain like Wiley E Coyote).
As for the degree of difficulty: it's what you make of it. There are at least three different hikes that I'm aware of:
1. you enter the park, start the trek up and veer right. This will take you up a fairly intense uphill hike (there are railroad ties to use as steps). This is the hike that will take you to a great lookout of LA (both downtown and west) as well as the Hollywood sign. It is fairly short though (15 min max if you move your ass). As of late I've been noticing people sprinting down it, which is kind of ridiculous and dumb considering how narrow certain portions are and the abundance of dogs both on and off leash.
2. After the short trek in you veer left, then a soft right and there's an easy, 20 min or so stroll that will take you to the same place as hike #1. I recommend turning around to walk back down as completing the loop requires walking down a fairly steep path.
3. After the short trek in you veer left, then head left again and start moving straight uphill. This is the most difficult and longest of the three hikes. There are about 4 or 5 peaks to climb with some flat ground in between. At a good pace it's about 25 min to the top. It is also the least crowded in terms of people and dogs. The route down is a bit longer because you have to circle down the mountain, about another 15 min. If you have a high energy dog this is the hike for you.
Runyon is also great for people-watching. I always bring single guy friends here because there are lots of cute girls in skimpy workout clothes. If you are gay this is a great place to meet hot dudes in tight, sweaty workout clothes. Must love dogs.
I've only heard about Runyon but had no idea it was a cool easy hike to do on a lazy day :)
Everything everyone has said is true, bring a dog or you'll be left out!
Okay I won't lie, but the view I was getting surprised me and humbled me and my thoughts of LA. This city ain't so bad...
I love LA and thus, I love this place. I have only been through the main entrance and up one way, but I hear you can go much further. The views from the top are pretty awesome especially if you go right before the sun sets. Watch out when you are going down the hill because it is a dirt path... I definitley slipped going down one of the steep parts but it was a great chance for a hot guy to help me out! Great place to pack a little dinner and eat at the top. As Paris Hilton would say... Thats HOT!
BONUS: I saw Andre 3000 from Outkast and one of the American Idol singers here!
It's a pretty cool place to hike if you don't feel like traveling to far... or walking for that long. The hike should take no longer than 45 minutes. I also consider it an alternative to the trails around the Observatory.
There are two openings; you have your choice of going either clockwise or counter clockwise. I would recommend going counter clockwise. The steepness of this path will be initially rough, but you can use power and momentum to move forward. If you go clockwise... it feels even more steep on the way down. Then, it becomes less fun and more scary when all you can see is doooooown.
I never had issue with dogs, but maybe I have been fortunate. I have yet encountered a pup of negative disposition or a pile o' poo that was waiting to meet the bottom of my sneaker. (knock on wood)
I recommend coming in the early morning and probably on a weekday to avoid crowds and nutty parking situations. And of course... wear sensible shoes and clothing. I recall seeing a girl hiking around in a short skirt and ugg boots once. Comical... but not practical.
This is a good little hike. The views can be nice and I like seeing everyone walk their dogs. Truth be told, I'm jealous that I don't have my own, so I enjoy playing with other people's pups and there are plenty here.
It's rumored that you might see some famous people, so if you want to come stalk one, this is the place to do it. All the cool famous people hike here!
Runyon Canyon, the centerfold of dog shit, sweat, a couple of great LA views, and many adorable doggies. Living walking distance from this park, I've been coming here since my dad deemed me old enough to stop getting good sleep and go hiking with him instead, circa age six. In high school I trained for cross country season by ferociously attacking the hills until my sides hurt. Now I come here to enjoy a crisp walk or to sit on the bench perched halfway through one of the hiking trails and reflect.
Basically, Runyon has something for everyone. Well, everyone with at least some mobility. Not even a lot -- my 53 year old anti-exercise mom has aced these hills. The trails range by level and each trail offers it own rewards: you can meet horses, catch views of the Hollywood sign/Downtown LA/ Century City, or swoop onto the sweet bench that overlooks the city. Oh, and get a great workout for you and possibly your pooch while you're at it :)
Extra bonus: Many celebs frequent the park. I've spotted Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lauren Conrad, and even chatted up Fred Durst for a cool minute--back when Limp Bizkit was cool of course.
