Stairs offer a simple but brilliant way to get a workout and some fresh air, without spending any money on a gym membership, and offering the chance to exercise with your pup! Besides, these places offer unique and scenic views of the city that you can get otherwise. Spend some much-needed time with Mother Nature all while exploring the city climbing stairs! Check out our list of the hidden stairwells to climb in Los Angeles.
1. Santa Monica Stairs
Run up the wooden stairs, down the concrete, or vice versa! These two stairways are each equal to climbing around eight flights of stairs and are accompanied by an exceptional amount of greeny and an ocean breeze.
📍 Location: 699 Adelaide Dr Santa Monica, CA 90402. Between 4th & 7th St.
🏃 Total steps: 170
2. Baldwin Hills
Rugged, uneven outdoor steps cut through dirt and brush, leading up from an industrial part of Culver City to a circular hilltop terrace. From here, you can enjoy 360-degree views of sprawling L.A. on a clear day. Look north for Ballona Creek and Hayden Tract with the Santa Monica Mountains beyond, east for the DTLA skyline, and west to catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean.
📍 Location: 6300 Hetzler Rd, Culver City 90232
🏃 Total steps: 282
3. The Mattachine Steps
Fun fact: these stairs are named after in honor of gay rights organization the Mattachine Society which was founded in 1950 by Harry Hay who lived in a house nearby. Not only do these stairs serve as a memorial to this pioneering force in the gay rights movement, but you can also catch a great view of the Silver Lake Reservoir below!
📍 Location: 2355 Cove Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039
🏃 Total steps: 161
4. Eldred Street Stairs
Eldred Street, hidden behind Aldama Elementary School, holds the title of the tallest street in Los Angeles and ranks as the third tallest in the entire country. This steep climb, with a punishing 33% grade, leads to a rustic staircase hike surrounded by barren hillsides and connects to Cross Avenue. As you ascend, look back for sweeping views of Highland Park, the Eagle Rock hills, and iconic L.A. palm trees dotting the skyline.
📍 Location: 4836 Eldred St., Los Angeles 90042
🏃 Total steps: 196
5. Broadview Terrace Stairs
If you’re a fan of Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye, then this is the stairwell for you! Back in the day, early developers and municipal city planners built these stairs so that people who lived in the hillside could reach businesses, schools, and public transportation — but then, you know, cars happened! For stunning views of Hollywood and tall cacti, climb 37 steps to reach a plateau and soak in the scene!
📍 Location: High Tower Dr & Los Altos Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90068
🏃 Total steps: 249
6. Castellammare Stairs
Take a scenic drive to Malibu, enjoying ocean views along the way. In Pacific Palisades, start at Breve Way and Castellammare Drive, where you’ll find 92 shaded steps with red metal railings. Climb, turn right, and continue to Revello Drive and Posetano Road, where you’ll ascend 86 more steps. The climb rewards you with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and passing boats. Afterward, visit the Getty Villa for more incredible coastal views and art exhibitions.
📍 Location: Breve Way & Castellammare Drive, Pacific Palisades 90272
🏃 Total steps: 369
7. Baxter Street Stairs
The Baxter Street stairs, a must for anyone into hiking stairs in Los Angeles, are located just above Elysian Heights Elementary and Fix Coffee in Echo Park. Climb the concrete steps, which take you up a 101-foot elevation gain, flanked by hay-covered dirt, and reach a residential area along Park Drive.
Cross the street to find a wealth of succulents and enjoy stunning views of Elysian Park below. It’s a rewarding hike that blends nature, local charm, and impressive city views.
📍 Location: 2100 Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90026
🏃 Total steps: 231
8. Micheltorena Silver Lake Stairs
The photogenic Silver Lake stairs, located across Sunset Boulevard from Micheltorena Elementary School, are a popular spot for those looking to explore the city’s unique staircases. Often referred to as the rainbow stairs, the sides of the bottom steps are adorned with hearts and vibrant colors, making it an amazing piece of street art.
A plant-lined walkway with palm trees and flowers leads you up 40 steps to Larissa Drive. Cross the street to find a second section of the Silver Lake stairs, which spans 59 more steps, offering a beautiful view of the neighborhood.
📍 Location: 1330 Micheltorena St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
🏃 Total steps: 177
9. Music Box Steps
You’ll get a great workout here and also some insta worthy pic. These stairs were made famous by the 1932 Laurel and Hardy film The Music Box. These stairs in the Silver Lake area are now honored by a marble plaque detailing the site’s significance, along with a street sign marking the location.
📍 Location: 923 N Vendome St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
🏃 Total steps: 133
10. Clermont Street Stairs
These secret stairs in Los Angeles can be found near the Carlin G. Smith Recreation Center, tucked into the steep hillside of Mount Washington. Begin your climb just south of 4507 Clermont St. (at Canon Crest Avenue), where you’ll enjoy views of the hills surrounding Glassell Park. If you’re up for more, a 22-step staircase leads you down into a serene, pine-covered park.
📍 Location: 4504 Clermont St, Los Angeles, CA 90065
🏃 Total steps: 155
11. Bunker Hill Steps
Cascading from Hope Street down to Fifth Street, with a rocky water feature down the middle, is this incredible stairwell was designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin and completed in 1990.
It’s the best route by foot from Bunker Hill to the Los Angeles Central Library and allows you to take in the surrounding offices towers, terraces and greenery with amazing views of Downtown. Hidding in plain sight, these steps provide all the space you’ll need for social distancing while allowing you to explore the best of the new and old DTLA.
📍 Location: 633 W 5th St., Los Angeles 90071
🏃 Total steps: 101
12. Saroyan Stairs
The Saroyan Stairs, located on Woodshire Drive west of Beachwood Drive, date back to 1923. This staircase features two rows of 148 granite steps with planters that double as benches. To get there, take a left onto windy Belden Drive, curve around the hills, and find the stairs on your right, just past Rodgerton Drive. It’s a peaceful, scenic spot in the heart of LA.
📍 Location: Saroyan stairs, Los Angeles, CA 90068
🏃 Total steps: 148
Originally written by Malia Wooten.