Climbing LA

Walk #32 - Fern Dell and Immaculate Heart

2011-04-04T23:05:00.000-07:00

Distance: 2.1 miles Stairs: 193 Difficulty: 3

"Here's a great hot day walk along a cool, shady creek, past a venerable educational institution, then up a grand staircase of historical importance - all in the middle of Hollywood." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming

We did it! Charles Thompson and I completed al 42 stair walks in the book and ended it with a blowout Colombian lunch in the park catered by my mom. Because I love facts:

42 walks completed since we began on 5/2/2010

Number of stairs climbed/descended - 21,090

Miles walked: 115.1 (plus a little more for all the times we got lost along the way!)

Number of times we met fellow stair walkers by chance: 3

Dog bites: 1 event

Twice we encountered rain and soldiered on

Fun times we had on the walks - too many to count!

Favorite walk? All of them. We saw something interesting every time.

One of my favorite memories is stopping by Angela's house on a very hot day and my friends and me being treated to trays of goodies after a long, exhausting walk.

We do plan on doing our Top Five but I won't be blogging about any of them. Thanks Julie Wolfson for the great idea!

Our Top Five: Mt Washington; Avalon-Baxter Loop; Coffee Table Loop; Beachwood Canyon; and Hollywood Bowl and High Tower Loop

The number of surprises we found along the way: hundreds!

Number of empanadas my mom and I made for our post-walk celebration: 150;

Arepas made: 90

Batches of Dulce de Leche Brownies baked by the author of this blog: 3

I am officially 'retiring' the Climbing LA blog after this post. I started it knowing that it would have and end and am thankful for the experience. It made me get up early on Sundays to exercise and it also allowed me to be a bit creative with photography and writing and I learned how to put together a blog. For this I thank Charles. His food blog (100 miles) was established and he suggested I do it and that same day in May, 2010 we had two stair walks under our belt and my blog was up and running. THANKS CHARLES!

We also shared responsibilities: I took the pictures and he told us where to walk. Throughout we saw things that we normally would not have seen had we been zipping by in a car as most Angelenos do. Secret Stairs forced us to slow down and take in the sights. Some use the guide for cardio routines but we used it as a means to catch up with friends and explore this wonderful place called Southern California. Don't ask me if I will blog again. Right now I need to focus on my interpreting classes but I have learned never to say 'never.' I want to thank all the fellow stair walkers and especially the 'regulars' who walked more than just a few: Willie, Mark, Ines, Enrique, Jessica, and Julie. And then there were big fans who were always there with positive comments: Angela, Katrina, Judy, and many others.

We began this walk at The Trails Cafe in the Fern Dell section of Griffith Park. This shady area is quite popular with walkers/hikers and includes a trail that leads to the Observatory. If you haven't been here, take a look and bring a picnic basket. You'll be surprised as several of our fellow walkers were. Toya, and Rory came all the way from Costa Mesa and brought along their friend Trish.

Mark, Charles, Julie Top row: Mark, Charles, Gym, Julie. Middle: Glenda, Jessica, Enrique, Willie Bottom: Toya, Rory, and Trish A little creek runs through this lush section.

This side of the park is neighbored by the Los Feliz neighborhood with the hillside portion of it being very exclusive as you can see by the homes pictured below.

The very busy Los Feliz Boulevard is an entry point to the park and I always see people laying out on this hillside just off the street. It has to be really cold or raining for this hill to be free of sun worshipers.

A glimpse of Downtown LA.

We walked down a set of steps which brought us past AFI (American Film Institute) and Immaculate Heart High School. One block of walking on Franklin and we were headed back into the hills and to our very last set of stairs. I think I felt all 153 of them. They seemed steeper and higher than usual and when I thought they ended we were only halfway up.

Up, up, and away on our last stairway. Only halfway there.

The house pictured above is said to belong to the actor Nicolas Cage. It is ghastly and no wonder he has had trouble selling it!

The Griffith Observatory has been a constant in many of our walks. We have been able to see it from most of the walks and we would end our last walk in its shadow. In no time we would be back in the park where lunch was waiting.

Downtown LA

On our final descent towards Fern Dell.

The gate to a Japanese-themed house.

I love this look, car and all.

A Japanese tea house.

This house was designed by the son of Frank Lloyd Wright - Lloyd Wright

Near the end of our final walk I had a 'moment.' WE DID IT!

We re-entered the Park and what awaited us was a memorable event. Most of our walks ended with lunch afterward in a cafe or restaurant but this one did not. Instead, I planned a picnic in a beautiful section of the park and turned it into a little bit of Colombia, if only for an afternoon.

The scene of La Pachanga en el Parque (Party in the Park)

Colombians love their Parcheesi! Pictured are 2 of my favorite pastimes

Some of my interpreter gang: Jessica, Glenda, and Enrique.

Our guests snacking on appetizers.

Pictured: Julie, Phil, Katrina, Charles,Enrique, Anabel, Perla, Trish, Mark, Toya, Rory, Willie, Jim, Doug, Billy, Jessica, Natalie, Sandra, Claudia, Angela,Ines, Leah, Glenda, mom , and my stepdad Cemil (Jimmy).

We had quite a crowd and I think they were really there to sample mom's cooking. She is known as a fantastic cook who puts her heart into her food and she did not disappoint. I had a good time helping her put it together but she gets the credit. After I said a few words to thank friends and family and more importantly, to describe what was for lunch, my mom spoke a few words in Spanish (she speaks English just fine) and I jumped in to provide simultaneous interpretation into English. We are currently studying this mode in school and I wanted to see what my fellow interpreters thought of my attempt. They gave me a 'thumbs up.' I captured the meaning, no embellishments, used proper vocabulary, and there were no omissions!

Oh yeah!! Appetizers: Chicharron, arepas, empanadas, and yuca; all fat-free! I am known for my aji (the hot sauce you see in the white bowl) and they ate it up. (photo courtesy of Phil Nigash)

The main event: Sancocho (photo courtesy of Phil Nigash)

My mom is from the city of Cali and my brother and I lived there for a few years when we were young. One of the traditions is a paseo de olla (an excursion with a pot.) You go to the lake/river and you bring along a big pot, firewood and all the ingredients for a hearty soup. You can use fish, beef, or chicken and my mom did hers with beef. While the kids play and swim the older ones cook it up. Of course you have to have white rice and a salad which we had on hand. Following this we served dulce de leche brownies, arroz con leche (rice pudding), and watermelon. While I was born here in the States and lived most of my life here, I was raised in a traditional Colombian household and am proud to have grown up that way. If you haven't been yet, I recommend it!

Ensalada de zanahoria y remolacha con repollo y cebolla. (photo courtesy of Phil Nigash)

Soup's (Sancocho) on! Mom and me dishing it out a lo colombiano! (photo courtesy of Phil Nigash)

My mom and her girls! (photo courtesy of Phil Nigash)

on the left: little Leah, her mom Ines, and Julie. On the right: Natalie, her mom Claudia and her aunt Angela.

Doug, Billy, Mark, and Jim getting their Sancocho on..

Charles with Phil and Katrina who came from Irvine just to join us!

Toyita (left) is from Cali too and it is always a treat to see her and Rory. Trish came with them and I think I saw her dancing! She jumped right into the madness.

He is 100% Colombian at heart! He understands everything so I have to be careful when speaking Spanish.

It's not a Colombian party without music and Phil and Kat brought the boom box and Angela gifted me with 3 CDs of Colombian music! Lunch was followed by a raffle (another tradition, especially for children's parties) of LA based books: one of photos of LA, another of pop-up maps of LA, and the Grand Prize was a copy of I Secret Stairs; but not my copy! Some of the group broke off and went on a hike up to the Observatory and some of us played Parcheesi. Its origins are in India but it is a constant in Colombia and we maintain that tradition in my family.

My mom and Enrique playing parques (parcheesi). He beat her! Beginner's luck?

Mom, Cemil, Leandro and Lorenzo (who turns 10 on 4/7)

My sister-in-law arrived late in the day with my 2 very hungry nephews who love their abuela's cooking. Smart boys!

And this is how I ended our 11-month stair walking adventure - surrounded by supportive friends and family,and amazing food.. I could not have done this without my partner Charles Thompson. He was right there with me on every single walk and thanks to him this blog was created. See you on the Secret Stairs!

Get your copy and get hooked on exploring!

Walk #39 - Santa Monica - Bluffs and Beach Walk

2011-03-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

Distance: 3.5 miles Steps: 384-450 Difficulty: 3

"This is a great combination walk - big stairs, huge Pacific views, and long stretches of flat pathway filled with interesting historical bits. It can be very hot in summer and somwhat windy in winter, but the vistas are sensational." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

We had to do this walk rain or shine as it was the next-to-last walk and the invitations for the party following the final walk were sent. We have experienced a very wet winter and we in parched SoCal should love this but not on my walk! This is the 2nd time it rained but we soldiered on and the payoff was a beautiful day spent with wonderful people! I had saved the four Secret Stairs walks on the Westside for summer or summer-like weather but we ended up going through the walks faster than we thought we would. 42 walks in 48 weeks!

We started this walk at the famous Santa Monica Pier which dates to 1909. I can say that in the 30-plus years of living in LA that I have never set foot on this beach and rarely visit the pier(except when we have guests) but sometimes it is fun and this was the case.