Totally good LA spot for basic in town hiking.............there are lotsa sexy people, looking really, really good as they trek about. Bodies galore are on display, plenty of HUGE cleavage on size zero chicks for the guys and a teensy bit for the girls - more for the women would be fair, right?? On the plus side we are quite lucky to have this great spot in the middle of the LA metropolis...it is enjoyable and if you are in need of a really good workout you can try to run it. It has basic to advanced options - the basic can be easily walked by anyone and it definitely has gorgeous views all around. I saw lotsa cute doggies too but not too much doggie doo...thank goodness..
Everyone needs to try this spot once in their life!
What an aswesome place to get a short intense hike or run in! Some of the best views of all of L.A. too. Saw two huge hawks here the other day also. Wear some good trail shoes, it can be slippery, I have seen some people come wearing sandals, really!?!? What were they thinking?
There's always plenty of people here, parking is tough to find sometimes, but there's plenty of sexy bodies on display- no shortage here!
There are several paths to take and you can go either direction you like, coming up the left hand side is tough, and if you're not in shape it can be hard. Reminiscent a little of the Grand Canyon on that slope.
The only drawback is that it's also an off-leash dog park and while all the dogs I've ever seen are well behaved, if you're running the paths its made harder when a small dog gets in your way.
At any rate, I highly recommend this place, and come here whenever I can, especially since I'm using it as part of my training to beat some Kenyan ass in the upcoming L.A. Marathon. Whoo hoo!
Totally an LA icon. I'm surprised by all the talk of doggie droppings on Yelp. Yeah it's there but in small doses very avoidable. The views, the varying levels of difficulty (from Sunday stroll to boot camp strenuous), the beautiful people...what else could you ever want in a hike? Oh yeah, maybe a bathroom or two, gross as they can get, just so you don't have to encounter those who need to take a leak in the brush.
If you've hiked Camelback or Squaw Peak in Phoenix, it's sort of similar, only it's LA Baby!
Run isn't a walk in the park, that's for sure. In fact, it literally kicks your ass every time! I enjoy working out but am not a fan of all the crowds at the gym; nothing is better than exercising outside!
The great thing about Runyon is that it's enjoyable pretty much all year round since we have such great weather in LA. I haven't taken a dog here yet, but a lot of people do. Although I haven't seen any attacks, I've heard of it happening and some of the other reviews mention it also. The main thing is to just be cautious.
The trails vary in variety difficulty so on more adventurous days it's nice that you can step it up if you want. You definitely want to bring some water and maybe a hand towel also since you will be working up a sweat.
Celebrities seem to flock to Runyon which is to be expected since it's LA, but please stick to Robertson for celeb watching and come here to work out and enjoy the views. Runyon is a great spot to de-stress and have some time to yourself.
I think this is a great spot to bring a date too also. You can either go for a great hike on a Saturday morning or hike up later in the day to check out the sunset and views.
I am a Runyon regular for over a year now. This is my a** kick workout. Their are multiple routes, from flat, even roads with good inclines, to a mountainous route with 3 distinct, rocky, hills, that make for an amazing workout. You can even reverse the direction of your routes to creat whole new routines. You can increase your speed should you want to push the cardio limits, while breaking in muscles you didn't know you had to begin with hehehe. The routes will take you between Franklin Ave and Mulholland Dr (Hollywood to Bel Air) There are 2 entrances, and I prefer the Franklin & Fuller entrance over the Mulholland entrance, as you will get a longer route and workout starting in Hollywood.
Aside from these wonders, there is great people watching, gorgeous LA types, people of all ages and occupations, and excellent dog walking. I love dogs, so this is perfect, though you will encounter dog poop.
Best of all, there are free yoga classes for those so inclined to experiment with their new agey side!
Runyon Canyon is a true gem in LA, and its a must for anyone visiting LA for the first time, people looking for a new workout or free thing to do, a person looking for alone time, and definitely for friends or couples seeking new activities. Covers a lot of ground, no?
WARNING: PIT BULL ATTACK KILLED MY FRIEND'S DOG ON MONDAY SEPT 7, 2009. I just got a call this evening. Our friend's lovely happy Tibetan Terrier was suddenly attached by a pit bull who ran out of a bush and lunged at him. We are so sad. The pit bull owners gave fake contact information. There was one man who ran to help my friend try to rescue her dog - thank you to this Good
Samaritan who tried his best. I am not sure I will take my dog to Runyon Canyon again. This was reported on KCAL news. http://bit.ly/WRbaq
For photos and full blog post, go to:
http://www.mcginty.us/...
