I just retired from the airlines as a pilot and have flown into LAX hundreds of times and always wondered about that area near the beach with the old streets. Thanks for solving that for me. Nice work young man.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad to help! It's such an interesting place.
@davebennett4087 Жыл бұрын
At least 99% of the time you fly over Surfridge is on takeoff. Landings almost always occur from east to west.
@jakejacobs7584 Жыл бұрын
Yes, most of the times I have had the best look at it were very early mornings when for noise and off shore winds they might be landing east. I saw it mostly in the level 5 sims that had goggle maps visuals while teaching or giving check rides.@@davebennett4087
@mountainrunner6922 Жыл бұрын
@@davebennett4087 Depends on what time of day for arrivals and departures. Late night operations typically land to the east and depart west for noise abatement. Day ops are landing/departing west unless there are strong easterly winds.
@davebennett4087 Жыл бұрын
@@mountainrunner6922 That may be. Most of my flights arrived and departed between 7am and 7pm. Wouldn’t think you would see Surfridge at night though.
@TeamSPSQUARE Жыл бұрын
My dad and his family lived here until their home was compulsorily purchased. I have photos of him and his siblings outside their house. In addition to the noise, the roofs of all the homes were damaged by oil/petroleum effluence dropping from overhead flights. Thanks for making this.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
It's sad what happened to the beautiful homes. Glad you enjoyed it.
@efreutel Жыл бұрын
I was there in 1961. Never knew about the exhaust damage but certainly makes sense; if damaged roofs what about our lungs 🫁?😮
@skcyclist Жыл бұрын
Air pollution was bad in Los Angeles in the late forties and fifties. I was born there in 1943 and remember when my lungs late in the day on certain days. This was the Baldwin Hills area.
@skcyclist Жыл бұрын
Very enjoyable video. I was born in 1943 in Los Angeles and lived in the Baldwin Hills until 1964. I remember going to Los Angeles airport in the late 40s early 50s and it was at a different location further east. I do not remember Surfridge or the property immediately west of the airport along the beach. In the mid-50s military aircraft used LAX for takeoffs and landings. My friend and I would watch jet fighter planes take off and land there. In summer of 1965 I worked for a LA yellow cab out of the l.a. airport garage. I rented a very small studio behind a lady's house on 99th street. All of that is gone for big hotels.
@DeflatingAtheism Жыл бұрын
I wonder if the city of Los Angeles really paid “market value” for movie stars’s homes to replace them with grass lots!
@MartyKeegan Жыл бұрын
I grew up going to that beach. Many of my friends lost their homes. My school avoided the wrecking ball, but it was right on the border across the street from the removed homes. So we looked at empty lots. The noise from the planes was so great because they flew so close over us it felt like we could reach up and touch their landing gear. So loud you couldn't hear on the playground. Beautiful homes with great views just taken away for less than fair value. People complained about the noise and the vibrations cracking their windows. The city would constantly replace people's windows. Finally the city said-- it's easier to buy everyone out. So they did. People didn't have any choice but to take the price the city offered because who else would outbid them knowing everything was being torn down? But a handful of people actually refused to leave and remained living there for many years. The city would tear each of the purchased homes down if the owners hadn't moved the house to another location-- which many did. So you'd have one house sitting alone on a block that looked like bombed out Berlin with weeds growing in the street. People forget, but the people forced to move were very upset and felt cheated.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing your experience. Others have expressed similar accounts. As bad as it all looks now, you can tell it was spectacular at some point. It's a shame homeowners didn't get treated more fairly.
@danielmorse4213 Жыл бұрын
Same thing happened in Chicago. Still is happening.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
@@danielmorse4213 It's so easy for officials to make these decisions, but so hard on many families that are impacted.
@MrJerry160 Жыл бұрын
yea eminent domain is fucked up
@leslieanne7467 Жыл бұрын
Yup i remember
@ostrich67 Жыл бұрын
The Rockford Files episode "The House on Willis Avenue" (1978) was filmed in part in the boarded-up neighborhood of Surfridge. As a kid watching this I found it strange that an entire neighborhood would be abandoned like that.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I was also told about an episode of CHiPs with Surfridge in the background. I'll look for that Rockford FIles episode.
