Comments on: Hiking up the outdoor staircases of Hollywoodland http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 18:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: jphilby http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1022468 jphilby Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1022468 @16 I'm with you - the Laurel & Hardy "Music Box" (937 Vendome Street) stairs are far and away the most famous ... they even have their own sign now! http://www.snowcrest.net/marnells/laurel.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZitGsc67TE @16 I’m with you – the Laurel & Hardy “Music Box” (937 Vendome Street) stairs are far and away the most famous … they even have their own sign now!

http://www.snowcrest.net/marnells/laurel.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZitGsc67TE

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1024004 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1024004 The house with the lovely topless ladies from The Long Goodbye is on Hightower Drive - at the top of the high tower. Very near the Hollywood Bowl. It's hard not to think of those free-lovin' babes when you see a random home perched on a hill. The house with the lovely topless ladies from The Long Goodbye is on Hightower Drive – at the top of the high tower. Very near the Hollywood Bowl. It’s hard not to think of those free-lovin’ babes when you see a random home perched on a hill.

]]> By: Tatsuma http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1022218 Tatsuma Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1022218 I recall seeing an old film with abbott and costello where they drove a harpsichord around this part of LA ( or was it Pasadena?) in the back of a VW.....and then theycrashed into a wall or something. Am I doing it right? I recall seeing an old film with abbott and costello where they drove a harpsichord around this part of LA ( or was it Pasadena?) in the back of a VW…..and then theycrashed into a wall or something.

Am I doing it right?

]]> By: Jack http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021709 Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021709 Awesome! But not one mention of the staircase made famous by Laurel and Hardy in “The Music Box?” Or do I have my Los Angeles geography wrong and it’s in Silver Lake? Full video of the short here: http://bit.ly/5v3ttE Google Map location here: http://bit.ly/gWWxE9 Awesome! But not one mention of the staircase made famous by Laurel and Hardy in “The Music Box?” Or do I have my Los Angeles geography wrong and it’s in Silver Lake?

Full video of the short here:
http://bit.ly/5v3ttE

Google Map location here:
http://bit.ly/gWWxE9

]]> By: adamnvillani http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021969 adamnvillani Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021969 Nice article! I love the photos and it sounds like it was a fun day. But I must make a clarification and correction. The clarification is that the Hollywood Reservoir was indeed opened in 1924 and did indeed help store most of the City's water, but saying it that way kind of makes it sound like the reservoir was all the City needed for its water. Actually, the City had already taken drastic steps to secure its water supply in building the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which brought in water from Owens Valley. The aqueduct opened in 1913, and Lake Hollywood is part of a system of reservoirs that helps contain the water from the aqueduct. But it's not like the reservoir collects enough water just from its local drainage area. Also, said water is only for the City of Los Angeles, which did indeed have about a million people in 1924, but which only has about 4 million people today. The <i>County</i> of Los Angeles has about 10 million people now (the urbanized area has a couple million more than that, and the metro area has several million more than that, depending on if you're talking about the MSA or the CSA). Nice article! I love the photos and it sounds like it was a fun day. But I must make a clarification and correction.

The clarification is that the Hollywood Reservoir was indeed opened in 1924 and did indeed help store most of the City’s water, but saying it that way kind of makes it sound like the reservoir was all the City needed for its water. Actually, the City had already taken drastic steps to secure its water supply in building the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which brought in water from Owens Valley. The aqueduct opened in 1913, and Lake Hollywood is part of a system of reservoirs that helps contain the water from the aqueduct. But it’s not like the reservoir collects enough water just from its local drainage area.

Also, said water is only for the City of Los Angeles, which did indeed have about a million people in 1924, but which only has about 4 million people today. The County of Los Angeles has about 10 million people now (the urbanized area has a couple million more than that, and the metro area has several million more than that, depending on if you’re talking about the MSA or the CSA).

