9 Fittest Towns of the West

It's easy to be fit out West, with big mountains, bike-friendly towns, and beaches that practically beg for a volleyball net.

San Diego
San Diego
With beaches, ample green space, and near-perfect weather year-round, it's no wonder the San Diego area--specifically, Chula Vista--is home to one of only three U.S. Olympic training centers. Grab a kayak at La Jolla Shores (rental places abound) and explore the sea caves of La Jolla Cove. Or take a walk or run along Pacific Beach. Save time for a stroll around the San Diego Zoo, too.
> Where the athletes eat in San Diego

Long Beach
Long Beach
One of Long Beach's advantages is its proximity to L.A. and Orange Counties. What's more, you have the beach and the mountains, which opens up a world of active possibilities. Rent a paddleboard or kayak. Aloha SUP Rentals in Long Beach is a good place to start--or just go bodysurfing. If you're more land-focused, grab a bike or some in-line skates and cruise along the shoreline path, which runs from downtown Long Beach to Belmont Shore.
> Where the athletes eat in Long Beach

Boulder
Boulder
The sun and altitude provide a mix that makes the town an endurance athlete's paradise, particularly cyclists and hikers. Start at Amante Coffee on North Broadway, where the cyclists hang out, then ride 14 miles up through Lefthand Canyon to Jamestown, an old mining outpost. You can also take joyrides in the Valmont Bike Park, and cross-country ski around North Boulder Park. Great hikes and walks around town: Chautauqua Park, Mount Sanitas, or the Boulder Creek Path.
> Where the athletes eat in Boulder

Boise
Boise
Take one look at the 22.5-mile Boise River Greenbelt trail, watching locals float rafts downstream or cast flies in the shallows, and you'll wonder why you haven't heard more about this small-town city, which seems to have more green space than people. Boise might just win the award for most within-city recreation. And just out of town is pretty great too. We love Bogus Basin for nordic skiing in winter and biking during the rest of the year. Walk or pedal the Greenbelt trail in town, or hike up Table Rock, just 1.5 miles from downtown. Poke around the historic Hyde Park neighborhood, ending up at the trailheads in Camel's Back Park.
> Where the athletes eat in Boise

Bend
Bend
What's not to love about a high-desert town with about 300 days a year of sunshine and trails that start conveniently in the center? Rent a mountain bike from Sunnyside Sports and head to Phil's Trail, on the west edge of town, where the network of paths runs the gamut of difficulty and passes through ponderosa pine forests. Or hike or run through downtown and Drake Park on the Deschutes River Trail. Smith Rock State Park, north of town, has sheer basalt walls and welded tuff cliffs that make it a magnet for rock climbers.
> Where the athletes eat in Bend

Flagstaff
Flagstaff
One of Arizona's highest towns is a magnet not just for Phoenix residents escaping summer heat, but also for elite swimmers and runners intent on altitude training. Lush pine-forested trails add to the appeal. For recovery runs, hit the flat, 50-plus-mile Urban Trails System encircling town. And for R&R, head south to the red rock scenery and hiking trails of Sedona's Oak Creek Canyon. Drive up Snowbowl Road for access to prime hiking in the San Francisco Peaks and views of the entire city, or drive or bike Hart Prairie Road through aspen groves and grassland prairies. Schultz Pass Trail is the money spot for mountain biking.
> Where the athletes eat in Flagstaff

Seattle
Seattle
Take a stroll on one of the densely wooded paths in south Seattle's 300-acre Seward Park, featuring views of the city skyline and Mt. Rainier, bike paths, and follow the 14.2-mile Burke-Gilman Trail from Ballard, east through fun, funky Fremont, north along the shores of Lake Washington (see views of downtown), ending in Kenmore.
> Where the athletes eat in Seattle

Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs
Hike in a red rock garden at Garden of the Gods. It's not the altitude blowing your mind, it's the scenery: old red rock formations against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Or hang with gold medalists at the U.S. Olympic Complex, where you might catch a glimpse of the athletes in training.
> Where the athletes eat at Colorado Springs

San Francisco
San Francisco
Catch some air at the House of Air trampoline park where the pros say you can bounce away at least 700 calories an hour, and we believe it. Or rent a decked-out bike at Sports Basement and the Presidio is yours to explore. On Sunday mornings, staffers lead free rides over the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin.
> Where the athletes eat in San Francisco

Related:
>Top 10 city bike rides
>Top 5 fall hikes
>Top river rafting trips