Hollywood Hills

The Hollywood Hills means a sanctuary from the harsh world out there. I live just West of the 101 and my views face East towards the Cross and the Hollywood sign. I have such a peaceful view with birds soaring, Red Tail Hawks, Humming birds, House finches nesting in the Pines. I see the Deer grazing on the mountain to the south of me towards the Hollywood Bowl. It reminds me growing up in Boulder Colo.
I would never leave my nest in the Hills for Colorado now.
I am Californicated. The bowl traffic can be a bit much so then I cut through the Outpost Area to the westside.
We have our own little micro climate as well. No place like it. You very seldom need the air on or the heat. Truly special

This is where the dreams begin. Looking directly above you while being stuck in traffic on the 101 to see the Hollywood Sign. Stunning views atop the Hollywood Hills overlooking the city of Angels. It's a neighborhood that is really deemed the right to be part of the city of Los Angeles.

One summer weekend in 90068, CA.

I got home from work on Friday, and did a quick freshen-up and costume change before meeting my girlfriend at my place on Whitley Terrace. We hustled down Cahuenga to the Arclight so we could get dinner and drinks before catching a flick. Then we made our way up the corridor, stopping at BoHo, Citizen Smith, and the Room for drinks with friends. We may have ducked into Piano Bar, but the whiskey was getting in the way of my record-keeping.

The next day we took a trip to the 101 Coffee Shop for the constitutional Saturday morning breakfast burrito. After that settled, we ventured further down Franklin to the used book store where I again tried to find the ever-elusive “How Stuff Works” 4-volume set. Another unsuccessful attempt convinced me it was time to do some grocery shopping at the Mayfair for a few essential items and head back to the homestead for an afternoon cocktail while catching some rays on my rooftop deck. Now, let’s fast forward to the evening and another gathering of friends that brought us out on the town again. Our first stop was the Hotel Café where we caught performances by a few local bands and had martinis. Then we took the trek over to Scorpion and discussed global socio-political issues over tequila shots. We ended the night in a booth at Kitchen 24 trying to bury the alcohol we had just finished consuming with plates of French fries and pancakes. Ultimately, it was an exercise in how accurately one could get food into mouth while making sure not to spill any on oneself.

Sunday was definitely the day to detox, and the first thing on the agenda was a stop at Solar for espresso shots to get the heart and mind going again. The next few hours were spent on the Selma St. farmer’s market getting at least one bagel into my empty stomach (thank you, girlfriend) and buying produce. Once that was taken care of, we jogged over to Runyan Canyon and sweat out all of last night’s booze. I must say, I felt like a new man (after a shower, of course). And there could not have been a better end to the day than grilling a few steaks and veggies on the rooftop deck while catching Depeche Mode’s first of two nights at the Hollywood Bowl.

Oh, did I mention that I did all of this without driving?

The historic sections of the Hollywood Hills, including Outpost Estates and Whitley Heights are pure magic.

Take the Hollywood Hightower area for example ( http://www.la-la-land.net/2008/11/hidden-hollywood-hightower-and-whitley.html ). What you never see from the streets is that there are hidden neighborhoods on the hillside, sans cars. The streets have names, and the houses are...well...houses. But to get there, you must take the private 1920's elevator (Hightower) or walk like I do.

Who needs a Stairmaster when you can get your exercise entering another world...one with no cars, where everyone says "hi", and historic houses greet you at every corner?

Maybe I'll see you up here one day!

We need Hollywood Dell represented!

Having grown up in Beachwood Canyon 400 yards from The Sunset Ranch and Griffith Park on Hollyridge Drive in the 50s & 60s, I can tell you that much has changed and much has remained intact. The constant streem of security guards and bars on all the doors and windows is heartbreaking; however, all the "stairs" and trails are intact and bring back many fond memories of all the kind people and friends that lived in this enclave away from the bustle and hustle below the gates. Long live Hollywoodland.

To me, the Hollywood Hills means possibilities, hopes and dreams, and solitude. It is the refuge from the activity below, the view across the vast texture of the LA neighborhoods, and a place of home. Winding down the narrow streets, passing eclectic homes creates a sense of energy when I approach the movement of the city, and the ascent of the Hills after a day navigating the city's terrain and personalities is tranquil bliss.

I've rented in this area for ten years. Great area near the Hollywood Bowl. I can hear Depeche Mode playing right now. People in this area keep to themselves up to a point. When you need help, they tend to help you out. Otherwise, its private up here. I would love to buy in the area but the houses are still expensive. Nice to know the area holds its price.

Some interesting facts about Outpost Estates, one of the neighborhoods in this area:

* One of the original 1920's all-Spanish (at that time) Mediterraean developments, much of which is intact and preserved as built.

* Home of the "Outpost Sign" in the 1920's, sister to the "Hollywoodland Sign"; it was the largest neon sign in the world, and it's still here, buried in the weeds, awaiting restoration (subject of a 1/2 hour Huell Howser California's Gold show).

* One of the nation's first neighborhoods with underground utilities - no wires overhead!

* Fondly referred to by members of the gay community as "The Swish Alps", because of the high concentration of gay folks (like me).

For more interesting tidbits, go to www.outpostestates.com.

I rent an apartment in this area and my whole building except for me and my next door neighbors are all Russian. Interesting that Hollywood Hills West has a high Russian population but in Hollywood Hills its not mentioned.
I really love living in this neighborhood. The roads need a ton of work though.

I enjoy living in the Hollywood Hills. It is very quiet and peaceful. People tend to mind their own business. Driving the streets is a little hectic, because people drive too fast on too narrow of streets. There are some eccentric people living here as well. People here value their privacy more than anything. Sometimes movies stars drive by your house or turn around in your driveway. Alot of animal lovers live in the neighborhood.

Having grown up here, we climbed the hills and explored every ravine, every view.
It is a phenomenal place to live and work in real estate.
It is quiet, community-minded, and natural but you can trundle down the hill anytime and be anywhere pretty fast.
The Beachwood Village is a center of info.

This neighborhood should also include the Hollywood Dell, which is the next canyon to the west of Beachwood Canyon. For a map of the Dell, see www.hollywooddell.com/map.html
Fun project!

This neighborhood is a fairly wealthy area at least along the west border towards the 101 Freeway. Some of the streets can be very busy at times as they provide detours from Franklin Ave which can be a traffic nightmare during high-peak times. One of the most common roads used as a detour is Outpost Dr which takes motorists to the famous Mulhollan Dr. This road can then either be taken west towards the 405, the Getty, and Laurel Canyon Pass or to the east, taking drivers to the 101 and Universal Studios. Either way you will be taking one of the most beautiful drives atop the Hollywood Hills overlooking the City of LA. There are a couple good stops along Mulhollan Dr as well, some containing observation posts. The southern border of Hollywood Hills, along Franklin Ave, contains the famous Magic Castle and the expensive but fantastic and delicious Yamashiro's Restaurant.