@whisty74969 ай бұрын
I was a little kid living around the corner from the Rockford Files filming of that episode. James Garner was an incredibly nice man who laughed and joked with all us neighborhood kids. Dennis Dugan didn’t say much but I got his autograph anyway. Weird coincidence was my last name is Willis.
@549BR Жыл бұрын
As a college student and surfer between 62-65, I knew the plane noise at what was called Playa del Rey was getting worse. I left to attend Long Beach State, and when I returned in 68 after grad school, was shocked to see the abandoned homes. I was unaware of the abatement, but will always remember that quaint hillside community. Thanks for the fine update.😎
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
@hgr4255 Жыл бұрын
Was there decent surf at Dockweiler? I never saw it. For board surfing we'd go further north to Salispuedes on the north end of M.B. back in the day, saving Dockweiler and PDR for body surfing.
@skcyclist Жыл бұрын
I remember all that. Graduated from LB state in 1966.
@scottbrettschneider97822 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this wonderful video! My family actually lived on Napoleon Avenue in the Palisades Del Rey community in the 1960’s. It was very loud and our dog, Deacon used to try to run away to escape the noise. I also have faint memories as a child of walking on the beach in Playa Del Rey with my Mother and Sister as the debris from a SAS DC-8 that had crashed in the Santa Monica Bay washed ashore. Very surreal, looking back.
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
Scott, these first hand memories are so fascinating as they put real feelings into what this was like for the residents. Poor Deacon! It must have been like the 4th of July over and over.
@richardmorris7063 Жыл бұрын
Ha, I assume you're dog was named after the great Ram player. He was my favorite back east as a kid.
@valmikabeneteau7229 Жыл бұрын
Thank You Scott!! I remember that crash when I was a kid but was starting to think it was a manufactured memory. Now I may have a way to look it up. I kind of remember pictures of pleasure craft trying to help.
@Michael-cv3wb7 ай бұрын
I remember the SAS accident. I lived on 4th Street in Santa Monica at the time and it was pouring rain that evenng. About the same week, A united 727 ditched in the bay off of " Surfridge " in simillar weather conditions. A sad chapter in the history of LAX ..
@TonyCassara2 жыл бұрын
I’m an LA native and never knew about this community! So interesting and great video!
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
So glad you enjoyed it and learned something new!
@youngsain3 Жыл бұрын
Same here. And I drive up Vista Del Mar every single day. Crazy! 🔥
@Mpg-gh5fq Жыл бұрын
I always find it eerie when I look at abandoned neighborhoods and see nothing left but streets, foundation slabs, and the trees that used to be in someone's yard but are now the only living remnant of their home.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
It is eerie. The street lights, the trees and such all behind big chain link fences. Then you look the other direction and see the incredible view the homes would of had.
@arielpenn Жыл бұрын
I’ve lived in L.A. 43 years and never knew this story. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece of history. Kudos on all the wonderful archival photos. Just loved it!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
@atomic32205489 Жыл бұрын
I have flown in and out of LAX for many decades and have wondered what happened to the houses that used to be there. Thanks for finally solving the mystery for me.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad to help!
@quinneforreal1082 Жыл бұрын
Great job finding so many original photos and video of Surfridge, it’s been difficult to find this. I recently learned that much of the early skateboarding evolved here when homes were vacated and their pools were drained. I think it was on the Dogtown documentary. I hope you are able to make a sequel if you get more footage.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I'd love to make a sequel. It would be great to interview people who lived there. The skateboarding make sense. I need to look into that.
@Sandi-ke9mi Жыл бұрын
I lived in LA for over 35 years and I never knew about this. Mel was our patient at UCLA when I started working there in the 80s. Good video, well done. 🙌🏻💕
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you, glad you learned something new.
@DeflatingAtheism Жыл бұрын
Someone HAD to ask Mel Blanc to do a Yosemite Sam every now and then!
