Can only provide a partial review. Dear Hubby originally saw this event in the L.A. Times. We…read morewere planning to join the tour last Sunday, a one-day only event, celebrating the anniversary of Glendale's first historic district overlay zone. The neighborhood on Royal Blvd. is featured with a low key sign announcing the significance of the grouping of home. Though we didn't end up taking the docent-led tour, we did walk the street, checking out the facades and yards of the 30 homes in the district. Encompassing 30 homes, the styles include Spanish Colonial, Colonial, French and Mediterranean Revival. Most sit up from the street, especially on the east side. This makes for dramatic opportunities with stairs and landscaping. The homes exhibit a genteel, grand style. I'm sure the architectural details and craftsmanship inside the homes would have been a beautiful sight to see. We were short on time and didn't want to rush through on a warm afternoon. We observed that they were grouping visitors outside, before sending them inside to keep the tours orderly. Hosted by the Glendale Historical Society, the tour precluded our chance to visit the Doctors House Museum, which was our original plan that day. The Society had diverted all its energy to hosting the Revivals Home Tour, which was understandable. We didn't figure it out until we'd driven all the way to Brand Park. I hope that this tour will be repeated next year. We'll plan ahead better so that we can take full advantage of the hours offered for the event. The Historical Society indicates on their website they host other walking tours in various neighborhoods at different times of the year. Those might not include interior visits, but would still be an introduction to other historically significant areas of the city. Always great to see unique homes with character celebrated and preserved.

I know what you're thinking - why are you bothering to review this when it's not even actually an…read moreattraction? I guess this stands as a warning to other people with morbid curiosity. This is literally just a house, on a cul de sac that's impossible to back out of. I know people love to come and take a gander, but there's nothing to see. Listen, I love true crime, spooky things, et cetera but this is just a waste. There's nothing supernatural here. This is just a sad story about a mentally ill man and some clueless investors, nothing more. See it if you must, since it is an interesting piece of history, but don't be surprised if it's a waste of time.

On the night of December 6, 1959, Dr. Harold Perelson struck his wife to death with a hammer and…read morethen severely beat his teenage daughter in the mansion located on a Los Feliz hilltop. The daughter was able to escape and run to a neighbor's home and call police. Meanwhile, Dr. Perelson proceeded to kill himself by drinking a glass of acid. Since this incident in 1959, the 1925 Spanish Revival mansion has remained vacant and perfectly untouched. If you were to peer through the windows of the home you would see that the Christmas tree, the presents, and the interior décor have remained just as it did the night of the murders. A few months after the murders the home was sold at auction to a couple who used the home mainly for property storage. After they died around 1994 the property was passed on to their son who has continued to keep the property as is. It's worth mentioning that there is another famous spooky home that sits directly behind this one, the Frank Lloyd Wright's Ennis House. http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/06/local/me-mansion6

High Tower is a hidden gem of Los Angeles, minutes away from Highland. It's a place you need to…read morelove the city in order to discover it and enjoy its beauty. It takes research and preparation and it's worth it! My husband loves movies like "The Long Goodbye" and "Dead Again", LA based thrillers, so that's how we discovered High Tower Elevator because they used it as a location for these cool films. So we looked into it. More trivia, it is mentioned by Michael Connelly in his novels ("Echo Park) and he used to live here, cool, tight? Hard to find parking in the area, but since we got tickets for the Bowl and we were parked in their lot, we figured we should take advantage and walk to it. Just a few minutes walk, from Highland, we took a right on Camrose and another right on High Tower Drive and here you are! If you want to see it closer, take a right on Los Altos (stairs) and another right on Broadview Terrace and you will be able to see the building and the elevator closer up! A quick hike up the stairs, nothing really. At 2200 Broadview Terrace, there's a Frank Lloyd Wright House, the Otto Bolman House. Lots of hidden gems, art deco beauties around, great views of the city and of the hills around. There is even a bench to sit, relax, admire the beauty around. Fun excursion in our own city where there's always something new to discover, something unique and original. The elevator is for residents only, but it was fun to see it. The tower is inspired by Italian campaniles, built in the 20's. Great slice of LA history, always great to dig deep and find great places off the beaten path!

