Secret Stairs - Alta Loma Terrace Again

Many of the recent posts on the blog have been chronicles of the adventures had while searching out new neighborhoods in Los Angeles via the book Secret Staircases of LA.



However, this time was unique b/c the people who gave me the book for Christmas last year got to finally join us on a hike, my Mom & Dad.



After about thirteen or so missions into the hills, we decided that the most unique neighborhood we've seen yet was Alta Loma Terrace in Hollywood. Tucked away behind the Hollywood Bowl, this neighborhood is a walk only with no access to cars.



Started in the 1920's, this neighborhood in the hills relies on a private elevator shaft (above), that takes residents from the lower garages, built into the hillside, up to their bungalow style residences.



Along this hike you pass a Frank Lloyd Wright creation, the Samuel Freeman House. This was the first visit I made to the house where there wasn't a car parked out front. Being a little more darning now, the family explored the front yard & peeked into the narrow windows of the outer walls.



Following the long, narrow, overgrown corridors of foliage and hidden homes we became overwhelmed with the hidden qualities of this neighborhood. There is even a home designed by Lloyd Wright, Frank Lloyd Wright's son that shares the hillside.



Thanks Mom & Dad for the book! It will bring many great adventures.

Silver Lake - Secret Stairs

Once again, a few good friends have found themselves wondering amongst the quiet streets of a hidden Los Angeles neighborhood.



Our Secret Staircases of LA book has brought us to a junction I visit quite often, Silver Lake Blvd & Sunset, but would have never known this nest of hodge-podge homes existed amongst the terrace elevations.



Ambling through the top portion of this walk I noticed as well that this walk had crossed paths with a previous adventure.



Looking back on this walk I missed out on a picture of one of the neatest houses I have seen yet, another trip will be in order for that.

Hermit Falls - Round Three

This weekend's outing found the four of us marching through the forest, down river, the waters flowing sound's filling the canyon. Descending down we can hear bird calls surrounding on all sides.



Chantry Flats is by far the best 30 minute escape from Los Angeles there possibly is. Located just outside Pasadena off the Santa Anita exit, it's no wonder the weekends are full of hikers looking for a breath of fresh air.



This will be our third trip to Hermit Falls in the past few months. The water level was quite high this time, but still no trouble to cross the river a few times as the hike switch-backed across.



"A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into."
- Ansel Adams

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