Eat. Adventure. Stay.
Welcome to Tough Mudder Los Angeles 2017, aka Tough Mudder City of Angels, aka Tough Mudder La La Land, aka Tough Mudder Bright Lights, Bigger Obstacles.
When you and the rest of your fellow Mudders are done conquering Tough Mudder Los Angeles, Glen Helen Raceway won’t know what hit it. Prepare for motocross tracks, steep climbs up, over, and through sandy terrain – Tough Mudder and Tough Mudder Half Los Angeles may not be the muddiest, or the biggest, but it’s one of the toughest courses on the 2017 slate. Keep your feet moving and eyes on the next obstacle – crossing the finish line with your team is all that matters.
To help you prep for your jaunt to Los Angeles, we’ve put together a helpful guide on some of the best places to eat, stay, and adventure whether you’re looking for something to keep you loose before race day, or basking in the afterglow of another event well run.
La La Land probably makes you think of those bright lights, actors and other celebrities aimlessly wandering from Rodeo to Beverly Hills, and traffic out the wazoo. Well, you wouldn’t be wrong. At least about the traffic. But what makes Tough Mudder Los Angeles so epic are all the amazing places to eat, whether you’re looking for a healthy snack or a big ol’ steak to fill you up after you crush the course.
Now, the first thing to know about LA’s cuisine scene, is that it may have the best Mexican food in the continental US. Whether you want to head to downtown LA and hit Guisados for some homemade tortillas and braised meats, or feel like cruising a little closer to the coast and hitting up Daddy’s Burritos (this place is so legit, they don’t even have a website, but here’s their Yelp page for testimonials) and snag some nachos or a California Burrito or three (that’s fries ON the burrito), there’s no denying the sheer delicious power of LA’s Mexican food scene.
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, a nice place closer to course to unwind after all those miles and all that mud, McKinley’s Grille is a sweet spot to kick up your feet for a cocktail or two and some apps and zerts. “Farm fresh cuisine” served on a beautiful outdoor patio? Say no more, Mudder. Say no more.
And sometimes, all a Mudder needs is some cold-pressed juice and a hot shower. Well, take a little trip to Sustain Juicery and sip on some small batch juices that’ll leave you energized and ready to run (or run again).
If you feel like making the trek into LA proper for a serious dinner and something a little healthier, but still damn delicious, check out Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar And Grill. Sushi isn’t every Mudder’s thing, but every now and then it’s hard to beat the freshness of a plate-full of sashimi as a nice post-run treat.
Look. We get it. You came to Los Angeles to run a Mudder. But that’s not enough. It never is. Mudders are just made a certain way. If there’s a mountain to climb or a river to ride, you’re all over it. Good on ya.
So if you’re looking for a little something to keep yourself occupied during the trip to LA, maybe take a trek to Heart Rock. It’s a short hike, perfect for the Mini’s as well, so don’t be afraid to bring the whole fam along. Located a quarter mile south of Camp Seeley, you won’t do more than break a sweat, but at the end there’s an overlook at a rock shaped like, you guessed it, a heart, along with a 20-foot waterfall.
Now, if crushing it all day, every day is your forte, Deep Creek Hot Springs may be more your speed. This 5-mile out and back trek is dog-friendly, Mini-friendly, and, of course, Mudder friendly. But it’s also got an elevation distance of 1,100 feet. So don’t go gettin’ all light-headed on us. You’ll find some beach, some forest, some wild flowers, wildlife, and those stinky, stinky hot springs. And if you’re a trail runner, even better.
Missing crucial gear for said epic weekend adventure? Check out what Merrell is serving up in 2017 and start checking things off your bucket list.
And if you’re hoping to spot a celebrity or three as they wander about in the real world and as you break a sweat, maybe take a (trail) run at the Runyon Canyon Hike. Word is, you’ll get some beautiful views (of the city, maybe a couple of actors or actresses. We can promise the first one, at least.)
Of course, not every Mudder wants to spend their weekend away crushing it at every turn. Some want to take their talents to the course, then spend the rest of their time tackling all the ways there are or ever could be to relax. That’s where the Santa Monica Pier comes in.
“Wanted: Mudder for long walk on the beach. Preferably with burrito or taco in-hand.”
Do you, Mudder. Do you.
Mudders are an interesting breed. Sure, you could take the easy way out and just stay at one of the many, many hotels and motels in the general Los Angeles/San Bernardino area.
But that’s not what Mudders do. They show up to show out. They rock the course, rock an adventure or three, stop just long enough to fuel up at one of the coolest places to eat in all of North America, and then, and only then, when they absolutely have to, they catch some z’s in the toughest way possible.
Hotels with comfy beds still your thing? Click here to view our discounted hotel options.
So forget the hotels and mints on the pillow. How about a night or three at Sleepy Hollow Cabins And Hotels (yeah, yeah, they have a hotel to go along with the cabins, but we’ll forgive them because some Mudders actually like the mints). This isn’t the Sleep Hollow you’re thinking of – no Headless Horsemen here, just rustic cabins along the Lake Gregory Crestline that’ll keep you well-rested and safe from the hustle and bustle of the city.
And if you’re thinking even crunchier, Dogwood Campground may be the way to go. Located in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest, about 20 miles east of San Bernardino, Dogwood is good for Mudders of all ages and sleeping styles. Plus, there’s all kinds of day hikes to be had among the cedars, oaks, pines, and firs.
From the Mouth of a Mudder: