Frank Lloyd Wright and Griffith Observatory Hiking Tour

Hollyhock House

4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States

We start the tour at the birthplace of California Modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright's first ever California project: The Hollyhock House. Generations of architects have been inspired by this revolutionary home that combined Mesoamerican and Babylonian design with a layout that sought to maximize the best elements of the Southern California climate. As we hike into the hills, we will see the progression of California Modernism and the homes made by FLW's disciples like Richard Neutra.

Barnsdall Art Park

4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States

Barnsdall Art Park isn't just home to an amazing Frank Lloyd Wright house, it is also an incredibly popular local hangout. DJ nights, wine tastings, architecture talks; there is always something cool happening at Barnsdall Art Park. The vibes are fun and the views are amazing. From the park, you can see the Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Sign, and the incredible homes that we will see during the tour.

The tour will briefly walk along Hollywood Blvd. you won't find any stars in the sidewalk here, but we will dive into the fascinating film history in Los Feliz. From still-standing historic movie theatres to long forgotten colossal film sets, Los Feliz was Hollywood BEFORE there was Hollywood. There are still working studios in the area and I'll show you where a young Walt Disney used to animate in the back of a real estate office.

Los Feliz

Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States

Los Feliz is full of cool areas to explore and interesting little pockets. We will walk up Vermont Ave., which is where you find some of the most interesting Los Feliz businesses and landmarks. You'll pass award winning restaurants, one of LA's oldest movie theatres, 50s diners, masonic and sikh temples, local bookshops, and more. When the tour is over, Vermont is the perfect place to grab dinner or a drink.

Melrose Place

Los Angeles, California, 90069, United States

For a generation, shows like '90210' and 'Melrose Place' defined Los Angeles. The locations in these shows can become as famous as the cast themselves. What would '90210' be without the Peach Pit? The apartments from 'Melrose Place' are one of those iconic LA locations, but they can be hard to find. I'll show you where the building is (hint: it is not on Melrose) and we will uncover the interesting noir connection to the building.

Los Feliz

Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States

After spending some time on Vermont Ave., it is time to head up into the hills. We will hike through the neighborhood of Los Feliz Heights, where Frank Lloyd Wright and his students lined the streets with mid-century masterpieces. We will pass homes by Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, and many notable local architects. Using secret stairs to navigate the hills, you'll explore an area most visitors never see.

It's not all midcentury design along our route! We will also pass the Hlaffer-Courcier House, one of the most charming storybook homes in all of LA. It looks like the house jumped right our of a fairy tale and is even called 'Witch's Whimsy.' Don't worry about ending up like Hansel and Gretel, though. There's no witch living here, only awesome locals!

Ennis House

2607 Glendower Ave, Ca 90027, Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States

This is the big one. Literally. The Ennis House by Frank Lloyd Wright is a massive home that is visible from across LA, including from our starting point at the Hollyhock House. This massive temple-like house dominates the hillside and has been a major part of film and TV. Whether you love architecture or are a massive 'Blade Runner' fan, you'll geek out over the astounding Ennis House.

Griffith Park

4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, 90027-1401, United States

In the last section of the tour, you'll enjoy a nice hike through Griffith Park. At over 4,200 acres, Griffith Park is more than 5x larger than Central Park in New York. It is full of amazing views and landmarks, but also has a scandalous history. I'll tell you all about the infamous man that gave us the park, Griffith Jenkins Griffith. The man so nice, they named him twice.

The tour concludes at the world famous Griffith Observatory. An architectural marvel and film icon, the Griffith Observatory is a must-visit LA landmark. You'll have the option to stay at the Observatory to enjoy the views and museum (closed on Monday) or use the DASH Shuttle to return back to the tour starting point. If you are concerned about ending at a spot that is far from the meeting point, be sure to let me know. I am here to help!