This will not be the last time I will write about http://www.walkscore.com/ because the simple genius of its service is invaluable. Just type in an address, and in second you see your location and the locations of grocery stores, restaurants, book stores (still sad that Dutton’s Books was banished from Beverly Hills), a screening room and more along with the distance from your X-marks-the-spot. Knowing that a grocery store - Whole Foods — is 0.07 miles from home is a reminder of how walkable everything is in this little town.

Rich with factoids and inspiration, the site lists the surprising benefits of a walkable city to the environment, our health, our finances, and our communities. One of my favorites: “The average resident of a walkable neighborhood weighs 7 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood.” And for those of you with property values on your mind (raise your hands everyone): one point of Walk Score is worth up to $3,000 of value for your property. Plug in your address and get walking!