Spooky LA Story At The Biltmore Hotel (And Other Headlines)

I love reading about Los Angeles history. One of my favorite accounts that I follow on Instagram is the Los Angeles Public Library archival photos. But nothing beats seeing the architecture in real life.

A haunting at the Biltmore

For historical journalist Hadley Meares, visiting places with long legacies is her full-time job, and she gets to also experience the occasional ghostly presence.

Where did she have her spookiest encounter? Downtown L.A.’s legendary Millennium Biltmore hotel. Meares has long been fascinated by the legends of ghosts and ghouls that supposedly haunt its halls, like a ghostly little boy people claim to have seen on the 10th floor, or a nurse on the second floor. Staying at the Biltmore in recent months has made her a believer.

Her story combines two of my favorite things: a rundown of its history and an actual ghost encounter. I may have to go and visit myself. Read the story here.

Stay spooky and cool, L.A. There’s more news below — just keep reading.

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(After you stop hitting snooze)

• For decades, cities east of downtown L.A. — including Pasadena, South Pasadena and Altadena — have been a big draw for film and TV location scouts. Veteran location scout and manager Rick Schuler says the "denas," with their wide variety of single-family homes and tree-lined streets, are most often used as stand-ins for the Midwest or East Coast. Listen to the How To LA episode here.
• Filmmaker Armando Ibañez felt alone in his struggles with mental health. His web series Undocumented Tales uses storytelling to show that help is out there.
• The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services needs 300 volunteers to conduct the upcoming 2024 Homeless Point In Time Count — a street count that records how many people are experiencing homelessness.
• Fans of Matthew Perry and the sitcom Friends have taken to social media to express their love for the actor. The comic actor died at the age of 54 on Saturday.

• Scientists are teaming up to breed the Sunflower sea stars, which only live off the West Coast of the United States.
• A new L.A. City Council motion would legalize street vending on the Hollywood Walk of Fame if passed. Street vending has been decriminalized since 2018, but L.A. still issues fines to vendors operating in the area.

Wait! One more thing...

Happy Halloween!

A child enjoys traditional candle-lit Halloween pumpkins on Oct. 31, 2007 in London.

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Peter Macdiarmid

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Getty Images

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Happy Halloween, y’all! It always feels strange when the holiday falls on a weekday. I’m ready to celebrate from the comfort of home, handing out candy, watching scary movies and playing all the horror-themed video games. If you’re looking for something to do tonight, here are some picks: See the full list here.

• Urban Death: Tour of Terror, Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre, North Hollywood: Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group’s new frightening theatrical experience is an “Urban Death” maze and show that includes unfathomable monstrosities and the disturbed spirits that walk among us.
• The Vampire Circus, The Montalbán Theatre, Hollywood: The immersive theatre experience features Cirque Du Soleil-trained acrobats who take audiences into the world of vampires and the Underworld. The show is family-friendly with spooky thrills and fun.
• Halloween and Hellraiser Drive-In Movie Night, Electric Dusk Drive-In, Glendale: What better way to spend Halloween than watching Halloween (1978) with Jamie Lee Curtis at 8 p.m. and/or Hellraiser at 10:15 p.m. at the drive-in? Watch from inside or outside your car. If you wear a costume, you can win prizes!

Bonus: All the haunted and otherworldly houses to visit during spooky season! See the list here.