Aerial view of Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook at Culver City, California
Posted on 01-02-2023 10:06 PM
Aerial view of Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook at Culver City, California
Scenic Overlook of Baldwin Hills, Culver City, California
For some fantastic views of the surrounding landscape, take a short but strenuous hike up a steep set of stairs just south of Ballona Creek in Culver City. In this small park, fitness enthusiasts sweat and run up the incline multiple times, while shutterbugs set up shop on the overlook on clear days. You can use it as a training facility for larger hikes, or just to exercise if you live nearby.
While Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook may not be considered much of a hike, it is a beautiful pocket of green space that can be reached by car, bike, or Expo Line.
On Jefferson Blvd, this park is easy to miss. As you drive by, you can't miss the park entrance because the park is only a few years old. Prepare yourself to see a lot of people down at street level on weekends and nice weekdays, huffing and puffing after running down from the top.
Starting off the trail is an interpretive sign outlining the park's mission statement and showing a map of the two ways to reach the top of the overlook: through a mile-long set of switchbacks or by climbing up a shorter, steeper staircase. As you round the first switchback, turn your attention towards the set of stairs that towers over you
An anonymous reader described these stairs as miniature walls on my Facebook page. They were right. I think these steps are a bit more relentless than the staircase at Runyon Canyon in Hollywood, since they are much higher and more spaced-out than your standard staircase.
Don't feel bad about taking a break once in a while, either, as you will ascend 260 feet in about 15 seconds miles.
You're in for a treat when you reach the top, a panoramic view of the L.A. basin, San Gabriels, Santa Monicas, and Palos Verdes runs out in all directions. This viewpoint really helps locals gain a better understanding of their surroundings, which is one of the parks' missions.
When you've taken in the stunning views, walk around the overlook to the south side, where you'll find a very fancy visitor center.
As a result of state park budget cuts, the visitor center is only manned occasionally and may not be open when you visit. Their website indicates that the center is open Fridays and Saturdays until February when volunteers are available, but does not indicate when it will be open thereafter.
Seek out a trail that departs from the Culver City park highpoint, heading east. To descend back to the trailhead, take the switchback trail, which is much easier than the stairs, and offers more opportunity for great city views.
You can make a second run up the stairs if you're here for fitness' sake. Or, if it's a weekend or holiday between 8AM and 6PM, you can hop on the Metro Shuttle and hike nearby Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.
Baldwin Hills, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Ballona Creek, Culver City, Fitness, Hiking, Los Angeles, Staircase, Transit Accessible.
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