Natalie Wood Tour
This tour (and many of the accompanying photographs I'll be adding soon) were submitted by mailing list member Marilyn J. Felling and are reprinted (in white text) by permission. I have inserted additional material (with thanks to Albert Stellmach) and potential side trips in yellow text. Unlike Marilyn, I am not an L.A. native. My directions, while researched, should be taken with caution. I'll add maps soon in an attempt to make the directions clear.
While it should be obvious, my travel experience tells me I should mention the following: Some of these sites are homes, high schools, and other non-public buildings. Please use courtesy when travelling in non-tourist oriented areas.
Marilyn - Living near Hollywood, and having been an avid fan since 1963, I have frequented many famous Natalie sites around town. Here's my own custom "Natalie Tour" to share with you:
Westwood
Start your tour at the Westwood Memorial Cemetery, 1218 Glendon Avenue, in Westwood near UCLA, just one-half block south of Wilshire Boulevard. This tiny cemetery is a little hard to find as it is now sandwiched between the tall office buildings of Westwood. It is a quiet haven in the midst of one of Los Angeles' most urban spots and is the final resting place of many luminaries. Natalie is buried beneath a shady camphor tree, just across the road from the crypt of Marilyn Monroe. (About halfway back towards the main gate.) Her beige coffin was covered with 450 white gardenias worked into a candlelight lace. The out of season gardenias had to be obtained from eight states. Today there are four permanent planters, one of which holds a white gardenia plant. A white cross and other small plant containers adorn her grave site. Her bronze grave marker reads, "Natalie Wood Wagner, Beloved Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother & Friend, 1938 - 1981, 'More Than Love.' " A gardenia blossom with leaves adorns the top left corner of the marker.
More information on Westwood Memorial Cemetary is available at Grim Society Map Room.
Hollywood Boulevard
After paying your respects, drive east across town on Wilshire Boulevard. (You will pass through Beverly Hills, where this tour ends. Alternately, you can turn left off Wilshire onto Sunset Boulevard and proceed onto the Beverly Hills section, then west to Hollywood Boulevard and possible some of the additional sites listed. You'll be missing dinner at La Scala, however.) On Willshire, after Passing S. La Jolle Ave, keep an eye out for 6363 Wilshire on your left. This is the address Natalie listed for her home when purchasing a Buick Riviera in 1963. Turn north onto a cross street such as Fairfax Avenue. (Stop at 3rd Street & Fairfax for a fun meal and shopping at the world famous Farmers Market if time permits.) Continue driving north on Fairfax to Hollywood Boulevard where you turn east. Park, then start this part of your tour at the world famous Mann's (Grauman's) Chinese Theater, 6925 Hollywood Boulevard. As you face the theater, walk into the forecourt and veer to your left. Natalie's hand and foot impressions are captured in concrete on a square located in the inner court, lower left corner - easy to find. I'm an average size female, so it was surprising to me to find that Natalie's fingers were about 1" shorter than mine! She was very diminutive. Along with her signature is the date of 12-5-61, the year when she was red hot with the two blockbuster movies, "Splendor in the Grass" and "West Side Story."
Walk east to the signal light closest to the theater and cross the street. Within a few "stars" to the east (about 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, near the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel), you will find Natalie's star on the "Walk of Fame." It is in an excellent location, also easy to find. So many of the "stars" are now cracked and in disrepair, but hers shines! As this was installed after her death, it is not very old nor worn.
Albert Stellmach recently took this tour, and reported that many shops in the area had Natalie Postcards, etc. The Chinese gift shop at 6927 Hollywood Blvd had the best selection.
Continue walking east on Hollywood Boulevard to your next major stop, Frederick's. However, on the way there you will pass numerous used book stores specializing in entertainment personalities. There are also many shops selling photos, posters and star memorabilia. Look down the side streets too for nearby shops located on Vine, Highland, and Ivar. There are many other similar shops in the immediate vicinity; check the yellow pages. You can fill an entire day just hunting for Natalie treasures here! I have purchased many fine Natalie items in these shops over the years. Once you have explored all of these shops for new additions to your collection (and our next stop at Frederick's), you might drive over to Cinema Collectors Posters, Photos & Books (1507 Wilcox Avenue).
You will walk about 4 blocks total and eventually arrive at Frederick's of Hollywood, 6608 Hollywood Boulevard. Located at the rear of the store you will find their Lingerie Museum which features a retrospective exhibition of vintage Frederick's under fashions dating back to 1946. But the thing to see here is located in the Celebrity Lingerie Hall of Fame. Frederick's salutes the stars of stage, screen and television who "glamorized" lingerie. Natalie's contribution is the special bra she wore in her 1969 film, "Bob, Carol, Ted & Alice." It is made of lacy lavender over a beige backing. Hot stuff! A color photo of it is featured in the brochure for the museum which is open Monday - Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 12-5pm. Admission is free. Phone: 213-466-8506 before making a special trip as the museum is sometimes closed when they are remodeling or changing exhibits.