Looking to get out of Long Beach for the day, we decided to try the Runyon Canyon hiking trail up in LA. There definitely were a lot of people on the trail, however the views of the LA /Beverly Hills skyline were breathtaking. The hike wasn't difficult, but the change in elevation made it a great workout. Don't worry - if a tiny little chiwawa can do it, so can you.
I think we hiked about 90% of it in around an hour and a half.
We ended up parking on the street close to the trail head as the lot was full. There seems to be plenty of parking on the street close by, and you can't really complain about getting close parking when you are there to hike.
Don't forget to bring water and use the restroom before going as neither are available on the trail. We'll definitely be going back to take some more pictures when the clear days of winter come.
A must for out-of-towners or LA newbies! Awesome views, plenty of rest stops and fantastic people watching. The course is as easy or as hard as you choose to make it. Free Yoga at 10:30 am everyday. Great spot to bond with your pooch (pick up the poo)! Be polite and patient with parking and it will come to you (be polite and be patient on the course too).
I saw this morning they extended the permit parking on Franklin between Vista and Curson; No parking before 8AM, bummer for us weekday early birds.
Runyon does have incredible views, it's a great workout, and I HAVE been sweaty and panting with Jake Gyllenhall here...maybe not the way I'd like, but still...
On the downside, I cannot get over the odor of dog excrement. Just can't. There's not a moment when you can't smell it. I'm surprised more yelpers don't mention this.
Also on the subject of dogs, any dog in-the-know is here, off leash of course. If you're the least bit uncomfortable with dogs of every shape, size and disposition charging at you, this might not be the spot for you. Also, few things unnerve me quicker than hearing a couple of dogs involved in a scuffle/fight. Even if it's broken up quickly and nobody's gotten hurt, the growling, barking and yelping is enough for me to come unglued. (Note to self: Xanax 15 min. before arriving at Runyon.)
There also isn't a drop of shade here, none. Not a big fan of frying my face. Yes, I wear a hat and mega-SPF sunscreen, but those punishing rays are just too much for this girl.
At the end of the hike or possibly the beginning depending upon which way you start I guess is an obstacle course which I believe is commonly referred to as the stairs or steps. Nightmare! Steep and slippery. You can very easily take a tumble. Meanwhile other hikers and dogs are piling up behind you...who were all very supportive by the way as I made my way down. These Runyonites are a friendly lot!
I've lucked out on the parking, great views, and of course Jake Gyllenhall and plenty of other eye candy.....
But this hike just isn't for me.
If you are a sun worshipper and someone who is very comfortable around dogs running loose (and of course the natural smells that go along with that) and you're in pretty good shape to begin with, this just might be your scene.
I just had my first trip to Runyon Canyon and I will definitely be going back.
I saw people headed in different direction but I took the paved route. It goes up and then back down. If you're slow (like me) it should take about an hour. Bring water, especially in the summer. It gets extremely hot and you're using a lot of muscle. Gotta stay hydrated. The trail is great and there are lots of people out, so you won't be lonely. Pump up the iPod and get it going.
Caution: If you're not a dog person, stay away. There are dogs everywhere which means there's dog poop everywhere which in turn brings flies. But hold your nose and keep walking.
Good Luck
Runyon has a bunch of different trails that offer varying difficulty and is extremely dog friendly! The trails don't have a lot of shade, so be wary of hiking in the middle of the day with your dog.
As far as hiking goes, i would put the difficulty on par with Griffith park. Early on most of the trail(s) are paved roads. As you get to the peaks they can become single lane dirt paths or even rocky paths.
What i liked a lot about this place is how dog friendly it is. It's off leash, has ample trash service (bags if you forgot some, trash cans often enough to be convenient without being distracting from the hike, water available in many places throughout the hike).
What I didn't like about this hike is how some owners don't seem to be very responsible for picking up after their dogs =(. I mean c'mon, it caters specifically to people with pets, and yet there's still a whole lotta poop near the base of the trails... go figure...
Overall i like it though, and i will definitely be back here with "Asahi" to discover new trails and friends.
Oh yeah, and i didn't smell the dog pee smell that some others mentioned in their reviews.... but maybe that's on certain paths/parts that i didn't visit?
