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Music Box Loop

4.0 (32 reviews)

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Gorgeous views of Downtown LA as you reach the peak of the hike.
Phillip Z.

The Music Box Steps is certainly an adventure. And be warned, you'll need to be good at following directions. So if you're one to argue over where to turn left (or the best way to get around LA traffic) this might not be the option for you! These stairs, located over in Silver Lake, were made famous by the Laurel and Hardy 1932 short film "The Music Box," where the 2 actors attempted to haul a piano up the impossibly long and steep flight of stairs. The actual Music Box steps are relatively short (just on their own). So I recommend doing a longer hike of the neighborhood and other secret staircases by following the directions from a PDF map/document (that you can find just by Googling it). The hike begins at the lovely Cafe Tropical where you can start the hike with a coffee con leche or one of their delicious pastries. This is my kind of hike! In total, the hike took us about 1.5 hours but this included a few photo opps and maybe getting a little turned around once. Once you've completed the hike, you'll be hungry for lunch and recommend the gorgeous outdoor terrace at Tintorera and ordering some homemade chips and guacamole to celebrate.

Maruko X.

It is a vigorous walk built around the officially designated stairs in Silver Lake, the famous location where Laurel and Hardy made the Academy Award-winning short The Music Box. The two comedians had to carry a piano up the steep flight of steps between Vendome Street and Descanso Drive.

Julie P.

You must be alert to do this Music Box Loop. The instruction of this hike in pdf format is confusing as hell. I would read this over and over and would think to myself. Do I understand English? Or am I drunk. Make sure you bring plenty of water and patience for this. I would say that I am a pretty experience secret stairs hiker,but this was more than I had patient for. When you do get lost, no one that lives in the area can help you. Prepare to be on your own or be confused with other hikers in the area. Many hikers give up early and started to drive themselves to the next staircase for picture purpose only This vigorous walk should take about 1 hour. It is 2.5 miles and has 705 steps. It took me a lot longer to complete this due to the confusion on the instruction Start at Cafe Tropical on the corner of Sunset Blvd & Parkman Ave. At the corner of Silver Lake Blvd, make a right. Make another right on Marathon Street. Walk pass Vendome Street and Dillon Street and make Right on Robinson street. First Staircase, pass 830 Robinson Street on the right. It has 66 steps through a backyard gardens and you will lands on 837 Dillon, make a left and walk around the corner. At end of Dillon, use crosswalk to get to median strip separating Vendome and walk 13 steps down to the hillside Second Staircase, cross Vendome to the triangular park to your right. You will see 133 steps of a paino music box steps. On top of the Descanso drive, take 8 wooden steps to the other side of Descanso. Make a right and walk downhill Third Staircase, on bottom of hill where Descanso meets Larissa Drive, you will see staircase to your left. It is 139 steps. Once you reach the top, make a right and go uphill. Make right on Micheltorena Street and walk one block. Make left onto Winslow Drive. Make Right on Maltman Ave and begin your descent. After once block go right toward Golden Gate Ave, walk one more block until you hit Sunset. Head east on sunset Fourth Staircase, This is on the corner of Sunset/Micheltorena, you will see 109 stairs to land on Larissa. once you reach the top, go straight and turn left on Descanso and retrace your steps downhill, You will see vciews of Downtown LA. stay left side of the road Fifth Staircase, it is right after house at 3279, you will climb down the 133 steps to land back on Vendome This hike was interesting and easy. It is not difficult, but rather confusing. I feel like you were walking in the neighborhood vs a scenic trail. I heard there is a guided tour,but I don't know where they are Parking is available in the neighborhood and free. There is lots of places to eat ,so technically you can stop the hike any time. The stubborn person that I am , I refused to stop until I completed all the staircase from the PDF. It was worth finishing the hike,but I am not sure I will need to do it again.It was just alright. I recommend the Hollywood Beachwood Hike, it is 100% way better

Juan F.

Our first stop when we tried exploring Silverlake for their hidden stairs. We saw the entrance and the little plaque on the first steps but the adventure on this stair ended early because there was a homeless person sleeping in the middle of the narrow stairs with no way around him and his stuff.

Mary J.

Love the history behind these stairs in LA. Just seen the very beginning, plan to come back way earlier in the day to do this staircase walk. It was pretty crowded & parking was difficult to be expected in LA around 3-4pm.

Looking down
Noemi M.