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021716 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021716 Great article, I love the beachwood area, so much history. Just a note, the vehicle is not a Toyota, it's a Land Rover Series 1 Pickup, probably a 1957. Toyota made the Land Cruiser. Great article, I love the beachwood area, so much history. Just a note, the vehicle is not a Toyota, it’s a Land Rover Series 1 Pickup, probably a 1957. Toyota made the Land Cruiser.

]]> By: Jean-Luc Turbo http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021972 Jean-Luc Turbo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021972 ...And...if you continue to the end of Beachwood Canyon, you'll find the Sunset Ranch Stables that let you rent horses to ride in those very Hollywood Hills. If you saw Mulholland Drive where the director meets "The Cowboy," then you've seen the ranch before... …And…if you continue to the end of Beachwood Canyon, you’ll find the Sunset Ranch Stables that let you rent horses to ride in those very Hollywood Hills. If you saw Mulholland Drive where the director meets “The Cowboy,” then you’ve seen the ranch before…

]]> By: penguinchris http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021718 penguinchris Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021718 Now I'm sorry I never ventured up into that area when I lived in SoCal for a couple years. I knew about it, and have seen it in old films, but didn't realize just how interesting it would be. Regarding famous staircases, though, what makes that one the "most famous"? Surely the one from the Laurel and Hardy film with the piano is more famous? Now I’m sorry I never ventured up into that area when I lived in SoCal for a couple years. I knew about it, and have seen it in old films, but didn’t realize just how interesting it would be.

Regarding famous staircases, though, what makes that one the “most famous”? Surely the one from the Laurel and Hardy film with the piano is more famous?

]]> By: Robert http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1022231 Robert Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1022231 When you looked at the toyon, did it match this description (from eNature.com): One of the most beautiful native shrubs or small trees, evergreen, with short trunk, many branches, and rounded crown. Height: 30' (9 m). Diameter: 1' (0.3 m). Leaves: evergreen; 2-4" (5-10 cm) long, 3/4-1 1/2" (2-4 cm) wide. Oblong lance-shaped, sharply saw-toothed, thick, short-stalked. Shiny dark green above, paler beneath. Bark: light gray, smooth, aromatic. Twigs: dark red, slender; hairy when young. Flowers: 1/4" (6 mm) wide; with 5 white petals; many in upright clusters 4-6" (10-15 cm) wide; in early summer. Fruit: 1/4-3/8" (6-10 mm) long; like small apples, red (sometimes yellow), mealy and sour, usually 2-seeded; maturing in autumn and remaining attached in winter. When you looked at the toyon, did it match this description (from eNature.com):

One of the most beautiful native shrubs or small trees, evergreen, with short trunk, many branches, and rounded crown.
Height: 30′ (9 m).
Diameter: 1′ (0.3 m).
Leaves: evergreen; 2-4″ (5-10 cm) long, 3/4-1 1/2″ (2-4 cm) wide. Oblong lance-shaped, sharply saw-toothed, thick, short-stalked. Shiny dark green above, paler beneath.
Bark: light gray, smooth, aromatic.
Twigs: dark red, slender; hairy when young.
Flowers: 1/4″ (6 mm) wide; with 5 white petals; many in upright clusters 4-6″ (10-15 cm) wide; in early summer.
Fruit: 1/4-3/8″ (6-10 mm) long; like small apples, red (sometimes yellow), mealy and sour, usually 2-seeded; maturing in autumn and remaining attached in winter.

]]> By: akputney http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1031704 akputney Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1031704 Unrelated to Hollywoodland, but rather on Los Angeles' Bunker Hill, here's a suggestion for the less athletic. A ride on Angel's Flight was one of the wonders of my childhood. As your car ascends, the other descends from the top of the very steep hill, on the same track, until the tracks part and you pass the other car in the middle of the hill. Only 25c. http://angelsflight.com/ Thanks for the fun post, Mark! Unrelated to Hollywoodland, but rather on Los Angeles’ Bunker Hill, here’s a suggestion for the less athletic. A ride on Angel’s Flight was one of the wonders of my childhood. As your car ascends, the other descends from the top of the very steep hill, on the same track, until the tracks part and you pass the other car in the middle of the hill. Only 25c. http://angelsflight.com/

