During these very unusual times, it’s easy to forget that nature is still around us. The Santa Monica Mountains still stand pretty-as-a-picture in the background, the sea still adds a salty smell to the air, and the birds still build their nests. Nature lovers are used to roaming free, getting lost in a world of natural beauty, and complete serenity. With social distancing around Los Angeles in full swing, freely roaming isn’t exactly possible at the moment. However, Angelenos are still allowed to leave the house for exercise, an easy way to get your nature fix — safely.
All you need to do is think smaller and stick local. Though most of the national parks near Los Angeles closed until at least May 15, 2020, lots of local green spaces remain open. This unexpected downtime might just be the excuse you needed to discover some of nature’s hidden gems that are right on your doorstep.
Discover your local neighborhood from a new perspective
It’s no doubt that the new pandemic has left many of us with time on our hands, and what better what to spend it than in the fresh air. Walking, running, cycling, roller skating, skateboarding, and scooting are all included as part of your daily exercise, as long as you stick to the rules that are currently in place to curb the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing around Los Angeles includes things like keeping to small groups, not meeting up with anyone outside of your household, and maintaining a six-foot distance from any other Angelenos out on their daily wanderings.
Unfortunately, strenuous hikes and wild adventures just aren’t possible at the moment, so you’ll need to stick to local streets. Currently, all public hiking paths, trailheads, and beaches in Los Angeles County are closed to the public until further notice. When they do open again, you’ll find the most up-to-date information with the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority.
Take advantage of the seasonal flora and fauna
Slow down a minute and look around you. The pink cherry blossoms are flourishing around town, the honey bees are busy collecting pollen, and there might even be the odd family of bunnies hopping around. Los Angeles nature really comes into its own during spring and summer, and we can assure you that it’s not all hiding in the national parks! Lots of it will be in your backyard, on your street, and in your local park.
You might find that smaller green spaces, including the likes of the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, and other small parks along the Los Angeles River, remain open for local and pedestrian use only. If you live nearby a green space that is still open, keep your eyes peeled for spring wildflowers and summer blooms.
Stargazing from your backyard
As road and air traffic around the world comes to a halt, there are clear signs that pollution is shrinking in many parts of the world, leaving us with clearer skies and sharper horizons — the kinds of conditions that are ideal for stargazing.
The best bit? Stargazing will cost you nothing but your time. Simply choose a clear night, get yourself a comfortable chair, and perhaps a hot chocolate, and settle into the stars. For the best chances of reading the night sky, you’ll want to turn off any lights in the house and garden and avoid looking at your phone screen.
You’ll be surprised how much you can see with the naked eye. But if you need a bit of help understanding what you’re looking at, and keeping track of any discoveries, investing in an astronomy app is always worthwhile. Alternatively, the Griffith Observatory, which sits just north of Los Angeles, offers a weekly sky report released in text and audio form to show you what you could’ve seen over the last week.
Take a virtual tour around your favorite park
As the uncertainty grows around the coronavirus pandemic, more and more parks, museums, and galleries are going digital, providing visitors with a chance to step inside their walls without leaving the front room.
National parks near Los Angeles, along with others across the USA, have followed this trend, offering incredibly realistic virtual tours that can be accessed via their website or through Google Earth. If that isn’t enough to keep you hooked to your laptop for hours upon end, several zoos have started live-streaming their animals so you can keep watch while the penguins get fed, elephants have their weekly wash and gorillas rear their young. Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens uploads daily videos to its website. The videos include live streams and educational talks for young ones and adults, which gives you the escape you need to immerse yourself back into nature.
Team Outdoorsy is here to help you along your journey. If you have questions or concerns about your upcoming RV rental, give us a call at 1-877-723-7232, send us an email, or start a chat. And for a continuously updated list of frequently asked COVID-19 questions relating to RV travel, visit our FAQ page.