One of the many historic staircases as featured in Charles Fleming's book, "Secret Stairs". The main portion of the staircase (between Vendome St and Descanso Dr.) was featured in the 1932 Laurel and Hardy Academy Award winning short movie, "The Music Box", where Laurel and Hardy repeatedly try to carry a piano up a staircase, but with disastrous results. What I really love about this staircase (at least this portion of it) is that it's really secluded. Unless you're really familiar with this portion of Silver Lake, you would never know it's there! It's shaded by trees and overgrowth, with a view of people's yards as you either go up or down the staircase. At the base of the Music Box staircase, you will find yourself at the Laurel and Hardy Park. These stairs were originally designed by city planners and developers as direct routes for pedestrians living in the really hilly neighborhoods of Los Angeles during the 1920s, and when people didn't depend on cars. OH, imagine that! They are really convenient walking spaces when trying to get around Silver Lake, especially if you want a bit of privacy. I enjoy them quite a bit. Makes me feel like I'm in on a little secret.

Kathy K.

I discovered the Secret Stairs of LA book in an Air BnB where I was staying. The Music Box Loop was the first one I tried and it was so much fun! The walk took me ~1 hour and had some amazing peek-a-boo views of many parts of LA andI loved the history of this particular secret stair walk. Definitely do it and be sure to stop at El Cochinito for a Cubano!

Trixie B.

This is for the stairs from the movie only. Took forever to park, do not go on trash day, Wednesday, in this case. A defaced plaque on the steps, sad. But the walk up is worth it so see the view and for the exercise. Met one fellow who was texting on his stoop, not sure which one of us was more startled. There is a handrail and the steps are in good shape, only a few chips in a couple of steps. Watch the movie before you go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3CuXnB928g

Steph F.

Came here and followed the pdf instructions ! Wow was I.T a killer workout. I really came here to take pictures with the steps and go discouraged when I.T was already towards the end and I didn't see the painted stairs. Once we got to the end they were there. Basically , you don't have to do all the stairs if you just want to just that picture. Parking was easy . Parked in the neighborhood

Deanna R.

This was fun thanks to the reviews of navigating on which way to go ( thank you people ) it was nice and fun for the kids great la views and neat art work threw out the whole lil adventure

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Dropped by here to get a photo since I was in the area. Lucky for me there was only one person there with her Instagram husband haha

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Great hike - great views - great experience

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I love this stairs they're all so good workout weenie in LA you have to come and see them amazing

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10 years ago

So fun! Check out the Music Box Stairs and then the 3 Stooges stairs nearby!

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Review Highlights - Music Box Loop

I discovered the Secret Stairs of LA book in an Air BnB where I was staying.

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Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

4.5
(1.1k reviews)
7.8 mi

Review for the Culver City Stairs - Great hike in LA that offers nice panoramic views of the…read moremountains and city. My friend and I hiked here on a Friday in the middle of the day. The sun was out but we enjoyed the exercise and the view. There is street parking offered at the bottom and once you go up the short dirt road you'll immediately see the stairs. From the bottom it can look quite steep but once you start going up you get used to the feel. The worst part is that the stairs are all uneven and some are pretty high (especially for kids/short adults like me), but overall the hike is pretty quick. For those in excellent physical shape, it probably only takes ~10 mins to get to the top. For those who might need to take more pauses, ~20 mins. As you walk up, there are a couple of areas you can pull over on the side and catch your breath on. Once you're at the top, there are a ton of great views and photo op spots. Heading down was a little confusing because we tried to avoid the stairs at first and use the dirt roads, however the path we picked didn't lead all the way back to the bottom so we just ended up taking the stairs for half of it.

This is the Baldwin Hills scenic overlook, which is also known as the Culver City stairs. There's…read moretwo ways you can go. You can go all the way up on the stairs, which aren't good for my knee or you can take the kind of like paved road on the sidewalk, which is what I do I can take the stairs down. I prefer not to. If you get there early in the morning, it's not very crowded and it's a beautiful sunrise. I like to get my workouts in first thing in the morning, that way the endorphins are flowing if serotonin levels are high your energies up there and I feel much more productive, but I can't always do it. I shoot for three times a week. I love that. I have a free resource to enjoy nature's beauty and marvel at how quiet the city is when it's sleeping. It's a beautiful hike. Highly suggested. I don't like to go on the weekends. There's too many people that come from other places to go there so it's crowded so, if I do it on the weekend, I'm doing it very early in the morning so I don't Have to deal with so many people... I find that I don't people well anymore and I don't like a lot of people around me! They have also created like an extension to where it goes into another part of a different park. I think it's Kenneth Han not sure but it's really cool and in a city it's nice to have these naturesque getaways.