I can't believe I haven't written on Runyon yet. My dog and I come here almost every day, hiking and getting some exercise, some sun and meeting other dogs and people along the way.
What I love about Runyon, aside from the fact that there are several different trails and levels that you can take on any given day, is that it has phenomenal views of the city from many different points along the mountain. On top of the fact that it's free and extremely dog friendly you can come here to catch some rayz, see some sights and get some good old fashioned cardio in for the day.
Enjoy it with friends or with your furry companion (though make sure they are trained and friendly with others--dogs and humans--because it is an off leash dog park and there are always four legged friends to be found) from sun up to sundown. With different vantage points like Inspiration Point or Indian Rock where you can see the Hollywood Sign and from downtown to the Ocean you'll be able to truly understand the expanse and experience of Los Angeles. Not to mention the celebrity sightings you'll get just by traversing this little ol hill. Look out for rattlesnakes!
A friend introduced me to Runyon a few months after I moved here, but I didnt really get into it until I moved over to Hollywood. I go almost everyday! I absolutely love being outside and the canyon does wonders for your booty/thighs! At first, it was a bit trying since I was so out of shape, but after a few days of going, I got used to it. Although it is still a challenge, it is so much more enjoyable. You get to see some of the best views of Los Angeles and it is so dog friendly! All the dogs behave so well even when they're off their leashes.
Runyon is definitely a great exercise alternative to the gym... and its free!
Ahh, Runyon. Such a bittersweet name. At first, I use to hate coming here. It obviously takes a few times until your body gets use to the trails. Once I got the hang of it, meaning I didn't have to make stops at every little rest stop, I absolutely loved coming. Nevermind the smelly dog poop or baking from walking under the burning sun.
What never ceased to amaze me was how well behaved all the dogs were. I want to say 99% of them are not leashed, and they would obediently walk with their owners. Here I am walking my little lhasa apso who's crying from excitement at seeing all the dogs and they just walk by like we didn't even exist. Not a care in the world! Are they feeding these dogs something that I don't know about?!
Anyway, there are two entrances. You can start from the front or the back, but I prefer to start from the back. It's a lot steeper and it takes you right up to the middle trail, which is the one mostly everyone takes. If you enter from the front, there's a small grassy area where you will frequently see yoga classes being held.
I've never been on the advanced trail but I hear it's a good workout. I always tell myself to attempt that trail but somehow I end up on the popular one. The one on the very right is the steeper trail, where I literally feel like I'm going to fall and break my head open if I slip. It definitely works out your glutes, thighs, and calves. I prefer to enjoy my walk so I don't take that one.
When you get to the top, you have a nice view of Hollywood and the greater LA. It really is breathtaking the first time you're up there, but then you forget how beautiful it is the more you go. Usually people are up there chatting away or they go right back down to the bottom.
Finding parking here is as bad as trying to find a spot at the mall to do your last minute Christmas shopping. GOOD LUCK!!
I have been a Runyon Canyoner for years! Here is why it rocks-
1)Damn you left side! That part of the hill scorches calories, gets your heart racing and when you get to the top- you can see the ocean! So purdy..
2)On lazy days I do the middle, go with a girlfriend and have pleasant conversation. Watch cute boys with their shirts off running down the hill.
3)Centrally located, it's not a pain to get here and somehow I always find parking.
4)I don't even have a dog! I constantly watch all the cute(and fugly) dogs walk about the hills and ponder to myself why don't I have one(and sometimes know why I don't).
5)It's a great LA pastime workout. Sometimes you'll see a celeb, I've seen Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Eva Longoria, I can go on...
Besides the smell of poo and occasional bug here and there it's lots of fun and a great alternative workout! If you go there on a good day maybe you'll score a promotional sports beverage from a hottie at the end of the hill!
P.S. There are 3 different sides. The going UP- the left is the hardest, a very high incline(my girlfriend got nauseous last time). Middle- a casual gradual incline. The Right- a bunch of huge stairs. Choose your workout wisely.
I hiked up the east side of the Canyon on Saturday morning. The east side is moderately steep and your butt and thighs will definitely get a great workout from the hike. Your reward for not falling off the ridge is the great view of LA (I'm sure it's more beautiful at dusk with the sun setting in the West and the city lights sparkling yonder). You can also see the Hollywood sign, although it's still far into the distance. It takes about 1 hour to complete the trail and you'll be glad that you did it!
