Travelin' Local » Mulholland Drive

Listening to Music under the Stars at the Hollywood Bowl

Lisa Newton — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:31:54 +0000

I’ve wanted to complete Travelin’ Local’s Mulholland Drive’s Scenic Tour for a while now, so this weekend afforded me a stunningly clear day for this story’s backdrop. As you can plainly see, after visiting the other five major stops along the route, this last one was the best. The stunning view of Los Angeles highlighted with the Hollywood Bowl is in the center of the picture.

Set against the natural surroundings of the Hollywood Hills, with the setting close to the Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Bowl is an outdoor stage like no other. With a seating capacity of over 17,000, the Hollywood Bowl is the largest natural outdoor amphitheater in the USA, and is the home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the summer home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and has for decades played host to thousands of musical events.

Originally opening in 1922 with makeshift wooden benches, combined and complemented within a natural concave setting, the Hollywood Bowl was the perfect location to intermingle with the nearby nestled hills. As with any venue, the Hollywood Bowl has gone through multiple transformations over the years.

The Hollywood Bowl pictured above, circa 1930s, is courtesy of Wikipedia.

Over the years, the Hollywood Bowl has featured a who’s who of the music world—including Frank Sinatra, Luciano Pavarotti, Diana Ross & The Supremes, and countless others just as famous and beloved. Additionally, Fred Astaire, Nat "King" Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Elton John have all graced its stage.

To give you what an idea of a Hollywood Bowl event looks and sounds like, here’s a short video of a concert which was held in October 2009, featuring Gustavo Dudamel, the new conductor of the LA Phil, conducting Beethoven’s 9th Symphony:

In case you’re wondering, the Hollywood Bowl, since 1969 , provides a magnificent and breathtaking firework event several times a year. So whenever you come to Los Angeles, remember that the Hollywood Bowl is a once-in-a-lifetime place to spend an evening under the stars, and listening to fantastic music.

The Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook

Lisa Newton — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:25:42 +0000

A few weeks ago, Travelin’ Local featured a story about the Mulholland Scenic Route. Within that story, I briefly mentioned the Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook.

Before I talk a little about the features of this Overlook/Park, I’d like to share who Nancy Hoover Pohl was.

Nancy Pohl was a resident of Fryman Canyon, who for more than 60 years fought to curb development in the Santa Monica Mountains and to create local parkland. Her efforts enabled the acquisition of Fryman Canyon Park, Coldwater Canyon Park, and Wilacre Park. We’re all eternally indebted to the vision, courage, and dedication of visionaries like Ms. Pohl, whose efforts wouldn’t have allowed us to preserve our precious natural resources, and the mountain retreats and reserves of yesterday, so that they’re available to enjoy today and for future generations of tomorrow.

To cover this small, but unique facility, I’d like to share more of what it has to offer.

A station-based fitness path

Steps which lead to a better view, more fitness and a working water fountain for hydration

In case you didn’t know, which I didn’t, the Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook is also one of the trailheads for the Betty B. Dearing Mountain Trail. It traverses Wilacre Park, Franklin Canyon, and Coldwater Canyon Park, the home of the TreePeople. For a 3 mile trail at the top of Mulholland, this trail is well worth a hike or two, especially on any given sunny afternoon.

It’s always amazing the little things you can find in the big city while Travelin’ Local.

A Mulholland Drive Adventure

Lisa Newton — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:28:19 +0000

When you want to get away from it all, enjoy the vistas of Los Angeles, and experience the best-of-the best of our city’s surroundings, locale, and environment–especially without the traffic and crowds–enjoy a Mulholland Drive Adventure.

The journey along Mulholland extends between the 405 and the 101, and has public stops at each of its scenic spots.

Constructed in 1924 by the famous Water Bureau Chief and City Engineer, William D. Mulholland, the twenty four-mile long Mulholland Drive was envisioned as a scenic road, which would transport city dwellers to the mountains and beaches. According to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservatory, eight miles of this Scenic Parkway–from the 405 freeway west to Woodland Hills–remain unpaved.

Comprising 153,075 acres, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, is part of the larger Santa Monica Mountains Conservatory. Its the nation’s largest urban national park, and has more area codes (5) and zip codes (26)–including the notable Beverly Hills zip code 90210–than any other portion comprising the National Park System.

Stone Canyon Overlook

The Charles and Lotte Melhorn Overlook

The Barbara A. Fine Overlook

The Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook

The Universal City Overlook

For this Mulholland Scenic Parkway adventure story, I’ve included the top 5 vantage point views of the city from each stop. Along the way, there are more overlooks, including the Hollywood Bowl stop.

Here’s a map to help you find each overlook:

View A Mulholland Drive Adventure in a larger map

If you’re looking for amazing views of Los Angeles, the surrounding areas and the mountains, by Travelin’ Local all you have to do is take the Mulholland Drive tour.