101. Does This Old House Have the Wright Stuff?

Your SoCal Gal is referring to Hollyhock House, Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Boulevard in East Hollywood.

Of any sight your SoCal Gal has seen in the last month or two, this one has stayed with her the most.  She can't put her finger on it.  Maybe she is simply impressed by Aline Barnsdall who in the late 1910's was so ahead of her time.

Before Hollywood was Hollywood or the sign existed, Ms. Barnsdall had the vision of building a theatre complex which would be set up so the artists simply need only worry about being creative.

Think of anyone today being able to swoop into Los Angeles and buy 36 acres or 4 square blocks of prime land simply for this type of vision.

Then to have met the very forward thinking architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW), who was more than willing to not only help her create her vision but do so in a way that was the epitome of artistic.

Think of the patience involved in waiting for your home and vision to be realized.  At the time FLW was also working on the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.  It took 2 - 1/2 weeks to travel to Japan at that time.  Think of it.  No jets yet.  No Home Depot or Lowe's either.  No Wall Street crash.  No income tax.  No cell phones.  You get the picture?

With FLW's commitment to the Imperial Hotel, much of the day-to-day went to his son, best known as Lloyd Wright, and Rudolph Schindler.  Two Wrights certainly can't make a wrong or maybe they can?

This U.S. National Historic Landmark is truly a house and was never a home.  Ms. Barnsdall locked horns with Mr. Wright during the majority of the design and construction.  Mostly FLW ignored Ms. Barnsdall's suggestions, which resulted in FLW eventually being fired from the project.  Imagine firing Frank Lloyd Wright.

The windows in the above photo have the illusion of being at ground level but flank Aline's bedroom on the upper level of the house.  A bedroom she never slept in because FLW hadn't designed the room in a way that left her a good place to put a bed.  Also, in total she and her daughter lived in Hollyhock House less than two years.  They were the only residents to ever live in this house.

The formal living area alone, which now includes a facsimile of the furniture FLW designed for the room, and the fireplace mantel, truly a work of art, is worthy of the $7 fee ($3 for seniors, $2 for 17 or under unless with an adult and then they are free) to take the Hollyhock House tour in your SoCal Gal's opinion.

Photos do not do this property justice.  Photography is not allowed of the interior of the house.  More reason to visit.  And as amazing and forward thinking for its time as this property is...there are flaws.  This was FLW's first attempt at designing for the SoCal area.

Despite all of that, what moved your SoCal Gal the most and has her wishing everyone would take the tour is that due to what it costs for upkeep to FLW's SoCal area houses, Hollyhock House is now the only SoCal area FLW designed house open for the public to view the interior.

Currently this property brings in enough money to keep the property open but not enough to continue to do much to restore this property and keep it in pristine condition.  Seems like such a shame.

The solution:  seems to your SoCal Gal that the more people who put this on their list of must sees when visiting Hollywood...the more revenue available to ensure the Hollyhock House (easily accessible from Hollywood/Highland area via the Metro Red Line Subway Vermont/Sunset stop with a two block walk to the park or you may drive, of course) remains available for public viewing for generations to come.

Tours are Wednesday through Sunday: 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30 PM

100. Where is the Most Desired Destination for Tourists Visiting L.A.?

Was your answer, "Hollywood"?  Then go to the head of the class.  Tourists can visit beaches and even Disneyland-type experiences other places.  But there is only ONE Hollywood.  And it's in L.A. baby!

When you think Hollywood, what enters your mind?  For most, the Hollywood/Highland area.  Makes sense.  This is where the Academy Awards holds their event.  This is where Grauman's Chinese Theatre is located.  And so on.

Yet, Hollywood is so much more.

Did you know that technically Hollywood is not its own city?  It is a neighborhood or district within the city of Los Angeles.  Did you know that technically, Hollywood, similar to Manhattan in New York City, has neighborhoods within its neighborhood, such as North Hollywood and East Hollywood?  While West Hollywood is actually an incorporated city in Los Angeles County?

Did you know that much of Hollywood is easily accessed by a true underground subway known as the Metro Red Line?  Do you care?

Maybe you don't care now.  However, if you are going to visit Hollywood, hopefully these words will somehow register in your brain for they may truly enhance your Hollywood experience beyond the Hollywood/Highland visit.

So what's today's Hollywood destination?  East Hollywood.  Specifically, Barnsdall Art Park.  Easily accessible from Hollywood and Highland by jumping on the red line to the Vermont/Sunset terminal.  Walk a block north on Vermont to East Barnsdall Avenue.  Turn left (going east) and follow the signs to walk into the south portion of the park.  You, of course, may drive there as well.  Free parking is available, although there is only one vehicle entrance into the park.  It is on Hollywood Boulevard just east of North Edgemont Street.

Barnsdall Art Park is rich with a history that goes back before there was a Hollywoodland Sign or the Griffith Park Observatory.  This lush, beautifully landscaped parcel of terra firma with one of the most magnificent views of Los Angeles (after Griffith Park in your SoCal Gal's opinion) was once known as Olive Hill.

Almost 100 years ago, a forward thinking, wealthy heiress named Aline Barnsdall had a vision for Olive Hill.  Her vision was to build a theatre complex, which included a theatre, a home for herself, a residence for a director and on-site apartments for actors and crew.  And she teamed up with the then not as well-revered, yet also forward thinker, Frank Lloyd Wright, to help bring her vision to physical manifestation.

Aline's vision was never realized as initially intended.  Due to her donation of this property to the City of Los Angeles with the priviso it be kept as an arts park; the general art vibe of Barnsdall Art Park was realized and still alive.

Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Boulevard, includes the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, Junior Arts Center, a lushly landscaped inner grounds peppered with sculpture and Hollyhock House (which I will write about in my next blog post).

Best days to go to Barnsdall Art Park are Thursday through Sunday, which are the days the art gallery and Hollyhock House are open to the public.  The art gallery is free.  Hollyhock House does charge a fee.  It is the opinion of your SoCal Gal that this is definitely a sight you will wish to see.

On another personal note:  Whoo hoo!  This is my 100th blog post for CaliforniVacation.  Your SoCal Gal is thrilled and very appreciative to this area she loves, those who read what I've written and are hopefully inspired to visit some of the amazing sights the greater Los Angeles area has to offer.  Thank you.