landmarks

When David Lynch moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles in the summer of 1970, he was stunned by the sunshine that radiated onto the city — the “most beautiful light I’d ever seen in my life,” he wrote with Kristine McKenna in his 2018 memoir “Room to Dream.” In that book, he described his first morning walking out of an apartment on San Vicente Boulevard.

David Lynch in 2016.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

“I kept kind of moving around with my arms outstretched and I almost got hit by a car wandering into the street,” he wrote.

That light — and Los Angeles itself — continued to inspire and energize the filmmaker and artist throughout his five-plus decades of calling L.A. home, until his death last year at the age of 78. In “Room to Dream,” he wrote about the “magical street” of Mulholland Drive and all its twists and turns: “It’s really got a history, and if you’re in Los Angeles long enough you start hearing stories about things that have happened on it that get your mind going.” In an interview with the Filmographers, he told the story of how his character in “Twin Peaks” was a name plucked from Billy Wilder’s
“Sunset Boulevard,” which very well may have been inspired by Wilder’s
commute to Paramount that passed the Hollywood streets Gordon and
Cole. And the dissolve from Naomi Watts’ face in “Mulholland Drive” to rows of palm trees has become a classic shot for representing his work and his love for the city, hopeful and drenched in his beloved sunlight.

Much like L.A., the artistic legacy of Lynch is difficult to encapsulate — trying to describe his work is like attempting to explain a dream. His films so strongly defied categorization that they necessitated an eponymous term: Lynchian.

The Hollywood Sign, as seen from Beachwood Drive. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Palm trees, which Lynch often used as a symbol in his films, tower above the city. (David McNew / Getty Images)

Unsettling to many, beloved by more, he refused to explain his work, allowing and challenging his audience to parse through it and imbue their own meanings and discoveries. The reward, for him, was in the doing, in taking a daydream and forming it into an idea that he could shape into something real in the world, blending the mundane and the macabre.

Here are some places around L.A. that offer a glimpse into Lynch’s world.

Note: the Lynch compound and all other residential locations mentioned are all private residences, and not to be disturbed.

Classic diners, especially Bob’s Big Boy Burbank

Lynch would often to go to Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank to meet with creative collaborators, or simply sit and think

(Jill Connelly / For The Times)

Lynch was fond of the straightforwardness of a diner, and he considered them to be ideal for creative thinking and work meetings. In his book “Catching the Big Fish,” he said: “I’d have a milkshake and sit and think. There’s a safety in thinking in a diner. You can have your coffee or your milkshake, and you can go off into strange dark areas, and always come back to the safety of the diner.”

One of the most viscerally terrifying scenes of “Mulholland Drive” takes place behind the dumpster at the abandoned Caesar’s diner in Gardena. And he liked having meals with his family at what is now the Denny’s in Gower Gulch, a place where aspiring cowboy actors once congregated. But the most significant diner in Lynch’s legacy is Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank. He spoke of going to Bob’s almost every day from the mid-’70s until the early ’80s. In an interview with Charlie Rose, Lynch claimed he saw a man at the counter who inspired the Frank Booth character in “Blue Velvet.”

Signs of Lynch at Bob’s Big Boy: His headshot displayed alongside actors Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern; a milkshake at the counter. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Lynch’s order included a chocolate milkshake and coffee, the cold sugar and caffeine fueling his ideas. He believed 2:30 p.m. was the perfect time to order the milkshake, specifically ”after the lunch rush when the machine had enough time to chill, the silver goblet would be frosted when it arrives at the table, and the ice cream is almost like butter, like cold butter, it’s almost solid, and it has specks of chocolate in it, and it almost gets a frost on it when it arrives,” he said in a conversation with the Filmosophers.

Today there is a framed photo of Lynch over the door of the Burbank location, indicating that his love for the restaurant was mutual. After his death, Bob’s became the de facto location for fans needing to pay homage to the beloved director, piled high with tributes of cigarettes, cans of Coke, donuts, slices of pie and tear-stained letters of gratitude.

Franklin Canyon Park

Leaves illuminated by sunlight under a canopy of trees in Franklin Canyon.

