Secret Stairs - Old Hollywood Revisted

This post has been sitting in the "draft" section far too long now. This Secret Stairs walk was a repeat of the very second one we ever did... and it will not be the last. Traipsing all over the original Hollywood hills neighborhoods, this is easily one of the more difficult walks, with some of the most beautifully shaded cases

In 2010 we did our first secret stairs walk, which led to enough enjoyment to continue, but this second walk was what really opened my eyes to what Los Angeles was really hiding in her canyons. These neighborhoods were stunning and so fully of vegetation.

The above picture is the approach to one of the stair cases. If you can look closely at the top portion of the picture, on the left side, you can see tiny steps where the case continues. The two pictures below are from the mid point & nearing the top of the steps. Just one of many...

Wonderful scenes off the busy boulevards.

Over time we have come to trust the author of Secret Stairs (book), he tends to have travelers hike a large case, but then wander around the neighborhood in flat sections before tackling the next arduous battle of 1920s concrete.

I tend to fall behind on these walks b/c there is just too much to take photos of while out and about. There is a perfect blend in many of the neighborhoods of strong colors, odd shapes, flora & breath-taking architecture.

The picture below is of a famous staircase, it has two sides to it, one fore traffic going up, the other for people going down. Alas, it is so steep there are concrete benches built into it from day one. Local residents have fashioned an abacus type contraption to count their accents of the case while exercising on this beast (seen below).

Georgette likes all things cat oriented.

Did I mention there were large numbers of shaded stair cases on this walk? We also managed to take a wrong turn at the very same point as the first trip. Back on the path we slowly descended out of the old 1920s Hollywood hills.

Back to our concerns of the modern world.

Secret Stairs - Mother's Day!

Another great Secret Stairs adventure with the people that set in motion the pursuit of urban elevation exploration... my parents.



After receiving the book as a Christmas gift, friends & loved ones alike, have all been on one journey or another through a hidden Los Angeles neighborhood; enriched by the knowledge & history the author brings forth.



This past Mother's Day, after lunch at Bella's, we made our way south on the 110 to the Highland Park area. The first half of our walk was through the foothill neighborhoods that lined the arroyo seco area.



We learned a great deal about a long forgotten piece of Los Angeles history, the Great California Cycle Way (must see!)



Forging back over the river and up a flight of stairs that took us back into the quiet neighborhoods & further into the south eastern hills of Highland Park.



A new adventure in a part of town I had only been a few times. From back alley graffiti to San Gabriel Mountain views, this secret stairs really encompassed it all.



Thanks again Mom for turning me on to great new adventures!

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.

Rainy Eagle Rock Stroll - Secret Stairs

Between the rain on Saturday afternoon, a few good friends managed to get a nice outdoor stroll in. Notice Carlos planning out next move at the top of this set. This is a beautiful view of the San Gabriel Mountains.



This particular secret stairs adventure brought us to the middle of Eagle Rock. Beginning close to the bustling Boulevard, we quickly ascended into the quiet terraced neighborhoods just east of Highway 2.


[Driveway to nowhere]

Only as we explored further did the neighborhoods really become secluded & refereed to at times as 'Italian villa' style through the narrow mountain lanes.



This portion of Los Angeles is a real treasure. When you look up into the hills & exploring throughout them, one can find a lush green wonder of dwellings tucked into the slopes of north east LA.

Secret Stairs - Valentines Day

Enjoying a nice afternoon with my girlfriend Georgette, we ventured off to find some more Secret Stairs this Valentines. This time heading to the hills of Eagle Rock & Pasadena.



What a magnificent neighborhood, tucked away behind numerous small hills & terraces, quieter the farther we ventured in. We snuck into a house that was under construction.



This was one of the most covered and shaded walks yet, with many chances to venture off through the close knit neighborhoods.

Secret Stairs - Alta Loma Terrace

This week the Secret Stairs book took us to a really great new neighborhood



This was an area that has homes w/ no cars allowed. The Hollywood hillside is dotted with homes that you can only access by walking through shady over hanging lanes



There is even an elevator built into the hillside for the 30 some odd homes that make up the Alta Loma Neighborhood.



You may even recognize part of the area from The Long Goodbye.

Secret Stairs - Hollywood

There is this great book out right now called Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles. It is an urban adventure all it's own.



The book is filled with over 30 step by step guided tours through scenic neighborhood, involving great architecture facts & history of the surrounding area. Along the way, lots of staircase hiking.



Taking three of us this particular evening, on a wonderful journey through one of the original planned neighborhoods for Hollywood... nicknamed here Hollywoodland. Exploring the neighborhood just north of N. Beachwood Dr.



Many of the planned routes will take the traveler on a winded journey up a flight of stairs, but is well thought out by the author, a walk through the narrow streets of the terraced homes before the adventurer has recouped for the next flight.


[this home is located in Silver Lake, CA]
Another adventure into a part of Los Angeles I've never experienced... till now. More to come soon.