@Sandi-ke9mi Жыл бұрын
@@DeflatingAtheism Lol, he did all the voices for the ER doctor and staff. We all heard the stories about it throughout the whole hospital. It happened right after I started working there. 🥰
@lorenheard2561 Жыл бұрын
@@DeflatingAtheismCool!!😊
@maried.25512 жыл бұрын
I currently live in one of the houses that was moved from surfridge in 1966. My house lived on Ives street. I had this idea to move my house back to surfridge to turn into a museum. It is such a cute little bungalow and it is in danger of being torn down due to my monster two story neighborhood. Builders are tearing little bungalows down left and right. Someone may not care at all about the history of this house. This place has incredible history and I think there needs to be a museum there where people can go in and learn about it. Is this a crazy idea or is anyone with me on this???? I cannot bear to have my cute little house torn down and this history can't be forgotten.
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
First, your home is special and it needs to be spared and honored! I'd love to see photos of it. It has been suggested that I do a follow up video telling stories just like your. Maybe your house could be a future episode? Also, have you looked into getting it registered with the local municipality as having historic significance? Our family has a home in Hermosa that is 872 sq feet. It was purchased by my great great aunt in 1934 and has remained in the family all this time. It is surrounded by the massive homes, so I completely understand how you feel about it. My mom has photos of the house the year it was purchased and it was about the only thing around. Now there is no open space and buildings are right up to the property lines. I hope you'll consider letting us tell your story!
@maried.25512 жыл бұрын
@@adventureswithkendall Hello, Thank you for your reply! We are working on the house right now. When I get it to where I want it I will let you know and show photos of it. I thought of the historical route but honestly no one will care and will tear it down to build a big mansion....We are on a 7500 sq ' lot- house is only 1100 and everything around us in being torn down. Anything is possible but I will tell you more a bit on down the road ....We are going to be here another 3 years or so and I don't want to draw too much attention to it quite yet. Will be in touch :)
@hgr4255 Жыл бұрын
NO, not a crazy idea. Problem now is the traffic generated would interfere with the amazing animal and plant life discoveries. I guess we could say "SCREW THAT/THEM" but I would take a more conciliatory approach. If it were to open, I would try some eco-friendly way to go visit ... I knew that area well, especially Grand Pre Blvd ... some cool, funny stories about that round-about there overlooking the South Complex. Never did find IVES street you mentioned. I remember a IVALEE street north of SANDPIPER, which I believe was called MOSCOW street back then. Not sure about the name change though, but recall there was no Sandpiper back in the day.
@sandraleigh4023 Жыл бұрын
That really hurts my heart. The same thing is happening all over the country with ranch style homes. The only way a developer can make any money is to keep the footprint and build up, resulting in absolute monstrosities that don't fit in with the rest of the neighborhood. Eventually, they will all be gone. I lived there for 20 years and it was always my dream to live in a bungalow - thanks for caring about preservation!!
@MarieDolphinCreative Жыл бұрын
@@hgr4255 Hello, Oh I made a typo. The address of the house was in fact 126 Ivalee not Ives. Ives is in my neighborhood It was the next street north of Sandpiper. I'm going to talk to some "historical" big wigs and see what they think???? Our house is such a unique cute bungalow and it doesn't even sit facing forward on the lot which hides all its character (it didn't fit). Its a waste to have it hidden in my monster two story neighborhood. builders want our lot but I'm not having this house torn down. I don't know if I can attach a photo but I'll try. I understand what you are saying about the interference of the nature..Maybe they could find a place to put it close by. Its probably just a dream...I'll give it a shot! nope can't post a photo...its on another surfridge youtube channel.
@lincbond4422 жыл бұрын
I started driving some 35 years ago and would go out exploring different parts of LA. I came across this area in the 1990's and would stop on Sandpiper to watch the jets taking off. Sandpiper was closed off after 9/11 for security reasons. I was just at Dockweiler Beach this weekend and saw that the abandoned streets and lampposts are still there. Everything is fenced off but visible from the coastal highway.
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
When I see it now, I try to imagine what it was like with the beautiful homes. I had passed it for years not knowing the story.
@kennethsouthard6042 Жыл бұрын
I used to work around LAX. Sometimes we would brown bag it and have lunch on Sandpiper.