(Blake Fagan / For The Times)

Franklin Canyon Park was once a summer retreat for the Doheny family, who built a Spanish-style home at the base of the canyon in the 1930s. The 605 acres were purchased by the National Park Service in 1981.

A frame overlooks the water in Franklin Canyon, which stood in for many interstitial woodsy scenes in “Twin Peaks.”

(Blake Fagan / For The Times)

The mysterious woods are an essential element in Lynch’s world of “Twin Peaks.” While the pilot for the TV drama and the film prequel “Fire Walk With Me” were filmed in Washington (and there’s lots of scenic footage from the Pacific Northwest throughout the series), much of the show was filmed on Southern California soundstages. And for the many interstitial scenes in the woods, Franklin Canyon and its lush forest stood in. Lynch and co-creator Mark Frost opened an esoteric window to prime-time viewers with the concept of the Black Lodge. The filming location of its entrance, known as Glastonbury Grove in the show, is in Franklin Canyon Park.

Doheny landmarks

In an interview with Charlie Rose, Lynch stated that “everybody is a detective and the unknown is a magnet.” He invited his audiences to look at a door and investigate what lurks behind it. This philosophy ties to his connections with an L.A. legacy, one that contains its own mysteries and contrasts: the Doheny family and its historic properties:

The Doheny Mansion

Glimpses of the Doheny Mansion, clockwise from left: the music room; a stained glass sky light; a sculpture adorns a table in the Pompeian Room. (Blake Fagan / For The Times)

The sprawling and opulent Doheny Mansion, now part of the Mt. St. Mary’s campus, was built in 1899 by architects Theodore Eisen and Sumner Hunt. Patriarch and oil baron Ed Doheny and wife Estelle acquired the home in 1901 and the Doheny family made it their home for nearly 60 years. Lynch used the mansion as the home for Laura Dern’s character in his 2006 film “Inland Empire,” and also filmed an Armani commercial there in the 1990s.

Greystone Mansion

The central courtyard at the Greystone Mansion.

(Blake Fagan / For The Times)

In the 1970s, Lynch was a fellow at the newly founded American Film Institute, based at Greystone Mansion at the time. He eventually took over the mansion’s stables, converting them into a production studio and occasionally (and illegally) living there while he filmed his debut feature, “Eraserhead.” He slept in the room that became the bedroom for the character Henry. “I’d lock myself in there in such a way that from the outside it looked as if no one could possibly be inside,” Lynch said in Mark Altman’s 1990 book “Twin Peaks: Behind The Scenes.” “We’d put these special blankets up on the walls to deaden the sound for shooting and it was quiet.”

Scenes from the Greystone Mansion. (Blake Fagan / For The Times)

Greystone Mansion carried an air of secrecy in itself. Built in 1928 by Gordon Kaufmann, and a gift from Edward Doheny to his son Ned and his family, the stately Tudor Revival was home to a horrific tragedy. Months after moving in, Ned and his lifelong friend and personal secretary, Hugh Plunkett, were found in a guest bedroom, victims of a murder-suicide. While their motives were never defined for certain, the accepted belief was the tragedy was tied to their involvement in the Teapot Dome political corruption scandal and Plunkett’s looming testimony that could’ve implicated the Dohenys.

The city of Beverly Hills purchased the grand manor in 1965 and installed an underground reservoir, and leased the property to the newly formed American Film Institute in 1969 for $1 a year, with the agreement that the school would maintain the property. Greystone was dedicated as a public park in 1971 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

L.A.’s Transcendental Meditation centers

After moving to Los Angeles, Lynch started visiting the Spiritual Regeneration Movement Center in Santa Monica and it altered his life. Here he learned the methods of Transcendental Meditation, developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, with the focus of seeking enlightenment. His first meditation session was July 1, 1973, and from there, he practiced twice a day, every single day.

“Before I started meditating I worried that doing it would make me lose my edge, and I didn’t want to lose the fire to make stuff,” Lynch wrote in “Room to Dream.” “I found out it gives you more fire to make stuff and more happiness in the doing and way more of an edge. People think anger is an edge, but anger is a weakness that poisons you and the environment around you.”