It was unusually calm for a Sunday on the Pier. Charles, Ines, Mark, Jessica, and Enrique.

Down some wooden steps and these concrete ones and we were at street level.

The underbelly of the Pier.

Back up some wooden stairs to the pier.

Looking towards Venice.

Just as soon as we were back on the pier we went down the other side to begin our walk along the beach.

While there was never a downpour it was coming down at the start of the walk but pretty soon it started to clear up and the weather improved as we walked. So much so that by the end of the walk it was a beautiful spring day. I remember when as teenagers we would go to the beach and being SoCal, it was always overcast in June and July and we would say, "it'll burn off," and it usually did!

As we walked along the beach the very busy PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) was a constant. This highway is so disaster-prone that it is a local running joke. It is a very busy highway and in addition to automobile accidents that can easily cause a shutdown of this major artery, mudslides after rains and fires in the warmer months are not rare.

PCH

An unexpected brick stairway once we crossed the overpass.

At the top of the stairs is a really beatiful promenade that is a buffer between the ocean and the city.

My friend Paolo used to cater and we did a party in one of these houses along this stretch but I can't decide exactly which one it was.

An old house on Ocean Drive.

We walked along the bluffside park for a short stretch before heading back to the beach side. There is a house directly in front of the stairway which I find kind of odd. I mean, you pay millions for a house and not only is it on a very busy highway but then you have a massive concrete post right in front of your bedroom window..

See what I mean?

This bikepath runs for several miles in both directions. On my list of things to do is to bike it this summer.

Charles on the path. You can see that the weather is improving.

We were about to go back to the bluffs and took this unusal spiral stairway leading to another overpass.

From the bluffs and from the overpass you can clearly see nature at work as evidenced by the erosion. We expected to climb the stairway pictured above but as we approached it was evident that it was in bad shape.

Glad we didn't climb this one - it's kinda iffy!

Closed. Now what?

There was a solution to the closure. We took a detour and continued up this famous incline and were back on the bluff (Palisades Park) and would soon return to the walk route.

A view towards Pacific Palisades and beyond that, Malibu.

I still don't understand it.

Charles and Mark smiling as we head (yet again) over PCH towards the beach.

Down some muddy steps.

I lost count of the overpasses covered in this walk.

Okay, someone tell me what this means. Should we be afraid of cats with Black Widos spiders?

Archeological evidence of a once grand building.

All that remains of a fancy beach club from 'back in the day.'

This one just stands out.

We were on our final stretch along the beach that would take us back to the pier and our starting point.

The Johnathan Club

Back at our starting point.

Lunch was a big surprise. Instead of the usual local restaurant someone suggested the Food Court at the newly-rebuilt Santa Monica Place. Genius idea; it was a nice food court as far as mall eateries go and the added bonuse was the rooftop dining area with views of the ocean. Not a bad way to end our next-to-last walk!

Charles, Mark, Enrique, Jessica, and me.

Jessica and Ines at the rooftop dining are with the ocean behind them.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the ONE remaining stair walk.

Steps walked to date: 20,897.

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #9 - El Sereno Circles

2011-03-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

Distance: 1.8 miles

Steps: 350

Difficulty: 3

"This is a snappy walk through a seldom-visited section of the city; a compact walk that takes in a lot of elevation over a small amount of geography. Along the way are vast views of the San Gabriels and more barking dogs than you can shake a stick at." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

This walk marked our 40th and I still can't believe that we are almost done. Only two more walks remain before we're done with all 42 in the book. I am looking forward to focusing more on my studies but continuing to enjoy the beauty of Southern Cal without the added burden of taking pictures and writing. Regarding the dogs - oh yes!! There were tons of them in all shapes and sizes which made for a not-so-quiet walk.

El Sereno Middle School. I would have attended this school had we stayed in Lincoln Heights long enough after moving to LA from NY.

We began our walk at N. Eastern Avenue and Gambier Street in the El Sereno neighborhood of Los Angeles. It's an old neighborhood, predominantly Mexican and bordering Alhambra and South Pasadena to name a few neighborhoods. We had some great views from the hills. Nothing special in terms of architecture but it was a great way to spend time exercising, discovering an overlooked neighborhood, and hanging out with friends.

On this walk were the regulars: Ines, Charles, Enrique, Jessica and Willie.

Soon after starting our walk we found our first staircase at Phelps Avenue - 83 steep, painted stairs with multiple landings. Although you can't really tell when you are walking, they're called the El Sereno Circles because the stairs join 3 streets in the shape of concentric circles. They're not perfect cirlcles but close enough.. Charles and I have come across this gallon-jug-full-of-water-on-the-lawn thing in Atwater Village and we think we may have solved the mystery that has been 'dogging' us for years. Enrique may have provided an explanation - that people do this to keep the dogs from leaving deposits behind.. Thanks for the explanation! Just when I thought I had the answer I heard from Enrique about a possible 2nd explanation. Some also believe that the jugs are put there to prevent frost but I have seen them on lawns in the middle of summer so I'm not sure about that explanation.

99 steps would lead us to some amazing views.

Enrique is a resident of El Sereno and the green space in the background of the above picture is the Elephant Hill section of this part of town. According to him, in the past some LAPD helicopter pilots thought the mound looked like an elephant and the name stuck. Thanks again for your insight on El Sereno lore Henry!

Charles and Willie.

We climbed one side of the circles only to head downhill soon after. The 95 steep stairs that led from Chadwick Circle to Lynnfield Circle ended with a chair at the bottom and Charles took full advantage of the situation. We didn't bother to wake him up. I hope he is still not there! We crossed the street and continued downhill but this time only 73 steps. All throughout we could hear the dogs barking. The climb downhill continued..

Dogs and more dogs! A feline, for a change. My friends Katrina and Angela like the mailboxes. I think that's Henry's head in the bottom left corner.

We headed up this gentle slope for a bit and surprise; we saw more dogs!

This was a really interesting property - so inviting. These old steps were not part of the walk.

These houses are a bit out of scale, no??

More dogs, but more cuddly this time.

My favorite LA icon, Washingtonia Robusta

Our last stairway of this walk - 19 easy stairs.

A charming bungalow complex dating to the early 1900s.

Another mystery I hope to solve: What do tennis shoes strung over power lines really mean? Does it mean something nefarious or just a harmless prank?

Nothing cures curiosity better than a good, traditional Mexican brunch. Henry took us to one of his favorite haunts - Hecho en Mexico on Huntington Drive. Great food, great service and great prices. Muy delicioso!

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 2 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 20,447.

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #42 - Pacific Palisades - Giant Steps

2011-03-07T16:43:00.000-08:00

Distance: 3.6 miles
Steps: 1,117
Difficulty: 5

"Here is the monster step walk, a lovely, bucolic stroll through a secluded canyon that culminates in a hideous climb of over 500 steps, in a single staircase! Alone amont the walks in this book, it is over stairs not originally intended for public use, on a route that offers no cafe or restaurant and no public restrooms, and is not well served by bus or Metro. But it is a walk of staggering beauty, over public parkland, filled with historical interest. Plus, it has that 500-step staircase!" Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

We saved the best/worst for almost last! The best as in the longest staircase in Los Angeles; the worst as in the longest staircase in Los Angeles. I say "almost last" because this walk marked the 39th of 42 walks. If you have not participated and want to, act quickly! It turned out to be a perfect morning in the hoity-toity neighborhood of Brentwood. If you don't know where it is, it's where OJ Simpson lived... This swanky hillside neighborhood is also adjacent to Topanga State Park (Rustic Canyon) and within minutes of starting we were in the country. A strenuous walk yet very enjoyable.

From left to right: Ines, Willie, Charles, and Enrique.

We began this walk at the intersection of Amalfi Drive and Casale Road. After walking for only a few minutes we encountered views of the Pacific Ocean and a dirt path leading to the entrance of Topanga State Park.

The Pacific Ocean in the background. I think those are vineyards on the hillside.

Rustic Canyon

Charles and moi.

The canyon views provided a dramatic backdrop to what we were about to see. Several minutes after walking on the trail we found our first staircase taking us down to the the canyon floor.

The first one consisted of 40 steps.

A 'decorated' water tower .

In addition to steps we found long, paved paths leading to more stairs; 321 of them.

They were several landings and became very steep towards the end.

Ines

This path would lead us to a big surprise! It is said that in the 1930s a local heiress, Winona Stephens, invested a fortune to build a 50-acre self-containing compound which included water tanks, fuel tanks, and power generators. The man who persuaded her to build it was a Nazi sympathizer who believed that Hitler's army would eventually take over the US. He was accused of being a spy, arrested, and sent to prison and the compound fell into disrepair and was ceded to the State of California.

At the bottom of the Canyon and along a creek lies the compound. Very little remains intact and the structures we sawe were covered over in graffiti. Charles exploring the former power station with Ines in the window.

Seeing the creek was a real treat. I felt transported by it and truly it made me forget that I was only 25 minutes (there was no traffic) away from home. Ines, Enrique and I felt a little adventurous and continued along a path for another quarter of a mile while Charles and Willie stayed at the compound.

This path would lead us to the barn.

The path continues for many miles and leads to many other trails that lead to Mandeville Canyon and Temescal Canyon and even to Mullholland Drive! I definitely want to explore this area at a later time. Charles and I are getting used to our Sunday walks and are looking for more opportunities to hike whether in urban LA or in the wilds of the city. Just don't ask me if I'll be blogging as for now, the answer is a firm "no!"