Everyone brings their dogs here. It was funny to see the young puppies running full speed ahead, the fatter/older dogs panting their way up the hill, the exhausted dogs refusing to budge, and the designer dogs who were total weaksauce and didn't belong at all. Dachshunds? Yorkies? Shih Tzus? LOL. Only in LA do people think it's a good idea to take their lap dogs out for a hike! For the sheer number of dogs here, I was surprised there wasn't much dog poop (although it certainly did smell a tad funky at the entrance)...Good job, responsible pet owners!
Tips: bring water, sunglasses, and a hat. And please please please don't try to hike in platform shoes like this one lady was doing -- you'll probably break your neck.
I love it. It's one of LA's greatest resources.
It is a good trek to the top, there are two sides, the west side is a more moderate but longer trek, and has more paving. The east side is steep, more difficult and very narrow on spots, but a more intense workout.
At the the top vista you can see from Pasadena to Palos Verdes, and LA doesn't look the chaotic chasm that it becomes when in traffic.
There are lots of dog walkers, so be wary of the poo, but I have yet to step in any. Also bring some water you will want it!
At the Vista entrance there is a unmanned stand where you can get a granola bar, or banana for a $1 contribution.
Luckily nobody has told the homeless about it!
The park is open from Dusk till Dawn, parking can be a bitch, but seriosuly , park a little ways away, I mean after all you there to hike, right?
Ah Runyon, you and my ass have a love-hate relationship. Of course you are very good for her, but sometimes boy do you kick her ass. (my ass has an ass? this metaphor is finished)
I love Runyon sometimes. It's pros include:
Difficulty, it is difficult and yet if you do it three times on one week it becomes amazingly relaxing. Then not so difficult but still very very good for you.
It has regulars who you come to recognize either by their smile, or their dog.
It is around the corner from me and smack in the middle of everything.
it has beautiful views on nice days and it is quite safe.
The cons are:
it can be CROWDED! Sometimes you feel like you are walking in the city there are so many people around you. You actually have to dodge them.
It smells like poop. Lots of cute little doggies doing what doggies doo. (baha!)
And it's very hollywood. If overhearing conversations about agents and auditions and night clubs kind of squashes your wilderness-high beware.
But the con's are outweighed by the pros for me. Or, Runyon, i still love you!
I really like the work out this places gives you! It doesn't get boring and there are a lot of different ways you can go through it for different types of work outs. Also great views along the way!!
The only thing i'll put as a negative is that dogs are allowed (that's not my negative) so when people don't pick up the mess it tends to stink. You know how it is, breathing in deep and heavy breathes and then uuhhhh yuck that's dog shit i'm breathing in!!!
But overall it's a nice spot. Just remember to bring water and sun block with you.
yay, me likey ... kinda
3.5 miles & 3.25 stars ...
if i had a dog, i know my dog would definitely like this place ... not only because you don't have to put his/her leash on but there are other dogs out there working out with their owners as well.
parkin is the only sketchy part ...
-1
here's a lil secret: there's a lil booth thingie in front with all sorts of goodies, such as water, snacks, even doggie snacks, for your tummy. all $1, but of course, nothing's free in this world, and it's ALL based on honor system....
i take off one star because i don't like the fact how it gets super packed... i know that runyan is for whoever but often times, i try to run away so i can get some alone time, and hiking is definitely one mechanism i DO use to get away... and runyan is definitely NOT one of them... doesnt matter WHAT time you come here, there's a GANG of people ....
there are 3 entrances: Fuller Avenue, Vista Street, and off Mulholland Dr. but whichever way you choose to come, GL!
if you're in for the adventure to people watch, this hike/park is for you.
BEES~!!!! If you have an aversion to bees, watch out, because they are everywhere. On the other hand, they didn't really bother us, even with shirts off and skin sticky with sweat. They preferred the neighboring flowers and shrubs, but still....
This was my first hike on this trail. Part of it was a good work out and was physically challenging. The other part of it was challenging in a different way as there is a lot of loose, dry sediment, and coming down some of the steeper areas becomes a tad bit worrisome when you find yourself siding down and out of control.
The view from the top is extremely nice! It was a beautiful day for hiking, even if all the LA smog is highly visible and somewhat disturbing. :/
Runyon is one of two hikes I do regularly now. It's the easy option. I love tracking all the cosmetic surgery...and that's just the guys.