@socaljarhead7670 Жыл бұрын
Sandpiper was where my dad took me when I was a little boy in the late 70s early 80s. There were still houses on the north side of the street. I still take my kids to Dockweiler and when I pass by on Pershing I usually stop and walk over to the fence and stare at the top of that roller coaster hill and remember all those good times with my old man.
@mummyjohn4 ай бұрын
the fencing is irritating af. Just have the fencing be on the airport's borders and let the unoccupied streets be open, for shit's sake. Obnoxious.
@TenMinuteTrips Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tour, Kendall! I grew up in Culver City in the 1960s and this area was one of several that I actually got to take driving lessons at before heading out into really heavy traffic. We learned how to parallel park a car on a hill there, both heading uphill and then downhill. “Remember, prevent runaways. Curb your wheels!”
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Sounds like a great place to practice that.
@Kelly-xo8pj Жыл бұрын
My sisters and I learned to drive stick shift on sandpiper
@sharathgadasally2309 Жыл бұрын
As a longtime resident of Playa del rey, it is good see videos that speak to the rich history of our community. Great pics.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
There are a few other videos about the South Bay Area. I love the area.
@efreutel Жыл бұрын
Fascinating. I lived there directly under the flight path in 1961 as an 11 year old. Never knew it’s history till your fascinating clip. Mel Blanc? Never would have guessed. Yes, astonishing loud whenever a jet passed over. Many thanks 😊
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it.
@rachm94882 жыл бұрын
It's especially great to hear about the endangered species that have space to thrive
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
Yes, something good happening now.
@SoBayK80 Жыл бұрын
North of PDR is the Bollona wetlands, where the LA River ends. It's protected, but city-filthy 😢
@Hopeless_and_Forlorn Жыл бұрын
In the late 1980s airline business often brought me to LAX for a week or two at a time. I discovered the remains of the Surfridge neighborhood while on walks from my hotel and pretty much understood its story on sight. I always wondered about who might have lived there in the day. Thanks for the information.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
@hgr4255 Жыл бұрын
THAT would be one helluva walk if you walked from World Way, whew. Power walk comes to mind if you're walking from hotel row along Century. Good on ya! I can't do that.
@philipgauthier3570 Жыл бұрын
I'm stoked to find this video. I've been flying in and out of LAX as a commercial pilot for decades. Several times I've driven those roads and seen them in movies. Never have I heard the history of the area. Thank you for answering a long standing question. All the best to you...much appreciated.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@FlyingTigress Жыл бұрын
When I was little (1960s), we had family friends who lived in adjoining Playa del Rey. I remember having conversations there having to be halted as the aircraft took off. They were one of the last to sell their home.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I can only imagine.
@angelinainhollywoodland9023 Жыл бұрын
This is such a very sad story. That beautiful and sweet community was there first, and the civil engineers should have done their homework and not built next to this community knowing that the noise and pollution level would be devastating and incredibly unhealthy. Thank you for your very great journalistic work. I have just subscribed to your channel.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@tompitchford1865 Жыл бұрын
They knew and didn't care.
@ag4allgood Жыл бұрын
Interesting story & it relatable even though Chicago is where my parents were looking to move out of in the late 1950s. They moved to a far Western Suburb. But 10 years later Niles was were friends of the parents moved & tried to get them to Buy the new house next door. I remember being in their backyard & every 2 minutes a big jet would pass overhead & completely drowned out any conversation. After experiencing that the parents stayed right where they were because the noise was horrible. Niles had home owners complaining too but the O'Hare airport was there a long time. Same with Midway airport the runways are very short & go right in the middle of a neighborhood. People living there must like the sound of Jets.
@Pondapple Жыл бұрын
I loved the old films and pictures!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thanks. The history and old images are my favorite part too.
@sounddude177 Жыл бұрын
I went to college in the area in the late 70's. I also remember the abandoned neighborhoods along Arbor Vitae.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I'll have to go check that area out.
@faustk2303 Жыл бұрын
Back in the mid 1980s I drove the streets of this area before it was fence up. It was interesting to see the old foundations, driveways and some street lamps in this area. It was one way to get to the beach.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
That's cool. I wish I could have drove around the streets.