Lynch became a staunch devotee of Transcendental Meditation and spoke about the positive effects he believed it could have for everyone, particularly veterans, those suffering from PTSD and women who have survived violence. He started the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace in 2005 to offer children throughout the world the opportunity to learn to meditate. The foundation recommends several Transcendental Meditation centers in Los Angeles, including the center on Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz.

The Pink House, David Lynch’s compound in Hollywood Hills and his final resting place at Hollywood Forever

The historic Tower Theater, built in 1927, was converted into the Apple Tower Theatre.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

On screen, Lynch loved the old glamour of Los Angeles — the majestic Tower Theater in downtown Los Angeles was used in “Mulholland Drive,” “Inland Empire” and “Twin Peaks: The Return.” His characters lived in equally memorable spaces, with the women of “Mulholland Drive” going from the grandeur of the Il Borghese apartments (architect Charles Gault, 1929) to meet tragic endings in the fairy-tale-esque “Snow White” apartments (architect Ben Sherwood, 1931) that are believed to have also inspired Walt Disney. (It’s worth noting that this theater has been refurbished into an Apple store. A beautiful achievement of preservation work, but it’s hard not to see the consumer-driven sleekness and think about a theme in Lynch’s work: the terrors lurking inside a changing America.)

Personally, Lynch loved modern architecture, and experienced love at first sight with the home he purchased in the mid-’80s in the Hollywood Hills. The Pink House, as Lynch referred to it, was designed by Lloyd Wright Jr. for writer Beverly Johnson in 1963. Lynch commissioned Eric Wright (Lloyd’s son and Frank Lloyd Wright’s grandson) to add a pool and pool house in 1991. He told the Wall Street Journal that he preferred Lloyd Wright’s work over his father’s, explaining, “Lloyd Wright is more minimal. More pure. But just as beautiful.”

The house is semi-secluded against a lush hill, beneath the actual Mulholland Drive, and has a subtle chevron pattern detail that runs throughout the house, similar to the floor of the “Twin Peaks” red room. Lynch loved this house and spent much of his time in Los Angeles here, particularly in his later years. He gradually added two neighboring properties to form what would become the Lynch compound.

A “Twin Peaks” coffee cup that was gifted to David Lynch by a fan.

(Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)

When filming began on “Lost Highway,” he struggled to find the right location for the home of the lead characters, Fred and Renee Madison. This set piece would be crucial to building their sense of dread. Lynch then had an idea: He would use the Brutalist structure in his compound. He transformed the interior and altered the exterior windows, making it difficult for the characters to see the dangers circling outside. “Some people open windows of houses, but I like interiors and don’t care about windows,” Lynch wrote in “Room to Dream.” “I like to go deeper into a house and find things underneath things.”

For the next two decades, the compound was Lynch’s dream space where he could create anything he imagined, including his 2000s-era daily weather reports for local radio stations and his website, a hobby he revived during 2020. Homebound the last few years because of emphysema, he was forced to relocate during the Sunset fire in January 2025, and died shortly after. David Lynch’s final resting place is at Hollywood Forever, across from the Fairbanks Lawn where movies are shown, under the stars.

BRITS are more likely to have seen overseas landmarks than British ones, according to research.

The poll of 2,000 adults revealed more have seen the Eiffel Tower (55 per cent) than some of Britain’s most popular landmarks, including Tower of London (54 per cent), Tower Bridge (53 per cent) and Trafalgar Square (52 per cent).

As well as more people visiting them, it was found they were also more likely to be able to identify landmarks abroad than those on home soil.

More than three quarters (78 per cent) could identify the Eiffel Tower, 71 per cent could clock the Leaning Tower of Pisa and 61 per cent know Rome’s Colosseum.

Whereas fewer could recognise St Paul’s Cathedral (58 per cent), Westminster Abbey (53 per cent) and Edinburgh Castle (52 per cent).

To celebrate the incredible range of landmarks and attractions across Britain, railcard.co.uk worked with sand sculptors to create the ‘Mount Rushmore’ of British landmarks.

The sculpture was unveiled on Blackpool promenade and will be in place for members of the public to see until the weekend.

It was built using 12 tonnes of sand, took three days to create and featured the attractions at the top of Brits’ wishlist: Tower of London (22 per cent), Edinburgh Castle (18 per cent), Stonehenge (18 per cent), Eden Project (18 per cent) and Scotland’s Loch Ness (18 per cent).

