It's true, urban high rises are on the make in Los Angeles. Take Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, a 58-acre park just west of downtown. Set at 511 feet, the balcony viewing point gives a whole new perspective of the city—looking north over it all at a reverse angle to what you would see from the Santa Monica or San Gabriel mountains. Sure, you can drive to it, but for a more interesting approach, take the heal-toe express! That is, hike from city-level, where there's free parking, to the overlook via a series of switchbacks on a dirt trail. The 1.25-mile (one-way) climb takes hikers above the buildings and to a striking view west along the Pacific up to Malibu, east toward downtown LA, and on clear days, across to Mount Baldy. What are you waiting for? Rise above it!

FIREPLACE BONUS: Ok, they don't actually use the fireplace at Bigfoot West, and we suspect it doesn't even connect to a chimney, but it looks real. The bartenders say they never turn the fireplace on, so let's just go with the bar being more about good old-fashioned escapism! The convincing ambiance will have you thinking you're in a remote mountain bar, even though you're actually sitting on a stool at 10939 Venice Boulevard near Culver City. Antique light bulbs in mason jars cast a dim glow upon wooden walls decorated with elk antlers and relics that could have come from an old trapper. Specialties of the house include unique cocktails like the Sasquatch and the Toasted Marshmallow. Go ahead: believe in Bigfoot!

Take I-10 to the Overland exit just east of I-405. Drive 2.3 miles south on Overland Ave. to Jefferson Blvd. Turn left and proceed 1.4 miles to an intersection with Hetzler Rd. on the right. Park along Jefferson Blvd. before or after Hetzler Rd, and find the dirt trail heading east from the bottom of the road. Hike a short distance to the bottom of the stairs. Bear right to continue up the dirt trail, crossing the stairs three more times on the way up the hill. At the top, make two right turns to reach the overlook. You can also get to the top by driving up Hetzler Rd. to a $6 parking area near the visitor center and the overlook. No dogs. Bigfoot West is open between 5:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. No dogs.

Sometimes it's good to get back, way back, into the wild; it's even better if you don't have to travel far to do it. The San Gabriels seem to surprise every time with their authentic ruggedness and remote feel—despite the proximity to sprawling urbanity. See this impressive mountain range on an 8-mile (round-trip) trek to 5,766-foot Sunset Peak. With huge vistas almost the entire way, a highlight is the nearly constant views of iconic Mount Baldy—the highest point in the range, clocking in at an impressive 10,069 feet. Starting on a saddle in the ridgeline west of the summit, you'll work your way up the mountain through Jeffrey pines on a well-maintained, dirt, forest service road that gradually climbs 1,400 feet to the peak. The trail is isolated from other mountains, letting hikers peer down to valleys, including giant San Antonio Canyon—running from Mount Baldy to the cities in the Pomona Valley. The depth of the canyons and the lack of foothills make hulking peaks like Mount Baldy seem even larger, the range even more expansive. As the climb goes higher, be mindful of the grip in your step. There may be a few patches of ice and snow along the trail, especially if there's been recent precipitation. Sunset Peak is an ample round summit whiskered in brush cover with a scattering of boulders. And of course, round-the-compass views are likely to knock your hiking boots off: the Three T's (Timber Peak, Thunder Peak, and Telegraph Peak) tower in the east, as the canyons below add depth and drama. Even the observatory atop Mount Wilson is visible—far across the western range. The sightseeing from up here is simply lights out!

FIREPLACE BONUS: The large moose head on the wall may be the only evidence you need that Mount Baldy Lodge (6777 Mount Baldy Road) is the real deal. Axe-carved wood beams frame log cabin walls for an authentic mountain lodge experience. Pair Tyler's Tasty Chicken Sandwich with a Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA, and sit in front of the grand stone fireplace with a mantle decorated by antique cross-country skies. You've been warmed!

