Yesterday, after a meeting in Los Angeles, I took a walk in the Hollywood Hills...
Cynically speaking, I consider Los Angeles the left armpit of the universe... especially when it comes to traffic! After a late-lunch meeting, I knew that the freeway traffic would be abominable. As I don't get to Hollywood very often (Thank God!), rather than get in the car and be frustrated, stalled on the "concrete parking lot," I went for a walk in the Hollywood Hills.
Hooray for Hollywood!
Photo courtesy of Ahmet Yalçınkaya and http://unsplash.com
Unless otherwise noted,
I snapped most of these photos with my phone/camera, and (FYI) I've uploaded most here at full resolution, so if you "right-click" and "open in new window" you may be able to zoom in on additional detail. Fair warning; my cell/camera isn't the greatest, and may have a smudged lens.
The Beachwood Cafe and Environs, Hollywood - Sat Map Image via Google Maps
I began and ended my trek near the Beachwood Cafe.
A nicely situated eatery, the Beachwood Cafe offers a modest but sufficiently varied menu. After a light lunch, I set out on my walk. Heading north, I tackled the steep climb up Westshire Drive.
A sign I saw along the way suggested to me that the local residents hope to minimize traffic along the very narrow, winding streets in this area.
Yankee, Go Home! Don't Bother Us... - Original Photo
The roads are mostly steep and narrow.
Driving through these hills is not for the faint of heart.
Steep, Narrow Streets - Original Photo
This is often exacerbated cars parked on the roadsides. You won't want to go whipping around any corners because you'll likely run into someone coming the other way, with no room to pass.
Steep, Narrow Roads - Original Photo
Most of the homes I saw were very well-kept.
By and large, they had landscaped yards, and some even boasted well-endowed citrus fruit trees. There was a monster lemon on this particular lemon tree, about the size of a cantaloup.
When Life Gives You Lemons... - Original Photo
|
|
Hollywood hills architecture is a true study in contrasts.
For example, consider this French provincial castle, right alongside a modern cubist dwelling.
Eclectic Styles, Side by Side - Original Photo
How about this pair?
In Hollywood, a man's home can truly be his castle, replete with banners flying from the highest turret.
A Man's Home is His Castle - Original Photo
Available:
Five-bedroom, brick and clapboard, solar power, has garden window and attached multi-unit birdhouse... See agent. Please do not disturb occupants.
For the Birds? - Original Photo
|
|
|
This gnarly tree fascinated me.
Though I took photos from many angles, try as I might, I couldn't eliminate the overhead telephone and electric power wires in the background. Even so, I hope you can get a sense of the almost randomly twisting branches that caught my attention.
A Fascinating, Gnarly Tree - Original Photo
A Fascinating, Gnarly Tree - Original Photo
I was also intrigued by this ivy-cloaked home.
Perhaps it reminded me of fairy tales that I've read, or maybe a Thomas Kinkade painting.
How about this contradictory pair of signs?
I did a double-take when I saw it:
Signs of the Times?... - Original Photo
Hmmm... Do I stop? No stopping? Which is it? Only your all-wise government knows for sure, and if you fail to comply with their mysterious edicts in any way, you can be sure that they will charge you a stiff penalty for your willful ignorance.
|
|
|
Even the realtors here dwell in unusual buildings.
The Hollywoodland Realty Company was right across the street from where I was parked.
The Hollywoodland Realty Company - Original Photo
If you ever have a chance to visit Hollywood,
don't confine yourself to Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Bowl; go for a drive or a walk in the Hollywood hills. I think you'll enjoy it!
Hooray for Hollywood!
Photo courtesy of Caleb George and http://unsplash.com
Thanks for your time and attention.
I'm here on Steemit because of you, my readers. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you!
This post is intended to count towards @dragosroua's Challenge30.
I have very eclectic interests and hope, over time, to write about all of them.
Did you enjoy this post?
⬇️Please check out @creatr's world - CLICK each of the images below⬇️
|
|
|
I felt like a walk today...thank you! Okay, Abbey, my pup, isn't buying it and much prefers the Niagara escarpment trails near our house LOL!!
I have no doubt that a hike along more natural trails would be far better for a man and his dog... We take our mutt "Marshmallow" walking through our local park; not quite wilderness, but the nearest to it in close proximity. Whenever she catches on that we're preparing for such a walk, her excitement is instant and very palpable. :)
The walk in Hollywood had a large vertical component, and so I got my exercise that day!
yeah, I was writing a story a while back about a murder in the Hollywood Hills and took a virtual tour, so I felt I was there. Oh, BTW, I didn't write it because of just that - I was never there...I still keep to the old maxim - write what you know
Your shots are excellent @creatr!
Those houses are gorgeous, lavish, and secured.
So that's how it is in Hollywood...
First time I saw a photo of Hollywood from the back.
How long did it take you to drive from the bottom of the hill?
And wow, that's really a nice view from near its top.
Ah, my friend - That is one of two photos in the set (the Hollywood sign photos) that I did not take. I got those (as labeled below each) from "stock footage" at http://unsplash.com, a great source of images free to use.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
This interesting. Especially for those who will never go there, thx for sharing
You're welcome! Thanks for reading and commenting!
P.S. Thanks for Re-Steeming! :) 😄😇😄
Beautiful area. I'd like to visit that area some day. Great pics
Hi, @happyhousewife, Nice to meet you! Thank you for reading and commenting today! ;)
Your so welcome. Great job
Hi, @creatr. Your welcome. I'll follow you. Hopefully you'll follow me. Take care
Looks like a very nice walk. Love your gifs!
Tweeted on @Steemit
Hey, @hilarski,
I appreciate your visit, your comments, and the Tweet! Thanks so much! 😄😇😄
Not a fun place to drive..but I love running those hills. Great pics!
Hey, @automaton - Thanks for stopping by and adding to the discussion! :)
That beautiful city dear friend @creatr, the images are very beautiful, thank you very much for sharing, congratulations for the excellent captures
Thanks, my friend! Hope you're doing well.
What a fabulous place to live with so much to see, Would love to visit but doubt I will ever get the chance so these pictures are the best I'm going to get, keep them coming :)
Glad you enjoyed taking this walk with me, Karen!
Looking forward to more travels with you @creatr
great work!
Thank you, my friend @doitvoluntarily. I did this all voluntarily... ;)
Very nice post and pictures. Thank you!
Thank you, my dear @team101! Very nice to "meet" you here!
I checked out your blog, Southern Girl, and enjoyed reading your one post there; and so I'm "following" you now, and hope to see more! I invite you to take a look at my Topical Table of Contents and see if you might find any of my other writing to be interesting... Just click on the GIF below: 😄😇😄
Nice! Everything looks so pretty! Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks for visiting! It was a lovely, cool day for a walk!