On the way back from seeing the barn I heard my name being called. Charles wanted me to hurry up and join them as they had come across some fellow Secret Stairs walkers. This was the 3rd time this has happened and I did not want to miss the photo opportunity. The other 2 encounters have been included in previous entries. We quickly caught up to the group and one of them said we were an 'inspiration' when they found out we were nearly done with the 42; they were just starting.

What goes down must come up.. It was great going down to the canyon but there really was only one way up and it was the mother of all stairways. 512 steps with no breaks! They went on, and on, and on and I felt like the kid asking, "are we there yet?"

They went on like, forever!

Almost to the top.

Charles and Willie hoofing it up the final steps. We all eventually made it up in one piece.

The view from the top.

This house was in really bad shape; likely due to land movement.

Soon we were back in 'civilization' and walking among some serious real estate. One of these has various terraces with an infinity pool on one, a tennis court on the other and I don't know what else..

Our starting point.

After a serious stair walk it's only proper to grab a bite to eat so we headed to the little village at Sunset Blvd. and Barrington Avenue in Brentwood for lunch at the Bellwood Bakery. I lived down the road on Barrington Avenue my Junior year at UCLA and it brought back some memories!

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 3 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 20,097.

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #17 - Fellowship Park

2011-03-01T21:19:00.001-08:00

Distance: 1.5 miles
Steps:148
Difficulty: 3

"This is a short,sweet canyon walk highlighted by a tour of Fellowship Park- but it comes with a warning: In recent years, residents have tried to close this public passage to the pubilc, and have installed gates and locks. Most of the time these are open. If they're not, you may have to retrace your steps a bit, but you'll be retracing some of the city's loveliest public pathways."

Me in my Oscars garb.

What a way to spend a beautiful Sunday morning in Los Angeles! It was Oscars Sunday and I got all dressed up as you can see in the picture above. Charles, in his work, deals with the Academy and he hooked me up with my Oscars outfit. In 2008 we went to the actual ceremony and walked the red carpet but on this day we walked the asphalt streets and it was still a blast! The end of the blog is very near. Only 4 walks remain.... This walk took us to Echo Park; I've written about this neighborhood in several previous posts. In addition to the regulars (Enrique, Ines, and now Mark) was Norbert who is visiting from Germany and joined us for his 2nd stair walk. Too bad he is going home soon as he will miss the blowout picnic to be held after our last walk on April 3! We were all very surprised by this walk as it led to a very secluded green spot in the middle of the city Fellowship Park. I'm sure the neighbors will hate me for this but I just have to share this delightful part of LA.

From left: Norbert, Ines, Mark, Jessica, Enrique, Charles.

We began our walk at Echo Park Avenue and Baxter Street and soon found our first staircase (39 easy steps) which took us to Preston Avenue.

Many of the streets in this neighborhood are very steep. If you drive a car with manual transmission you had better be good at it!

A view of Downtown LA.

Very near our initial staircase appeared our 2nd one; only 39 steps, heading down to Baxter Street again.

Jessica is UCLA Class of 2010 (I'm old, UCLA Class of '89) and not a big USC fan.

Notice how steep the street is. In the background are the massive Baxter Street steps that we climbed on a previous walk.

No, it's not San Francisco!

At Donaldson Street we found our next staircase (25 steps) which led us to a surprisingly sloped walkway.

The gang walking up the steep, sloped, walkway.

At Lemoyne Street we turned right where we found the stairway pictured above; 30 steps that took us to another world. Behind the water tank lies Fellowship Park. Accroding to Secret Stairs, this hilltop enclave was founded by a religious group in the 1900s. I never saw a 'park.' What we encountered was a very hidden, verdant walkway lined with houses. At one point a man came out and told us that it's private property. We were on the path and not on his property so whatever! There is a gate at the end of the path with a lock on it and I think it's people trying to make a PUBLIC walkway into a private one.

The start of 'Fellowship Park.'

Charles being himself a kid at heart.

As we continued along this amazing path we felt as if it was a walk in the woods but occasionally we would get a glimpse of the city. In the picture above you can see the Glendale Freeway below.

Century City in the background.

The winding path.

Look closely and you'll see the Griffith Observatory with the Hollywood sign as well.

From the path we could get a glimpse of Downtown Glendale and the San Gabriel mountains dusted with SNOW!

As we walked along the path we encountered a little gopher. He was very cute and not afraid of us at all. In fact, he let Enrique pet him.

One of the houses along the path.

Thankfully the gate was not locked!

I love this view of Downtown LA. So close to Echo Park.

One steep hill going down leads to another very steep one.

UGH! That misplaced apostrophe; an epidemic these days. One of my pet peeves - it's not a possessive. It should read, "Trucks and semis." Thank you.

We ended our awesome walk with a trip to a local coffeehouse, Fix Coffee. It had great coffee and food and the outdoor patio provided great ambiance. While the Oscar telecast later that day was disappointing, this walk won Best Prize!

From left: Charles, Jessica, Mark, Norbert, Enrique, me.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 4 stairwalks.

Steps walked to date: 18,980.

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #41 - Pacific Palisades - Castellammare

2011-02-26T17:36:00.000-08:00

Distance: 3.2 miles
Steps: 518
Difficulty: 3.5

"The most scenic of all the city's stairwalks, this hillside stroll offers sweeping Pacific views, ocean breezes, and grisly Hollywood film lore. Its handsome hidden staircases are adjacent to the Getty Villa, the Self-Realization Fellowship, and Topanga Park, making it an ideal all-day recreation destination." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

Yes, it was the middle of winter and there we were, walking on the beach on a clear, perfect, sunny southern California day. This walk had it all: amazing vistas, surprises galore, and great company of course. We even had someone fly out all the way from Germany just to join us. Well, Norbert (from Hamburg) was here visiting one of our regular walkers (Mark).

Norbert and Mark.
From left: Mark, Norbert, Ines, Charles, Jessica, Enrique.

We began our walk on Pacific Coast Highway where Sunset Boulevard meets the sea - at Gladstone's Restaurant. This place has killer views and there is an oceanfront patio that is open to the public - you can bring your own food! I'm sure this has something to do with the fact that the overpriced restaurant sits on County property.

We started with a brief walk on the beach before heading for the hills.

The first stairway straddled the crazy-busy PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) and would lead us to another world.

Thirty-five steps and then 40 more took us to Castellammare Drive,Pacific Palisades.

We wallked very briefly on Castellammare before encountering this 69-step stairway which would lead us to Posetano Road.

Castellammare, Posetano (that's how they spell it..), Revello. Yes, many streets in the neighborhood have Italian names and I know of a Capri and Amalfi Drive nearby. While not exactly the Italian coastline this area has many Mediterranean-inspired homes and can hold its own in terms of scenery and beauty.

Just a few minutes after climbing the roar of PCH began to disappear.

Jessica in her pensive pose.

A local teenager told us proudly that his Dad painted this wall.

The Pacific Ocean was apparent at almost every point during this walk.

While this stairway looked inviting, it was not part of our walk and apparently leads to nowhere.

That's me with most of the gang looking on..

We soon found our next stairway which would drop us off on Breve Way. 91-steps with a peek of the ocean.

We were now closer to the ocean but still able to enjoy a view from high above. I can't remember how many times we all paused just to take in the views.

A maritime motif on this gate - how fitting.

We continued along Porto Marina Way until it was time to climb the 86-stairs and head uphill once again. Now we began to see some serious homes.

What people will to try to hold Mother Nature at bay - she usually wins in the end..

Can you see the 'infinity' pool?

Surprising to see a clear ocean-facing lot in this neighborhood; there were houses all around.

The imposing palazzo/villa pictured above is the Villa Leone which dates to 1928. It was built for wool magnate Leon Kauffman and you can see ram motifs on the facade of the manse, in honor of the sheep that made him very rich.

Jessica and Enrique petting the grass.

The Santa Monica Mountains.

This may look like a normal home but it sure was located in a great neighborhood!

It says 'HOME' just in case it's not obvious..

I think this one is a bit - busy?!

Mark & Norbert at one of our most scenic overlooks.

Now that's a view!

Charles.

That's Santa Monica in the background.

Yes, those are filing cabinets!

That's Enrique peeking through the gap in the wall.

This 122-step staircase had amazing views and we just had to pause before heading down. That's me posing with my handy Secret Stairs guide. It's been put to the test and I am almost done with all 42 walks! It'll be hard to have the book on the shelf and I know it won't gather much dust as we will be repeating.

The house pictured above is called Castillo del Mar and was the home of the actrees Thelma Todd. She appeared in several Marx Brothers films and died at this home under suspicious circumstances in 1935. It was somewhere along this street where we had our 'Star' sighting - Lindsay Crouse. Thanks Mark! He has an eagle-eye for that sort of stuff..

Katrina, this one is extra special.

A cow sculpture on the hill.

Norbert, Mark, and Charles.

The end of the road led us to a dirt path and down to our last staircase. It was strange to see this patch of 'wilderness' so close to PCH.

Our last staircase led to the overpass we took at the start of the walk.

A view from the beach looking towards the hills.

The Interpreters at Third Street Promenade: Ines, Enrique, Jessica, and me.

After our long walk some of us went to lunch at Yankee Doodle at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. A great place to practice the sport of people-watching.