Meanwhile, other natural wonders, Lake Windermere (8th – 16 per cent) and Jurassic Coast (10th – 16 per cent) are in the top 10.

Catherine Lyver, from railcard.co.uk which commissioned the research to encourage Brits to make the most of British landmarks by offering a third off travel for adults and 60 per cent off for children, said: “It’s easy to overlook the iconic landmarks and hidden gems on our doorstep, yet Great Britain is full of incredible places to explore.

“We’re encouraging people to do a third more with their break, making it easier and more affordable to tick off some of the bucket-list-worthy destinations closer to home.

“Whether you’re still looking to tick off historic favourites like the Tower of London or have added the modern Eden Project to your list, there are plenty of opportunities to make your summer go further when you travel by train.”

Whereas just 21 per cent have seen the northern gems of Hadrian’s Wall and the Angel of the North.

The vast majority in the OnePoll.com study for railcard.co.uk (79 per cent) said they would like to explore more British landmarks – but the cost of living (43 per cent) and lack of time (33 per cent) are the main barriers stopping them.

And 40 per cent will get their trip inspiration from family and 32 per cent go off what their mates recommend – meanwhile 29 per cent get most motivated by social media.

When going to British landmarks 23 per cent will travel by train, because it’s relaxing (59 per cent), more convenient (46 per cent) and don’t have to worry about parking (43 per cent).

FANCY a classic sightseeing trip to London? I’ve found the best way to take in the city’s breath-taking skyline.

Us Brits are lucky to have a fantastic capital city which packs in fascinating landmarks, futuristic skyscrapers, and majestic bridges as well as historical 11th century buildings which still stand today.

Book a River Thames Lunch Cruise – ON SALE for £38 (was £53)

And if you’re planning a trip to London anytime soon, there’s one sightseeing experience you won’t want to miss.

City Cruises have a range of Thames sightseeing cruises which let you take in the London city skyline from the water from an open-air deck or swanky indoor lounge.

You can pick from a classic sightseeing cruise, which starts from only £15 per adult and £10.25 per child, or treat yourself to a Jazz, Elvis tribute or even a Murder Mystery cruise.

I decided to try out the London Lunch Cruise on the River Thames, which is the most popular option that City Cruises offer.

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Not only is this the most popular experience, but it’s currently on sale – down to £38 a ticket instead of £53. That’s the cheapest lunchtime cruise on the River Thames we could find.

Considering you get a fancy two-course meal, panoramic views of London’s top landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye, plus expert commentary – this is one hell of a bargain.

The tour starts by stepping onboard at the Tower Millennium Pier, a central spot that’s easy to get to by taking the underground to Tower Hill.

I stepped onboard to find a very spacious cabin, with a sleek downstairs dining area dotted with white tablecloths, plus an upper deck that’s perfect for making use of in sunny weather.

Lots of guests around me were celebrating birthdays or special occasions, dressed up to the nines snapping shots for Instagram or family photos.

And this is certainly the place to take pictures, with flattering golden sunlight pouring in through the windows, plus landmarks like Tower Bridge, The Shard and Big Ben as your backdrop.

Book a River Thames Lunch Cruise – ON SALE for £38 (was £53)

As it turns out, the food onboard was just as impressive as the views.

I only waited around 15 minutes from being seated until my main course arrived – and the presentation of the dish was Masterchef-worthy.

There are two options for your main course: a vegetarian cassoulet with oyster mushrooms and white beans, or a roasted supreme of chicken with fondant potatoes and veg.

I went for the latter, and was blown away by the rich creamy mushroom sauce and the cheesy fondant potato. The decadent dish would have wowed me in a high-end restaurant, let alone on a Thames cruise.

After a short rest came dessert – a baked cheesecake with a gooey white chocolate centre and a heavy drizzle of tart raspberry coulis, plus tea or coffee. Could you picture a more perfect pudding?

With a full belly and warm coffee in hand, there’s nothing left to do but lean back and watch London glide past your window

The route takes you from the pier across to Canary Wharf, where you can admire the futuristic skyline and spot six of the UK’s 10 tallest buildings.

