Feeling a little stir crazy at home these days? Do your days feel like nothing but back-to-back Zoom meetings? A staycation in LA might just be what the doctor ordered. Kevin and I love an adventure and getting away from it all. But between the pandemic and becoming new dads, let’s just say, we aren’t getting on an airplane anytime soon.
It was almost like LA Tourism channeled our minds with their LA Love program, featuring local businesses committed to following the safety and health protocols of LA County. Score, sign us up! We were especially thrilled to see so many special cost saving deals right now — and staycation ideas for couples. However, one place stood out the most to us — a bike shop in Los Angeles offering cycling and hiking tours of the city’s most famous landmarks and neighborhoods. Check out our journey below.
One of the Best Staycation Ideas for Couples? Bikes and Hikes LA
Checking in at Bikes and Hikes LA, located in the heart of West Hollywood.
Bikes and Hikes LA offers what just might be the best way to explore LA — by bike and by foot. We were especially excited to join their LA in a Day Bike Tour, a six hour ride taking us from West Hollywood to Santa Monica and riding through many of LA’s most famous addresses in between such as Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air and more.
Outside Bikes and Hikes LA.
A Bike Shop in Los Angles Going the Extra Mile
LA in a Day Bike Tour is the ride that put the company of the map. Shop owner Danny Roman came up with the tour after his large family from New York City visited LA and wanted to see the celebrity homes, beaches and everything in between. But they pretty much spent most of their time in traffic, exhausted and miserable after sitting inside a crammed vehicle all day. It is exactly the experience that my family had when they visited us for our wedding a few years ago and signed up for one of those double decker bus tours of LA. When I asked my niece what she thought of the bus tour, she simply responded, “I wish we just stayed at The Grove!” Clearly, our family had the same experience.
Our guide Erik (right) gives us an overview on what to expect for the day.
Biking in LA: Is it Safe? What Is it Like?
Biking along Santa Monica Boulevard to Beverly Hills.
Believe it or not, Los Angeles is a wonderful place for biking. One of the most painful parts of living in LA — pandemic or no pandemic — is the getting around. Over the years, the city of Los Angeles has made a concerted effort to not only expand its mass transit options (still very limited) but also its network of bike paths. In fact, most of this tour is either through residential neighborhoods or on wide bike paths. There wasn’t a moment where either of us ever felt in danger or nervous about biking on the streets of LA. You’ll cover a lot of ground on this tour. However, it’s a breeze on the electric-powered bikes. If you get tired of pedaling, just switch that bike into “Turbo Mode.” Okay, I might have switched it on more than necessary. But I was just enjoying the scenery too much — and did an early morning pilates class so my legs were already tired. I know, excuses!
Pedaling Along The Streets of LA for a Different View
The biking tour starts in one of the most central parts of the city — right on Route 66 in West Hollywood. We followed our guide a short distance through the bar-lined streets of West Hollywood to glitzy Beverly Hills. We always marvel at the sudden transition from Weho’s club scene to the pristine homes of Beverly Hills. But we soon arrived at a home much different than the rest — The Spadena House, also known as The Witch’s House.
Outside the Witch’s House in Beverly Hills.
This spot might look just a little decrepit and dilapidated. Okay, it seems completely ripped from the pages of Hansel and Gretel. But it’s all part of this home’s charm. This storybook home was once used as film studio offices and dressing rooms on a studio lot in Culver City before it was moved to Beverly Hills. In the late 90s, it was purchased as a private residence. The owners take great pride in maintaining its “shabby chic” look. And not shockingly, it’s a hit during non-COVID times at Halloween. They also give out full-sized candy bars at Halloween, so I’m sure that doesn’t hurt either!
Heading For The Hills, Powered By The Pedal
From here, we clocked in some mileage to reach a lesser-known neighborhood of LA called Holmby Hills, lined with sprawling estates and mega-mansions and steep hills. It is also the part of the tour where Kevin and I were glad we had the electric bikes to power us up until we arrived at the first unusual spot featuring a mailbox coming out of a hand. Did we just arrive at the the set of a Tim Burton film?
This is when we both realized this is one of the best staycation ideas for couples. We’ve lived in Los Angeles for over a decade now, and Erik managed to show us things we never knew existed, especially in this section of town. The mailbox is located outside the Frederick Weisman Museum, which features a private collection including artwork from Cezanne, Picasso as well as surrealist works by Miro and Magritte. We’ve been to the big art museums like The Getty, but we never even knew this place existed. In fact, we found ourselves saying this over and over as Erik pointed out Walt Disney’s sprawling estate (on the same street), then the home where Michael Jackson passed away (and seen over and over on TMZ).