@jacquelinehowells4400 Жыл бұрын
What a great history lesson I was born in Los Angeles, raised in Europe, and love history. Thank you for sharing. Absolutely fascinating!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
So glad you enjoyed it!
@modsurgeon Жыл бұрын
Great little look into the neighborhood. Thanks. I was raised there, from 1961 until when my parents sold to the airport in 1978 or so. You can see my old backyard off Napoleon street in the background of your shot of the little park @ 5:37. It took my mom some years to acclimate to the lack of noise when we finally ended up moving, but being a kid, I just loved watching the jets fly over.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I love the personal memories that have been shared. Thanks!
@socalclassiccars12672 жыл бұрын
I have lived just a couple miles away for nearly 20 years and I had no idea about Surfridge. Thanks for the great video and your research. I enjoyed learning about this forgotten town.
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
Glad you learned something new about that amazing area.
@larsedik Жыл бұрын
I also live a couple of miles away in Westchester. I've ridden my bike many times through that area but never explored the cliffs.
@nufosmatic Жыл бұрын
3:20 - Most people don't know that this structure was a RESTAURANT, not the control tower. The restaurant is actually closed now, although the observation deck is still accessible (last I knew about it...)
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Yes, mostly decorative.
@danamomc2 жыл бұрын
I love this son! Thanks for showing me the history of this interesting place. I have passed it many times and always wondered why there weren't home there.
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
You are welcome.
@gstep5017 күн бұрын
Thanks for the information about this community as a young man I was lucky enough to be able to ride through there after the houses were abandoned but the fence was not put up yet it was a nice lover's lane looking over the ocean and watching the planes fly over above your head while sitting in your car late at nite with that special someone. I'm 67 now
@adventureswithkendall17 күн бұрын
Sounds like a pretty cool experience, I wish I could have seen it like that!
@markdittbenner9949 Жыл бұрын
I was based at LAX as a flight attendant and after a trip i would go to dockweiler beach which is out front and run and swim and i always saw those abandoned streets ..its a interesting story..i ran across a old lady that told me she lived there as a child and her and her friends would go through the fence and visit with the mechanics working on the planes in the hangers at the old airport there before it was LAX...those were the good old days...
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I love hearing these personal stories. Thanks for sharing and watching!
@michellemoebius48202 жыл бұрын
Kendall, your Mom shared this one on Facebook. It brought me to your channel. And I am really enjoying your work. You keep it up you are great.
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! I appreciate you letting me know.
@MarkAMMarrk Жыл бұрын
I lived in El Segundo in the 70's & 80's and as a teen, my friends and I used to go to that area in bikes and later in cars (it wasn't always fenced). We knew why it was abandoned (noise) but it was great to get the whole story. Thanks!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
@jimchesnutt7879 Жыл бұрын
I used to live in Playa del Rey and always wondered about that 'ghost neighborhood'. Thanks Kendall for the history lesson.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
My pleasure!
@philipchesley9615 Жыл бұрын
Kid, I clicked on this while I was getting things ready for tomorrow's schedule and it ultimately blew me away!!! I grew up near there and just got schooled! Bless you for the local forgotten history! As an aside, in one county the Burrow Owl is endangered; 20 miles away they're pests to be eradicated!? Hahaha! Greta, get over yourself! Let things fix themselves. Cucamunga man. Cucamunga!!!! Cheers!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Ha ha, glad I was able to school you 😂
@ChuckTipton2 жыл бұрын
Well done Kendall! I live down the road, and drive past this all the time. I learned a lot from your effort; thanks for the great video.
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@paulontheroad Жыл бұрын
I grew up in So Cal in the 50's and had to chuckle when you said "see the beauty that Was California". It sure isn't what it used to be.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I get hung up on what I say at times, but that is funny.
@kimleonard4087 Жыл бұрын
I used to work in El Segundo & would take the back roads to Marina Del Rey all of the time. I never knew about these old neighborhoods. Such a great video…❤️
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it.
