Monday, May 17, 1999
Los Angelas traffic
A park bench in Echo Park
Los Angelas sits quietly on the horizon
The tranquil waters of Echo Park
The Echo Park fountain
It's hot right now, but the cool breezes coming off the pond water serve to create a relaxing oasis to the noonday sun. I've laid down a blanket and I'm sitting quite comfortably in the shade of the plush palm canopy. There's a beautiful fountain in the middle of the pond, elegantly shooting water two stories high, seemingly in slow motion. This park reminds me of what I like about Southern California (often most known for stress, traffic, poverty, etc.): gorgeous palm trees, relaxing breezes, warm sun.
view from the Griffith Observatory
The Hollywood Sign
"Holding" the Hollywood Sign
Now I am high atop Griffith Park at the famous Griffith Observatory. This park was a gift to the city by Colonel Griffith J. Griffith who was trying to clean up his image after shooting his wife in the eye while in a drunken rage. The Observatory is frequently seen in Rebel Without a Cause and there is a bust of James Dean to signify the observatory's prominent role in the film. The observatory is high above the highest peak of the park and offers some of the most beautiful views of the city smog. It is also the closest one can legally get to the famous Hollywood Sign.
I am now at the corner of Hollywood and Vine after seeing the Scientology Center of dianetics guru L. Ron Hubbard, and KTLA (formerly owned by Gene Autry, where Al Jolson premiered The Jazz Singer.) It was on this corner that the famous Brown Derby once sat where stars often dined and where Clark Gable proposed to Lombard. It was once said that if you stand on the corner of Hollywood and Vine long enough, you will see everyone in the world pass by. But that was said years ago, and there are a lot more people nowadays. Anyway, I would love to see all of the people in the world, I'm a little impatient today, so I think I'll leave and head down to Mann's Chinese Theatre.
Mann's Chinese Theater
The Hollywood Walk of Fame
From the Hollywood Walk of Fame, I followed my guidebook to several other landmarks of interest including Charlie Chaplin's original studio, the house where Janice Joplin died, an apartment shared by Marilyn Monroe and Shelley Winters, The "Viper Room" where River Phoenix died, the Rainbow Bar & Grill where Minelli proposed to Judy Garland and where Joe Dimaggio met Marilyn Monroe on a blind date, and the location where I stand now, the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Former home of Bugsey Siegel
Former home of Jack Benny
a beautiful, pine-laden street near Bel Air
The "Hotel California"
There seems to be a "revolving door when it comes to Hollywood homes as everyone wants to own a nice home for a while, then pass it on to another star and live somewhere else. I saw no less than 5 homes that were at one time owned or rented to Marilyn Monroe on my brief three hour drive. I also saw a street that had 5 consecutive houses that were owned by Barbara Streisand, Clark Gable, Walt Disney, Gregory Peck, and Rod Stewart & Rachel Hunter. Most of the houses were of decent size, but to my surprise only a few of them "blew me away." Of course, I'm only looking at them from the outside.
The houses that blew me away were those of Aaron Spelling and another house nearby whose owner remains unknown. Both of them, along with the infamous Playboy Mansion, were located in the neighborhood of Holmby Hills above the prestigious Los Angeles Country Club. However, by far the highlight of the afternoon was shortly after entering Bel Air and seeing the current home of former president Ronald and Nancy Reagan.
As I said before I am presently at the Beverly Hills Hotel. This hotel, which recently had it's color changed from what has been described as "Pepto-Bizmol" pink to a more "peachy" shade, is the same hotel featured on the cover of the Eagle's Hotel California. It's neat to see it in person after viewing the hotel for years through jewel cases.
It's dark now, and the sky is a most magnificent shade of blue. Oh, how I adore sunsets like these! I have a long drive to get back to Corona, so I think I will start to head back. Today was a good day. I got to see many of the more popular "touristy" and well-known places as well as experience some of the things that make Southern California such a beautiful place. Tomorrow, I think I will finish up my tour and check out some of the coastal locations as well.
Saturday : Biking through the Azusa foothills
Sunday : Hanging out in Corona
Monday : Echo Park, the Sunset Strip, Mann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood Walk of Fame
Tuesday : Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Marina del Rey
Wednesday : The Getty and a beautiful sunset near Santa Monica
Thursday : Avalon, Catalina Island, Casino Ballroom
Friday : Newport Beach, beautiful photos of the surf and ocean
Saturday : Leaving Newport Beach and conclusion
