Given how big Los Angeles is, there is no shortage of running areas, tracks and trails to choose from. Some are perfect for the cross-country enthusiast while others provide a great location for an early morning workout or lunchtime exercise routine. Here are some of the best running tracks in Los Angeles for scenery, amenities and location.
The San Vicente Boulevard Divider Path
Yes, that is a street on the list. San Vicente sits in West Los Angeles and literally has a center divide between the two direction of traffic covered in grass. The entire divide is a great running track often used by the locals. The stop lights between various blocks are timed for keeping traffic moving, so there’s little wait time if one keeps pace with the lights. The best part is after 26th street which essentially goes into a suburban residential area away from the commercial congestion. For those wanting to get the full run, start your path at the cross of 26th street and San Vicente Boulevard located in Brentwood. Being technically downtown in the open, the divider area is probably not the safest place to run at night.
The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Drake Stadium Track
If you want a formal running track Los Angeles location downtown, then Drake Stadium will provide you an outdoor location for quick runs on a real track. The main track runs with nine lanes and has a 400 meter long circuit. The adjacent stadium bleachers and walk paths also provide an added benefit of stair climbing as well, so you can get a combination workout in the same place. Drake Stadium is open to the public and accessible, but it can be closed off if there is a major event reserving the track such as UCLA sports or other big events. So, it’s a good idea to check the UCLA Stadium calendar on a regular basis to not be disappointed showing up without checking. Drake Stadium is located at 340 Charles E. Young Drive North in Westwood. Contact Phone: (310) 825-4546.
The Ray Miller Backbone Trail
Definitely a keeper for the marathon cross-country runner, the Backbone Trail itself is 67-mile long stretch. However, the running part of it is 5.4 miles, a much more doable length. The beauty of this location is that sits right in Malibu with an entry point off of the Pacific Coast Highway. The PCH view is amazing and probably about as good an ocean-run as one can get. The run is entirely outdoors and on trail, so hydrate before and use a bathroom before the trip as there’s not much on the path for amenities otherwise. Also, keep in mind the trail is in the semi-wild, so anticipate potential run-ins with wildlife.
The Rose Bowl Run
Measuring approximately 3.3 miles for the entire loop, the Rose Bowl is another standard outdoor running track Los Angeles option situated in the historic Rose Bowl Stadium. The entire look makes up about a 5K run, which makes it a regular location for formal racing events and field sports as well. If no formal event is scheduled, anyone can train, run, sprint or jog as they please. In addition to the track, one has access to 14 different public fitness stations as well. Most are associated with strength-building or balancing and stretching. Safety-wise the Stadium is far more exposed to the open public, something to note. There is also a public pool at the same location if one wants to get in some crossfit exercise strategies as well. The Rose Bowl Stadium can be found at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA.
San Vincente Mountain
If you’re looking for a big achievement accomplishment and to see the world at the top of your run, then the San Vicente Mountain is the prime place to be. It also has a lot of history on the location as well. For example, one gets to run by a 1960s missile site for earlier Cold War anti-aircraft defense. The entire trail run is a 7.4 mile length, but it has multiple entry points. The best location is on Westridge Road, a turn street off of Brentwood’s Mandeville Canyon. There is parking but not a lot, however, the path is rarely crowded. The park is generally open during daylight hours.
Griffith Park
Located in Northern Los Angeles close to Burbank, Griffith Park is a well-used and favorite outdoor area for trail running and connection with the pockets of wildland area in the urban mess. There are lots of different entrances, but the most common one can be entered 4730 Crystal Springs Drive. Griffith Park trails are regularly featured in various TV shows and movies for an outdoor running scene or similar as well as overlooks of Los Angeles, so don’t be surprised if you run into folks filming out there, especially on a very clear morning with lots of good light. However, while the park generally an okay place during the day, it’s probably not the safety place to run in the evening or at night.
Stuart M. Ketchum-Downtown YMCA
If basketball court running, doing circuits and ladders, or indoor track running is your think, the Downtown YMCA is your best bet for most back for the buck. For a cost of essentially $2/day, a member can easily get in multiple forms of exercise with plenty of room for indoor running, avoiding any issues with smog or pollution outside. Basically open from Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, the YMCA is the perfect location for folks who need a lunch workout or a place to exercise during the day before their shift at night. Full changing rooms and privacy areas are available. Membership excludes exposure to off-the-street issues for exercise safety during the day. As another ideal option for downtown LA residents, the YMCA pool swimming, exercise equipment, strength-training options, and childcare and daycare for the little kids too. For contact info use website: http://ymcala.org/ketchum , Phone: (213) 624-2348, Address: 401 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
CSU Northridge
As a state university, CSU Northridge offers a fully-equipment workout center for all types of sports, including an indoor running track Los Angeles option. Their indoor track is half the size of normal standard running track, and the facility is open from 6am to midnight Monday through Thursday, and 6am to 10pm on Friday and the weekend. Full changing rooms and privacy facilities are available. Because of being staffed with personnel and university security the CSUN Rec Center has a higher level of safety for afterhours than many other locations. And CSUN students enjoy the facility as part of their tuition. Of course, being a full-sport center, running is not the only option on a track. The facility boasts, basketball games, indoor soccer, racquetball, and a number of other sports incorporating running makes it ideal for crossfit training as well as alternating exercises every other day. Folks can locate the CSUN Student Recreation Center online at: http://src.csun.edu , Phone: (818) 677-5434, or physically at 18111 Nordhoff St, Los Angeles, CA 91330.
Conclusion
There you have it. The best running tracks in Los Angeles. Whether you want to go for an indoor run, or you want to run outside with a stroller, or your four-legged furry little friend, you will be able to choose the best running track for your needs in Los Angeles.