From here you’ll turn back around and head all the way towards Big Ben.

This is when the commentary begins, so you’ll soak up centuries of London history along the way. I recommend heading up to the deck for the best views.

You’ll glide under nine magnificent bridges including Tower Bridge, London Bridge and – my favourite – the Wibbly Wobbly bridge (AKA Milennium Bridge).

You’ll also get up-close with the bright red pillars of the lost 18th century Blackfriars Bridge which jut out from the water.

Plus you’ll cruise under “Ladies’ Bridge” – the unofficial nickname of Waterloo Bridge, which was built largely by women during World War II.

It was fascinating to see historic landmarks nestled in-between glossy modern offices and huge skyscrapers.

One of these impressive slices of history is Cleopatra’s Needle – the oldest structure in London. The obelisk was built in 1450 BC, and made its way over to London from Egypt in 1878.

Finally you’ll pass spots like the Globe Theatre and the London Eye until you reach the Houses of Parliament – stop for a quick selfie – then it’s back to the pier.

Although I live in London, I left feeling like I’d learned so much about my city that I didn’t even before, thanks to the knowledgeable tour guide.

Overall, the lunch cruise was a fantastic way to pack in sightseeing, fascinating history, and a delicious meal into one relaxing experience.

Plus when you step off, you’ve got the Tower of London, Borough Market and more on your doorstep to continue ticking off the best of London.

Click below to browse City Cruises‘ options, starting from £15 for a sightseeing cruise.

Browse City Cruises’ experiences – starting at £15 per adult

Prices correct at the time of publication.

A new poll has crowned the UK’s 20 most beautiful views, with London landmarks Big Ben and Tower Bridge topping the list of Britain’s most scenic spots

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament have been named Britain’s most spectacular view, a new survey has revealed. The London landmarks came out on top, with 38% of the 2,000 Britons surveyed selecting these as the most iconic sights.

Respondents chose them due to their instantly recognisable silhouette (67%) and post-card worthy setting (26%). Another London landmark, Tower Bridge (36%), came in a close second, with voters highlighting the bridge’s legendary status (60%) and global recognition (58%).

The study, commissioned by Samsung, which will be unveiling innovative new form factors live from Galaxy Unpacked in London on 22nd July, also revealed favourites from across the UK including Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland (21%).

Alongside the imposing heights of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh (13%) and St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall (12%). Elsewhere, the natural arch of Durdle Door in Dorset (12%), the rugged Cheddar Gorge in Somerset (12%), and hidden gem Glencoe, Scotland (10%) also proved popular picks.

Meanwhile, 25% say they will post a beautiful view on social media within hours of finding it, underlining just how quickly Britain’s beauty spots are making their way online.

Nearly half admitted (49%) they have travelled to an area primarily because they had seen photos or videos of it online, with social media the most likely platform to inspire those trips (64%).

For younger Brits, the internet is no longer just inspiring the itinerary, it is setting it – shown by the 80% who have visited somewhere after seeing it online, more than three times the number of Boomers (25%).

They’re also over four times more inclined to hunt down iconic city skylines while travelling (25% versus 6%).

Regarding capturing that crucial photograph, the study indicates amateur snappers want greater control to edit them.

The findings, conducted to spotlight Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its Photo Assist feature, which makes it easier to remove unwanted background distractions, revealed 28% would find the ability to remove people from photo backgrounds most useful.

Another 24% added they would most value being able to remove unwanted objects from their pictures.

THE UK’S 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEWS:

1. Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, London.
2. Tower Bridge, London.
3. Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland.
4. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh.
5. St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall.
6. Durdle Door, Dorset.
7. Cheddar Gorge, Somerset.
8. Glencoe, Scotland.
9. Seven Sisters Cliffs, East Sussex.
10. Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park, London.
11. Portmeirion, Wales.
12. The view from Sky Garden, London.
13. Buttermere, Lake District.
14. Richmond Hill, London.
15. Primrose Hill, London.
16. The Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye.
17. Mam Tor, Peak District.
18. Castlerigg Stone Circle, Lake District.
19. The Ridgeway, Essex.
20. White Scar Cave, North Yorkshire.