Stunning and romantic. Transport yourself to Italy at the turn of the 20th century. But be warned,…read morein order to ride the lift you need a magical key.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here at Rubel Castle. Our host, guide,…read moreand local "Rubelligent" volunteer, Ms. Kathleen had all the intel about this historical property. She was so knowledgeable and helped set the stage for us to slip into a forgotten era and get a glimpse of how imagination met inventiveness with a DIY charm. ~ A LITTLE BACKSTORY FOR YOU ~ It's not pronounced Rubel as Barney from Flintstones. Rather, it's like Target is to Targét when we are trying to be fancy. So that's Rubel as in "Roo-bell." Unlike modern-day construction, Rubel Castle wasn't built overnight. It was made of collected recyclables and construction rubble that spanned many decades and took several friends and volunteers to build it. For Michael, however, the lifetime inspiration was first sparked at the age of 9. His love for canons was where it started and the rest is history you can hear about on the tour. But don't just show up like we did randomly one day. To book, visit RubelTours.org and make a reservation. ~ OUR TOUR EXPERIENCE ~ It's as if Michael Rubel, the creator and mastermind of this enchanted dominion had intended it to be--magical. Built in the castle period of wood and tin, every corner captured our interests, from antique cars to the 1890's Seth Thomas Tower Clock with a unique backstory (and only six in existence today). There were old vending machines, tools, trinkets, and machinery that time had long forgotten. Did I mention there was a drawbridge? Yes, and a dungeon too. I was just waiting for a dragon to come swoop down on us next. Walk in the footsteps of famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where you glance. I particularly enjoyed the bottle house that Michael built in 1968 as his "home" as a kid. That independent spirit was quite charming to see. ~ WATERCOLOR NATURESCAPE ~ We were fortunate to have our gracious host lead us on a tour and organize a special art crafting experience outdoors. It was absolutely lovely beneath the trees and between rusted vintage cars from the turn of the century. We each got a small canvas to paint our flowers in watercolor. (This particular experience takes place in the Spring and Fall, weather permitting.) We heard the squirrels rattling in the leaves and birds chirped and sang in the trees above. We discovered that peacocks apparently originated from this property, compliments of Michael Rubel. And did I mention that on the far side of the property, a custom garden was in full bloom? BOOK A TOUR Help support the Glendora Historical Society and keep this magnificently unique city-castle maintained. It's worth it.

A castle in Glendora? Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you--Rubel Castle is real, it's magnificent,…read moreand it's gloriously eccentric. Thanks to the sheer persistence (and probably delightful stubbornness) of Michael Rubel, we now have this quirky, towering State Treasure sitting right in the middle of Glendora like a fairy tale that accidentally took a detour through a hardware store. This place is beautifully done, and part of its charm is that it's a full-on hodgepodge of relics, antiques, crystal trinkets, and "wait... what is that doing here?" moments tucked into every nook and cranny. You'll marvel, you'll laugh, you'll squint in confusion--honestly, it's everything you'd want in a castle built with love, imagination, and a dash of madness. And let's talk about the makeshift cemetery. Quirky? YES. Fun? Absolutely. Slightly spooky? Only if your imagination is over-caffeinated. But it fits the vibe perfectly--like the castle whispered, "You know what I'm missing? A tiny cemetery." The tours are fantastic, the guides are passionate, and the whole experience feels like you're stepping into a living scrapbook of California history and charming chaos. Overall: Amazing, amazing place. Book your tour. They only do tours every first Sunday of the month, so set your alarms, mark your calendars, tie a string around your finger--just don't miss it. Rubel Castle is truly a California State Treasure, and an absolute must-see for anyone who appreciates creativity, history, and a little eccentric sparkle.

I booked this tour with Grave line for my husband's birthday because he loves true crime, and it…read moreended up being the perfect gift! Our guide, Ansley, was respectful, knowledgeable, approachable, and friendly. She really brought the stories to life and made everyone feel comfortable asking questions. The vintage funeral car was such a cool and fitting touch for the Manson Family Murders Tour (and the main reason why I booked the tour). About 80% of the experience was spent in the car, which was cozy and gave us plenty of time to soak in the history while listening to music from the era. Including Manson, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles, to name a few. We also made three stops along the way to get out, take photos, and see key locations up close. As a mortician, the experience carried an extra layer of meaning. I actually helped funeral direct the service for the LaBiancas' granddaughter (who had the same fate as her grandparents). So hearing and seeing this history firsthand felt deeply personal and surreal. If you're into true crime or Los Angeles history, this tour is an absolute must. Graveliners and Ansley made the experience both educational and unforgettable. We loved every minute!

We have now done 2 tours with this company. The Manson murders with Blaze and Death Becomes Her…read morewith Ainsley! Both tours and guides were fantastic!! Highly recommend and can't wait to book another tour! So much fun and so much knowledge!!! Great find!