Charles in front of our dining spot.

A view of Third Street Promenade from the Santa Monica Place mall.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 5 stair walks. Steps walked to date: 18,832. Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #36 - Whitley Heights

2011-02-17T18:54:00.000-08:00

Distance: 2 miles
Steps: 304
Difficulty: 3

"This is a gentle walk along some of Hollywood's oldest and most beautiful hillside streets, filled with stars' homes from filmdom's Golden Age, and hidden staircases and walkways." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

WARNING: By the time you read this only 5 walks remain so if you want to be in my blog hurry it up and join us. We are doing our last walk (for the blog) on Sunday, April 3 which will be followed by a Colombian feast cooked by my mom and served at the conclusion of our last walk! Past guest walkers will be invited.

Hooray for Hollywood!! Wedged between busy N. Highland Avenue (across from the Hollywood Bowl), the 101 Freeway, and Franklin Avenue lies a little slice of Southern California heaven - Whitley Heights. Just blocks from the Kodak Theatre is one of the earliest star magnets. This hillside has amazing views, a prime location, palm trees galore, and multiple Mediterranean mansions.

On this walk were (from left to right): Ines, Mark, Willie, Charles, Jessica, and Enrique.

We began our walk at Highland and Franklin Avenues - a stone's throw away from the Kodak Theater and the famous Graumman's Chinese Theatre. This coming Sunday will bring the world's attention to this area (site of the Oscars) but we know where to find the 'real' Hollywood.

You can see the Hollywood/Highland complex from our starting point. Yes, it's the middle of winter and we are in shorts and t-shirts!

It is said that the Highland Towers apartment building at one time counted William Faulkner as a resident.

Within minutes we had the parking lots for the Hollywood Bowl in front of us. We headed for the hills and into a different time. I have driven by this area hundreds of times and never knew what lay in those hills. This is why these walks have been so amazing. While some use them as cardio workouts, we seem to dawdle and take our sweet time noticing the largely unnoticed. All this just minutes from Downtown LA - well, if there's no traffic!

Shortly after turning right on Milner we found our first staircase. I love the grand yet subtle design. Only 160 steps.

Walking up many of these stairs allows for peeks into how residents live. Many overlook gardens, and unique backyards.

A view of the High Tower neighborhood. That is also a unique neighborhood and it was covered in a previous stair walk.

Sometimes you really do feel as if you were on someone's property.

A great view of an LA icon from our walk.

Cantilevered homes - a Socal staple.

You won't find too many modern homes in this neighborhood as we have on other hillside walks.

The palm trees were everywhere and added to the overall LA feel.

So many villas in Whitley Heights yet the roar of the freeway is ever-present. Rudolf Valentino's former home was located in this neighborhood and razed to make room for the Hollywood Freeway.

This one was locked - it leads to Highland Blvd and the Hollywood Bowl.

Can you see the buildings of Downtown LA?

Charles and me rockin' our custom Secret Stairs t-shirts.

More Mediterranean-inspired mansions and palm trees.

Watsonia Terrace is a short block housing homes once owned or occupied by a famous costume designer with one name - Adrian. He did Dorothy's ruby red slippers.. Pictured above is another famous costume designer who has two names- Mark Bridges!

After roaming the hills we were back on Highland and walked throught the parking lot of the Hollywood Bowl and Hollywood Heritage Museum. I have to say that I've never visited but I hope to soon. We walked through the parking lot and up the stairs pictured below before going under the 101 freeway for a brief walk on that side of the hill.

The Hollywood Bowl - site of so many memorable Southern California summer nights.

This part was not as charming as the other side but it was still a pleasant walk.

An easy 27 painted steps took us to Iris Circle.

As I was taking this picture a resident opened the door and it made for a good laugh! He closed it so that I could take this picture.

Back under the freeway and to the craziness of Highland Blvd we were soon back to our starting point.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 6 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 18,134

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #25: Swan's Way

2011-02-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

Distance: 1.5 miles
Steps: 369
Difficulty: 4

"Here's an intriguing combination - a short walk with some really steep steps. This is a Silver Lake circuit with great views, interesting houses, and some of the longest, steepest staircases in the city, great for cross-training and cardio." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

What a way to wake up on a clear LA Sunday morning! We walked our last Silver Lake walk from Secret Stairs (I know I'll definitely repeat them once I finish all 42) and again, I was not disappointed. We began our walk at Effie Street and Silver Lake Boulevard; a very familiar starting point as we have done several walks in this neighborhood. Great views, a mix of homes, and of course, friends to share with!

Oops, I forgot to include a group shot on this walk. Present were: Charles (of course), Willie, Jessica, Ines, Enrique, Mark, and me.After a brief walk up the hill we encountered the cool modern home pictured above. Soon after that the torture began. Not ONE, not TWO, but THREE steep stairways - one after the other.

#1 - 77 steps
#2 - 110 steps

A view from the top of stairway #2

#3 - 100 steps

On the way up the 3rd staircase we caught a glimps of the Silver Lake reservoir.

When we recovered at the top we came across this home for sale. Hey, a guy can dream.

I can't explain this, I just take the pictures.

This hillside has some really interesting modern homes.

Check out the minaret on the roof of this Moorish-style house.

The Raphael Soriano-designed Lipetz House dates to 1936.

I don't know if this is permanent.

The views are really spectacular.

More Moorish touches. The San Gabriel Mountains in the background.

Can you see the skyscrapers of Downtown LA through the haze??

Thankfully our last staircase (82 steps) went down!

At the bottom of the hill we stopped by a familiar place for breakfast; no, not 7Eleven. LA Mill Coffee has excellent coffee and food and although not cheap, it's a great place and lots of people to watch pass by and to rest up on a glorious Sunday morning.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 7 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 18,010

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #21: Silver Lake Terraces West

2011-02-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

Distance: 2.5 miles
Steps: 190
Difficulty: 2.5

"This is a fairly easy walk on the western-facing slopes of Silver Lake's Hyperion gulch, crisscrossing a series of "terrace" streets dotted with architectural delights. It doesn't have a lot of steps, but it's a bracing short stroll." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

From left: Enrique, Charles, Michael, his wife Lalanya, their daughter Geneva, and Michael's brother (Mark).

Although this walk marked the 34th of 42 walks in the book there are only SIX walks left as I'm a bit behind on the posts. So, if you are considering joining us and being part of this blog no more excuses!! When we did this walk I thought it might rain later in the day but it poured halfway through and there was no turning back. As the US Postal Service slogan says, "neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night..", nothing could keep these stair walkers from their appointed rounds.

Mark has joined us for the past several walks and actually walked to this walk. He was accompanied by his brother Michael, his wife Lalanya, and their beautiful little precious daughter Geneva who also walked to the meeting point. She wins the title as the youngest participant and she was quite the trooper. By the end of the walk it was really coming down and not a peep from her! We began this walk on Hyperion Boulevard and Tracy Street (landmarks are Baller Hadware and Tomato Pie Pizza).

'The Boat' - Beck recorded here. Originally home to the Haven of Rest radio ministry.

Our first stairway at Griffith Park Drive and Tracy Street - an easy 23 steps.

Silver Lake is one of my favorite LA neighborhoods and I'd live here in a heartbeat. As you'll notice in many previous posts, we like this area! What stood out for me on this one was the diversity of the hosues and the way they seemed to blend harmoniously. Whether, mid-Century, Colonial, Mediterranean or modern, it worked.

I love gates- makes me wonder what's behind them.

So East coast and simple - love this style.

Our 2nd stairway- 8 steps, a long walkway and then 43 more.

The Tierman house, dates to 1940 and one of several local ones designed by Gregory Ain.

Mother and daughter.

This is sooo LA. 1950s?

As I said earlier, I really enjoyed the various styles blending together into an attractive, eclectic neighborhood.

93 steps heading down; my fave.

Don'tcha just love this intersection?

I so could live here. So simple and elegant.

By the time the picture above (showing our last staircase) was taken, it was coming down like nobody's business.

Me, with proof that it really does rain in SoCal..

Rain and a brisk walk stimulate the appetite so we grabbed breakfast at a local favorite hangout - The Coffee Table on Rowena, in Silver Lake.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 8 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 17,641

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #38 :Universal City - Happy Trails

2011-02-05T19:32:00.000-08:00

Distance: 2.2 miles
Steps: 229
Difficulty: 2.5

"This is a curious hillside walk, in the shadows of Mullholland Drive, which overlooks Universal Studios and the San Fernando Valley. It features two staircases, some architectural wonders, and a network of paved, interlacing 'trails.'" Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

From left: Willie, Enrique, Jessica, Mark, Ines, and Charles

The end is near.... The end of my blog that is. This walk marked our 33rd walk leaving only 9 to check off the list. We started in May, 2009 and it's really exciting to see that our goal is within reach. Many have asked what I'm going to do after we complete the 42 walks and I know that we will repeat our favorite ones and find other ways to enjoy the city. Lately we have had several new walkers and as I've said before, all are welcome! This week our friend Mark joined us for the first time. Mark is a costume designer and you can see his creations in numerous Hollywood productions. We are glad he came along. Of course there was our standby (Willie) and the Intrepid Interpreters (Ines, Jessica, Enrique, myself). We began this walk at Cahuenga Boulevard and Barham Boulevard. The 101 Freeway runs through here and Barham is a busy thoroughfare to get to/from Burbank to Hollywood. It is also right next to Universal Studios. At the same time, within minutes you can lose yourself as we did on this peaceful Sunday stroll in the Hollywood Hills.

