STORY BY MELISSA HECKSCHER>LA.COM

To outsiders, Los Angeles may seem a city of theme parks and movie studios held together by a network of jam-packed freeways.

But we locals know better.

The truth is, nestled beyond the freeways and the movie studios is a "great outdoors" secluded enough to make even a visitor forget he's anywhere near Hollywood Boulevard.

The following is the first installment of LA.COM's look at the best hiking (and walking) trails in Los Angeles. The five-part series will cover jaunts ranging from inland desert trails to rocky seaside coves.

First up: Whether it's Pacific panoramas or quiet beachside canals, take in the view of the water on these hikes.

Unlike everything else that you find yourself thinking, "Wait, this is L.A.?" The rocky and desolate shoreline of the Palos Verdes Peninsula is one of those places. Unlike its neighbors to the north and south, the PV Peninsula shoreline - at least at this stretch - is relatively uninhabited (it's so empty, in fact, that the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise has used its cliffside as a backdrop). The Bluff Cove hike begins on the street, where a steep dirt path takes you toward the beach. Once at the shore, walk north along the rocks to Flat Rock Point, where, when the tide is low, you may find starfish, sea anemones, urchins and barnacles in the rocky crevices. (To find low tide times, go to the Farmer's Almanac at www.almanac.com.)

>Caution: Take your time and wear sturdy shoes; the rocks can be slippery. >How to get there: Take Pacific Coast Highway and head south onto Palos Verdes Boulevard. This turns into Palos Verdes Boulevard West. Turn right on Via Corta, right at Via Arroyo, and left on Paseo Del Mar. Drive uphill about 1/2 mile and park on the right side of the street at the trailhead.

1. MALIBU

ZUMA CANYON LOOP (see right)

>Difficulty level: Moderate to strenuous.

>Distance: 4.2 miles round-trip (about 2 miles if you just want to get to the ocean view).

>Description: Doubling as a horse trail, the Zuma Canyon loop starts in a secluded basin of the Santa Monica Mountains and winds uphill, eventually reaching a mountain ridge with spectacular ocean views on one side; rolling hills on the other. It's a birds-eye perspective of the Pacific shoreline with a view of the ocean that stretches to the Channel Islands. If you'd rather see it on horseback, Malibu Riders (www.maliburiders.com, (818) 510-2245) follows the same trail. Note: In the rainy season, parts of the loop may be impassable.

>How to get there: Take Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu. Head inland on Bonsall Drive (it's between Busch Drive and Heathercliff Road) and continue about 1 mile to a dirt road that will lead you to the parking area near the Zuma Canyon trailhead. Once on foot, follow the Zuma Canyon Trail and connect with the Ocean View and Zuma Loop Trail to the left.

2. PACIFIC PALISADES

PASEO MIRAMAR

>Difficulty level: Moderate.

>Distance: 5 miles round-trip (about 1/2 mile if you just want to hike to the view).

>Description: Sometimes, you just want to get to the view without enduring the climb. Here, a quick drive up steep and winding Paseo Miramar Street takes you past a plethora of envy-worthy homes to the East Topanga Fire Road Trailhead. From there, you're just a few (uphill) steps from arguably the best ocean view around. The trail winds uphill most of the way to the viewing stand of Parker Mesa Overlook, where if you don't bring a camera, you'll be sorry.

>How to get there: Take Pacific Coast Highway to Sunset Boulevard. Head east, then turn left at Paseo Miramar and take it to the dead-end. Park on the street.

3. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA

TIDEPOOL HIKE AT BLUFF COVE

>Difficulty level: Moderate (but rocky - wear sturdy shoes).

>Distance: 1/2 mile to 2 miles, depending on how far you want to go.

>Description: There are a few places in Los Angeles that are so 4. SIGNAL HILL

HILLTOP PARK AND PANORAMA PROMENADE

>Difficulty level: Easy.

>Distance: About 1 mile.

>Description: Hilltop Park may be only about 300 feet above sea level, but with a flat landscape stretching out all around it, the park is high enough to offer an unobstructed 360-degree panorama of Southern California's urban-to-suburban circuitry. In the foreground, the Hill's numerous oil rigs bob up and down methodically. Just past them, watch the planes take off and land at Long Beach Airport. Further out, an expanse of freeways stretches to the snowcapped tops of the San Gabriel Mountains. To the west, telescopes perched in the park allow visitors to zoom in on Catalina Island, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and the Huntington Beach coastline. To up your cardio routine, park your car at the bottom of Skyline Drive (at Cherry Avenue) and walk 1/4 mile uphill to the park.

>How to get there: Take the 405 Freeway to Cherry Avenue and head south. Turn left at Skyline Drive, left at Dawson Avenue. Park on the street.

5. VENICE BEACH

THE VENICE CANALS

>Difficulty level: Easy.

>Distance: 2 miles.

>Description: Once just a marshland, the Venice Canals were dug up in 1904 under the direction of tobacco millionaire (and Venice Beach founder) Abbot Kinney, who wanted his seaside property to boast the same charm of its Italian namesake. In 1929, the bulk of the 16-mile canal network was filled in to make way for roads, leaving behind a charming 2-mile crisscross of waterways hidden between Washington and Venice boulevards. Cozy waterfront sidewalks and idyllic white picket bridges make it a popular destination for couples, people with dogs and tourists. And while it's no mountain climb, the unexpected urban serenity makes this walk downright magical.

>How to get there (from the 10Freeway): Take the 405 Freeway to Venice Boulevard and go west. The Canals are between Venice and Washington boulevards, two blocks east of Pacific Avenue. Park on the street.

Melissa Heckscher (310) 540-5511, Ext.329 melissa.heckscher@ dailybreeze.com