My trip to California (part 1)

This trip came about rather on the spur of the moment. I had a chance to attend a film festival honoring Jennifer Jones and meet her son and I jumped at it (regular readers know I have a hopeless obsession with her). I had missed a week-long festival devoted to her in New York City before she died and I'm still kicking myself over that. The plane fare wasn't bad but my time was limited. It was a brief trip - only 4 days - but it was incredible and I didn't want to come home. Two friends - Cindy and Vickie - accompanied me. 


The last time I was in California was when I was eight years old. My aunt lived in Ventura and my family drove out to visit one summer. My major interests then was Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and the ocean. I saw all three but aside from that, I don't remember much about the trip. I got interested in films back in high school and I've always wanted to return to California to see Hollywood.


We got off to a rocky start. We flew out of Huntsville to Atlanta with a 2 hour layover before flying directly to Los Angeles. We sat on the runway for a long time before the pilot announced that we were being delayed due to a warning light. I was already a tad apprehensive - I've flown before but never on a long trip. We then had to change planes. This put us behind two hours and wouldn't you know it, we arrived in Los Angeles right at rush hour. Fortunately, Vickie was driving but it took us an hour to get to our hotel in Hollywood. But after that, things went smoothly.

Before I get to the Hollywood and movie star stuff, I thought I'd share photos of plants (this is a gardening blog after all!). I was amazed by all the unusual trees and flowers. We visited three areas - Hollywood, Pasadena and Santa Monica/Malibu. I thought each was different in character but foliage-wise, Pasadena and Santa Monica were exceptionally beautiful. The palm tree photos above and below were taken in Santa Monica.



Bougainvillea was almost rampant, scampering over hillsides and freeway medians and huge specimens dotted lawns and gardens. This was the view from our hotel window, looking toward Hollywood. Just one block down is the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater, etc. but on the right, you will see bougainvillea and plumbago draping the bank.

This was growing in someone's front yard in Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway.

The famous Chateau Marmont

On to Pasadena, where appropriately roses (particularly "Iceberg" roses) seemed to be growing everywhere. The following garden was incredible and was in front of a government building. I was amazed, I don't think any business around here would ever consider such extensive (and labor intensive) landscaping!

I've read a lot of Hollywood history and about how the mild climate and vast orange groves scented the air and seduced visitors. Both Cindy and I expected a more lush and tropical landscape so we were surprised that some areas were kind of sparse and rugged. A friend told me before I left that some of Los Angeles looked like Muscle Shoals  - and he was right. A lot of Los Angeles was rather seedy but I loved it. I can't wait to go back and see some things that we didn't have time for.

In upcoming posts, I'll write about the Hollywood Homes Tours, my visit to the Norton Simon Museum (which had fabulous gardens) and Malibu. Stay tuned!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy