Hidden Hollywood: Hightower and Whitley Heights

Nobody walks in LA, according to those famously catchy lyrics, but the neighborhoods of Hollywood Heights make it worthwhile to strap on those walking shoes and defy the stereotype.



Hollywood is probably not the first neighborhood that springs to mind when you think of places for a relaxing walk. But in the hills, just a few blocks away from the tourist madness at Hollywood/Highland, lie the quiet retreats of Hightower and Whitley Heights.



These residential neighborhoods boast winding streets, concealed staircases, historic homes, and charming bungalows. Bonus: All the uphill makes for a great butt workout.



The Hollywood Heritage Museum (2100 North Highland Ave). is the best place to start. The parking lot here is free, and the tiny museum is worth a stop in and of itself. Housed in the restored Lasky-DeMille Barn (c.1895), the museum features historic photos, props, and other mementos from Hollywood’s movie heyday.

At the corner of Camrose and Highland, there's a walled park that's open to the public with a shady picnic area, perfect for a lunch stop

Hightower

Once you cross Highland Ave. and head up Camrose Drive, you’re officially in the Hightower neighborhood. Beyond its secluded feel and its charming homes, this neighborhood has a special secret.



You may notice the collection of stand-alone garages bunched together, without houses attached, at the bottom of hills. That’s because many people in this neighborhood can only reach their homes via footpath (pedestrian-only) or elevator. That’s right, elevator!



Only residents have keys to use the private High Tower elevator, but it’s definitely worth a look. To reach it, head up Camrose and turn right on High Tower Road, where you will see the street’s namesake looming above.



To get a closer view of the tower, turn left from High Tower Road onto the Los Altos Place pedestrian footpath – a pleasantly shaded walkway. Then turn right on Broadview Terrace, another pedestrian path, and head up the stairs. At the top, you will be treated to an up-close look at the top of the elevator, as well as fabulous views of the downtown skyline.


Whitley Heights

With more of a prosperous, old Hollywood feel than Hightower, Whitley Heights boasts stunning Mediterranean-style homes, many dating from the 1920s, when stars like Judy Garland and Charlie Chaplin called this home. To me, Whitley Heights feels more neighborly and less secluded than Hightower.



To reach this neighborhood, it’s best to go back to the starting point at the Hollywood Heritage Museum. From here, head up Milner Road and wind your way up the hill. Alternatively, ascend the hill via the Whitley Terrace Steps next to 6776 Milner.



Please note that my inspiration for this walk came thanks to Walking LA
– a fabulous book of LaLaLand walking tours by Erin Mahoney – that I recommend to anyone looking for off(and some on)-the-beaten-path adventures. (Note: She gives much more detailed walking directions than I do with maps and the works)

Getty Center: Fridays Off The 405

Once a month the Getty Center plays host to an LA-tastic evening event. Not only are the regular galleries and exhibits open, there’s also dancing, drinking, and awesome DJs spinning.



In true LA style, the event pays ode to the gnarly traffic gridlock Angelenos deal with on a daily basis and bills itself ‘Fridays Off The 405’, meaning the attendees are enjoying themselves at the Getty instead of being stuck on the 405 freeway below.



Set atop a steep hillside, the Getty Center offers wedding proposal-inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean and Westside, particularly at sunset when a rose-and-orange- colored glow illuminates the darkening sky.



A futuristic white tram zips you up the hill from the parking area to the modernist Getty complex. This ain’t your typical LA museum. Designed by Richard Meier, the other-worldly buildings - made from 16,000 tons of light-reflecting, beige-colored travertine stone brought from Italy – are reason enough to come.



Organized around a central arrival courtyard, the Getty has unusual indoor/outdoor space that could only work in LA’s year-round sunny climate. The curving buildings are interspersed with jetting fountains, light-filled terraces, and creative gardens. A visit is almost like being transported to some idyllic Star Trek planet.



The LA-ness of the whole thing really comes through in people's dress styles. Quite simply, anything goes - artsy fartsy vintage, business casual, beach dresses with flip-flops. I even spotted a couple clad in 100% spandex and running shoes. So don't worry about any kind of dress code here.

The event goes from 6p to 9p, but no need to be fashionably late. The cost of parking is $8 per car (although the event is technically free) so carpool and pack in as many as you can to save money. The reason to arrive on the early side doesn’t become clear till it’s time to leave. Basically, it’s a case of ‘last one in, last one out’ and being last could mean you’re stuck in the underground parking for two hours.

