Whittier

 

Make your way to Whittier for a walk that's well worth the drive. The small city in Southeast L.A. County has everything you'd want for a day trip. Charming homes, a lovely college campus, a bustling main drag, and good restaurants. The route is a mixture of hills, stairs, and flat stretches. Not easy, but not too strenuous. Post-walk I recommend a meal at Bizarra Capital which Jonathan Gold called "A dreamland mexican-style gastropub"

Before you go - The 5.5 mile route starts off challenging with steep hills and stairs. Once past Whittier College it's mostly flat.

There is street parking and a restroom at the start. The next restroom isn't until the 3 mile point unless you manage to get into one of the buildings on the college campus. 

Cat sightings are common on this route. Keep you eyes open for them. Some may even be friendly.

John Greenleaf Whittier, the town's namesake, never came to visit. 

Whittier College has a lovely campus complete with some challenging stairs.

Whittier Village Cinemas was built in the 1930's and is still going strong.

Of all the cats I've seen in Whittier Thomas was the best. He lived in a camera store on Greenleaf Ave. and could often be found sitting outside looking for pets. He's no longer with us, but my route still goes past the store in his honor.