Where to Run in LA Area (Compton, Santa Monica: to live in, restaurant, pit bulls)

[CA-Runner]

I'm looking to move to LA soon and looking to move to a location that is close to good running. I do everything from Marathons to 5Ks - and also like variety in my running. Any thoughts on where the best running paths are for long runs (i.e. 10-20 mile runs) and also for the shorter runs I do more frequently (i.e. 4-8 mile runs).

I'm most interested in the area bordered by Sunset Plaza on the North, Santa Monica/Venice Beach area on the West, Santa Monica Freeway on the South and the 101 on the East.

Also, I'm guessing that the running is good along the ocean, but how long are the paths - and are there any good running areas in the interior, say around Hancock Park, etc?

Finally, any good recommendations on running stores where they really know how to fit shoes well?

Thanks.

[TheRealAngelion]

San Vicente Blvd. which stretches through Brentwood and Santa Monica is very popular.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

Lots of people run laps in Pan-Pacific Park. The hills in Runyon Canyon are also a good workout.

[IamInShape]

I think Watts and Compton are two good places to run. You can run from the gangster, the pit bulls, the bullets, the homeless, the taggers, the burglars, and the crackheads. And if your black or hispanic you will be running from the cops as well. j/k

[greggd]

I know this is too far north for you, but I run Zuma beach on the sand. Its a good run from the free parking area near the restaurant down to the point, then north to market and back. You may want to keep it in mind if you need to mix it up a bit.

[Rats]

I run anywhere. I just make my own routes.

[Sorcerer68]

Echo Park Lake if you aren't ambitious, Silverlake (lake) if you're moderately ambitious, Hollywood Res if you're pretty ambitious and around the Rose Bowl if you get tired of the above 3. I love running or rollerblading on the bike path at Redondo/Hermosa/Manhattan Bch and Venice/Santa Monica when I'm down there.

[CA-Runner]

Probably looking to live in the Santa Monica Blvd corridor area - from Santa Monica to West Hollywood. So, wide open as to where we'll live - but definitely would like to be able to step out the door and do some fun runs.

Where do most people do their marathon training? And are there water fountains along the route?

[ifif474]

Are there any jogging trails that have mile markers that indicate how far you have run? In Austin there is a man-made jogging trail around town lake with mile markers every 1/4 mile. In houston there is a 3 mile jogging trail around memorial park with mile markeser every 1/2 mile? Is there anything like this in Los Angles?

[TheRealAngelion]

I've seen people running the perimeter of the UCLA campus in Westwood as well.