It smelled faintly chemical. Otherworldly mosses clung to the graffitied banks. Hopes dashed, I considered packing up my car and leaving town. Fortunately, an already-paid college tuition forced me to stick around and give the area another chance. In fact, the nasty tangle of freeway that makes L.A. so unappealing to outdoor enthusiasts is exactly what makes the city so easy to escape.
Crowds start to thin.
So does the air. Before you know it, all signs of the metropolis have gone. So pack the tent, hop in the car, and check out these campsites they're some of the most satisfying escapes from Los Angeles. Biking In the Sunshine - From beaches to wine country, the best rides in California. Work Outdoors at GORP Jobs Click Here.