We quickly left the bustle of the city and found ourselves in a hilly, green, and quiet hillside neighborhood. Just minutes away is the famous Hollywood Bowl. After a brief uphill stroll we found our first staircase, only 146 steps.
While this is an upscale neighborhood it does not come across as one as would Beverly Hills, or Bel Air with gated front yards. We saw a few huge homes but most of them seemed to fit in well and it did feel like a real neighborhood.

If you look closely you can see the corner of the Hollywood sign.

The 'Wings' house.

Wilie, Charles, and Mark.

A view of the San Fernando Valley with Universal Studios in the foreground.

It's not me; the mirror makes me look big!

This 1927 mosaic wonder was quite a feast for the eyes.

The Interpreters: Ines, Enrique, Jessica, me.

Cantilevered homes are not rare in these hills but these do stand out!

Our second and final staircase - 83 steps took us down to Oakcrest Drive.

Mark & Charles, long-time friends.

Enrique in front of the Firehouse.

We found ourselves back on busy Cahuenga for a short block before heading up into the hills for the last part of the walk.

We ended our walk with a satisfying breakfast a the Break Room Cafe on Ventura Blvd.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 9 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 17,451

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #12 : Echo Park Lake Victorians

2011-01-30T19:17:00.000-08:00

Distance: 3 miles
Steps: 428
Difficulty: 2.5

"This is a mostly flat walk past venerable Echo Park Lake and through Angelino Heights, home of the city's oldest Victorian and Queen Anne mansions. It includes panoramic views of Downtown and a lot of Los Angeles history." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

We did this walk on January 16 and I'm a little behind on my posts due to school getting really tough with plenty of homework. We met at Echo Park in front of the statue to Jose Marti and no sooner had we congretated than we were met (more like accosted) by an anti-Castro gentleman. Everyone scattered and I was left to deal with him. He invited us to a rally in the next few weeks but I don't think I'll be able to make it. We have done several walks in Echo Park and this one is noteworthy given the high number of Victorian architecture structures in the Angelino Heights part of the neighborhood. I'm not an architecture expert but 'Victorian' includes the Queen Anne-style in addition to many others.

From left: Charles, Julie, Enrique, Ines, and Jessica.

Joining Charles and me on this beautiful, clear, and warm January day were Julie and three of my classmates from UCLA Extension: Enrique, Ines, and Jessica. We spend all day Saturday in class and it's nice to relax on Sunday by being outdoors and enjoying the sights. The Angelus Temple (pictured below) is located across the street from Echo Park and is where Amy Semple McPherson founded her Foursquare Church in the 1920s. It is one of the early 'megachurches' and draws thousands every week. The Angelus Temple, Echo Park

We walked briefly on Glendale Blvd heading south towards Downtown and found the 'mobile home' pictured below.We soon found our first staircase on a busy stretch of the boulevard across the street from the park.

A walkway leading to the last 12 steps.

At the top there is a walkway overlooking the street with amazing views of the park, the mountains, and nearby Downtown Los Angeles. We soon found the stairway pictured below. I'm guessing the mural (or what's left of it) was painted for the 1984 Olympics that were held here.

We crossed the street and walked through Echo Park. It's very scenic and I can't count the number of times I've seen it featured on film. Lotus flowers used to grow in a corner of the lake but they are gone. The Lotus Festival is still held there every year.

Once out of the park we found our next stairway on nearby Laguna Avenue. It had 84 steps and was not in such good shape.

This is sooo LA.

Soon we began encountering interesting houses, one after another. There is a high concentration of Queen Anne houses in this area and many of them have been kept up. I took way too many pictures to post but will include a sampling of what we came across.

Okay, not Victorian but an interesting multi-unit housing complex.

A Colonial - one of my favorite styles.

Reminds me of the house from Fantasy Island.

Straight from Psycho, the movie.

While Carroll Avenue in Angelino Heights is the more well-known street in the area, Kellam Avenue a block away is also a treat. This stretch is truly a feast for the eyes. So many architectural details (widow's walks, scalloped shingles, multicolored, etc.) to take in and they make a real impact when seen together.

Hitching post from back in the day.

This picture shows the house pre/post remodel. So much work to redo them but the results are impressive.

Hitching post #2.

A view of Downtown LA from Angelino Heights

These beautiful homes are just blocks from Echo Park and we headed in that direction but not before descending these 57 wide stairs to take us down to Wallace Avenue.

Our last staircase took above Glendale Boulevard once again and we walked briefly around this area before ending the walk.

We ended our walk at a local hipster coffeeshop - The Brite Spot on Sunset Blvd.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 10 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 17,222.

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #11: Downtown Los Angeles

2011-01-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

Distance: 3 miles
Steps: 1,021

Difficulty: 5

"This is a fine urban walk through the very heart of the city, a massive hike that employs old staircases, new staircases, private staircases, and even circular staircases. Along the way are the city's only funicular railway, some ot its finest public buildings, and some amusing 'pedway' overpasses."

From left: Ines, Enrique, Jessica, Leo, Willie, Charles with the Angel's Flight funicular car in the background.

Although this walk contained 1,021 steps I did not really feel them as I have on some previous walks. They were spread out, numerous, and not too strenuous. Not only was the setting unique but also the types of stairways (traditional, circular, escalators) employed. It was a beautiful, clear, and sunny Sunday morning on which to explore deserted Downtown LA. As these walks are centered around stairways many key historic places (Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, City Hall) were not included but it was still an invigorating trip and makes me want to spend more time there in the future and explore in depth.

We also had a new walker joining us - Jessica. She is a fellow student in the UCLA Interpretaion/Translation program and also a fellow UCLA Alumni. We began our walk with a cup of coffee at Grand Central Public Market. It is great place from which to practice people-watching and to eat from diverse cuisines and shop for produce. The Market is conveniently located across the street from Angel's Flight. Built in 1901, this funicular railway takes you from street level to the top of Bunker Hill - for 25 cents! It ran for 68 years, dismantled and then reopened 27 years later until a fatality in 2001 caused its closure. I am glad to report that it is once again functioning.

While taking the funicular up the steep Bunker Hill was tempting, we decided to hoof it up 121 steps. At the top of the staircase is a wonderful green space with benches from which to take in the views. Remember the movie "500 Days of Summer"? Several scenes were filmed there. We could have continued up the stairs to California Plaza at the top but instead crossed Olive and 85 stairs later we reached the Plaza.

The park at the top of the stairs.

These steps led us to the Water Garden at the Cal Plaza complex.

Sometimes the book can be a bit confusing and after our first 'incident' Charles was relieved of his duties and I recruited Ines to be our walk guide as I always take the pictures and can't possibly do it all. She did a great job given the sometimes confusing details. I was glad to give Charles a break after 30 walks as guide. He was free to take in the sights and enjoy himself but is returning on the next one.

At the Water Garden we found very few people but we did see some odd ducks; literally.

The Odd Ducks.

We then crossed Grand Avenue and in the courtyard was an old haunt long since renamed. My first job after graduating from college was in Downtown and we used to frequent the bar/restaurant called 'Stepps' for Happy Hour (and sometimes during lunch) and it was quite a scene back then. I ran into many people I knew at that place.

Nick & Stef's - site of the former Stepps!

21 steps later we found ourselves on Hope Street in front of the famous 333 S. Hope Street building. When I first moved to LA in the 70s I remember it as the headquarters of Crocker Bank with their logo on the top. Then the logo was Security Pacific, then BP, and now it's Bank of America. Did I miss any? We turned left and headed downhill.

A short walk took us to the top of the BunkerHill steps. At the top we had a star sighting - Woody Allen of all people. I only saw the back of a man wearing a bucket hat but Charles said he looked like Woody Allen and it was later confirmed by Willie (via Perez Hilton).

Willie and Jessica.
The Los Angeles Central Library as seen from the top of the Bunker Hill steps.

At the bottom of the steps is the magnificent Los Angeles Central Library, dating to1926. In the mid 80s the structure was heavily damaged as a result of a horrible arson attack. Thankfully, it has been restored and much of its former glory remains. Unfortunately, the building was closed so we had to admire it from the outside.

The 3 Amigos - Leo, Charles, and Willie.

The Interpreters: Ines, Enrique, Me, Jessica.

The fountain at the entrance to the Library.

The Library Tower with the Library in the foreground.

There is a stairway on the side of the Library which we were to descend but it was closed so we had to take a short detour which took us past the Standard Hotel. Once an office building, it has been converted into a hip boutique hotel with an all-yellow restaurant downstairs and a rooftop bar/lounge with views to kill for!

Ground floor outdoor seating at the Standard.

I found the 41 step staircase we missed due to closure (pictured above) and we continued.

I remember when it was called ARCO Plaza - it's now City National Plaza.

At City National Plaza we accessed our next staircase - in this case we had the choice of stairs or escalators. It climbs 42 steps over to the 5th Street overpass that lands you at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel complex. I remember when it opened in the late 70s/early 80s and it was so space age. I think the interior is now very dated but it is still an LA landmark.

The Westin Bonaventure.

NO COMMENT. Let's just say that some people are really territorial in the kitchen!

Leo.

Figueroa Street as seen from the 2nd overpass.

