We’ve all had those mornings where we step outside and immediately start breaking a sweat. In the battle between Man vs. the Sun, Los Angeles is the place to beat the heat. Here are a few suggestions that will give you the upper hand in the summer long sun battle.

HIT THE BEACH: Whether you’re a surf bum, an avid tanner, people watcher or just an enthusiast of good times and being active, exploring L.A. beaches is a great way to conquer the heat while staying outside.

Santa Monica State Beach and Venice Beach, although may be more crowded than others, offer a wide array of waterfront activities, restaurants and shops while displaying L.A.’s diversity at its finest. Manhattan Beach also ranks in as one of the most popular beaches.

If big beaches aren’t quite your thing, Malibu’s Paradise Cove and Zuma Beach offer a more intimate setting while capturing the surf and sand vibe excellently.

If you’re someone who enjoys straying off the beaten path and loves finding those special secluded areas where serenity and bliss blow in the wind, then the Malibu Lagoon and El Matador Beach are right up your alley. Be aware, though, that as the weather gets hotter, these quaint locations will start to see high numbers.

If none of these locations meet your fancy, then take a look into Point Dume, Leo Carillo or Will Rogers State Beaches. The drive to get to these spots may be a little longer, but that may also mean smaller crowds and more room for you.

LEARN SOMETHING: Just because school is not in session, it does not mean you have to completely turn off your brain.  One of the best ways to conquer the summer heat is one of the simplest: avoid it completely by visiting indoor museums.

For art lovers The Getty Center, located just north of Brentwood right off the 405, provides a wonderful collection of both classic and modern art. If Mediterranean art suits you better, then the Getty Villa in the Pacific Palisades may be your calling.

Don’t count out the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), which covers all styles and provides an in-depth understanding of art history in America and the world.

The California Science Center or the Natural History Museum, both located in Exposition Park, provide a ton of interesting and exciting exhibits for those less artistic. The Science Center’s Endeavour Space Shuttle is a must see, but tickets can sell out quick.

CATCH A FLICK: Seeing a movie, one of the more popular moves on a rainy day, can just as easily be the smartest play when the sun is on a rampage.

Take a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard, and you’ll find two of L.A.’s most popular and beautiful venues: Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and Disney’s El Capitan Theatre. If you prefer a more relaxed setting while taking in a film, then Rave Motion Pictures 18 in Westchester, Regal Cinemas at LA Live in Downtown or Arclight Hollywood are a couple options worth checking out.

TREAT YOURSELF: L.A. has some great locations to grab a scoop of the cold stuff and relieve the body of the sun’s overbearing presence. There are standard chain locations like Coldstone Creamery, Pinkberry and YogurtLand to ease the pain. However, if you’re not one for conventionalism, there are certainly some ice cream joints that are a little tastier.

Atop the list sits Westwood’s famous Diddy Riese Cookies, known for their delicious chocolate chip cookie-ice cream combo tasty enough to bring grown men to their knees. Other hot spots that may be worth a visit include: Mashti Malone’s Ice Cream and Bennet’s Ice Cream in West Hollywood or Fosselman’s Ice Cream Co. in Alhambra.

GET WET 'N' WILD: If you enjoying chasing a thrill, an amusement/water park is a phenomenal way to keep the heat at bay. Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor in Valenica can be a little crowded over the summer, but the two keep their patrons feeling fresh. Raging Waters, San Dimas and Soak City U.S.A. in Buena Park are also some other solid options for water park extravaganza.

If you want to take the adrenaline rush even further, then maybe skydiving is what you are looking for. Nothing says keeping cool like 100 MPH winds rushing by your body. It might be a more expensive option, but the experience will leave you on cloud nine, forgetting the sun even existed.

OLD AND IMPROVED: Our last recommendation on how to stand up to the sun is L.A.’s newest attraction, but one of its oldest landmarks: the LA River.

The river was last open to the public in the 1930s, but huge floods caused the city to shut down public access and pave its banks concrete to better assist drainage. For years, kayakers have been illegally paddling the river. Eventually, pressure from the public and local officials grew too strong leaving the city no choice but to create the Los Angeles River Pilot Recreational Zone.

The Recreational Zone starts at Fletcher Drive stretching south 2.5 miles across the Elysian Valley. The sectioned off zone is one of the rivers more aesthetically appealing parts, with beautiful scenery aligning the shores, little islands covered in forestation popping up and landscapes of the San Gabriel Mountains peering aside. Kayakers, canoers, paddle boaters are all welcome, but motorized boats are not allowed.

For more information regarding the new recreational zone, please visit lariverrecreation.org.