Don't miss the next Friday Off The 405 on June 27, 2008 featuring DJ King Shade.

Parker Mesa Overlook: Best View In Town

Incredibly, the public can still enjoy unadulterated hilltop views of LA, from downtown to Malibu on a clear day. Don’t worry, this so-called ‘best view in town’ doesn’t involve scoring an invite to some exclusive mansion or becoming hired help. All that’s required is a bit of driving and hiking.



Parker Mesa Overlook can be reached two separate ways. One starts from Trippet Ranch in Topanga Canyon – the same starting point as the Eagle Rock hike. The other way – and my personal favorite - begins in Pacific Palisades from Paseo Miramar Road.



From Paseo Miramar, you will enjoy spectacular 180 degree views of LA the whole 2.5 miles up to the overlook. And when I say up, I mean up – a 1200 foot elevation gain to be exact. So on top of the views, this is a serious calorie burner.

The wide trail meanders up the ridge between the Los Liones and Santa Ynez canyons. Since it isn't a wooded trail with shade, remember to bring a hat. My favorite time to come is a few days after a spring rain when you're sure to spot wildflowers.



Thankfully, there are benches on the knoll at the top where you can rest and take in the view. If it’s really clear, you can spot Catalina Island in the distance. Be forewarned that the view is so captivating hikers have been known to completely forget about time. My husband and I got caught in the Parker Mesa Overlook’s spell and ended up hiking down in the dark – not something I’d generally recommend.

Click here for a great photo of Parker Mesa snapped by a fellow blogger.

The only downside to the Paseo Miramar starting point is that it sometimes can be hard to find parking in the neighborhood.

Driving Directions:
- From Santa Monica, drive north on PCH to Sunset Blvd.
- Turn right and drive 0.3 miles to Paseo Miramar
- Turn left onto Paseo Miramar and drive until the end of the road

Inn of the Seventh Ray – Dining in Fairytale Land

Do you believe in magic?

Fairy or sprite sightings would not seem out of the ordinary at this Topanga Canyon restaurant. The fairy tale-like setting in a woodsy canyon next to a trickling brook feels more like Middle Earth than LA.



Twinkling lights, fresh flowers, and a Buddha welcome guests as they pass under the Inn of the Seventh Ray’s entrance archway.

From the entrance, a staircase winds past tables tucked away into nooks that are surrounded by shrubbery. At the bottom, there’s a central, brightly lit fountain surrounded by tables graced with freshly-cut flowers. A small gazebo nearby houses another table.



The restaurant is unusual in that most of the seating is outdoors. It can get chilly at night, but judicious use of heating lamps makes it comfortable. And in case of rain, it’s covered by a clear tent top lit up with twinkling white lights. A small indoor dining area is available, but it’s nowhere near as spectacular as the outdoor section.

What really makes this restaurant special is the trickling brook that runs alongside the dining area. It is lit up at night to give guests a better view. Sometimes, you can even spot deer drinking from the stream.

The menu, filled with plenty of vegetarian and organic selections, perfectly complements the outdoorsy atmosphere. Fresh salmon, organic greens dressed in an herb and lemon vinaigrette, goat cheese stuffed portabello mushroom with apricot puree, butternut squash risotto, etc. Also worth noting is the restaurant’s pride in accommodating those with special diets, such as gluten-free or vegan.

On your way out, don’t forget to stop in the restaurant’s accompanying gift store, filled with organic cookbooks and handmade jewelry.

Inn of the Seventh Ray is something I don’t share easily. It’s not gimmicky or Disneylandesque. To me, it’s elegant, natural, and spiritual and it holds a special place in my heart because my husband and I celebrated our wedding day here.

May you enjoy this magical place as much as I have.

To check out reviews from fellow bloggers, click here and here.

Inn of the Seventh Ray
128 Old Topanga Canyon Road
Topanga, California 90290
310.455.1311

LA Kings: Good ‘Ol Hockey Game at The Staples Center

Get into the winter spirit with a Kings game at The Staple Center – one of the few places with ice (ice cubes don’t count!) in sunny LA. So what if it lacks the cachet of the Lakers? Sticks clack, skates swoosh, ref whistles trill, bodies slam against the boards.



Last Monday, I was treated to a LA Kings v. Edmonton Oilers game. We were in the nosebleed seats in section 303, not necessarily a bad spot at The Staples Center. The air may be thinner in the section 300 sideline seats, but we had a full view of the ice and the tix were only $25/pp through Goldstar, a site specializing in discount event tix.



