ell Rita Dr, Beverly Crest

If I can at all help it, I take Laurel over the hill from the Valley back into the city instead of the freeway. At times, it actually can be faster -- especially if you're going from Sherman Oaks to West Hollywood proper. But, even it does take a little more time than the 101, it's just so much prettier and more fun to drive. The top (at Mulhulland is so beautiful). And, it really is so serene and green that you might almost forget you're in the middle of a giant city for a minute. It's a really curvy drive, though, so if it's raining or dark, it can be quite dangerous.
A lot of famous people live on the off shoots of Laurel Canyon in the hills. The houses are huge and private and have great views. But, I'm not a huge fan. If I had an unlimited amount of money, Laurel Canyon wouldn't be my first choice for places to live. A lot of the houses have an actual cabin feel to them even though they're all of a mile up a hill. It's pretty funny. And, once you really get into the thick of the offshoot streets, the neighborhood becomes a little creepy. It's quite dark and there's so many trees and almost no noise. A lot of this neighborhood seems like it's straight out of a horror film.
This area used to be renowned for it's hippie / bohemian / Joni Mitchelly kind of constituency. There were some cult houses and a lot of free love up in the canyons in the '60's and '70's. And, while a lot of the super celebrity and richie culture has moved in, it still, very much has the bohemian feel to it.
All in all, I really enjoy driving on Laurel -- I just avoid it when it rains heavily. The streets flood and a lot of landslides happen here. Houses have actually slid onto the road a number of times. It's really crazy.
Ooh, and Pace: you gotta eat at Pace which is right on the side of Laurel near the middle of the trek. It's fantastic.

Laurel Canyon was made famous after a Joni Mitchell song Ladies of the Canyon in the 1960s. Once very quaint, quiet, and low key, it still holds to it's bohemian reputation as the residents and neighborhood are very laid back and welcoming.

It is home to the Wonderland treatment center with amazing views and world-class therapy. Minutes from the hottest clubs in Hollywood, Laurel Canyon still maintains its reputation for it's "little bohemia feel", as well as a very relaxing area throughout the past 50 years.

Houses are classified on two different "sides"-the Valley side or the Hollywood side, the two sides are divided by a beautiful drive called Mulholland Drive .Houses are considered either on the Valley side or the Hollywood side It is a pricey neighborhood, low-end house costs are around 700,000 and can go all the way up to $2,000,000. It has been and is home to many celebrities as well such as Justin Timberlake ,George Clooney, and Christina Applegate.

For families who can afford such an expensive area, their kids will have some of the best elementary education in the state.

For families who can afford such an expensive area, their kids will have some of the best elementary education in the state.