The Complete Los Angeles Running Guide 2025

Your insider guide to running in Los Angeles: best routes, races, clubs, and race-day logistics from beaches to Griffith Park. Plan your next LA race.

Why running in Los Angeles just hits different

Running in Los Angeles means ocean air before sunrise, canyon trails a short drive away, and palm-lined boulevards that seem built for long runs. The weather cooperates most days, the paths are varied, and the race calendar is packed. Whether you are here to PR at the Los Angeles Marathon, shake out a travel day along the beach path, or find a weekly group that feels like home, this guide shows you exactly where to run, how to train, and which LA races to target. Use RaceThere to explore upcoming races around LA, then use these local tips to plan your training and race day logistics.

The LA race calendar: marquee events and local favorites

The city’s race scene runs year round. Big road events anchor the calendar, trail races fill your weekends, and there is a 5K almost every month if you want quick efforts.

Road races you should know

The Los Angeles Marathon is typically held in March and follows the Stadium to the Stars course, starting at Dodger Stadium and finishing in the Westside near Century City. Expect rolling terrain with the biggest early climb out of Elysian Park, fast sections along Hollywood and Sunset, and another grind through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills before the finish. For tune ups, the LA Big 5K at Dodger Stadium is part of marathon weekend and offers a great pre-race vibe.

On the coast, the Santa Monica Classic usually lands in early fall with 5K and 10K options along Ocean Avenue. The Long Beach Marathon and Half Marathon in October give you a mostly flat course with ocean views and a deep field. Malibu Half Marathon brings a scenic and slightly rolling out and back along the Pacific, usually in November. Conquer the Bridge in San Pedro is a tough and memorable 5.3 mile race over the Vincent Thomas Bridge, often on Labor Day. Downtown LA hosts the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, which is perfect for visitors staying near the Historic Core or South Park.

Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Half Marathon and 5K in January are local staples. The course uses the Arroyo Seco trails and finishes near the stadium, which makes it ideal for measuring your fitness before spring races. Many LA runners also head south for the Surf City Marathon and Half in Huntington Beach in February, since the course is flat and spectator friendly.

Use RaceThere to search for Los Angeles races by month, distance, and surface. Filter by road, trail, elevation gain, or amenities like pacers and on-course gels. Create a short list, then plan your training blocks around the events that excite you most.

Trail and mountain events

Griffith Park is home to several trail races that range from 5K to 50K. Expect runnable fire roads, singletrack around Mount Hollywood, and long views of Downtown and the Observatory. Palos Verdes hosts scenic races on the coastal bluffs with punchy climbs and ocean winds. On hot days the canyons can feel twice as steep, so adjust your expectations and bring extra water. If you want more vert, the San Gabriel foothills near Pasadena offer organized trail events with technical sections, switchbacks, and real mountain feel within an hour of central LA.

Where to run in Los Angeles

From beach paths to pine-scented fire roads, you can build a full training cycle without repeating a route. These are the routes locals actually use, with the small details that make them easy to enjoy.

The Strand, from Santa Monica to the South Bay

The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, known locally as The Strand, is the most forgiving long run in town. Start near the Santa Monica Pier, then head south through Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, Dockweiler, Manhattan Beach, and Hermosa. It is flat, wide, and has mile markers on many sections. Water fountains and public restrooms dot the route, especially near the piers. If you are driving, the beach lots charge, and meters turn over early, so bring a card and check posted hours. Go at sunrise to beat bikes and scooters.

Griffith Park loops and climbs

Griffith Park’s network blends dirt and pavement. A favorite is a counterclockwise loop from the Merry-Go-Round parking lot up to the Griffith Observatory via the East Observatory Trail, then down on pavement to Vermont Canyon and back. If you want a gentler run, stick to the flat section on Crystal Springs Drive and Zoo Drive, which gives you a protected, shaded out and back. Expect coyotes at dawn and dusk. Keep dogs leashed, and carry water because fountains are spaced out.

Rose Bowl Loop and the Arroyo Seco

The Rose Bowl Loop is a measured 3.1 mile circuit around the stadium with soft shoulders, lights at night games, and lots of company. Add distance by following the Arroyo Seco bike path south toward South Pasadena for rolling miles under oaks. Weekend mornings are busy with cyclists and training groups, so hug the right and hold your line on turns.

