Walking L.A. #2: Northwest Santa Monica, 355 stairs, 3.3 miles. 

Sigh, no White Christmas here AGAIN, so Barbara and I headed west for an Ocean Blue Christmas Eve Hike. We began at Ocean and walked up Adelaide Drive to take in some of the most expensive houses in the county. First stop, #130, the second Roy Jones House built in 1907. 




Roy Jones was the son of John Percival Jones, founder of Santa Monica. It's a shame we couldn't see it at night because the current owners framed the eaves, doors, and windows with lights. Seriously, with a view like theirs, who needs decorations? 



Every house on Adelaide is a stunner, and several are historic landmarks including #236—the Isaac Milbank House built in 1911 by the architects who designed the Grauman's Chinese and Egyptian Theaters. 



At 4th St. Barbara and I walked down the famous Santa Monica Stairs (at 189 steps, possibly the steepest in the city), stopped at a charming little library on Entrada Drive, then over to Amalfi and the second set of SM stairs (166 steps UP, puff, puff) to 7th Street. 



Nothing like steps to get the old heart rate revving! From there we walked south to Montana Avenue, strolled along the shops, then headed back to Palisades Park for a walk along the bluffs overlooking the Pacific. 



Holiday rush? Only the beach volleyball players rushing to the net under a clear December sky. 



Have a Merry Christmas, everyone!