Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
200
Stargazing in L.A., Part II: The Less-Than-Lively Set
Almost everybody who visits L.A. hopes t o see a c elebrity—they are, after all,
the city's most common export. But celebrities usually don't cooperate, failing
to gather in r eadily viewable her ds. There is, however, an absolut ely guaran-
teed method to approach within 6 f eet of many famous stars. Cemeteries are
the
place for star (or at least headstone) gazing: The star is always available, and
you're going to get a lot more up close and personal than you probably would
to anyone who's actually alive. Here is a guide t o the most fruitful c emeteries,
listed in order of their friendliness t o stargazers. If you're looking for someone
in particular, log on to www.findagrave.com. (There's a website for
everything.
)
Weathered Victorian and Art Deco memorials add to the decaying charm of
Hollywood F orever
(f ormerly Holly wood M emorial P ark), 6000 Santa
Monica Blvd., Hollywood (
&
323/469-1181;
www.hollywoodforever.com). Fit-
tingly, there's a terrific view of the
HOLLYWOOD
sign over the graves, as many of
the founders of the community rest here. The most notable tenant is Rudolph
Valentino, who rests in an interior crypt. Outside are Tyrone Power, Jr.; Douglas
Fairbanks, Sr.; Cecil B. DeMille (facing P aramount, his old studio); C arl “Alfalfa”
Spritzer from
The Little Rascals
(the dog on his g rave is not Petey); Hearst mis-
tress Marion Davies; John Huston; and a headst one for Jayne Mansfield (she's
really buried in P ennsylvania with her family). I n 2000, Douglas F airbanks, Jr.,
joined his dad at Hollywood Forever. The best epitaph is Mel Blanc's “That's all,
Folks.” Grab a map at the entrance for a self-guided tour.
T he Catholic
Holy Cr oss C emetery,
5835 W. Slauson A ve., C ulver Cit y
(
&
310/836-5500
), founded in 1939, hands out maps t o the stars ' graves. In
one area, within mere feet of each other, lie Bing Crosby, Bela Lugosi (buried in
his Dracula cape), and Sharon Tate; not far away are Rita Hayworth and Jimmy
Durante. Also here are “Tin Man” Jack Haley and “Scarecrow” Ray Bolger, Mary
Astor, John F ord, and Gloria M organ Vanderbilt. More recent arrivals include
John Candy and Audrey Meadows.
The front office at
Hillside Memorial P ark,
6001 C entinela Ave., Baldwin
Hills (
&
800/576-1994;
www.hillsidememorial.com), can pr ovide a guide t o
this Jewish c emetery, which has a L.A. landmark : the behemoth t omb of Al
Jolson. His rotunda, complete with a bronze reproduction of Jolson and a cas-
cading fountain, is visible from I-405. Also on hand ar e Jack Benny, Eddie Can-
tor, Vic Morrow, and Michael Landon.
You just know developers get stomachaches looking at
Westwood Village
Memorial Park,
1218 Glendon A ve., Westwood (
&
310/474-1579;
the staff
7
ZUMA BEACH COUNTY PARK
Jampacked on warm w eekends, L.A. County 's
largest beach park is located off the Pacific Coast Highway (Calif. 1), a mile past Kanan
Dume Road. While it can't claim to be the most scenic beach in the S outhland, Zuma
has the most compr ehensive facilities: plenty of r estrooms, lifeguards, playgrounds, vol-
leyball courts, and snack bars. The southern str etch, toward Point Dume, is Westward
