Although many business and shopping districts are teeming with pedestrians, walking is not an efficient way to get around Los Angeles, which sprawls out for miles on end. Some areas have sidewalks while others don’t, stop lights are often placed very far apart, which benefits car traffic but can strand pedestrians, and most neighbourhoods don’t have small groceries or other shops that make it possible to avoid taking a car to stock up on essentials. However, there are small pockets such as parts of Santa Monica, Pasadena, or even Downtown, that are well-maintained and amenable to walkers.