Secret Walks #39, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, 2.5 miles, 282 steps.

Based on the hundreds of people hiking and stair-climbing when Barbara and I arrived, there's nothing "secret" about this fitness hot spot also known as the Culver City Stairs. In 2000, the city of L.A. purchased this former oil field west of LaCienega Blvd. on Jefferson, and in 2009 opened a 57-acre park with twisted trails weaving like a "$" across an intimidating staircase created from blocks of recycled concrete. Barbara and I love the challenge of a killer staircase and this one didn't disappoint: 715 feet long with 282 steps that ranged from 3.5 to 20 inches tall. The current record for racing up the steps: 2:08.8 minutes. We huffed up it in 20 and were damn proud of ourselves. At the top, 500-feet above sea level, the overcast day cheated us out of the 360-degree panoramic view from the ocean to Culver City to the Hollywood Sign and downtown L.A., but the park, people, and the accomplishment were enough. We zigzagged back down trails through purple and while sage, past an amphitheater, visitor center, and criss-crossing the staircase at intervals until we reached the bottom. Really fun, and worth going back for the workout and view (and maybe to beat our 20-minute stair climb-time.)