Who Says Nobody Walks in LA? The Top 3 Walkable Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has a reputation. Endless freeways, gridlock on the 405, and the old joke that nobody walks in LA. But anyone who has spent an afternoon strolling through the right neighborhood knows the truth: some of the best parts of this city are made for walking.

We walk them for a living. Here are our three favorites.

1. West Hollywood

If you need proof that LA can be walkable, start here. Walk Score has named West Hollywood the most walkable city in California, and it's not hard to see why. The whole city fits into just 1.9 square miles, with wide sidewalks, tree-lined streets, and rainbow crosswalks that make every block feel like a celebration.

Since the city incorporated in 1984, it has intentionally built for pedestrians. Drive-throughs aren't allowed, and ground-floor spaces are designed for shops and restaurants rather than parking lots.

Where to walk: Santa Monica Boulevard, part of historic Route 66 and the heart of WeHo's LGBTQ+ community; the West Hollywood Design District along Robertson, Melrose, and Beverly; and the legendary Sunset Strip for music history and nightlife.

2. Beverly Hills' Golden Triangle

Beverly Hills is one of the few truly walkable grids in Los Angeles, and it's exactly why we chose it for our very first tour. The Golden Triangle, bounded by Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards, packs world-famous shopping, landmark architecture, and some of the city's best restaurants into a compact, easy-to-navigate area.

Where to walk: start at the 1932 Spanish Baroque City Hall, cut over to Rodeo Drive and the cobblestones of Two Rodeo, then wander Brighton Way, Beverly Drive, and Cañon Drive, where the boutiques and cafés sit shoulder to shoulder.

3. Downtown Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach proves that walkable can also mean barefoot. Downtown is a tight cluster of more than 150 shops and restaurants that runs right down to the sand, anchored by the historic pier.

Where to walk: head out along the 1920 pier to the Roundhouse Aquarium, stroll the Strand past beachfront homes, then loop back up to Metlox Plaza for lunch. Just know that some of the streets climb from the beach, so your calves will get a workout.

Tips for walking LA

• Park once. Pick a central lot and explore on foot from there.
• Comfortable shoes beat cute shoes, every time.
• Bring water and sunscreen. LA sunshine is no joke, even in winter.
• Go with a local. You'll see twice as much and get lost half as often.

Every one of our tours covers about 1.5 miles at a relaxed pace, broken up by tastings along the way. It's the most delicious way we know to prove that plenty of people walk in LA.

Hours, menus, and storefronts change often in LA. Check before you go.