Elysian Park and the Dodger Stadium hills

Elysian Park is the go to for hill repeats and skyline views. Park along Academy Road near the Police Academy and warm up on the rolling loop. For a solid climb, take Elysian Park Drive up to Angels Point, where you can see Downtown and the stadium. Watch the schedule on game days because traffic and parking rules change.

Silver Lake Reservoir path

A smooth 2.2 mile loop with soft gravel sections, mild rollers, and lots of dog walkers. It is perfect for steady state efforts and doubles. Parking is street only, and the area has permit restrictions on some blocks, so read the signs. Bathrooms sit near the southern end and there are a couple of fountains along the fence line.

San Vicente Boulevard median path

Between Brentwood and Santa Monica lies a flat, tree lined median path on San Vicente Boulevard. The surface is a mix of dirt and compacted gravel, and the shade makes it a favorite for tempo runs. Expect lots of runners early mornings. Cross carefully at lights, and run against bike traffic when on the road shoulder sections.

LA River Path

The paved path along the LA River offers long uninterrupted miles. The Elysian Valley section, often called Frogtown, is the most scenic. You will find murals, a couple of coffee stops near the river access points, and gentler crowds than the beach. Bring a bottle because water fountains are sparse.

Kenneth Hahn and the Culver City Stairs

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area has rolling dirt trails and city views. You can link loops with the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, known for the Culver City Stairs. Use the stairs for power hiking or short hill sprints, then recover on the perimeter trail. It gets hot by mid morning, so start early.

Palos Verdes bluffs and coastal roads

If you want a challenge, head to Palos Verdes. The bluffs give you technical singletrack with steep pitches and ocean wind. The roads are wide with long climbs and descents that are perfect for sustained hill tempo. Check tides if you plan any beach connectors because some sections disappear at high tide.

Downtown LA early morning loops

Before the streets wake up, Downtown is surprisingly runnable. Set a loop from Grand Park to the Arts District via 4th Street, then back up Broadway. Lights change quickly and sidewalks are wide in most sections. Avoid rush hours because traffic and pedestrians increase fast.

Tracks and hill workout spots

Public track access shifts by school, season, and events. Early weekday mornings are usually your best bet. Always check posted signs.

• Santa Monica College and Santa Monica High School tracks are sometimes open to the community outside team hours. Policies change, so confirm locally.
• West LA College in Culver City often allows public use when classes are not in session. Expect football lines and shared space.
• Pasadena City College has community access windows. Arrive early and run in the correct direction.

For hills, locals rotate among the Culver City Stairs, Temescal Canyon trail in the Palisades, Elysian Park’s Angels Point climb, and the long gradual incline on San Vicente from Ocean Avenue toward Brentwood.

Running clubs and weekly group runs

LA clubs cover every pace and vibe. Try a few, then settle in with the group that matches your goals and schedule.

• LA Leggers in Santa Monica offers paced long runs on Saturday mornings during marathon season. They meet near the pier and support runners aiming for the LA Marathon with coaches and route support.
• LA Running Club, often shortened to LARC, meets on the Westside and runs year round with structured workouts and weekend long runs for a range of distances.
• BlacklistLA hosts Sunday night art runs around 10 pm that tour murals and neighborhoods. The pace is social and the routes change weekly, which is perfect for city discovery.
• Venice Run Club welcomes all levels with weeknight social runs and weekend long runs that use the beach path and Abbot Kinney as anchors. Expect big groups in summer.
• DTLA Running Group links after work loops from The Bloc and the Arts District, which makes it easy for downtown workers to get miles without a commute.

Most groups post routes and times on social channels the day before. Bring lights for night runs, and say hi at the start line. Meeting people is half the fun.

Running stores and local services

You have strong options for shoe fitting, gait analysis, and last minute gels.

• A Runner’s Circle in Los Feliz is a community hub for eastside runners and hosts group runs that roll into Griffith Park. Their Pasadena outpost serves the Rose Bowl crowd.
• Run With Us in Pasadena is one of the longest running specialty shops in the area, with deep shoe knowledge, spikes for track season, and on site gait checks.
• Fleet Feet locations in Burbank and Manhattan Beach cover the Valley and South Bay with broad inventories and regular demo runs.
• Road Runner Sports in Torrance stocks a big brand selection and sees heavy weekend traffic. Call ahead if you want a specific model.

If you need body work, look for sports focused PT clinics in Santa Monica, Pasadena, and the South Bay. Several serve marathoners during peak season with quick turnaround appointments.

