Outdoors in Montecito

This past weekend some great friends & I got to take a mini vacation to the Montecito area of California. This small, southern town is marvelously dotted with multi-million dollar estates sprawling across the foothills of Los Padres National Forrest.

The dudes & I swapped stories while enjoying our comfy settings with some drinks in hand. We also worked on a plan for the next days adventures.

This particular vacation was a bit of a whirlwind. I had spent the day of departure at work since 2am... and didn't hit the bed that night in Montecito till 2:30am the next day. Spent close to 27 hours awake.

Our eventual plan was to take a scenic drive through the foothills, winding us through the country. Collin & Pouya were taking us to a previous hike they had traversed in the past, but they had said there was much more water in the river this time around.

The five of us set out on our trek, following the Cold Springs Trail along the river, deep into the canyon foothills. Switch backs for some portions of the trip, while other sections allowed for long gradual inclines up a shaded hillside.

There are several route choices along the way that will result in different destination outcomes. We opted for a trial that would take us up to a lookout of Montecito & Santa Barbara.

The trails prove to be mostly covered with a small, slow elevation gain that kept the workout at a good level. Connecting with a fire road that ran along the rim of the foothills, our trail popped us out right on the edge of the hills looking down on small towns, huge estates & the Santa Barbara harbor.

Every time I am invited to spend some time in Montecito I am totally awe struck by the wealth & lifestyle that is pursued in this small area of California coast. It also reminds me of how thoroughly thankful I am to have such great friends to share amazing experiences with.

Bear Encounter & Monrovia Falls

Just east of previously trekked Chantry Flats, Andrew & I embarked on a midday journey to Monrovia Falls. This was a good hike I had found online that neither of us had explored on before.



First & foremost, Tuesdays = front gate closed. Visitors can park for free in the neighborhood south of the entrance on Canyon. Adding another paved 1/2 mile to the hike you had already planned on.



Normally there is a $5 dollar fee to use one of three parking lots within the park. Andrew & I opted for the the longest of three routes to the falls for our accent, with a shorter trip on our way back. The Bill Cull Trail switch-backed up the hillside & wondered above the creek with grand views of the San Gabriel Mountains. Dropping down a bit over a mile to meet back with creek & the main trail to the falls.



What happened next on our adventure was an unexpected miracle. The two of us were approaching a blind left bend in the trail & heard rustling above. Paused, we looked not twenty feet in front of us, two brown bears coming down the hill towards the trail we were on. Below the bears spotted up & proceeded slower.



Moving slowly, Andrew & I paused while the two bears crossed the trail & down a small incline to the waters edge. A mother bear & her cub drank from the creek. After a moments rest, there was a sense of urgency to move on by everyone involved. The two bears slowly made their way into the thick underbrush, while Andrew & I turned to each other in total disbelief in what had just happened.



The trail gave way to more elevation change with the scenery changing to a more rock surfaced canyon. Opening up at one point to a monumental double rock face with fifteen foot tall roots clinging to the rocks. Andrew stand in glory below.

“No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.” - Ansel Adams

New adventures soon...

April Snow Day

[HWY 18 - Above the clouds]


- Finally got the Peruvian to the snow -



Georgette & I took a nice drive through the clouds to Big Bear this past weekend. After a snaking along the scenic route of HWY 18 when landed ourselves looking down on all the clouds with only a few miles left to our destination.



After a great warm afternoon sliding around the hills & we slowly made our way down the mountain & back to Los Angeles. Which coincidentally, had the only sunlight shining down upon it from here to the inland empire.

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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Remembering Napa Valley

Recovered some photos from a trip to Napa Valley, California from December of 2010. Tooled around with the looks a bit in Lightroom.



- Pride Mountain Vineyard -



Pride Mountain was a really unique vineyard sitting atop a windy mountain drive that is well worth the seclusion. With a great tasting tour & beautiful settings all around one couldn't go wrong for an afternoon in the mountains.


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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.