At Figueroa and 4th is the Marriott Hotel and just across from there is the Downtown location of UCLA Extension. That is where I spent 10 full Saturdays last quarter and where I will spend 10 more this quarter before moving back to the UCLA main campus for my final quarter in the Spring.

We entered the Hotel and took another escalator in order to access yet another overpass that would lead us to the World Trade Center building.

We walked inside the World Trade Center builiding and up another escalator where we used an escalator to take us over a different overpass which lead us back to the Westin Bonaventure.

Inside the hotel we walked down 3 flights of circular stairs and then crossed the hotel to go back up 3 flights which would lead us to - an overpass!!

Charles crossing the overpass leading to the Ketchum YMCA.

We continued past Bank of America Center on Hope Street and headed North towards the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The Dorothy Chanlder Familiar on the left - where the Oscars were held every 2 years until they moved permanently to the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

At the Walt Disney Concert Hall we climbed a short stairway leading to gardens I did know existed. It was real treat to find this urban oasis right next to an architectural wonder. The Frank Gehry-designed complex is clad in stainless steel and winds into countless shapes. As you walk around it you see its many different facades.

"A Rose for Lilly" sculptured covered in blue and white broken Delftware pieces.

We exited the complex by climbing down 69 stairs to reach Grand Avenue.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Los Angeles City Hall.

At 2nd street near Grand we climbed 24 steps to reach a walkway which would take us back to the Water Garden at California Plaza.

The man in the mirror is me.

Once at the top of Angel's Flight we had to choose between taking the stairs back down to our starting point or paying a quarter to take the funicular down. The choice was easy. We paid our fare and rode the historic little car down Bunker Hill to the end of our Downtown Adventure.

On our way down the hill to lunch!

After a long walk we were glad to be near food and what better place to eat at than the iconic Grand Central Market?

Produce stand at the Market.

I was really glad to have had this urban walk in the book. It was a welcome departure from our more neighborhood-type walks. Only 11 more walks remain and we hope you join us soon!

Feel freee to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 11 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 16,794

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #8 : Highland Park - Highlands

2011-01-03T18:23:00.000-08:00

Distance: 3.2 miles
Steps: 342
Difficulty: 3

"Here is a sprightly walk through some gorgeous Highland Park neighborhoods, featuring dramatic Craftsman homes, magnificent San Gabriel views and exposure to some heavy East-meets-West mysticism." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! May 2011 be a good one for you. There was no better way to start out the new year than to celebrate our thirtieth stair walk and over 15,000 steps with old friends and new friends while taking in a really great neighborhood! Only 12 more walks remain so stop making excuses if you want to be in my blog before I put it to rest upon our 42nd and final walk. Willie reappeared and it was great to see him again. He brought a friend with him (Leo) who was an enthusiastic participant whom we hope to see on future walks. Although it was a cloudy day we had lots of sunshine in the form of 3 wonderful girls who seemed to enjoy being out with a bunch of old folks. Ines brought her daughter Leah and Julie brought her girls - Vivian and Sofia. It was our most-attended walk to date and as they say, "the more the merrier." Right Charles?!

From left: Vivian, Willie, Sofia, Leo, Julie, Leah, Ines, and Charles

Vivian, Sofia, and Leah

We began our walk at Figueroa Street and Avenue 53 in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles - an old section of the city with a heavy Mexican population. This was evidenced by the many religious icons and Nativity scenes we saw on front lawns. The area we saw was chock-full of interesting sights; especially the abundance of Craftsman-style homes. The American Craftsman Style incorporated architecture, interior design, landscape, applied arts, and decorative arts. In the U.S. the movement began in the late 1890s and remained popular into the 1930s.

Leo checking out the old Presbyterian church with the broken window at top. We soon left the busy Figueroa Street and headed for the hills.

The Yellow line (seen here at Marmion way) runs from Pasadena to East Los Angeles.

Many more Craftsman homes to follow.

Christmas was definitely celebrated here!

and here!

This posting will be rich in pictures of homes that caught my eye and this one did as did so many more on this walk.

Simple yet elegant - in my opinion.

Mural on a school building. Pretty Aztec and Diego Rivera-like.

This food truck (we called them 'roach coaches' when I was growing up) was likely around way before the current food truck craze hit.

I usually photograph the staircases by themselves but little Leah jumped in front of it and I can honestly say that it looks much better with her there. 127 steps to the top.

Vivian, Sofia, Charles, and Julie happily climbing.

The Craftsman house pictured above dates to 1907 and was built by Edward Symonds. It is Los Angeles Cultural Monument No. 554 so I guess it makes it significant. It stood out no matter what landmark status it may or may not have.

The Southwest Museum in the background. It has merged with the Gene Autry Museum in Griffith Park and its hours of have been drastically reduced but I understand you can still go in one Saturday each month. It's best to check the website before visiting.

I just love this one.

Charles, Leo, Willie, and me.

One of the girls asked me why Joseph was wearing pink and I honestly don't know why! I told her it was likely a red that faded.

2 of 3 houses all in a row.

Not all the stairways are attractive. This 27-step one was marred by graffiti and neglect.

I really liked this one too. So subtle and elegant.

At Abbott Place we found a driveway that lead to the next stairway. Several landings and only 56 steps.

In the middle of the picture you can see a very steep street and immediately after that a huge stairway, both of which we climbed on a previous walk. The houses on the top of the hill are part of the Mt. Washington neighborhood.

Our final staircase was located on Avenue 50. We would retrace some our steps on this walk to reach our starting point and that is always great because you see things from another perspective and notice many things you missed the first time.

Our patient guide Charles with two of his wards: Vivian and Leah.

When 9 strange faces walk in front of your house on a Sunday morning they attract attention. As we walked by a man approached us and proceeded to tell us about a Guiness Book of World Records story relating to this tiny house and the houses on either side. Apparently, the house with the French doors (in the middle) was once a guest house for the house on the left but the lots were divided. As you can see, the properties on either side don't allow for access to the small house so the 'world's smallest easement' (one inch) was created to allow the middle property to have rights from the street. I don't know if this is true but that's what we were told! As we neared the end of the walk everything was running smoothly until Leo approached a house with several crazed Chihuahuas in the front lawn. He put his in front of one of the yelpers and BAM! One of them bit him and drew blood. He was a real sport about it though as you can see from picture below.

Leo sporting his dog bite.

On the same block of crazy mini dogs were 2 hens and a rooster! The light colored one had feathers on her feet and it was really interesting.

We were soon back on the main streets and headed to one of our hangouts when we are in the area. We have eaten at Chico's at least 4 times after our walks and we always get friendly service and great food!

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 12 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 15,773

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk # 30: Franklin Hills East - Lyric Loop

2010-12-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

Distance: 2.9 miles
Steps: 908
Difficulty: 4

"This is an energetic walk up, down, and around the hill separating East Hollywood form West Silver Lake, and includes some of the best hidden staircases in Los Angeles. Along the way are architectural peculiarities and fantastic views." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

There is no better cure for overeating during the Christmas holiday than a good stair walk! In the picture above you see Charles and me rockin' our new t-shirts. I had them made using a scan of the Secret Stairs book cover and included my blog address on the bottom. He was really surprised and I'm glad he liked his Christmas gift. I don't know if he liked the shirt more than the blowtorch he got (for making creme brulee). This walk was the last one of the year (#29 of 42) and it was truly memorable. Was it the green hillsides freshened up after a series of rainstorms or the crisp, clear, and cool weather? I don't know what it was but we had a great time! Two of our new 'regulars' (the Interpreters - Ines and Enrique) joined us as did Julie Wolfson. Julie is a friend and writer for LAist. She has walked with us once before on the 4th of July and it was great to see her again. One of our old regulars (Willie) has missed several walks. I don't know when we'll see him again..

Enrique, Charles, Julie, Ines

We began our walk on Silver Lake Blvd in front of the Lyric Hyperion Theatre and Cafe. We walked downhill for a brief stretch before heading for the hills. Silver Lake is one of my favorite SoCal neighborhoods and this part of it was no exception. All of us were pleased with the vistas and architecture and the numerous pictures in this post can attest to that.

Casita del Campo - a popular local Mexican restaurant.

One thing that stood out was the variety in the architecture. We found so many styles yet they seemed to fit seamlessly together. Old wooden structures alongside modern ones.

Concrete block pillars used to form a fence.

Our first stairway consisted of 39 easy steps going down onto Udell Ct. This short stretch that we covered contained numerous charming wooden homes.

New and old together.

The next stairway contained 111 steps and ended on a hidden walkway.

We rarely come across others on these walkways but leave it to Julie to run into someone she knows! We ran into the owners of one of my favorite LA stores - Bar Keeper on Sunset Blvd. in the Sunset Junction part of Silver Lake. They were on their way to open their barware store. I actually received a clever bottle/can opener in my stocking and it came from this store. Thanks Charles!

At the end of the walkway we found a stairway and saw a pool under construction. There was no way to get a tractor in there and it looks like it took a lot of hard physical labor to complete the job.

As we climbed the 96 steps we saw a chute used to ferry supplies from the street down to the pool construction site. Gravity put to good use.

Not a peep from this rascal. The friendliest pooch on earth.

An easy 10 steps up.

We had views of the SGV, the Westside and points beyond.

On our way down to Clayton Ave.

You could see the ocean from here.

