It is perfectly fine to walk in Los Angeles. However, because the city is so spread out, walking is often not a practical form of transportation. Also, you may need to be creative with the route chosen to compensate for missing sidewalks.

Tips for Walks in Los Angeles
Pleasant walking areas do exist within residential neighborhoods, along the beachfront, and in shopping and restaurant districts. Some areas of the city are made for walking:

• Downtown Los Angeles is best explored by foot. The Los Angeles Conservancy offers interesting and educational walking tours.
• Downtown Santa Monica includes the "promenade" a pedestrian-only street with shops, near the beach and Santa Monica Pier; see the City of Santa Monica for more information.
• Visit LATrails.com for locations of paved trails and hikes in the city.

Jaywalking - crossing the street outside of marked crosswalks, or when a corner traffic signal says "Don't Walk" - is illegal, and can result in a fine. In California, pedestrians always have the right-of-way when crossing the road. But Los Angeles is a driving culture, and drivers simply don't expect pedestrians to be there. Be very careful when crossing the road, and remember that cars are allowed to turn right at red lights. If you plan to walk at night, we recommend that you carry a flashlight and wear light-colored or reflective clothing.

Hitchhiking in the United States is dangerous and not recommended.

Bicycle riders (cyclists) on public streets in the United States have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers and are subject to the same rules and regulations. However, do not expect all drivers in Los Angeles to give bikers the respect they give other cars. Cyclists in Los Angeles are not prevalent, and motorists are not used to seeing them. For this reason, safety is very important.

Cycling Safely
Cyclists should wear a helmet; helmets are mandatory for anyone under 18. Watch out for days when the air quality is poor - you may want to invest in a mask. Check online or in a phonebook for bicycle supply and rental shops. West Los Angeles, where the Getty Center is located, is relatively flat. That makes it easy to get around by bicycle. Still, remember that cycling anywhere in LA carries risks. Choose smaller, less busy roads that parallel the major boulevards, and look for roads that have bicycle-only lanes.

Finding Good Bike Routes
The Los Angeles Bike Coalition has information about biking in LA, including a Bicycle Resource Guide, as well as links to maps of bike paths and bike-only lanes. Find the best bike routes in L.A. and create your own maps on BikeMetro.com.

Taking Bikes on Public Transportation
You can take bicycles onto buses and light rail systems, with some restrictions during peak hours. Metro Rail also provides bicycle parking at most rail stations. Visit the LA Metropolitan Authority's Bikes on Metro Web page for information about bringing your bike on public transportation.