Hiking has always been one of my favorite activities to do no matter where I lived. Some of my favorite memories of living in Las Vegas and Hawai’i include hiking countless trails. The breathtaking scenery is somehow burned into your memory forever, and you receive an immediate, endless amount of gratitude for your surroundings. The latest adventure took me to the Los Liones Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains with one of my best girlfriends in Los Angeles, Jenny. This trail specifically has been on my hiking bucket list in Los Angeles for some time, and I’ve been itching to cross it off and see the beautiful outline of the coast. (I find it ridiculous it has taken me years to actually hike this trail given it is basically in my backyard. Procrastinate much?) Los Liones Trail weaves through a lush canyon just a mile from the Pacific Ocean. Panoramic views of the big blue sea can be seen from much of the ivy, tangled shrubs and wildflowers lining the hike. The total hike is about 7.3 miles with views of Santa Monica Bay, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Palos Verdes Peninsula and, on a clear day, even Catalina Island! The wide fire roads in Topanga State Park and clearly marked trails make for a moderate hike. It was a fantastic workout, and our legs were sore for the next two days! Hiking is amazing for obvious reasons in that it’s a great workout and gets you back into nature, where we all need to recharge. I love it for the social aspect and getting to spend quality time with my best friends and really have some solid heart-to-heart conversations. Sure, going out to dinner and drinks is always a fun way to catch up, but there’s something to be said about being in nature that forces you to become the raw, natural version of yourself. This feeling always grounds me. Also, I get so much clarity and perspective on life when I’m disconnected and out of the city. In today’s crazed obsession with technology connectivity, it’s really hard to actually separate yourself from a device for longer than a 5-minute period. This is something we are all guilty of. I try my hardest to disconnect whenever possible. It’s just something I need to do in order to balance myself. Hiking is a perfect way to disengage and enjoy your beautiful surroundings; especially those that are a 10-minute drive away! The bottom line: Take advantage of the hiking trails your city has to offer and create time for them because the benefits of what you’ll walk away with will pay dividends in all aspects of your life! — Rafie Iannello, account director, Pacific Rim