Christy Does Southern California, Pt. 4

The next morning, I walked down Sunset Boulevard to get Christy for our visit to Griffith Park. Along the way, I snapped a few of the Standard Hotel.



Christy showed me what was waiting for her when she returned home the night before…well, she showed me the personalized-with-chocolate empty plate!



Had to capture another original art deco detail at the Sunset Tower.



The Parking Gods looked down upon us favorably, and we were able to secure a parking spot in the Observatory Parking lot. Christy got a great view of the Hollywood Sign.



Yup…it was sunny!



The Observatory was open for business:



I love the clean lines which are so indicative of art deco:



Two homages to the James Dean film "Rebel without a Cause" which was filmed here at the Observatory. First, Christy and Doug reenact the famous knife fight ("You calling me chicken?"). Willis was ready to step in.



"I've got the bullets!"



Jimmy's mouth gasped at the talent exhibited.



Willis wasn't interested in the photos or the Observatory, but he sure loved the sunshine and rolling around on the front lawn.



We still had a bit of time before we moved rooms at the Chateau, so we stopped at the Barnsdall Art Park to see the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Hollyhock house on Olive Hill.



The steps up to the house made me think of the Laurel and Hardy movie "The Music Box."



How to frame a view, Frank Lloyd Wright style:





Unfortunately, the home was closed for tours since it was a Sunday. This was all I got to see through the glass window.



Willis enjoyed touring the property.



Next, it was time to eat. Christy paid her first visit to the Pink Taco on Sunset Boulevard, which was formerly Preston Sturges' club The Players.



A strawberry margarita in a pineapple? Count me in.



Willis got nothing, and he wasn't happy. He was ready to go back to the Chateau.



The rest of the story coming soon!

See more Daveland Griffith Observatory photos on my main website.

Christy Does Southern California, Pt. 3

Willis was very excited to check into Room 15 at the Marmont; neither one of us had ever stayed in that one!



Willis had to blink a few times to make sure he wasn't dreaming; a private balcony above the entrance.



Looking up, this angle seemed familiar. I took the photo and hoped...



Close, but no cigar. Still, I did feel the aura of Led Zeppelin who supposedly rode their motorcycles through the lobby of the hotel back in the 1960's.



The decor at the Chateau is a mishmash of art deco, upscale linens, and shabby-chic antiques.





Somehow it all works together, making it feel like an old friend that you've known for years.



Thirsty? Everything you need for a pre-dinner cocktail is at your fingertips:



Christy rejoined us for a toe-dip into the pool:



A few traders visiting from NYC had been drinking all day at the Roosevelt Hotel; they brought the party back to the Chateau, including a gigantic blow-up swan.



Fortunately, the management ousted them from the hotel, and all was back to normal. A glass of Cabernet by the pool made it all ok.

Since the restaurant was full, we ordered room service and enjoyed dinner on the balcony.



Nighty-night; see you next time as we travel to Griffith Observatory.

See more Daveland Chateau Marmont Hotel photos on my main website.

Christy Does Southern California, Pt. 2

First destination in Los Angeles: Mauro Cafe at Fred Segal in Hollywood. The staff is friendly (they all look like budding models/actors) and the food is fresh and delicious. One of my favorite lunch spots.



All three of us ordered the Balsamic Chicken, which is one of the best entrées on the menu.



Willis was well behaved the entire time, other than when a mailman walked onto the premises. Then it was sheer mayhem.



The Chateau was full for the first night, so Christy had to stay at the Sunset Tower on Hollywood Boulevard.



It had been years since I'd stayed there, and the lobby had undergone a major renovation. The original marbled art deco splendor had been covered up with paneling and looked like every other modern boutique hotel. Fortunately, the exterior retains its original details.



Her room was good-sized, with all the original art deco touches that I remember.



Love the moulding!



It was tastefully decorated and very comfortable.



Christy was excited to be in Hollywood, as you can see in this photo.



Christy's room had a wonderful view of Sunset Boulevard:



Across the way is the Comedy Store:



which was once the legendary Ciro's Nightclub:



Back to the Sunset Tower, here comes a wave of vertigo; I'm sure Jimmy Stewart had visited here before!



I dropped off Christy, leaving her waving at the window:



and then it was time to check into the Chateau:



More to come…

See more Daveland Sunset Tower Hotel photos on my main website.

small world 48th anniversary

In honor of the 48th anniversary of the "it's a small world" attraction at Disneyland, I am trotting out a few repeats and a few "new" vintage images from my collection as well as some great opening day photos from the UCLA Digital Archives.



Just look at how happy Walt is, pouring some international water into the small world canal with Bank of America Chairman of the Board, Louis B. Lundberg standing next to him.



Their subsequent ride through of the attraction:





A young Sean Ferrer visited the attraction on a gloomy April day in 1967, accompanied by father Mel Ferrer and mom Audrey Hepburn:



From an August 1981 trip, a guest captured these three consecutively shot images:



This one is begging for a zoom-in detailed view:







Happy Anniversary to an attraction that is still alive and kicking, 48 years later!

See more vintage & current Disneyland it's a small world photos on my regular website.