Rick Wallace
Along the PCH
If you have ever taken the tour of the Adamson House at the Malibu Lagoon Museum, you know that standing on the upper sun deck of the two-story mansion offers a spectacular sweeping scenic view. In my opinion, it is the very best spot in all of Malibu to stand. Four-dozen features of interest are on display, such as the pier, the waves, the surfers, the beach, the hills, the star pond on the grounds and the pool. Additionally, one can view the gardens, two separate sections of the lagoon, a section of the Colony, the coastline, the huge estates in the hills and much more, standing in one spot! Tours are Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The new Point Dume Plaza looks terrific. Nice job. Too bad they forgot to add the underground parking area. Thus it remains that only about 150 persons can be visiting the entire complex at any one time.
It was forty years ago that a new elementary school in Big Rock and a new junior high school where Malibu Bluffs Park is located were under serious consideration.
Old-time Malibu residents remember when the newly renovated Malibu Beach Inn was the site of the Tonga Lei restaurant and lounge and then later Don the Beachcomber.
It was chilling to read a while back about a Simi Valley couple found dead near their car at the bottom of Malibu Canyon, many months after they went missing. You mean, after 50 years, there are still sections along the canyon road without railing where you can simply drive off the cliff and vanish?
The first real estate office in Malibu was on Malibu Road just across the street from the Colony. It was the office of Art Jones, where he made Colony vacant lots available for lease in 1927.
Not too long ago I treated myself to a walk in Paradise Cove with access from the headlands stairway at Big Dume or the parking lot at Paradise Cove Beach Café. One of the most breathtaking Malibu beach walks possible awaits, especially if you have not done it in a long time. These days-many of which are crisp with clear views of the entire bay-are even more special. A lot of great entertainment and relaxation is darn expensive these days. This walk is free and inspiring.
Over in Santa Monica, Wilshire Boulevard was originally Nevada Street. Santa Monica Boulevard was originally Oregon Street. All Western state names were accounted for, after all. Nearby, the Santa Monica Freeway did not open until 1966.
Add 2007 to the list of the scariest fire years: 1930, 1956, 1958,1970, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1993, 2003.
When Moonshadows, established in 1972, is up and running strong, for one-tenth of a mile in each direction it is essentially a parking lot full of pedestrians and cars moving in different directions at various speeds. Oh, and a veritable freeway running through the middle of it.
How deep is the water here? For about a half mile out, it is only about 50 feet before it begins a gradual increase in depth. About seven miles out is a deep canyon, called Santa Monica Canyon that drops to about 1500 feet.
We all get stuck in traffic regularly on PCH with no idea how long the backup is, no idea what the problem is, and no idea how long the delay will be. This is why I propose a system for free-flowing drivers moving in the opposite direction to assist fellow Pacific Coast Highway drivers stuck in misery. Hold out one finger outside your window for each full mile of the backup. A fist would indicate the motorist is within one mile of freedom. These hand signals can be invaluable to us when we’re hardly moving down the highway-no matter which direction-and needing information. Seeing many hands whiz by of three, four or five fingers, for example, can help us make a decision of how, or if, to proceed. A fist is the sign of hope-and signal of understanding of what the delayed motorists must be feeling.