Secret Stairs and Other Finds

Just last Friday, I “happened upon” a secret stairway connecting two streets in a hilly Pasadena neighborhood. Since then, a whole new neighborhood has opened up in a most modern way. All because of a curiousity to explore a street called Cheviotdale…

I had been meaning to explore the residences on a street with the unusual name Cheviotdale so I crossed Avenue 64 and hiked up. When it came time to turn around, something prompted me to pause by a narrow stairway and peer down. At first blush, I assumed they were private stairs, but to my delight I realized it was a public cut-through that would save walking down and around the curvy street. Stairways such as these are pedestrian treats and in the past I have discovered them in Santa Monica, San Francisco and San DIego. A portion of the fences surrounding this stairway was lined with fragrant trailing vines - jasmine and honeysuckle.

Once home, I googled Secret Stairs of Los Angeles and found many references (more to explore!). In particular, walking tours of the these stairs are well documented in this book by Charles Fleming.

For Mother’s Day, J and I decided to follow the map of the secret stairs walk around the La Loma area of Pasadena. It was a fun way to spend a morning together and get some walking/hiking in. J.’s more of a fast walking, no-detour guy while I like to dawdle, take pictures and maybe even go off-tour. I made a mental note to explore part of the route again on Monday. Instead of driving to the start point of the walk, I would run from home and fit in as many of the stairways that made sense given my time and physical constraint :)

As so happens these days, when you’re out walkng or jogging and notice someone approaching, you cross into the street or even change route to give the other person social distance. This is more out of courtesy to them in case their or your mask is off or they are walking their dogs and it’s easier for you to give right of way. Thus, that’s how I happened to find all these wonderful mid-century modern homes in the San Rafael Hills.