Better still, we were in the midst of true blue (ok, it's actually purple if you want to get all technical about the jersey color) Kings fans. They yelled out to their star players using affectionate monikers like “Cammy” for Michael Cammalleri and lovingly dissed their team: “That shot was as wide as my ex-girlfriend.”

Even if hockey is not your all-time favorite sport, everyone should experience the bizarro intermission entertainment at least once. Imagine three fans in clear giant beach balls scrambling back and forth across the ice in a race for an autographed jersey. Add in a Guitar Hero contest, fan rides on the Zamboni (the ice resurfacing machine), and the Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grade Hockey Fan? faceoff, and you start to get the idea. The brilliant thing about hockey is that there are three 20 minute periods, which means there are two intermissions – 2x the fun.



After the Kings came back in the 3rd period to tie it, the game went into a 5 minute OT. Still tied, the Edmonton Oilers emerged victorious after an exhilarating shootout. Add in a couple of good tussles and overall, it was an awesome night.

On the way out, I just couldn’t stop myself from humming that annoyingly catchy Stompin’ Tom Connors ode to the sport:

The good old hockey game,
Is the best game you can name;
And the best game you can name,
Is the good old Hockey game!



The area around the Staples Center has undergone a major facelift in the past few years. Check out the brightly-lit Nokia Theater across the street. Parking can be pricey in the lots around the Staples Center, around $15 to $20. So try looking for street parking or use the Metro Blue line, which stops nearby.

For another take on excitement that awaits you at a Kings game, check out this recent blog post from the Militant Angeleno.

A Landmark Not To Be Missed: Landmark Theaters at the Westside Pavilion

Watching a movie at the Landmark Westside Pavilion is a whole new movie viewing experience. It was kind of like watching a movie in my living room, except the couches (that’s right couches!) were way comfier than mine and the screen was like 1000 times as big and the speakers were 1000 times better. Ok, so maybe it wasn't like watching a movie in my living room, but that’s a good thing.



Housed in the Westside Pavilion shopping center, the multiplex - just opened in June - plays a mix of mainstream and indie films. Most of the twelve theaters are relatively small, filled with cozy leather couches. Even a few stability balls are thrown in the front for people to sit on or perch their feet on. Parking is free and plentiful (almost unheard of on the Westside).



Unlike other theaters, you choose your exact seat when you buy the ticket so you can avoid those nasty front row seats that require an ostrich-like neck crane to watch the movie, leaving you in pain the next day. Did I mention there are ushers around to escort you to your seat?

So what's this experience going to cost? Amazingly, tickets run about the same as other theaters around town - $11 for an adult, $9 for a matinee. Besides the standard popcorn and soda on offer, the concession sells Yogurberry fro-yo (a Pinkberry rip-off), pizza from Pizza Rustica, and fancy imported chocolate like Toblerone.

Touted as the ultimate grown-up moviegoing experience, Landmark offers special 21+ nights on Fridays and Saturdays, when you can buy a glass of wine or a brewsky to enjoy with your flick.

To find out what's showing now, click here.

Westside Pavilion
10850 Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Cross Street: Westwood Blvd

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

My grandmother would probably have rolled over in her grave if she saw me at the Dodgers game this past Saturday. But I like to think she’d cut me some slack since they were playing the Diamondbacks and not her beloved Giants.

And how could I resist? The Dodgers have been an LA institution since 1958.



I’d love to describe the excitement to you when the home team scored 4 runs in the 1st inning, but I wasn’t there. Like any honest-to-goodness LA fan, I arrived late. Why? Well, why else? Traffic, of course!

When we finally arrived, our visiting Canadian relatives used their Canuck charm and maple sugar friendliness to upgrade us to behind-home-plate seats without actually asking for special treatment. Persuasive? Telepathic? All I can say is never underestimate the power of our Northern neighbors.



I spent most of the time focused on everything but the game. I people-watched, gorged myself on junk food, and basked in the SoCal sunshine - ok, we were in the shade of the upper level above us, but that made it even better. I like enjoying the sun without burning to a crisp.



While some fans tossed around a beach ball, others waved their blue foam fingers frenetically as if trying to change the course of the game. Still others flaunted elaborate blue-and-white getups, making me think they were either crazily loyal or just plain crazy.



As for the food: Dodger dogs, beer, even fro-yo. This is the stuff dreams are made of. I still can’t shake the Gordon Biersch garlic fries out of my mind. Coated in garlic and drenched in enough oil to make them fantabulously, artery-cloggingly crisp, I couldn’t stop shoveling them into my mouth by the handful.

While I can’t pretend that I know much about baseball, I did get a few blood pressure surges when 3rd base was stolen or the bases were loaded. And when the crowd stood as one to cheer the 6th inning home run, I stood right along with it.


Regular season starts in April and lasts through September. Check out the official Dodgers site for tickets.

Single-game tix for the 2007 season range in price from around $10 for nosebleed seats up to $225 for Baseline VIP seats.

Los Feliz: Happy Times in the “SoHo of LA”

This hip LA neighborhood’s Spanish name translates to “The Happy Ones,” and I’m always one of them after a jaunt here.



While much less dense than NY’s SoHo, Los Feliz’ walkability and its hodgepodge of independent shops and restaurants make urbanites, East and West Coasters alike, feel at home. The southern end can even be accessed by the Red Line subway (yes, LA has one!). Just get off at the Vermont/Sunset stop and walk north.

The hills of Griffith Park provide a pleasant backdrop to the area, although they’re now more bare than usual due to a recent fire.



Over the last 10 years or so, a gentrification wave has transformed Los Feliz from a working class ‘hood into a hipster haven. And while you may have mixed feelings about gentrification, Los Feliz still has plenty of character with its mix of artsy boutiques and well-designed 1930s era apartment buildings. Dubbed the “SoHo of LA” by Vogue magazine, Los Feliz’ renovation has not gone unnoticed.



A known bastion of writers, the neighborhood hums with activity even on weekdays. Taking advantage of LA’s sunny weather, al fresco dining is the norm here, so much so that some restaurants, such as Alcove Café & Bakery and There’s No Place Like Home on Hillhurst, have most of their seating outside.



Fred 62 - a trendy, open-all-night diner with vegan options on Vermont Ave., is another great al fresco choice.



There are too many restaurants to name so I will highlight just one more food establishment – Yuca, my personal favorite. The addictively delectable tacos served at this humble-looking, cash-only shack on Hillhurst are reason enough to make a Loz Feliz trek.

The carne asada taco never disappoints (not me, at least). Imagine warm, tender steak folded into a fresh corn tortilla with a sprinkling of onions and tomatoes that bring out the steak’s flavor (I’m drooling from just describing it). If you’re looking for a more unusual treat, try the Cochinita Pibil (Yucatan style pork) taco.

Awarded a James Beard culinary excellence award in 2005, Yuca has definitely been discovered. Lines are a fact of life here, but the tacos are worth the wait. And thankfully, prices haven’t shot up obscenely with its growing fame. At a mere $2 a piece, Yuca tacos are still a great bargain.



In my very subjective opinion, a neighborhood only gets high marks if it has the requisite ice cream/gelato shop, and Los Feliz comes out with flying colors on this score thanks to the Hollywood Gelato Company. The imaginative flavors include Ginger Cucumber, Strawberry, Balasamic, Dark Chocolate Orange, and Sour Cream Vanilla. You know the flavors are unusual when hazelnut and coconut are among the more mundane. Note to those with less adventurous palettes, they keep chocolate and vanilla in stock in the back. Just ask for it.



As for non-food activities, swing by the older Los Feliz Cinema 3 theater on Vermont Ave. While its Art Deco façade is worth a look and the tix are pretty cheap, the tiny screens and poor design might make it a less-than-ideal venue to catch a flick you’ve been dying to see. Alternatively, head next-door to browse at Skylight Books, one of LA’s last remaining independent bookstores.



Don't forget to check out Los Feliz' trendy boutiques, peddling everything from gifts to clothes. Rumor has it that the Beastie Boys own a shop around here.



While not an obvious stop, the well-tended Los Feliz library at Hillhurst and Franklin provides pleasant reading space. Thanks to Leonardo di Caprio, the library - one of Leo's old haunts before he became a Hollywood headliner - also boasts a computer room. In homage to Leo’s generosity, posters from his various movies plaster the small room’s walls.

Locating Los Feliz:

• Sandwiched between the Hollywood and Silverlake neighborhoods, Los Feliz is located on LA’s eastside

• The neighborhood’s core is defined by Los Feliz Blvd. to the north, Sunset Blvd. to the south, Vermont Ave. to the west, and Hillhurst Ave. to the east.

• The neighborhood can be accessed via the 5 or 101 Freeways.