Beverly Hills
Get back in your car and drive south to Sunset Boulevard, turn west, and enjoy the sites of the "Sunset Strip." Continue driving past the Beverly Hills City Limit sign. Before long you will need to turn left at the signal light at Beverly Drive (turn right if you chose to come here directly from Westwood.) In one block you will come to a 5-way intersection. This is Canon Drive and Lomitas Avenue. Continue on Beverly Drive to see one of Natalie's houses (according to a recent "for sale" advertisement.) Just before you reach Elevado Avenue you should come to 714 N Beverly Drive. According to the ad, this is a two story house, with 5 bedrooms, 4 baths and all the amenities. They didn't mention when this was owned by Natalie.
Turn left and head East on Elevado to North Canon Drive. Turn South, then go down a long block to 603 North Canon Drive @ the corner of Carmelita Avenue. The 2-story Cape Cod-style home that Natalie once shared with Robert Wagner and her children is on the NW corner. It was purchased from Patti Page in 1974 not long after the birth of their daughter Courtney Wagner (b. March 9, 1974) for $350,000. It is a rambling 9-room structure which Natalie completely redecorated in a fairly eclectic style. It has a tall white wooden fence in the front with lots of large trees and beautiful landscaping. There are 3 large dormers protruding from the second story, visible from the side street. The rear of the property has tennis courts. High electric cyclone fences with green covering keeps all fans out and away from the side and rear of the property. Peering through the small openings, you can see a lovely backyard and patio area where they had many parties. The house was put on the market after Natalie's tragic death for $2.9 million. Robert Wagner moved to a secluded two-acre estate in a hilly section of West Los Angeles near Will Rogers State Park with the girls.
As your day is coming to a close, why not treat yourself to Northern Italian cuisine at Natalie's reputed favorite restaurant?! Not far from her house is La Scala, 434 North Canon Drive, in Beverly Hills. Phone 310-275-0579 for reservations. They serve pretty traditional Italian fare and are particularly noted for their chopped salad. The original La Scala site where she frequently dined, 9455 Little Santa Monica Blvd., has been closed, but this revised trattoria-style La Scala was opened by founder Jean Leon and still serves many of the same famous recipes. I would wager a bet that she enjoyed good Italian food!
Also in this area
Two Rebel Without a Cause sites are just west of the Hollywood Boulevard section of the tour. Griffith Park Observatory, where much of the films action takes place, is open to the public. Admission is free, although there is a charge for the planetarium show. The observatory is closed on holidays and on mondays during the winter months. The observatory is opens in the afternoon and closes at 10 PM. Take Hollywood Blvd. eastbound to Vermont, and turn North on Vermont. Go up the hill past the Greek Theatre. Additional information and directions are available at the general information page of the observatory web site.
John Marshall High School (at 3939 Tracy Street) has been used in several films and television programs. It was Dason High School in Rebel Without a Cause and also appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (with Natasha Wagner.) From the observatory, head back south on Vermont to West Franklin. Turn left here and continue eastbound to North Saint George Street. Turn left again and continue to Tracy Street. Turn left here and the school will be just ahead.
Additional places to visit
Van Nuys High School, at 6535 Cedros Avenue, has also been used in several movies and television programs, including "The Wonder Years" and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. It is included here, however, because it is the real high school attended by Natalie Wood (she graduated in June 1955.) Other famous students include Robert Redford, Don Drysdale, Paula Abdul, Jane Russel and, briefly, Marilyn Monroe. Cedros Avenue is off of West Victory Boulevard, which can be reached by Highway 405.
Warner Brothers Studios, where Natalie was under contract for much of her adult career, offers a two and a half hour studio backlot tour. The tour starts with a 30 minute film covering Warner Brothers' history. Six clips from Natalie Wood films are among the many shown. There is also a studio museum which features the red dress Natalie wore in the police station scenes of Rebel Without a Cause and notes on script revisions. No photography is allowed. The Warner web site has information about booking a tour.
If you have still another day in Southern California, here is my final suggestion - go to the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park near Knott's Berry Farm. Although I haven't been here for quite a few years, on my last visit I saw the wax figures of Natalie and Richard Beymer, posed in a mock wedding scene from "West Side Story." She is wearing the yellow wedding dress with a long white veil, holding a bouquet of flowers, and gazing into "Tony's" eyes. This is located in the Star's Hall of Fame. Since I'm not certain if this is still on display, call first. (Note: It is still on display.)They also sold postcards of this scene in the adjoining gift shop.
This page was last updated on November 30, 2004.