Biking past Walt Disney’s estate.
But perhaps, the biggest highlight for us was seeing one of the most famous homes from our TV childhood-watching days in nearby Bel Air. You probably guessed it. No other than Will Smith’s fictional home featured in the opening of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
My childhood TV watching memories come back in full swing as we ride up to the home from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
The Streets of LA’s Famed Car Chase
From here, we followed Erik through the streets of Brentwood. Yes, once again our childhood memories came flooding back — this time to the OJ Simpson white Bronco chase. We even rode our bikes through the spot where OJ eventually got pulled over.
Riding through the intersection where the OJ chase ended.
A View From The Beach
We couldn’t believe how fast our time was going on this tour. We can tell you that biking is WAY more fun than driving. Like most locals, we dread crossing the 405. But biking is a breeze.
We made it to Santa Monica and love the cool breeze from the Pacific.
Erik captures the perfect shot, with the Santa Monica Pier in the backdrop.
Returning Back To West Hollywood
We can’t think of a more iconic LA experience than riding the bike baths along the beach of Santa Monica to Venice Beach. Erik showed us the sites like muscle beach, where some of the biggest names in body building pumped iron. Anything goes in Venice and let’s just say, we saw it all on full display! This part of Los Angeles has long been a wild part of town — a counter-culture enclave for artists, surfers and pretty much those who march to their own beat. Venice is also the birthplace of modern skateboarding as we know it. No matter when you visit Venice, you’ll see skateboarders practicing their latest moves.
Checking out a skating park in Venice Beach, where you’ll find plenty of action.
By this point, you’ll definitely be hungry. We enjoyed some smoothies and wraps before hitting the bike paths through Venice, then Manhattan Beach and joining the Ballona Creek Bike Path.
Enjoying lunch in Venice, where you never know what you’ll see.
At this point in the ride, we were about halfway through (mileage-wise). Cycling enthusiasts will especially love this part of the ride. You’ll get some serious speed as you zoom along the Ballona Creek Bike Path. This is considered one of the best bike paths in Los Angeles, stretching six miles from Playa del Rey to Culver City.
And if it looks familiar, you might recognize it as the backdrop of the classic sci-fi movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Of course, we’re talking Terminator II. Kevin was in his element!
Kevin is excited to see the shooting location for Terminator, where a tow truck ends up in the canal.
The Final Stretch
From here, we biked our way into Culver City, a long-time movie hub that continues today with Sony Pictures, Culver Studios and now Amazon Studios. But beyond the big screen, Culver City is also famous for another reason. It is home to the very first Olympic village. Who knew? In fact, we rode our bikes right through the middle of it. Today, it is the Helms Bakery shopping complex, filled with restaurants and pricey furniture shops.
As locals, we loved this trip through our city. There is just something exciting about hitting the open road and feeling the energy of Los Angeles from a bike. We weaved our way through several more neighborhoods before finally arriving back in West Hollywood, chatting with the friendly bike staff over freeze pops and cold beer. Now, if that’s not the perfect way to wrap up a staycation in LA, I’m not sure what is. Move on over, Spago!
The Low Down:
- Bikes and Hikes LA is consistently rated as the #1 activity in LA on TripAdvisor and Yelp. After spending the day with them, we can see why.
- You’ll find private and group Los Angeles bike tours, hiking tours of the Hollywood sign as well as bike rentals including electric bikes.
- All the tours seem incredible, but we recommend LA in a Day, a 6-hour tour, which we think is the best way to experience the city. Trust us, you’ll want to stay clear of those dull bus tours where you’ll end up spending most of your day in traffic.
- Tours depart daily in the morning. Cost: $162 per person.
- To book a tour, go directly to the Bikes and Hikes LA website.
Looking for other ideas for special occasions? Be sure to check out all our recommendations here, including 5 secrets spots in LA you (probably) never knew existed (but should!). Looking for ideas on what to see and do during your staycation? Check out our ideas and itineraries for a fun weekend in downtown LA. Looking for a place to stay? Check out our feature on the hotel in downtown with the best views of Los Angeles.
As usual, I’m learning from you, Phil!
I liked the word staycation!!!
It’s precisely what I have been doing here in Queensland during this time of pandemia; we do not have famous movie locations, but we ride our bikes from one park to the other, feeding wild life (with the appropriate food, of course), and picnicking… approx same amount of hours, as well.
Thank you for your interesting post!