Thanks for the fun post, Mark!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021725 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021725 That's not a "Toyota Land Rover", that's a Land Rover, nothing Toyota about it. My Dad had one of these (still does) and it was my first "car". That’s not a “Toyota Land Rover”, that’s a Land Rover, nothing Toyota about it. My Dad had one of these (still does) and it was my first “car”.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021727 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021727 Now EVERYONE'S doing it.The Music Box steps are in Silver Lake. That's a Land Rover, but it's not a Toyota. Now EVERYONE’S doing it.The Music Box steps are in Silver Lake. That’s a Land Rover, but it’s not a Toyota.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1023271 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1023271 I loved this article! Interesting, slice of life, and just plain fun to read. Thanks. I loved this article! Interesting, slice of life, and just plain fun to read. Thanks.

]]> By: videomilitia http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1024039 videomilitia Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1024039 When I lived in Whitley Heights my girl and I would walk up to the Hollywood sign every weekend. It's a nice quite walk in the middle of such a hectic city. People rag on LA all too often but we really do have a great mix of city and nature. Once we all get those clean electric cars the air is going to be so clean this city is really looking up. When I lived in Whitley Heights my girl and I would walk up to the Hollywood sign every weekend. It’s a nice quite walk in the middle of such a hectic city. People rag on LA all too often but we really do have a great mix of city and nature. Once we all get those clean electric cars the air is going to be so clean this city is really looking up.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021739 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021739 That is not an "old Toyota Land Rover". It is a Land Rover, from England, which at that vintage was made by Rover. Toyota produces Land Cruisers, never a Land Rover. That is not an “old Toyota Land Rover”. It is a Land Rover, from England, which at that vintage was made by Rover. Toyota produces Land Cruisers, never a Land Rover.

]]> By: Moggie_cat http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1022260 Moggie_cat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1022260 What a cool post...And what a cool tour! I love alternative type tours like this. It's the best way to to really learn about a place you've never been to. Thanks for the report and pictures. What a cool post…And what a cool tour!

I love alternative type tours like this. It’s the best way to to really learn about a place you’ve never been to.

Thanks for the report and pictures.

]]> By: wgmleslie http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021756 wgmleslie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021756 Excellent story and photos Mark. Thanks! Excellent story and photos Mark.

Thanks!

]]> By: photoatomic http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021759 photoatomic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021759 Mark, the Mercedes Benz plant looks to me like Eucalyptus. Mark,

the Mercedes Benz plant looks to me like Eucalyptus.

]]> By: Mark Frauenfelder http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1022018 Mark Frauenfelder Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1022018 OK, my berry-identifying friends, I replaced the photo of the berries with another photo. Does <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/images/hollywoodlandhike-06b.jpg">this photo look like toyon</a>? OK, my berry-identifying friends, I replaced the photo of the berries with another photo. Does this photo look like toyon?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1022028 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1022028 For more info about stair hikes check out the Facebook page for "Los Angeles Stairstreet Advocates" For more info about stair hikes check out the Facebook page for “Los Angeles Stairstreet Advocates”

]]> By: RyanH http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1022029 RyanH Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1022029 <blockquote>The steps and the slopes remind me of Perugia, Italy. I was in my early 40s when I was there, in decent shape, and hunched-over elderly women were casually sailing past me heading upslope. Live in a place like that, and you're fit for life.</blockquote> It's actually the reason that so much of the world is in better shape than North America. They do live like that (or at least more so), even in big cities like London or Paris where walkability is designed in.

The steps and the slopes remind me of Perugia, Italy. I was in my early 40s when I was there, in decent shape, and hunched-over elderly women were casually sailing past me heading upslope. Live in a place like that, and you’re fit for life.

It’s actually the reason that so much of the world is in better shape than North America. They do live like that (or at least more so), even in big cities like London or Paris where walkability is designed in.

