Your Canyon Walk Continued
As you hit the bottom of Ocean Way, it is probably time to meander towards the beach. But before you go to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), Patrick's RoadHouse on your left is a longtime canyon hang out and great place to stop for a lemonade or lunch. Refreshed, find your way back up the canyon by crossing the bridge on Short Street (it is really short!) working back up the canyon on the left is East Rustic Road. It becomes a natural creek farther up Rustic Canyon. The street remains narrow to avoid the huge sycamores that grow in its path. The earliest homes on this street tended to be modest framed cottages. Many are still there: the original log cabin on the corner of Sycamore and West Channel, a beautiful Spanish-Moorish style home at 432, an English Cottage from the late 1920's at 544. Once at the end of East Rustic, you can cross the bridge on your left and circle back on West Rustic or retrace your path four or five houses and bear left. This will take you to Sycamore Road where many of the homes are original or just slightly altered. If you look to you left between 400 and 392 Sycamore, you will find a well-hidden staircase that will take you half way up Mesa Road. Once on Mesa, look both ways carefully before you cross the street - cars travel quickly to and from Rustic Canyon. Just across and up a house or two at 400 Mesa Road is a fantastic set of hidden stairs. Don't try these if you are already pooped. But, if you are game for it, climb the stairs that take you to the top of upper Mesa Road. From there you can either take Amalfi Drive and wind your way back to West Channel Road past the Canyon School,

or brave another set of stairs at 395 Amalfi, down past huge old palms. If you take these stairs, you are now facing Adelaide on the opposite rim (where you started). Continue down Amalfi. As it is about to bend at 271, there is yet another hidden set of stairs. Head down the stairs (go on! you are almost back) to Sage Lane on your left. You will pass the late Sam Francis home and studio and the original Lois Lane's home. As you hit the channel take the short footbridge. You will be standing on the west side of Canyon School.
Along East Channel Road if you walk to the corner and turn left you will pass the Canyon Service Station. Lovingly restored, the station is in operation today and is one of the oldest gas stations in the city, dating back to 1926. It was built by Perfect Marquez the original land grant family of Santa Monica Canyon. His daughter still lives on the property. The station services the community and is used by filming companies because of its wonder and original charm. Across the street from Canyon Service, the 4th Street stairs are challenging you to climb them. It is the quickest way back to Adelaide and you can boast "I did the stairs."