For a harder hike the better option is Ferndell Canyon up to Griffith Park Observatory (one block east of the intersection of Franklin & Western). Ferndell is about 40% longer, steeper and zero dog pee smell. And by the way, imagine living in the apartments at the top of Fuller right by the entrance to Runyon. The ENTIRE neighborhood smells of dop pee. Gah!
The downside to the Griffith option: about 75% fewer hot bodies and absolutely no celebrities. So you chooses your poison.
i love runyon canyon for the same reasons as many have. I love that it's 10 mins away, i love that my dogs can run around off-leash and have a great work out with me. i love the interesting people that you see every single time i do, some bad, some good, and some just funny as hell. =)
every time i come here and look over the city, i'm reminded every time why i love being an L.A. native and could never move away.
this obviously not the only hike around l.a., but the closest to me when i need a reminder of how great it is, when i've had a bummer of a day. =)
Runyon used to be my getaway, but after taking in our rescue, Lucky Shmucks, it's become his little happy time. :)
Just seeing him run amok, free to socialize with all shapes and forms and personalities of other doggies... confirms that Runyon rocks. It's doggy heaven. Plus, it kicks my ass and reminds me that I need to make the trip to Runyon more often. There's a constant linger of dog turd and urine in the air--but hey, living in the constant cloud of smog that's LA, we've learned to suck it up, right??
It's also a trippy little microcosm of LA- you see all the characters that makes up the city of angels... which makes for an entertaining time.
This was a pretty cool hike, this morning. Took the dog out for his first real hike. He gets plenty of exercise but is kind of a sissy when it comes to doing anything of distance or grade change. It was overcast and not hot so everyone did well.
As everyone has said before, parking is a scene so if you see some spots grab one because the closer you get the less likely you'll find anything; at least it's not Santa Monica and permit only. The entrance does stink of dog piss and shit so move along briskly and you'll come to the trail head. It's a pretty easy climb on a nice wide trail, paved through a lot of it. You'll come across a couple of steep parts here and there but nothing tragic. This place was packed though, tons of people and dogs. Definitely not a remote hike, but cool none the less.
What a great place with great views.
Came here for a hike and couldn't even begin to count the number of dogs that I saw. I was shocked by the large amount that walked around without a leash but it was still so cute to see them pass by. We did encounter some dog poo but not too much. This place is really cool because depending on what path you take you can experience something different. It's like a choose your own adventure for hiking, go left and you'll get hills, right a flatter area.
The absolute best part of this place hands down is the view. You can see all of LA and beyond it seems like. We got to take pictures while we walked, it was pretty packed with people walking around but we took our time and enojyed the view and the company, and of course the dogs!
This place has a path for all abilities:
A. The paved path for older couples and runners.
B. The eastern dirt path for those who want to feel like they actually went hiking and were in it for the spectacular view of Downtown
C. The western dirt path for those who want a workout and a sense of accomplishment.
D. Make your own path. For those of you who hopefully have good health insurance.
Alternately you can adjust your work out by coming in from the N. Side off of Mulholland drive, or the S. Side off of Franklin/Fuller. Parking by Fuller is Terrible. Almost every day of the week, and should be avoided at all costs. You will spend more time parking than you will hiking. The Mulholland entrance has more than enough parking, even on Sunday morning.
So this place is a nice hike, there are plenty of better hikes in the LA area what makes this one so great?
1. There are dogs everywhere
2. There are always celebrities hiking.
3. Club Runyon has more eye candy than any other place in LA.
4. The views of greater LA are gorgeous.
5. It's free
6. Easy parking if you come from the N. Side
7. It's centrally located.
8. It's a great workout.
9. Everybody's doing it.
10. Again, Eye Candy. There isn't a better motivator out there.
This was my first time here, firstly the parking is non existent so prepare yourself to drive in circles to find a spot ; secondly this is a very steep trail, I took my dear old dad with me and had to leave him at the bottom because it was too hard for him. Thirdly there is no shade and my own personal beef, I felt like I was in a beauty contest or something. Too many women with full face of make up, its like a see to be seen place. I recommend other places to hike, like the foothills of Pasadena or Alta Dena.
It's already March, but it's not too late to work on my 2009 New Years Resolution! I love eating so the only way to keep my body under control is to exercise. I signed up for 24 hour fitness, but running on that treadmill everyday could get boring. So hiking and other outdoor activities is my new way to work out so I don't have to feel guilty about eating a burger from the Counter... or going to an AYCE Korean BBQ!
