Runyon Canyon

Runyon Canyon is another one of those hikes with an incredible vista that also happens to be in the middle of the city. Seriously though, you pull up to a bunch of apartment complexes and there, tuck back in the back is this hike that leads you up an into a small canyon with great vantage points over Los Angeles. Located in Hollywood area you get the true flavor of Los Angeles here with a mix mash of people and pets, all who are ready and willing to give you a smile and a word of encouragement. This hike is a loop and the hiker can either choose to go up the stairs and down the hill, or vice versa (which happens to be what this hiker did and does not recommend). While the stairs don't rest on the edge of any precipice, they are rather steep and can be tricky when coming down). The hike definitely gets your blood pumping, but it's a comfortable level of exertion and it's also relatively short. (And to reward yourself at the end go ahead and stop by Milk Jar Cookies for an amazing treat!)

Feel like you don't know what you would talk about on a hike? Well, this blogger thinks that the sweeping cityscapes and friendly people will give you more than enough to chat about, but if all else fails you could always discuss what kind of dog you would want if you were to ever get a dog. This popular hike is dog friendly and more hikers than not have their furry companions with them. With new subjects to talk about constantly passing by, you're sure to never run out of something to say.