I went on a private vintage shopping tour with April, and WOW! I work in fashion (I've been a…read morestylist for 16 years). I've always admired vintage clothing, but I wasn't familiar with the older brands or their history. April knew EVERYTHING! She was so knowledgeable and was able to pick out gems I would have otherwise overlooked. I want to do one of her group tours next. Such a unique and fun experience for fashion lovers.

A thoroughly captivating and enjoyable walking tour. The amount of colorful history shared and the…read morepace were just right. Plus, you feel like you're walking with a celebrity.

The Lanterman House is a craftsman museum house Listed on the National Register of Historic Places…read more The owner of this house was Dr. Roy Lanterman and wife, Emily, and they bequeath it to the City of La Cañada Flintridge. We registered for a group tour which cost $5/pp. The group was greeted by two old docent female staff (Marylou and Gayle). We started off by watching a short film about the history of La Cañada and the Lanterman family back in the late 1880. Some highlights about the tour: This house has a U-shaped Mexican Colonial hacienda design with 35 French windows, multiple rooms, a playroom, an entertainment room, Doctor's office, a large granite fireplace and a dance ballroom. Our docent was very knowledgeable and amiable. The house itself is not an estate per se but rather sits on a large lot. The house has many cool artifacts. Free parking lot on the side of the house. Tour lasted 75 mins. Overall, it's a nice historic house by the family who contributed significantly to the city of La Cañada.

If you're in the area visiting Descanso Gardens, try and set aside time to visit this lovely 1915…read morehome which is about a 5 minute drive away. Access only via scheduled docent led tours - it's a well-spent 1.5 hours for, believe it or not, only $5 for adults (discounts for Seniors and Students to $3, I think.) I won't repeat the program structure re: starting with a video and the path of the tour, as other reviews cover this accurately. But I will say if you're interested in stepping into a home and learning about the history of an area (La Canada) via the eyes of a family very influential to its growth, this is a must for you. Any history buff, and avid documentary watcher (you know who you are LOL) will enjoy a visit. The interiors have been restored and the vast majority of the furniture, art and collectibles are original to the 1915 construction. This is thanks to some "pack rat" sons who kept everything and more inside their parents' house before it was finally acquired by the city of La Cañada as a historical home. This isn't a vast Vanderbilt, grand estate - it's a beautiful and charming family home that has surprisingly modern touches that were ahead of their time - but maintaining the quiet elegance of another era. Docent Yvonne was lovely and the volunteer team at the Visitor Center equally helpful and kind. Great step back in time - you'll feel as if the Lanterman family could walk around the corner at any moment. Just go, you'll enjoy it!!! :-)

Here's a sentence that I never thought I'd ever write. Pyrenees Castle made infamous due to…read morelegendary record producer Phil Spector's unique solution to relationship discord and conflict resolution makes for a smashing wedding venue and party space. The homicidal music savant and notable wig aficionado once rambled around this nearly century old French chateau only to see it's lush grounds and mid-century aesthetic launch more than a few happy couples into wedded bliss. I just loved the gestalt of the entire property and applaud any couple brave enough to not settle for the same old, same old wedding factory homogeniety. Five easy stars.

The architecture isn't exactly gothic. It isn't exactly modern. It's more of a mishmash of an…read moreattempt at medieval. Just the same it has an extensive history and is very interesting. Most people will remember this when it was in the media referencing the house that was built in 1925, owned by Phil Spectre & that actress Lama Clarkson was shot in. You cannot access the property it is behind a huge wall. So please do not trespass. But you can get glimpses of it as you drive around its perimeter or head up to higher elevation.

This place is an absolute paradise in the center of Beverly Hills and it's a fantastic place. It…read morebelonged to the Robinson malls founder. One cannot just visit freely. You need to book a tour or attend an event. I took a 2 hour watercolor class that felt a bit rushed and basic but still was a good experience. I was able to walk the gardens a little and it's all absolutely beautiful and almost magical. I felt transported to a place that didn't feel like the heart of Los Angeles!

Our docent was not good. She had trouble remembering information, she would yell at the adults. She…read morewould say look at this door - behind it (which you could not see) is a seating area. Who gives a crap when you are staring at a plain door. Would not do this again. But the grounds are spectacular and would do it once. Don't get Susan as your docent she will either put you to sleep or yell.

Our tour guide Meri gave us 5 star service. She was very professional and made everyone feel…read morecomfortable and happy. The office staff were not as friendly, hence 4 stars instead of 5.

The best! The most amazing experience with the most incredible tour guide,Noune. Highly recommended.read more