The temple at the Vedanta Society of Southern California
BOUNDARIES: Franklin Ave., Ivar Ave., Gower St., Temple Hill Dr.
DISTANCE: About 2 miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate (includes stairways)
PARKING: Free street parking is available on Vista del Mar Ave.
NEAREST METRO STATION: Red Line (Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St.)
You can’t get much more Hollywood than Beachwood Canyon. Situated in the hills immediately below the legendary sign, this neighborhood is home to rising young stars and accomplished entertainment-industry professionals as well as aging Hollywood burnouts and struggling actors. This disparate community is reflected in the buildings that line the narrow streets: an interesting juxtaposition of beautifully maintained million-plus-dollar houses and rundown 1960s-era apartment buildings.
A word of caution to dog walkers: The narrow and winding streets of this hillside neighborhood can be fairly busy; vehicles tend to materialize around blind curves with little advance notice, and sidewalks are scarce. Therefore, it’s wise to keep your wits about you and your furry friend on a short leash.
Begin on Vista del Mar Avenue, north of Franklin Avenue, just before the road curves to the right. Straight ahead you’ll see a wide double staircase.
Ascend the stairway, which was once grand and lovely but has become somewhat dilapidated over the years. At the top of the steps, you see a towering white mansion across the street at 6215 Holly Mont Drive. This is the onetime home of Golden Age actress Barbara Stanwyck. Like the stairway you just ascended, it appears to have fallen from its former glory, but it still stands in reasonably good condition. Now known as “Holly Mont Castle,” the Spanish Revival estate is rumored to be haunted.
Turn right on Holly Mont and follow it a short distance to Vista del Mar.
Stairway at Vista del Mar Avenue
Turn left on Vista del Mar. At 2117–2121 is an apartment building with a sign displaying a pyramid symbol and the words KROTONA OF OLD HOLLYWOOD. This structure is one of several buildings in this area left over from the days of the Krotona Colony, part of the early-20th-century Theosophical movement that melded elements of spiritualism, Eastern religion, Masonic lore, and scientific speculation. Across the street is another remnant of the Krotona Colony—the former Krotona Inn, which incorporates elements of Moorish design, particularly in the domed house that is set back from the street.
Turn right on Primrose Avenue, and continue one short block to Gower Street.
Turn left on Gower. At 2122 Gower, look for a small, modern house that incorporates rounded and rectangular shapes to unique effect. The front gate and garage door are painted in primary colors, completing the home’s pleasingly kindergarten-like appearance.
Upon reaching Scenic Avenue, notice the impressive French Normandy–style apartment complex on the northeast corner. Turn left on Scenic, where the homes are consistently well maintained and attractive, encompassing a variety of architectural styles. A Tudor Revival house, partially obscured by bamboo, sits at 6111 Scenic; across the street is an English cottage with an undulating thatched roof.
Cross Vista del Mar Avenue, and continue uphill, as the road curves left. An attractive Spanish Colonial Revival home in dark-stained wood and pale stucco with nicely integrated tile work catches the eye at 6220.
Turn right on Primrose Avenue, and head slightly uphill. Pass Argyle Avenue and follow Primrose downhill. You may catch sight of the hilltop cross known as the Hollywood Pilgrimage Memorial Monument in the middle distance ahead.
Turn left on Alcyona Drive—a NOT A THROUGH STREET sign makes it easy to spot.
When you reach the end of the cul-de-sac, keep an eye out for the hidden stairway and then descend the shady steps to Vine Way.
Continue straight on Vine Way to Vine Street.
Turn left on Vine Street, and follow it one block to Ivar Avenue.
Turn right on Ivar. As Ivar curves around to the left, the street narrows and the sound of rushing traffic indicates that you’re approaching US 101. At 2062 Ivar, notice the towering home built in the style of a medieval castle, often referred to as Castle Ivar.
Continue past the intersection with Longview Avenue and then turn left on Vedanta Terrace, immediately before the freeway overpass.
Nearby and Notable: Franklin Village
A few blocks east of the starting point of this walk, Franklin Village—on Franklin Avenue between Tamarind and Bronson Avenues (across the street from the Scientology Celebrity Centre)—is a collection of unique, independently owned businesses that cater to the residents of Beachwood Canyon. The popular strip is home to some decent eateries, such as Birds and La Poubelle, as well as the Bourgeois Pig coffeehouse, Counterpoint Records & Books, and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre—a great spot to discover up-and-coming improv comedians. (See page 79 for street addresses and contact info.)
When you reach the intersection with Vedanta Place, turn right to take a quick detour to the 
Vedanta Society of Southern California complex, at 1946 Vedanta Place, which features a bookstore and a white temple that looks like a mini Taj Mahal. The Vedanta Society is an ancient religious philosophy based on the sacred scriptures of India known as the Vedas. The temple is open to the public daily for meditation, classes, lectures, and seminars. After checking out the temple, return to Vedanta Terrace and turn right.
Turn left on Vine Street and look over your shoulder to the south to see the top of the distinctive Capitol Records building on the other side of the freeway. At 2030 Vine is a lovely Spanish Mission–style home with a little bell set into the arch over the front gate. You can hear a fountain trickling inside the hidden courtyard.
Turn right on Ivarene Avenue.
Turn right on Alcyona Drive. A charming fairy-tale home sits at 2156 Alcyona.
Turn left on Primrose Avenue, heading back up the hill you descended earlier.
Turn left on Argyle Avenue at the top of the hill.
Take the first right onto Temple Hill Drive. On the northeast corner at 2172 Argyle, notice the huge home that brings to mind a vacation lodge in the mountains. Temple Hill Drive has a mildly rustic air—it’s so high in the hills that the freeway and streets of Hollywood seem far away. A modern Moorish mansion stands out at 6191 Temple Hill. The sense of removal from the city lasts until an unexpected view of downtown Los Angeles materializes as the road turns southeast.
6137 Temple Hill Drive
Turn right on Vista del Mar Avenue, where Temple Hill ends. Continue downhill along the curving street, and take note of the various architectural styles: Spanish, English, Tudor, Moorish, modern. Such variety lends a whimsical feel to this well-known haven for creative types.
At the intersection with Vista del Mar Place, turn left to stay on Vista del Mar Avenue. Cross Scenic Avenue and Primrose Avenue, retracing your steps down to Holly Mont Drive. Instead of turning on Holly Mont to descend the stairway from the beginning of the walk, remain on Vista del Mar as it curves to the right, taking you back to the beginning of your journey.
If you’re feeling peckish, you can continue one block south to the 
101 Coffee Shop, a retro-themed landmark diner on the ground floor of the Best Western hotel at the corner of Vista del Mar and Franklin Avenues.
Castle Ivar
Lower Beachwood Canyon
Points of Interest
Vedanta Society of Southern California 1946 Vedanta Place, Hollywood, CA 90068; 323-465-7114, vedanta.org
101 Coffee Shop 6145 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323-467-1175, 101coffeeshop.com
Franklin Village (see “Nearby and Notable”):
Bourgeois Pig 5931 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323-464-6008
Birds 5925 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323-465-0175, birdshollywood.com
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre 5919 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323-908-8702, ucbtheatre.com
Counterpoint Records & Books 5911 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323-957-7965, counterpointla.com
La Poubelle 5907 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323-465-0807, lapoubellebistro.com