Photos
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Sunrise
Sunrise
Mustard weeds er'where!

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Mustard weeds er'where!
Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake

4.1
(62 reviews)
21.3 mi

Plenty hiking opportunities, refreshing air, and a nice scenic drive in. Be sure to have a full…read moretank, as there is no gas services. There is a cafe/ convenience store across from the campground where you can also purchase your day use park pass for $5. I experienced a foggy day, which gave a cooling effect to my hiking. Restrooms are vault toilets, so unpleasant smells and a mess are a given. The lake has lots of swampy algae, therefore not appropriate for swimming or water sports. However, they do allow fishing with permit. I am a nature enthusiast and it was saddening to see the lack of humans respect for nature, with graffiti and trash in some areas of the park. Crystal lake definitely could use more funding to preserve its natural beauty. The loveliest part is listening to woodpeckers as they work, watching an eagle fly above with a fish in its talons, and treading quietly not to startle the squirrel who is crossing my path. I suggest picking up a map with hiking trails from the rangers post or convenience store, before planning your day!

Very beautiful place. Just an hour's drive from La Crescenta, much closer than Big Bear…read more There's still snow there, the road is clear, and along the way, there's a mountain stream and a reservoir where you can stop. Download a map in advance, as there's no signal there. There's a small lake where you can take a walk, and a forest with a cozy family café where you can grab a snack.

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My Cheeseburger from the Crystal lake cafe.
My Cheeseburger from the Crystal lake cafe.
Steps to/from Crystal Lake to the parking lot
Steps to/from Crystal Lake to the parking lot
Crystal Lake

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Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

4.4
(293 reviews)
14.6 mi

Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

This place is great for fully appreciating nature! The trail is around 5-5.5 miles round trip,…read moredepending on where you park. What impressed me most about this trail is that it's almost fully covered by shade. We went in the late afternoon, and I'd say probably 80-85% of it is covered. Very impressive! Here are some useful tips: 1. There are three parking lots: two are next to the highway, and one is near the hiking entrance. I'd recommend getting a parking pass if possible. 2. There are only three restrooms at the beginning of the trail, so use them when you see them. 3. If you're aiming to go to the waterfall, make sure to look for the signs. Some signs aren't very clear, so we had to stop and ask other hikers frequently. Luckily, people there are super friendly and happy to help. Just pay attention to your surroundings. 4. The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a leash. 5. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended. All in all, it's a fun trail. It's a great place for a picnic and camping, and it's very close to the stream. Great for kids, families, and pets!

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Lower Switzer Fall
Lower Switzer Fall
The grand prize, Switzer falls.
The grand prize, Switzer falls.
Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

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Secret Stairs

Secret Stairs

4.3
(37 reviews)
6.3 mi

My second time doing the stairs here is how I found them…read more Number of stairs- 9 Sycamore Glen to Redwood Dr.-this staircase is not in Fleming's Secret Stairs book, Walk #1, though they could have easily been part of the route. 60 steps Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr. 98 steps Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr. 81 steps up then 19 steps down Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr. 86 steps Glenullen Dr. to Cherry Dr. 99 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Capinero Dr. 44 steps La Loma to Cheviotdale Pl. 54 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Cherry Dr. 43 steps La Loma to Evergreen-this staircase... Hope it helps It's around two miles.

I decided to give the Secret Stairs a visit after a tip from Yelp! There is just something charming…read moreabout a neighborhood network of stairs. The stairs serves well as an easy hike or an exercise spot for those who love stair climbing. One thing I did not expect is that the stairs go up and down. Rather than take you higher and higher, some of the stairs just takes you across hills which for me is disappointing. Also, I did not find the houses along the trail particularly scenic. They are probably nice for Pasadena but definitely a far cry from what you see in nearby Arcadia, San Marino, La Canada, etc. Overall, I consider the Secret Stairs a local attraction. It's a worth a visit if you live less than 20 minutes away and its a fun neighborhood novelty but it's definitely not worth your time if you don't live in the area. Parking: I parked on the street on Elmwood which is the beginning of the trail, but I don't highly recommend it. It's not a particularly well maintained street and it is super narrow and steep without proper curbs/sidewalks. There is also a sign that says 'Tow Away on Red Flag Days'. Refer to the affixes picture. If I returned, I would either park on the street prior to Elmwood or just skip to a different segment.

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Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.
Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.
Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.
Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.
Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

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Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

Music Box Loop - hiking - Updated June 2026

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