The Greener Guide To Seeing Los Angeles More Sustainably

Make like LA locals and embrace the natural environment via beaches, parks and coastal trails with this tread-lightly guide to California’s biggest city.

Traffic jams aside, Los Angeles is a surprisingly green city. A 2,500-strong fleet of clean-energy buses means it’s becoming easier to get around Southern California’s star-studded city, and eco-friendly clothing brands, such as carbon-neutral Reformation, were pioneered there. Add in the region’s array of sandy beaches, public parks and vegan restaurants, and you’ll see it’s not so hard to plan a light-touch trip to LA.

1. Shore Hotel

Eco Hotel

You won’t find any single-use toiletries or plastic straws in this LEED Gold-certified Santa Monica hotel – an impressive effort has been made to keep your stay ecofriendly. From the solar-heated pool to the low-flow showerheads and drought-resistant plants – which all reduce energy consumption and water use – you can focus on enjoying those Pacific Ocean views.

2. Terranea

Resort, Hotel

Terranea outdoor pool with palms and loungers

This clifftop hotel on the Palo Verdes Peninsula is made for wildlife lovers, who can join expert-guided tours to spot seabirds and migrating whales, or kayak along the coast. Excess food from the hotel’s eight restaurants is distributed to local charities to avoid waste and feed communities in need, while the four heated pools use salt instead of harsh chlorine. Plan to explore beyond the resort? Consider renting an electric car (California’s all about the EV revolution; just ask Tesla).

4. Leo Carrillo State Park

Natural Feature, Park

Aerial view of Leo Carrillo State Park and Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California.

It’s a good hour’s drive along the coast (keep an eye out for A-list celebs as you meander through Malibu), but this relatively uncrowded wonder is worth the journey. You could easily spend a day exploring the mountains on the dusty hiking trails, but most people come for the beach. It’s one of the county’s most scenic spots, ideal for swimming, surfing and, of course, working on that tan – you’re still in LA, after all.

5. Los Angeles County Arboretum

Botanical Garden

Peacock at Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

Keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers, mandarin ducks and a party of roaming peacocks as you wander this 127-acre (51ha) botanical garden in Arcadia. Deepen your relationship with nature by joining a forest bathing walk, or swing by Crescent Farm, a once-neglected plot of land which has undergone an eco-transformation, demonstrating how gardeners can save water with drought-tolerant plants, smart landscaping and soil-friendly practices.

6. Wasteland LA

Shop

While Rodeo Drive is an essential pitstop for luxury shoppers and fans of Pretty Woman, you’ll find more sustainable and affordable threads at LA’s hip thrift stores. Wasteland in West Hollywood is a great spot to hunt for retro looks, and is even popular with movie stars like Anne Hathaway. If you’re lucky, you might find your dream vintage designer outfit among the second-hand tees – now who’s wearing Prada?

7. Santa Monica Pier

Amusement Park

Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California, USA

Did you know Santa Monica Pier is home to the only solar-powered Ferris wheel in the world? Take a surprisingly ecofriendly ride on the city’s most recognizable landmark before hopping on a rental bike to cycle along the South Bay Trail to Venice Beach, returning in time to watch the sunset over the water. More of a morning person? Don’t miss the nearby farmers’ market for brunch on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

8. Otherwild

Store

This LGBTQ-friendly, woman-owned ethical store near Griffith Park sells zero- and low-waste beauty products, quirky homewares and kitchen essentials, as well as locally made artworks, textiles and clothing sourced directly from designers. Come to stock up on reusable straws and packaging-free shampoo bars, stay to ponder how many 100% cotton, silk-screened pillows you can fit in your suitcase. Our tip? Treat yourself.

Inspired to make your LA trip a sustainable one? Eat at the city’s 12 best eco-friendly restaurants, or six where you can take a responsible bite on a budget. It’s not just the City of Angels with green credentials, of course – read about San Francisco’s claim to being California’s most sustainable city, then find your own sustainable stay in the Golden State, bookable on Culture Trip.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.