Secret Stairs and Private Elevators

Walk #37 in Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of LA took us to High Tower and Alta Loma in the area south of the Hollywood Bowl. Many of you will recognize the campanile - style Tower from the 1991 Thriller "Dead Again". 

While on our trek Beverly and I met the new resident of the apt used in the film and she graciously gave us a peak inside. WOW!!!

This is how it feels to ride in the High Tower elevator!

And then...
We got to ride in the #%@! elevator!
Really!

The view from the Tower south looks very Italian to me.

She offered us a ride in the elevator!!!

The walk into Alta Loma was a whole other world, it is an odd little Utopia in the middle of Hollywood.
 
While Alta Loma is a place, it is also is a feeling. There is a feeling of Peace and serenity that you just have to experience for yourself.

Alta Loma is a Little Gem filled with even Littler Gems tucked inside.

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Christmas in Whitley Heights

Watsonia Terrace:
Gloria Swanson lived here while filming Sunset Blvd.

Yay!  Thank you Scott Michaels for giving Brian THE BEST book for Christmas - Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles. What a great book!

Christmas day Brian and I set out on our 1st trek to explore these forgotten treasures.  We hit Walk #36, the Historic District of Whitley Heights.  Wow.  Just wow.  This neighborhood is exquisite!  The houses, dating back to the early 1920's, were homes to early Hollywood stars such as Rudolph Valentino, Gloria Swanson and Jean Harlow.  So it was a feast for they eyes, and a workout for the legs with over 300 steps!

What a great Christmas!
Click Here for all the pics from our meanderings through Whitley Heights.

Holiday Lights: Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Hancock Park & Burbank

I Love Christmas!! That said, one thing I miss from Philly is an abundance of Christmas lights.

Paramount Studios, Hollywood

There are the ones you would expect to see like Rodeo Dr. and the Studios.

Cartier, Rodeo Dr

You would think the Really good ones would be in Beverly Hills or Hancock Park, but no...............Burbank, Ca. 

Florence Ave, Burbank

Yes, "Beautiful Downtown Burbank" Burbank. Not really downtown but Florence Ave. More to the point Dick Norton.
                          
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