Weather, seasons, and safety

LA gives you mild winters and dry summers. Coastal mornings can be cool with marine layer and mist, while valleys heat up fast after 9 am. Fall can bring Santa Ana winds with low humidity and sudden heat. Carry water if you run inland after sunrise, use a hat year round, and apply sunscreen even on gray mornings.

Wildfire smoke sometimes pushes AQI into unhealthy ranges in late summer and fall. Check air quality before long efforts and move workouts indoors when needed. Trails can close after heavy rain, and mud sticks to shoes like cement, so swap to road routes for a day.

At dawn and dusk, wear a light on routes that cross driveways, especially along the beach path and in retail corridors. In parks, give wildlife space and keep dogs leashed. In busy areas, hold a straight line and signal before passing. It keeps everyone relaxed.

Race day logistics in LA

Big LA races run smoothly if you plan transport and bags in advance. The Metro system has improved access to start and finish zones, and many events run dedicated shuttles.

For the Los Angeles Marathon, runners usually board shuttles from the finish area to Dodger Stadium before dawn. Parking near the stadium is limited and traffic builds quickly, so use the shuttle if your bib allows it. Spectators can use the Metro B line for Hollywood sections, then hop to bus lines for West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Plan meetups away from the finish chute, since cell service gets congested.

For Santa Monica and beach races, the E line gets you close to Ocean Avenue. If you must drive, the beach lots open early with dynamic pricing, and street parking in the neighborhoods has time limits. Bring a card for meters and leave extra time for bathroom stops because pre race lines grow quickly.

Downtown races benefit from the A, B, and D lines. Park at a station outside the core, ride in, and jog to the start as a warm up. After you finish, grab water first, then photos, then food. The order matters more than you think.

Pack throwaway layers for cool mornings, especially for spring starts at Dodger Stadium and fall starts along the water. Winds pick up late morning on the coast, so aim to finish longer distances before the breeze rises.

A sample week of LA marathon training

Use the city like a training tool. Here is a sample week that fits a mid cycle block for a marathoner targeting around 60 miles per week. Adjust paces to your plan.

• Monday. Easy 6 to 8 miles on the LA River Path from Frogtown. Keep it conversational and add strides at the end.
• Tuesday. Track or tempo. Warm up 2 miles along San Vicente, then 4 miles at marathon effort on the median path, and cool down 2 miles. If you prefer the track, sub in 5 by 1K with 2 minute jog recoveries.
• Wednesday. Recovery 5 to 7 miles around the Silver Lake Reservoir, then mobility.
• Thursday. Hills at Elysian Park. Warm up 2 miles, then 10 by 60 to 90 second hill repeats up Elysian Park Drive toward Angels Point. Jog down easy and keep the effort controlled.
• Friday. Off or 4 to 5 mile shakeout on soft surfaces at Kenneth Hahn.
• Saturday. Long run 14 to 18 miles on The Strand from Santa Monica south. Start early and practice gels on the hour. Add 4 miles at marathon effort in the final third.
• Sunday. Trail leg flush in Griffith Park, 5 to 7 miles on dirt. Keep effort easy and enjoy the views.

Rotate routes weekly. Your legs stay fresh, and you learn multiple terrain types, which pays off on race day when conditions change.

Accessibility and inclusivity

LA has several accessible routes with smooth surfaces and frequent facilities. The beach path has regular ramps, restrooms, and wide lanes. The Rose Bowl loop is mostly flat with clear sight lines and has bathrooms and water near Brookside Park. The LA River Path offers long, uninterrupted pavement with gentle grades.

Many clubs welcome beginners and walkers. Say upfront what pace you plan to run and most groups will help you find your people. If you have safety concerns, pick populated routes at popular hours, carry ID, and use a light. For heat sensitive runners, schedule runs near sunrise and stick to coastal routes that stay cooler.

Plan your next race with RaceThere

Los Angeles running is rich, and the options can feel endless. Start by picking a goal race, then add one or two tune up events that match your training windows. Head to RaceThere and filter races by distance, month, location, and terrain. Save your favorites, compare course profiles, and build a calendar that fits your life.

If you are visiting, search events within the dates you will be in town. If you are a new resident, explore neighborhood races first to meet local runners, then expand to destination races across Southern California. When you are ready, the Los Angeles Marathon offers the full city tour and a finish line feeling that is hard to beat.

Ready to run LA. Open RaceThere, find an event, and we will see you on the start line.