We have seen the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood sign on many walks but it's always impressive.

A view of KCET - our former local PBS station. Don't get me started..

43 steps to Sanborn Avenue.

The street is much steeper than it appears.

We kept ending up on Clayton Avenue but who cares? The neighborhood was especially lush given the recent rainstorms and it was great to see so few people and signs of city life on this hill walk on a cool LA morning.

I recognized the Prospect Walk stairs as they were included on a walk we did last July. 168 steps would lead us to Franklin Avenue.

Slowly making our way up.

Century City in the background.

Ines brought her own camera in hopes of getting some pictures of snow and she was not disappointed.

More snow-capped mountains.

Ines and Enrique checking out a Koi fish pond.

The Scotland staircase would lead us back down to Hyperion Avenue.

A former Safeway store repurposed.

We ended our walk where we started - at the Lyric Hyperion Theatre and Cafe - but not before taking lunch on the outdoor patio.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 13 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 15,431

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #15 : Avalon-Baxter Loop

2010-12-06T17:41:00.000-08:00

Distance: 3.5 miles
Steps: 695
Difficulty: 4.5

"This is Echo Park's most rigorous walk - the highest number of steps in the minimum amount of time - with a surplus of physical beauty. Along the way are vies from Downtown to Westwood, a walk in Elysian Park, and a Who's Who of the historic Los Angeles arts scene and of the area's famous communists and socialists." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

Well, I didn't run across any 'commies' but we saw some awesome views and massive stairways. It was a beautiful fall day and Ines and Enrique joined us on the walk. They are the new 'regulars' - Willie, where have you been?! The Echo Park section of Los Angeles lies in the shadow of Downtown Los Angeles and has many old homes and stunning views. Many people merely drive by it on their way elsewhere but I know for sure that it's worth a stop if you know where to look! We began our walk in front of Delilah Bakery and did not start with a decadent cupcake. A few blocks up Echo Park Avenue and we were soon on Avalon Street and our first staircase.

What a way to start the morning! 192 steps up the hillside.

The payoff was immediate. From here you can see the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory.

We went from city to hillside vies to urban park - Elysian Park. This park is not very well-known and often used only as a shortcut to nearby Dodger Stadium but it really is worth the visit. I have been here a few times and a recent Stair Walk (#13) included a portion of this park but even this one surprised me. We were high above the park and our walk inside it was brief but memorable.

Elysian Park

Enrique, Charles, and Ines inside the park.

As I said, we were in the park for a tiny bit before heading downhill only to head uphill again to face the 231-step Baxter Street stairs. Yes, 231!

Charles happily climbing..

Ines and Enrique on their way up.

The views were non-stop. This one is of the hills of Glendale.

A view form the top of Baxter Street stairs.

Downtown LA as seen form Elysian Park.

We were now back in the park but the walk did not take us deep into Elysian Valley. Rather, we were up above with houses on the left and the park on the right. We did take a short trail and for a brief moment we were lost in an urban forest.

We even spotted a wild flamingo that did not move in our presence.

Still in the park but on the edge of it, we spotted this large water tank and next to it - HORSES. There is a property that borders the park which is so old that it is zoned for horses. We continued along a dirt path briefly before entering a neighborhood again.

The Gang checking out the horses.

The 5 Fwy was right below us. You can see the LA River and the Rio de Los Angeles State Park mentioned in a recent blogpost.

Back in the hilltop neighborhood but it still felt rural.

We soon came upon a beautifully-maintained stairway containing only 129 steps. It's a walk street with cottages on both sides.

This area was once known as 'Red Hill' due to its lefty inhabitants but I never saw a single hammer and sickle. What we did see was the lawn sign pictured below....

I'm gonna bite my tongue on this one!

Looks like a wedding cake.

As we were headed down the hill we spotted two cars. This one drew our attention as there is STYROFOAM inside the bumper. Seriously, I had no idea that modern bumpers were made of this.

Across the street was this 'parked' car. Someone was probably out late the night before and did not want to bother with parking it. Next time take a cab!

This little pocket of Los Angeles seemed a world away from the bustle of the city. Echo Park, one of the oldest neighborhoods in LA is being 'discovered.'

Our last stairway consisted of 143 steps and led to Princeton Avenue and some great views.

We then headed downhill and turned on to Echo Park Avenue.

We ended yet another memorable walk at a place very familiar to us as we've eaten at Delilah Bakery on many occasions. Delicious food served up in a true neighborhood setting.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 14 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 14,523.

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #24 : Silver Lake Terraces East

2010-11-29T11:38:00.000-08:00

Distance: 2 miles
Steps: 762
Difficulty: 3

"The steep slopes of Silver Lake Boulevard gulch offer dramatic staircases on both sides. This western-facing episode delivers great Moderne architecture, fine mountain and city views and a real workout." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

Many people have asked me what I'm going to do after the 42 stair walks are completed and the blog is put to bed. I will be glad to have my Sunday mornings back but also will be looking for more opportunities to hike/bike/walk/explore Southern California. This marks walk #27 and only 15 more remain so if you have read the blog and wished you could join us, you had better start thinking about it! No more excuses. Charles has been on every single walk and Willie has missed 4 in a row! We have two new regulars (Ines and Enrique) and we're glad to have them along. They were along for this one and gave me a hard time about there not being a meal afterwards. We try to fit in breakfast/lunch when possible but in this case they had to settle for coffee/tea at LAMILL Coffee on Silver Lake Blvd. It's not just any cuppa Joe. They also serve great food and the quality/selection of their coffee is something else.

(Enrique, Charles, Ines)

We began our walk on Silver Lake Blvd along a small commercial stretch housing unique shops and dining options with a 7Eleven store in the mix.

An architecture firm with ever-changing art in the front.

We walked less than a block before we turned left and up the hill. We have walked around the Silver Lake Reservoir just up the street many times and always enjoy the wonderful sights. Something about the water views, the mountains, and the great homes that make it a truly special corner of Los Angeles. Exploring the hills above the neighborhood is always a treat and this walk was no exception. The first stairway was an easy 25 steps but right away you were transported to a different place just above the noise of the busy street below.

Soon after we came to our second one with only 76 steps. Just enough to get your heart racing a bit.

This Thanksgiving weekend provided crisp fall weather, a little wind, and very clear skies all of which made for extra clear views of the city.

We didn't have to climb these stairs.

The next staircase did make me huff and puff a little - 108 steps with no landing. Best way for me to tackle these is to skip a few at a time and move as fast as I can to get it over with. The best part about climbing is that with altitude it seems the neighborhoods acquire more charm and you feel more removed from the big city.

Glow-in-the-dark Charles with Enrique behind him.

I'm not sure I've climbed the stairway across the canyon.

Effie Street is so maddening. It has so many starts and stops to it.

This house comes with an elevator and a staircase behind it just in case.

I'm a big fan of Moderne architecture and the house above is an example. Silver Lake has so many amazing homes. In a previous post I featured the designs of the Neutra firm (father and son architects).

Silver Lake Reservoir seen from above with Verdugo Mountains in the background.

Ines and Enrique enjoying the view.

All of a sudden there was a flat area and we were all surprised to see non-curving, regular streets. It lasted a few blocks before we were back on hilly ground. This time we were headed downhill down a most interesting walk street that included some unique doorways.

177 steps going down - my favorite type.

A view from the bottom of the stairs.

At the bottom we encountered Scott Place. It's a pedestrian-only street running from Silver Lake to Dodger Stadium with some interruptions along the way. We had seen another portion of this street on a previous walk.

The easy walking can only last so long. Soon after we came across this steep 82-step stairway dating to 1927. So simple yet graceful.

As soon as we climbed the 82 steps we crossed the street to climb this one - 89 steep steps leading to Silverwood Terrace.

A short block and then down again, this time 104 steps to Easterly Terrace.

I kept asking Charles when we would see the two Streamline Moderne homes mentioned in the book and he assured me we had not missed the Skinner House or the Vanderpool House- designed by William Kesling. He had worked for the famous Rudolph Schindler before branching off on his own. These wonders were constructed in 1936-1937 and to see them side-by-side is a wonderful sight. From the outside they look pristine and so modern after 70-plus years. For me, it was the highlight of the walk.

Down the road is another Kesling home, 'Model Home,' from his early days.

'Model Home' by William Kesling.

A final staircase heading down took us back to the busy Silver Lake Boulevard and our starting point.

My reader/narrator/guide, Charles holding the 'bible.'

We parted ways at LAMILL Coffee but not before a cup of some great coffee!

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 15 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 12,753.

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #4 : Glassell Park South - Taylor Yard

2010-11-29T11:33:00.000-08:00

Distance: 3.2 miles
Steps: 401
Difficulty: 3

"Here's a nifty trip through the Mt. Washington-adjacent hills, with a starting point by the Los Angeles River and a stroll through an unexpected piece of Santa Monica Conservancy parkland." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

This long Thanksgiving weekend coupled with crisp, clear skies made for amazing walking opportunities. Charles and I usually walk on Sundays and invite others along when we do so but on Saturday I woke up in the mood for exercise so I just picked a walk close to his home in Atwater Village. We were both truly surprised by the diversity of this walk and once again by the things you can see when you slow down and get out of your car! We began the walk at N. San Fernando Road in an industrial area that parallels the Los Angeles River and rail lines. I live in nearby Burbank and have driven by the area too many times to count and never noticed the Rio de Los Angeles State Park (http://www.parks.ca.gov/). Neither had Charles. Yes, there is a large urban park filled with sports facilities, trails, and picnic grounds in what was once a large railroad yard (Taylor Yard) used for the repair and maintenance of rail cars! I know that I will return to use the well-maintained running/walking paths and fly my kite there. It is definitely worth a visit.