If you have dogs or love dogs, this is a great hike to go on. This is pretty much like a hiking trail for dogs. There were almost as many dogs as there were people there. I have a little puglet and he would LOVE this hike. I would definitely bring my dog there the next time I go. I wanted to check the place out before I brought him, and now I know that this place is VERY dog friendly.
Getting there is a bit rough.... you have to drive up this very windy road (I got car sick on the way back home) And be careful parking there because so many people got parking ticket parking INSIDE the parking lot. There was NO sign that indicated any parking violation warning... UGH!
Great view, nice work out, happy dogs. This place isn't so bad except for the parking... :(
A city-access canyon trail with a killer, smog-filled view that allows Penguin!?! High fives all around.
Normally, Penguin would be begging someone to throw the tennis ball when we're just hanging out, but we just got back from hiking at Runyon and she's just beat. She ran with so many dogs on the trail and there seemed to be a lot of friendly regulars. She could not have been happier.
There's water available for the dogs and snacks and water for people near the entrance.
This was my first time coming here (yes, it took me 20 years of living in California to finally make it up here), but alas, I was meant to come here with my Penguin.
The only draw back that I encountered a few times was a little eye-rolling here and there when Penguin would get in someones way. In case you miss it in the assload of reviews here, there are dogs at this park. So save the eye-rolling for your mother or the people that you will be fighting for parking spaces with...cuz you don't want a piece of my Penguin.
TRUE 5 STARS!!!
All inclusive ass and thigh workout! Runyon is my newest addiction. I come at least every other day!! Nothing beats getting an insane work out surrounded by eye candy. The tiny girls running with barely any clothes on are total motivation!! I love that I have the option of personalizing my workout, I can change my route to alter intensities. My kick ass work out it to hike up the steeeep west hill and run down the paved main route, yeah I know its bad for my knees but I am addicted.
The best part of Runyon is seeing dogs being carried, in pup carriers to the top. LMAO, poor puppies, a 4lb dog does not need to be at Runyon!!
The only negatives are the parking ( I live in walking distance, this is an observation not experiance ), I always see herds of cars fighting for parking, I dont know If i would love Runyon as much if i couldn't walk here. . . take that back Im sure I would still come : ) My second negative is the strong stench of poo at the Fuller entrance, I guess thats a given considering its a dog friendly park, dont let the poo scare you away; its only that bad at the entrance (next to the yoga park, yuck)
I chose this hike bc I wanted to see a bunch of dogs (my wish was granted) since I don't have my own, and I thought it'd be easy. I admit, I am not in tip-top shape, but I was struggling to get up that hill! Once we were finished, we discovered that one side is more difficult going up than the other. And guess which side we went up? Uh huh.
So from reading some reviews, I guess the west side is the steeper side and the east is longer but paved. We went up on the east side and down on the west side. Basically, you can choose from two paths: go straight (east) or you can veer to the left. We veered left (west) and it was an uphill battle all the way. Walking back down the other way was pretty steep initially but leveled off shortly after. Be careful bc I saw someone slip and fall. If I do this hike again, I'll prob go the opposite way I did the first time.
You get a nice view of some expensive houses and hills; you can also choose to hike higher and farther up, which I did not do. I didn't see much parking at all in the area, which was fine bc I took the Metro to Hollywood/Highland and walked the mile or so to the trail.
I used to come to Runyon Canyon when I came to this side of town. Now I live 6 blocks away, and I just walk to Runyon.
This is a challenging outdoor workout. And it's free!
Some reviews here mention the dog poop smell. Okay, yes, it's there. But it's not so overwhelming that you can't ignore it for most of the trail.
The fun thing is that you have quite a few trails to use. The two most popular trails are the main paved trail and the one unpaved, pretty steep one, which has a couple of benches to sit out and lookout into the city. The first is longer, the latter is steeper.
I like to go up through the unpaved trail - great leg and bum workout! - and come back down the paved way.
After an hour at Runyon, I feel like I had a great workout, and feel energized by the views and the outdoor experience.
I've seen some people just taking a leisure walk here. It's still going to work your butt out, but you can take this slow and just enjoy the day, peek at some Hollywood Hills homes, and maybe show some visiting friends what LA is all about.
Enjoy!
