TRAVEL BY NIC…….The
Perpetual Tourist!
Topanga
Canyon Adventures
Wow! I haven’t made a
post for quite awhile! Trust me, I’ve
still been going on my adventures, I just haven’t found the time to set down
and put pen to paper….or fingers to keyboard!
So we’ve cruised around the Canyon roads of LA before, but I
forgot how beautiful and relaxing it is!
For all of you out there that picture the typical craziness of LA, I
urge you to venture onto the Canyon roads.
We started our adventures from PCH in Malibu. We turned at Pepperdine University and worked
our way up Malibu Canyon. Right away you
notice the beautiful view of the ocean you are leaving behind and entering the
green hills and curvy roads that lie ahead.
Our 1st stop was the Paramount Ranch, rather than me telling
you to turn left on Mulholland and then right on Cornell, I suggest you GPS
Paramount Ranch! But then it’s ok to get
lost in the canyons!
Paramount Ranch has been on my list of “must see” for a long
time! It is FREE to walk around this
abandoned set out in the Canyon. You
will find a whole Western Town to wander around. Isn’t it sad that instead of picturing a shoot out, a bar brawl, horses galloping through town or cowboys spurs clinging on the wooden walk; I picture a film
crew here filming the actors doing all that while sitting over to the side
eating a Big Mac! You cannot get into
any of the buildings, but you can peak into some of them. For the most part it is a boarded up set
waiting to be used, to come alive with signage, windows, and “Action”! I’d say there were about 8 or 9
buildings. You’ll find a hotel, bar,
jail, barn and barber shop to name a few.
The Sheriff’s office is the only building they had open for us and
inside was a jail which was great for photo opps! So I bet your wondering….what has been filmed
there?! Dr Quinn, HBO Carnivale, Love
Bug, The Virginian to name a few. The
land/hills were used for other filming projects like M*A*S*H, Flintstones and
many more. We did not participate in
this but they do offer “Silents Under the Stars”. During the summer you can have a unique movie
experience watching silent films under the stars. It sounds like a fun activity
that is only $6!! It’s just working your
way out there at night and living about 2 hours away….ya know heart is willing
but the body gets tired!!
From there we found The Rock Store! The Rock Store is really a cafe where bikers
hang out but it has had its share of celebrities stop by and its share of
screen time! The Rock Store is not far
from the Paramount Ranch.. It was
named after the river rocks used to build this cafe 1925. The cafe is often used for commercials &
feature films when a country gas station is needed. You may recognize it from some of the
following shows: “Cobra” with Sylvester
Stallone, “Mother” with Albert Brooks, and “The Sweetest Thing” with Christina
Applegate & Cameron Diaz.
In-between the Paramount Ranch and the Rock Store is the
Peter Strauss Ranch. While Peter Strauss
was working on Rich Man Poor Man, he loved the area so much that he purchased
it! That is how Peter Strauss Ranch came
to be. We drove into the parking lot but
did not get out and explore. The ranch looks like a BEAUTIFUL place to go on hikes and explore but we
more interested in the unique little Canyon stop across the road.
So what’s across the road?!
The Old Place is across the road!
You can’t miss these cute worn western buildings with an old 50’s pick
up sitting out front. Right away I was
attracted to the rugged stone path and the wooden adirondack chairs sitting
outside. I could picture myself relaxing
and watching the cars go by on the Canyon road.
The Old Pace was a 1930’s general store and post office. Some of the stars that have partied there are
Al Pacino, Goldie Hawn, Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan and Steve McQueen. I encourage you to stop, get out and walk around, the place is so charming! We had already eaten, but someday I would
love to have a meal at The Old Place! So
stay tuned for info one day!
Next we ventured over to Topanga Canyon, as you curve your
way into this artsy little town I say stop and sit a spell! Topanga means “above place” and it’s a
hideaway for recluses, outcasts and nature lovers. One our favorite places to shop is a super
fun vintage store "Hidden Treasurers". Everywhere you turn in that store you appreciate their creativeness displaying their vintage finds! Do any of
you remember watching “Boy Meets World”?
I always thought Topanga, in the show, had such a strange name…..now I
get it!
Shenandoah
at the Arbor, 10631 Los Alamitos Blvd, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Sooooo, since we were to full to eat at The Old Place, I bet your
wondering where we ate? We actually ate
at super cute place / stop on our journey to the canyons. Shenandoah is so charming and the food was
great! The guys were a little
overwhelmed by all of the ladies! A lot
of showers, bridal parties, and Red Hat ladies know about this place. The inside reminded me of a shabby Chic with
country charm. Outside you are shaded by
huge mulberry trees. The food was
great! They are known for their fried
chicken dish, so that’s what I had. The restaurant
is nestled on a busy road surround by 3 stores that are just as charming as the
restaurant! Again, your just cruising
down busy Los Alamitos Blvd, and if you don’t look quick you could miss this
charming find! GO,Go, go and try this
one out! (Can’t wait to take mom!)
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