Take the 210 Freeway to Claremont to exit 52 for Base Line Rd. At the end of the ramp, turn left and make an immediate right on Padua Ave. Drive 1.8 miles north to Mount Baldy Rd. Turn right and drive 7 miles into the mountains to an intersection with Glendora Rd. in Mount Baldy Village. Get a National Forest Adventure Pass at the Mount Baldy Visitor Center. Head west on Glendora Rd., and drive 4.1 miles to a large dirt pullout on the left. Park here and find forest road 2N07 through the white gate on the east side of the pullout. Start hiking up the winding road, reaching a large clearing at 2.25 miles. Stay to the right, avoiding a side trail dropping down the mountain. When the road reaches a junction at a saddle south of the summit, bear left, and take the less-maintained trail another half mile to the top. Trail is dog-friendly, Mount Baldy Lodge is not. 

Quick, which veteran TV actor played a huge role in preserving Peter Strauss Ranch, a unique, 64-acre pocket of land in the Santa Monica Mountains? (Answer found in the first sentence.) The history of the ranch is long and storied. The high-water mark came in 1940 when a 650,000-gallon, 3,000-person swimming pool was built—the largest pool west of the Rockies. The property turned to shambles, until Strauss purchased and restored it in the 1970s, eventually selling it to become included in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The pool's still there, but it's empty, so don't grab your bathing suit. Instead, tie your tennis shoes for an easy amble on the Peter Strauss Trail, a 1-mile loop that surprises with its hillside solitude among dense oaks. In what might be a down payment for spring, milkmaid wildflowers are already starting to bloom along the path. Closing out the loop, you'll pass a stone amphitheater tucked in the woods, still used for occasional performances and park ranger talks. Good show!

FIREPLACE BONUS: A 10-foot-tall, hand-carved wooden bear greets you at the entrance of Rustic Canyon General Store and Grill (2598 Sierra Creek Road. at the intersection with Kanan Road in Agoura) half a mile from Peter Strauss Ranch. Pass beneath chandeliers made from wagon wheels, and step up to the counter to order a hearty, pulled-pork sandwich. Get a beer from the tap, and relax on the patio fixed with antique, cast-iron stoves. On cold evenings, the store will put out a bucket of logs so you can keep the outdoor fire burning.

Take the 101 Freeway to Agoura Hills to exit 36 for Kanan Rd. Drive 3 miles south on Kanan Rd. to Troutdale Rd. (one block before Rustic Canyon Grill) and turn left. Drive to the next intersection, turn left on Mulholland Hwy., and make an immediate right into the park entrance. Park in the free lot and walk west along Mulholland Hwy. over Triunfo Creek to reach the ranch. Follow the road south past the ranch house to a sign pointing in two directions for Peter Strauss Trail. Go straight to hike the loop in a clockwise direction. Head into the forest and turn right at the first junction. Switch up then down the hillside to the stone amphitheater just above the ranch. Turn right to complete the loop. Use this trail map. Dog-friendly!

AIDS/LifeCycle (ALC) is rolling out more than a red carpet for their annual Kick Off Party this Sunday (January 22). First, there's a red-hot discount: register at the Kick Off Party and receive $20 off the registration fee. Plus, get an additional $10 off if you're wearing red! Wear red to show support in the fight against AIDS, and find out just how fun and dedicated the ALC community is. There'll be plenty of music, food, drinks, and prizes. It's a fun way to meet fellow participants and/or learn more about the seven-day (June 3 through 9) bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles—all to benefit the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation. This inspirational ride is not a race; it's a one-of-a-kind chance for both novice and experienced cyclists to pedal for an amazing cause and see the best of California's outdoors—from mountain to sea. The ride if fully supported with gear transport, hot meals, pit stops, free massages, and cheering crowds from towns to cities. AIDS/LifeCycle changes lives. Check out this video to see what it's all about.

BONUS: Can't make it to the party? Register now for AIDS/LifeCycle 2012 and get $10 off using Promo Code: SHERPA. And don't forget to attend the Kick Off Party, January 21.