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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.

    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.

    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.

    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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    9 years ago

    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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    9 years ago

    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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    11 years ago

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

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    Ask the Community - Music Box Loop

    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

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook (also known as the Culver City Steps) is a great spot to check…read moreout for new and experienced hikers alike. I personally go for a hike every Sunday because it helps me decompress, reflect on the week that I've had, and mentally prepare myself for the week coming up/visualize future plans. Right off the bat, I'd strongly recommend planning in advance for the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook since the parking closer to the base of the trail is street parking and first come first serve. While the street parking is mostly free (there are some meters), I can't really recommend a "best" time to get there as I've gone at multiple times of the morning, afternoon, and evening, and it's generally tough to get a spot that isn't a bit of a walk away. Additionally, there is metered parking at the top of the trail, but the caveat is that you won't be able to advance the steps on your first trek if you start from the top. The steps are arguably the most attractive part of the trail since it offers a unique fitness challenge that manages to feel familiar for stairmaster users while also feeling different because of the outdoor ambiance. It also feels like something out of a training scene from a Shaw Brothers film for my fellow movie nerds. If your'e reasonably in shape, the steps likely won't be too big of an issue, but if you're fairly new to fitness/hiking, you will likely have to take breaks as you advance up the steps. That said, most people here are very supportive of one another, so if you are struggling to make it up, someone will no doubt cheer you on. Once you advance to the top of the steps, you'll have an opportunity to catch your breath, take in the beautiful skyline view of LA, and take a selfie. This is also a great opportunity to chat with fellow hikers and possibly make a new friend or two along the way. I'd suggest advancing past this rest spot and make your way to the back of the trail as it provides you with two cool options. Option 1: You can make a right while at the parking lot and do laps going up and down the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook without worrying about the steps. It is significantly less grueling than the steps, offers some additional great views of LA, and even has a few benches where one can chill and eat a snack. Option 2 (Strongly Recommend): You can make a left, walk through the parking lot, and explore a nice casual hike from the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook to the nearby Kenneth Hahn Park. I do this every time I visit the trail because it feels like a more rewarding hike that also offers some really nice views of the local area. Furthermore, this path is another way to get to Kenneth Hahn without worrying about the $10.00 entry fee should you try to enter the park that way. I've been hiking since 2020, and I can confidently say that this is one of my favorite trails. I've hiked here countless times alone, and I've also gone with less experienced friends who've also had a blast. The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is moderately challenging, offers some great views, is peaceful, and the food trucks at the base of the steps have a wealth of smoothies, refreshers, etc. to choose from for your pre or post hike pleasure.

    we came at 2pm 83 degrees on weather app but the breeze was cool. There's trails on both sides for…read morealternative climbs. I did feel like puking up the 2nd "lap". Would do it again. Sad to see how much smog there is. We almost made out the Hollywood sign. Could see where Cedars Sinai and LA skyline were though!

    Photos
    Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
    Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook - Sunrise

    Sunrise

    Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook - Mustard weeds er'where!

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    Mustard weeds er'where!

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    4.4(294 reviews)
    14.6 mi

    This was my first real hike, and it was great! It was a bit confusing to get there but there were…read moreplenty of people around to help out. The water is ice cold and you need water shoes to comfortably walk around in the water. Be careful not to slip on the algae covered rocks! Still wonderful

    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.

    Photos
    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - Lower Switzer Fall

    Lower Switzer Fall

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

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    The grand prize, Switzer falls.

    Secret Stairs - Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr.

    Secret Stairs

    4.3(37 reviews)
    6.3 mi•South Arroyo

    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.

    Photos
    Secret Stairs - Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.

    Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.

    Secret Stairs - Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.

    Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.

    Secret Stairs - Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

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    Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

    Music Box Loop - hiking - Updated September 2026

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