Hollywood at Sunrise

During my recent trip to Hollywood over the holidays, of course I had no idea of the impending devastation that would be experienced as a result of the ongoing fires. While walking Willis one morning with camera in-hand, I was able to capture a gorgeous sunrise against the backdrop of some of my favorite buildings. Along Santa Monica Boulevard, the advice of this neon sign calls to mind the movie “LA Story” (iykyk).



A major bucket list item was checked off by capturing the Tail o’the Pup sign while lit:



(speaking of “LA Story” again!)



During the day, this pop-up ad for the Netflix film “Carry-On” looks like just another construction wall.



With the purple and pink hues of sunrise, it is much more appealing!



The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood has been closed for a few years, but appears to be in the construction phase for its next iteration. Has it been painted pink like the Beverly Hills Hotel down the street? No; this is just what the rays from a gorgeous sunrise can do to an otherwise bland off-white building.



I was ecstatic to see that the El Mirador Apartment neon sign was working again.



Even better at sunrise!



The historic 1930 Colonial House on Havenhurst:



I have no idea what this building at 8246 Sunset Boulevard is, but it provided a cool silhouette against the backdrop of the sunrise:



By the time I got back to the Chateau Marmont, the sunrise was almost over. Still, a hint of pink was cast over the mysterious tower at the top of the hotel:



One room I have never been in. Just add that to my bucket list.



The latest fire catastrophes in Hollywood and Los Angeles make me recall the horrible fires in San Diego back in October 2003.



One minute we were carving pumpkins, the next we were struggling to breathe clean air.



My heart goes out to all the residents of the areas in Los Angeles that have been affected. The devastation is unreal when you see the videos (the real ones, not the ones generated by AI - ugh). Whether it’s dollars, thoughts, prayers, or physical assistance, whatever you believe in and are capable of, send them the way of the people who are suffering.

See more Hollywood photos at my main website.

Monday at the Mirador

Back in the day, El Mirador was a popular name in real estate. For Palm Springs, it represented the hotel that opened on New Year’s Eve, 1928. Set on 20 acres of prime desert property, according to vintage postcards, amenities included swimming, tennis, golf (the desert’s first!), riding, skeet and other sports that could be enjoyed all winter long in this “Garden of the Sun.”



The Spanish-Colonial Revival-style bell tower was a Palm Springs landmark.



A shot of the Olympic-sized swimming pool:



Closer…



Ah, desert living at its best. Lazy days by the pool.



How about the blow-up toy on the left? At first I thought it was a cheetah, but zooming in it appears to be a fish of some kind.



Anyone remember Eddy Howard?



The hotel/tower were featured in a number of advertisements, including this one for Hertz:



The hotel was converted into the Desert Hospital in 1972. The original tower burned down in 1989, but was rebuilt from the original plans. How it looks today:



Over in West Hollywood, there are the El Mirador apartments, built in 1929 and designed by S. Charles Lee:



Over the last decade or so, this building has been embroiled in historic preservation legal battles. When I walked by in December, it appeared that they were being renovated.



See more Palm Springs photos at my website.

Sleepless on Sunset

Staying at the Chateau was my dog's first time to sleep someplace besides my house (which is now his house) or the boarding facility that he stays when I am out of town. Our initial night there was sleepless; every time he heard someone walking down the hall outside of the room, he would jump out of bed to investigate. Then it was back to bed, and up again with the next noise. Again. And again. And again.

So much for my tranquility.

The solution? A run up and down Runyon Canyon. Willis is an active dog and loves exercise and play, so I knew I would really have to wear him out.



The remnants of the old Outpost sign are still rusting away here.





I noticed the addition of a scarecrow, who seemed to be losing his guts:



Despite the hike up and down Runyon, I knew it would take much more to wear little Willis out. Once back to the Chateau, I cleaned up and took Willis for a LOOOOOOOOONG walk, beginning with a stroll through the Historic Harper Avenue Historic District.



So many interesting architectural details to capture. Here is The Harper House:





Vintage signage:





Cool weather vanes:



Romanesque Villas, Harper Avenue







Four Gables on Fountain Avenue:



The El Mirador Apartments appear to still be in limbo:







Cloned Bulldog statue by William Sweetlove on Santa Monica Boulevard:



And then we hit Beverly Hills.



Willis was happy to sit for a bit and get some water.







Willis posed in front of the Beverly Hills sign:



The Will Rogers Memorial Park:



Behind Willis, you can see the pink tower of the Beverly Hills Hotel:



Heading back on Sunset, we ran across one of the many decorative celebrity guitars that dotted the Boulevard:



Signage for The Viper Room:



Although I'd been on this route many times before, having Willis with me caused to see it from a different vantage point. As a photographer, this day was a treasure.

Back at the Chateau, Willis was ready for some dinner and then bed.



My plan worked. We both got a good night's sleep!

See more vintage & current Hollywood photos on my Hollywood web pages.