]]> By: TEKNA2007 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1022031 TEKNA2007 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1022031 Thanks, Mark, I really enjoyed this post. Thanks, Mark, I really enjoyed this post.

]]> By: deckard68 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1022032 deckard68 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1022032 The Wolf's Lair house (second pic) purchased by Moby was indirectly in the news last week (at least I think he's referring to it): http://www.chordstrike.com/2011/02/stranger-than-fiction-friday-moby-sooths-tripper.html The Wolf’s Lair house (second pic) purchased by Moby was indirectly in the news last week (at least I think he’s referring to it): http://www.chordstrike.com/2011/02/stranger-than-fiction-friday-moby-sooths-tripper.html

]]> By: shocking http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1022033 shocking Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1022033 We stayed there for a photo shoot and holiday last year in a house supposedly built by Dolores Del Rio. Very close to the Wolf's Lair. A fantastic place with a fascinating history. You'd sure get fit pretty quick living there. Highlight for me was the coyotes which we saw from the house on the nearby hillside just before dusk. It was great after being downtown all day to come back to the canyon.You felt like you were above the smog, though probably weren't. Fun fact: The Beechwood shopping area was used for a scene in "The invasion of the Bodysnatchers" We stayed there for a photo shoot and holiday last year in a house supposedly built by Dolores Del Rio. Very close to the Wolf’s Lair. A fantastic place with a fascinating history. You’d sure get fit pretty quick living there. Highlight for me was the coyotes which we saw from the house on the nearby hillside just before dusk.

It was great after being downtown all day to come back to the canyon.You felt like you were above the smog, though probably weren’t.

Fun fact: The Beechwood shopping area was used for a scene in “The invasion of the Bodysnatchers”

]]> By: jfrancis http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021780 jfrancis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021780 Was it pronounced Hollywood-land, like Disneyland? Or Holly-woodland, as in Woodland Hills? Was it pronounced Hollywood-land, like Disneyland? Or Holly-woodland, as in Woodland Hills?

]]> By: braincelljupiter http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021787 braincelljupiter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021787 I think the Land Rover is actually a Mercedes Benz plant. I think the Land Rover is actually a Mercedes Benz plant.

]]> By: Dave Faris http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021788 Dave Faris Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021788 Are any of those long staircases the famous one from that old Laurel & Hardy flick? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZitGsc67TE">937 Vendome?</a> Are any of those long staircases the famous one from that old Laurel & Hardy flick? 937 Vendome?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1023839 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1023839 I'm pretty sure that one is in Silverlake. But my house sure looks great! Thanks I’m pretty sure that one is in Silverlake.
But my house sure looks great! Thanks

]]> By: wackyxaky http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021792 wackyxaky Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021792 The castle photo you have up is called "Wolf's Lair." It was recently purchased by Moby. Before someone put up the copper pipes with bolts on them, there were piles of pebbles to keep track of exercise! Most importantly, Beachwood canyon is very public transit friendly. A dash bus goes from the Hollywood/Vine subway stop all the way up to the Beachwood Market/Coffee Shop. From there you can walk around on the historic stairs, or you can continue on Beachwood Drive to Sunset Ranch and the Griffith Park trails that lead up to the Hollywood Sign. The castle photo you have up is called “Wolf’s Lair.” It was recently purchased by Moby.

Before someone put up the copper pipes with bolts on them, there were piles of pebbles to keep track of exercise!

Most importantly, Beachwood canyon is very public transit friendly. A dash bus goes from the Hollywood/Vine subway stop all the way up to the Beachwood Market/Coffee Shop. From there you can walk around on the historic stairs, or you can continue on Beachwood Drive to Sunset Ranch and the Griffith Park trails that lead up to the Hollywood Sign.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/08/hiking-up-the-stairc.html#comment-1021793 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1021793 this is the link i'm going to send all asinine New Yorkers the next time they question my decision to move to Hollywood this is the link i’m going to send all asinine New Yorkers the next time they question my decision to move to Hollywood

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