We parked inside the park and crossed the busy San Fernando Road and headed uphill.

You can see one of the entrances to the park from this street/alley.

This neighborhood is nothing to write home about but there was definitely the feeling that people know their neighbors. I might have blended in a little but not Charles! One man approached me (he saw my camera) and asked me in Spanish if it was okay for him to put his chair on the lawn and I was puzzled. He thought we were some kind of inspectors and I told him that he could put that chair wherever he wanted.
It is only a few short blocks before you start climb into the hill. I saw a Mt. Washington sign but perhaps it should read 'Mt. Washington-adjacent.' Everyone wants to say they live in that neighborhood and perhaps a bit of this walk was indeed Mt. Washington but this part of it is a stretch.

That's Griffith Park.

As we climbed the houses seemed to have a bit more character to them and better maintained.

The Tillie Street stairs are part of an actual walk street - one of the few true walk streets in LA. There are 135 steps and the only way to access homes on the street is by climbing up or down. Good for privacy but not so good if you left something in the car or have lots of groceries. I guess you know who your real friends are when they hoof it up to visit you.

The street is formed by several sections of sidewalk/street broken up by short stairways in a gentle climb.

Elysian Park can be seen in the background - on the other side of the Los Angeles River and the Golden State Freeway (Interstate 5).

The stairway seemed to go on forever but we finally landed on Kilbourn Street and walked for a long block before encountering our second stairway.

It's either mailboxes or gates that grab my attention. When I see a gate and nothing behind it I always wonder what surprises might lie behind the door.

A Ford Thunderbird in really great condition.

The next stairway contained 133 steps and afforded amazing views. This neighborhood is less than 5 miles from the center of Los Angeles yet you would never know it.

If you look very closely you will see the Griffith Observatory. Really.

Elysian Park with the skyscrapers of Downtown LA in the distance.

As we continued heading into the hills and getting closer to the Mt. Washington neighborhood we noticed a distinct rustic feel to the neighborhood and could not believe we were in the middle of the 2nd largest city in the US. Surprise turned to shock when we saw a Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Parkland smack-dab-in-the-middle of the neighborhood. I bet you've never heard of Elyria Canyon Park (http://www.smmc.ca.gov/). The Conservancy buys back land for public use but I thought the lands were all somehow connected. This park lies nowhere near the Santa Monica Mountains and is tiny but a very welcome sight. We met a very friendly Israeli family and the husband (Tal) told us about how lucky they felt to live in the area. It is very common to find chatty neighbors on these walks who are happy to point out hidden stairways or to chat. I so could live around here.

From Elyria Canyon Park you can see Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale.

It takes no more than 5 minutes to walk from the gate at the top to the bottom gate but you really do feel transported to another place far from the urban setting we inhabit.

I don't know what the purpose of this red barn/house is but we were told by Tal that it is used as some sort of community center.

Back in civilization we started our descent and encountered some great views on our way down.

From above we could see our starting point - the Rio de Los Angeles State Park.

Thankfully, only a little graffiti marred this unique piece of artwork.

One of the local street thugs: El Charlitos.

Moi, uncombed hair as usual.

A view of the Park from across N. San Fernando Road.

Once back in the park we sat down to a picnic lunch I spent hours preparing: BLT sandwiches, pickled veggies, and bbq potato chips. Who can forget my favorite pastime? - the LA Times Crossword. Can life get any better?

The train tracks are just right there to remind you where you are.

I never thought that a $12 book could give me so many memories and continue to surprise me at every turn of the page. This walk sure did present two amazing urban parks and ones I will be sure to visit again!

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 16 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 12,361.

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA

Walk #35 : Temple Hill

2010-11-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

Distance: 2 miles
Steps: 108
Difficulty: 2.5

"This is a most spriritual walk, a hillside stroll without too many stairs through an area once dotted with temples, monasteries, retreats, and church buildings. The English novelist Christopher Isherwood studied meditation here; the Indian spiritualist Krishnamurti lived here; and the Dominican sisters still bake a mean pumpkin bread here." Taken from Secret Stairs by Charles Fleming.

It's always great to have 'new recruits' on these walks and this one was special as two of my new friends and classmates came along. We hope they continue to participate as we explore Los Angeles. All three of us are enrolled in the UCLA Extension Translation/Interpretation Program (Spanish/English) and hope to become Certified Legal Interpreters in the near future. We will be halfway done with the program in a few weeks and have spent many Saturdays together (8 hours of class each day) and just had oral finals the day before so we have a bit in common. Without bragging (okay, a little..) I can say that we all did well on our finals so I guess that means that I have smart friends who like physical fitness too.

Ines is a native of Argentina and Enrique from Mexico. Bienvenidos al las caminatas Ines y Enrique!!

The Interpreters - (Enrique, Me, Ines)

We began our walk at the trendy 101 Coffee Shop on Franklin Avenue where I had a minor star sighting. I don't remember his name but he is the guy who plays the role of Anne Heche's husband (the uptight Dermatologist) on the HBO show 'Hung.' Later in the day I had a more major star sighting - I saw Tobey Maguire in line at a Silver Lake coffeehouse -Intelligentsia. This area of Hollywood is quite busy with the constant noise of the 101 Freeway across the street and Downtown Hollywood not too far off.

The recently renovated Hollywood Tower Aparment House

Capitol Records Building on the other side of the 101.

We turned on to Vine Street and into the Hollywood Dell neigborhood.

This walk is called 'Temple Hill' for the various religious/spiritual institutions found along the way. The first one we encountered was the Southern California home of the Vedanta Society. It's a 19th Century sect founded by the Indian Ramakrishna. The writer Christopher Isherwood was an adherent. It's still a monastery and meditation center and is open to the public.

The Vedanta Society, Hollywood.

We climbed and at a bend we encountered this - thing! It was a huge, garish Faux Chateau and we had a great laugh. Do they not know the word 'scale.'?

Le Faux Chateau

Next to the Chateau was this house which is an improvement.

This old Hollywood area was the home of many early movie stars as was nearby Beachwood Canyon which I wrote about on an earlier walk. Jeanette MacDonald, Hopalong Cassidy lived in the area.

Enrique, Charles, Ines.

Fountain at the Monastery Gardens Apartments. Charlie Chaplin lived here.

This walk contains only two stairways but was very interesting and rich in Hollywood lore and history. It was a while before the freeeway noise dissipated and we truly felt we were not in the middle of Los Angeles.

Forty-seven graceful, winding steps leading to Alcyona Drive.

This neighborhood also housed over a dozen Krotona sites. Krotona was one of three Eastern-influenced "Theosophical Society" colonies. Many of these buildings were built in a Moorish style known as 'Islamic Egyptian.'

A Krotona building, now converted into apartments.

Look carefull and you will see the Griffith Observatory.

You can see Downtown LA through the glass door and glass wall of this garage. I was on the street and shot it through the clear walls of the structure. Kind of strange.

The first of many interesting doors/gates on this walk.

Yes, Charlie Chaplin lived here too.

Enrique at the gate of the former Chaplin home.

The mailbox at the former Chaplin estate. A bit small don't you think?

Yet another Krotona house.

An incinerator door repurposed as a mailbox.

Behind this stone wall once stood a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary before someone plowed into it leaving this pile of rocks. This happened years ago and it seems the remains are now themselves a shrine. Just down the road was yet another former Krotona structure dating from 1912, now an apartment building. It warned against tresspassers but we just could not help ourselves. It retains the Krotona name but after the Theosophists moved out another Eastern spiritual leader, Jiddu Krishnamurti made it his base for a time.

Koi/turtle pond inside the Krotona building.

Last picture from the Krotona apartment building grounds.

A view of the famous Capitol Records building from above.

Charles without his customary red stair-walking t-shirt.

I can't do these walks alone. Charles has been there from the first walk until this one and I won't dare complete a walk without him. He wants equal bragging rights. Besides, I need someone to read to us when we come to an interesting spot and to make sure we have a place to eat. It was his bright idea for me to start this blog and got me all set up.

Our second and last staircase; 61 steps going down.

Right across the street from the top of the staircase is this large home which Barbara Stanwyck once called home.

At the bottom of the stairs it became more obvious that we were in Hollywood after all and the bustle and noise would soon return.

Typical Southern California apartment architecture except for the bars and the paint color choices.

To end this most spiritual of walks we finished at the Monastery of the Angels. This home of the cloistered Dominican Nuns in Hollywood is at the northern end of Gower! Most people have no idea this beautiful little oasis exists. The sisters support themselves in part by selling their famous pumpkin bread but they were not open for business as it was Sunday. I've heard the bread is worth the high price.

The Monastery of the Angels.

This is where you get your pumpkin bread

We found 'religion' in the form of breakfast at the 101 Coffee Shop after an interesting walk on a beautiful, crisp Southern California morning.

Feel free to join me as I discover hidden parts of Los Angeles and tackle the remaining 17 stair walks.

Steps walked to date: 12,665.

Follow me on Twitter: @ClimbingLA