OT: 10ish mile running loop; LA/socal?
 

Taking advantage of a travel snafu to get in some training runs.

Looking for interesting 10ish mile loop(s) with decent hills but definitely nothing soul crushing. My running around here is pretty dead flat and want to mix some hills in for training. Open to pavement or trail.

Staying in downtown Santa Monica, but I'll have a car and happy to drive.

Thoughts?

Running on the beach will certainly work some different muscles, especially varying the soft sand and harder pack down by the water.
Enjoy the SoCal winter sunshine!

when will this occur? At this time of year you can see some pretty accurate weather maps to see conditions a week ahead.

Go to the boardwalk and head north to the bu!

If you want to keep it simple and local to Santa Monica: one idea is to start at the Strand (bike/running path along the beach) and head toward Will Rogers State Park. Cross the PCH there and run up Temescal (decent sidewalk) and go up to Temescal Gateway Park (trails, etc...) and turn back.

Here's something I whipped up quick:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41850...2a8xwNjIZVuKE6

There's also Griffith and Runyon if you want something more trail-oriented.

Not a runner but I’d say Will Rogers is a good call, however I’d go there via Rustic Canyon, much nicer than Temescal. I’ll try to whip up a route tomorrow.

Are you able to follow a RWGPS route? Guessing you might have a Garmin watch?

I was down there during Thanksgiving, run along the beach if you can. I also did a few miles along the LA river. Not very hilly but also very cool to take in the socal scenery.

Park to playa trail off of Ballona Creek has a hill or two….

https://trails.lacounty.gov/Trail/23...to-playa-trail

Nice week to be here…

Griffith Park was really nice when i was last there.

https://greatruns.com/los-angeles-griffith-park-2/

Thanks for the suggestions! Some good options here.

Yes, I have a garmin watch for nav if i need it.

I made this route for Nick but figured I'd post it here as a public service. In that spirit I think it best to provide some guidance to prepare you for what you'll encounter. The route starts at Rapha in Santa Monica, mostly because that's my default starting point but also maybe you want a coffee, some retail therapy, or to visit with some MAMILs before or after your run.

Route:https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41854878

Mile 0.5: stay on the pedestrian walkway to descend the California incline, be aware of cyclists and other vehicle types (and inattentive tourists gawking at the Pacific), once you're on the beach path stay on the pedestrian side until …
Mile 1.9: descend the stairs and go through the tunnel to cross under PCH (apologies for the odor, may remind you of the NYC subway)
Mile 2.2: for the bulk of the remainder, the sidewalk is intermittent so just plan to run in the street, not as dangerous as it sounds
Mile 3.9: the road appears to end but there is a path over a bridge and through a gate that allows you to continue
Mile 4.0: unfortunately, you have a tenth of a mile along Sunset Blvd. to get to the road that enters Will Rogers. There might be sidewalk, I don't know.
Mile 4.9: beginning of the dirt and a scenic loop around Inspiration Point.
Mile 7.6: while it looks like you're about to turn onto Sunset, to your right there's a single track that brings you back into Will Rogers.
Mile 8.6: again, that same 0.1 mile along Sunset that brings you back to the gated bridge
Mile 10.2: as a final leg burner, a set of stairs that bring you up to the bluff above Santa Monica canyon, very popular workout spot

Enjoy!

Nice one! That's a pretty burly run...

Angry: you run that and I'll meet you at the end and buy you any beverage you want! - Wolfman

My best friend grew up on Adelaide near those steps; you will feel the burn!

The Will Rogers Park is a really nice hike ...

Quite the tony area especially these days, neighbors include Frank Gehry

When I was at UCLA, and after my bike frame cracked (and Trek took almost a year to warranty it), I switched to running. At one point, I was running daily 20 milers, usually hitting all the roads and trails up to Mulholland. I didn't have a car and was running from campus looking to do loops with dirt, so that explains the distance.

I haven't been back since 1991, but I love maps, and it was fun to look at the area.

For around 10 miles, I'd do something like this:

https://www.strava.com/activities/4798600623/overview

This was out of range from my base back then, but looks like a good loop:

https://www.strava.com/segments/2799841

Longer loop from Santa Monica:

https://www.strava.com/activities/2154025960/overview