Discover Los Angeles Secret Stairs
The city of Los Angeles hasn’t been always a city of cars, and contrary to the very famous song that says ” nobody walks in LA” well it turns out that the historically and beautifully built staircases across our city are proof of a past that once said otherwise.
Starting in the 1920’s when the city population started to explode and get more crowded, builders and buyers started looking up instead of out and properties began construction up the hills. To help traverse these steep hills, long and magnificent staircases were built.
Now since pretty much everyone uses cars to get up the big hills these gorgeous staircases are used more and more by locals as a unique exercise routine or for tourists to take cool pictures.
While you might wonder why anyone would want to take pictures of stairs there is magnificent beauty and architectural marvels to some of these LA stairs, not to mention a few historical treasures like the Music Box in Silver Lake.
These among other local stairs have been not only been used as working out spots but the location for some very popular films. We have another article with more hidden stairs in Los Angeles here.
Here are some of the best staircases in LA, enjoy!
1. Music Box Steps in SilverLake
Located in SilverLake these stairs connect Vendome Street with Descanso Drive. These stairs were the focal point of the 1932 short film classic The Music Box. The famous movie starred silent film comic stars Laurel and Hardy. Besides wining Academy Awards, this film was also selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Music Box Stairs are a set of 705 stairs that will help you to lose at the very least the calories from your cheat day dessert and that’s even if you walk slow. Hardcore LA exercise enthusiasts are known to sprint up these stairs!
In addition to locals and visitors getting a good view of the neighborhood and getting in their calorie burn, these steps continue to be very meaningful to the community due to their filmography history.
2. The Santa Monica Stairs
These stairs are located in Santa Monica Canyon near the Pacific Palisades and one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in LA. They have become one of the most popular spots on the West-side for health conscious folks looking for an outdoor burn.
The staircase consists of 152 wooden steps and 18 concrete steps. Locals and tourists both frequent this location mainly as a workout. It is also a good place to spot a celebrity, be it traditional movies and TV or an “Instafamous” one. If you don’t see a famous person on your visit you are at least guaranteed to see some of the most gorgeous hard body Angelenos, both guys and girls alike.
If you want to get a great workout The Santa Monica Stairs is a thigh burning crucifix. If you are not looking for a hardcore workout, you can still enjoy the views and the natural beauty on the top of the stairs that offer sweeping visas of Santa Monica.
3. Hollywood Bowl Stairs
As one of Los Angeles most famous landmarks you probably have been to the Hollywood Bowl, maybe even many times for concerts or special events. But most people do not know that the iconic Bowl is technically an LA County Regional public park.
What does that mean? It means you can actually run the Hollywood Bowl Stairs when there is not an event going on! The Hollywood Bowl is leased to the LA Phil but during off season it’s still a space for the public that they are free to use when there is not a concert going on.
That means on days with no concert you can enter the famous Hollywood Bowl from sunrise to sunset to run the stairs, chill with a picnic or just walk around and explore. Its a pretty amazing and unique workout to run the 168 stairs of the Hollywood Bowl when its almost completely empty. Especially when the only other times you have been there is during a live concert with 17,000 other people!
If you want a unique stair workout or want to show off to friends your insider knowledge of LA the Hollywood Bowl Stair Workout should be at the top of your to do list!
4. Angels Flight Stairs
Angelenos and tourists adore the Angels Flight for its historical value, its beautiful architecture and awesome location, downtown and across from Grand Central Market. First opened in 1901 this famous LA landmark is the shortest railway in the world. It has two cars that run in opposite directions on a shared cable.
Right alongside the Angels Flight is a long steep flight of stairs numbering 153 steps in all. If you want a grueling workout you can skip the Angeles Flight and run up those steps.
This run or walk not only burns those calories but also gives you a unique view of the beautiful Angels Flight tracks and rail cars named Olive and Sinai.
At the top of the climb you can catch your breath while enjoying magnificent views of downtown Los Angeles.
5. Bunker Hill Stairs
We stay in DTLA for our next set of steps. Not to far from the Angels Flight is the Bunker Hill Stairs.
This massive concrete staircase takes pedestrians on a path from Bunker Hill to the beautiful Los Angeles Central Library. It runs right alongside the U.S. Bank Tower and near other downtown office buildings so it is primarily used by office workers coming and going to work, so they can negotiate the five-story grade between 5th and Hope streets.
Because of the awesome location and the steep incline the Bunker Hill Steps makes our list. If you work downtown its a perfect spot to get away during lunch time and get in a quick stair workout.
6. Baldwin Hills Overlook Stairs
The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook provides an epic view of LA when you reach the top. But you are going to have to pay your dues to get that payoff with a grueling climb up 282 steps.
Also known as the Culver City Stairs this has become one of the most popular outdoor workout spots in the city. Something that makes this stair workout unique is the difference in stairs. Instead of one smooth, steady and consistent path up, these steps vary between 1 and 3 feet in height. It does not seem like much but when you are going up the steep incline the variety makes a difference and for a slightly more changeling climb.
If you find yourself near Culver City and want an epic stair workout this is your spot. But keep in mind its become very popular so you might find yourself with plenty of company on this workout depending on when you go.
Do you have a favorite stair workout? Please let us know in the comments below!