@mecsp Жыл бұрын
I was born and raised on the corner to the left of your opening photo - -the corner of Ringe and Nay. My dad fresh out of the Navy after World War II log in built on that corner our first house in 19 46. Thank you so much for bringing back some incredible memories. I'm now 77 years old is living in San Francisco as a polis priest call St. Mary's Cathedral at the corner of California Street and Grant Street. Thanks again for sharing have a great day.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I love the personal stories. Glad you enjoyed it.
@ryandnowicki2 жыл бұрын
Great job! I've been driving by this area twice a day every day for several years and I learned a lot by this video - thank you!
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@jennifertate4397 Жыл бұрын
Thanks. Interesting history.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it.
@stevehofmaster4292 Жыл бұрын
Very interesting, I used to work at LAX and always wondered what it was like at Dockweiler beach,thanks for this video.😊❤
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
You’re welcome!
@murrphw Жыл бұрын
I lived in Surf Ridge when I was a child. I didn’t know the name of the development until YT picked this video for my feed. I think I’ll have to dig into it’s history some more now that I know it’s name. It was a beautiful place to live, and I can still remember the day we moved out; it was cloudy and cold, fitting weather for such a sad day. The old jets were indeed very loud, the noise would literally hurt my ears if I was outside, but they were fascinating to watch as they flew right overhead. The sunsets, we’re beautiful and the location gave me a lifelong interest in commercial aircraft. Thank you for this video and your research!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad to help!
@lucsmith2092 Жыл бұрын
Oooh exciting! Thanks for this, I hope your channel gets the recognition it deserves! So well researched and interesting.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you! The encouraging comments help keep me going.
@bevo65 Жыл бұрын
Excellent report and a bit of melancholy from looking at those old photos. Cheers!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
@josepenuelas12852 жыл бұрын
Great video. You need to do a sequel to this video of Surfridge, PDR. Perhaps you can add more images of the past of Surfridge. There's many people still alive that lived in or near Surfridge. People have shared their pictures of Surfridge. I don't think they would mind if you showed them on your videos. Giving them the proper credit when possible as long as you are not using them for profit
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
That's such a great idea. I wish we would of had a way to find some of these people prior to making this video.
@DanielinLaTuna Жыл бұрын
Fascinating history. Thanks for sharing. I had always wondered about this area
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Our pleasure!
@luvdealz Жыл бұрын
Love the video. Its always interesting to find out the comings and goings of things around us. I especially like the scene where you show the jet plane flying low over the house. Reminds me of my home when I was a child. I lived in Melbourne Florida and we were very close to the airport. There were times when they would take off and fly right over our house, like the picture showed. I remember at least one time when we were outside playing and one flew right over our house, it was so low, it scared me, cuz, it looked like it was going to hit our t.v. antenna. But, also it was so loud, it would utterly rattle our windows. Between that and the train track that was at the end of our back yard, its a wonder we got any peace and quiet, but, we learned to adapt to it. At first it was hard to sleep with the train track only about 30 ft away, but, eventually, we could sleep right through it.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! I live in Fresno where essentially everyone lives in the flight path. We have a air national guard here. The military jets are so loud. I love trains so I'd probably love living near noisy tracks. Thanks for sharing your experience. It makes this all so much more fun when we hear the personal connections.
@maryannworld Жыл бұрын
I currently live in Playa del Rey and walk by this place almost daily. You literally captured footage of my route to the beach… Really fascinating history! Great job!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@skipeb3 Жыл бұрын
Interesting video. Thanks for that. A portion of the video for Dwight Yoakam's tune "Pocket Of A Clown" was shot there, circa 1993, with the band jumping on trampolines while 747's flew right over their heads.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Interesting, I'll have to watch that video. Thanks for sharing.
@alarson8355 Жыл бұрын
I grew up in Inglewood and Westchester. Like many of the other commenters, I have fond memories of this area. Nearby, was the Dockweiler State Beach park that had fire pits. My family had many good times there cooking hot dogs and marshmallows. After the north runway was built at LAX, the noise increased tremendously. We were so used to the prop planes and later the jets that it didn’t bother us that much. Later I worked at Continental Airlines first at the airport and later in El Segundo. Our senior high school class year book had a picture of the LAX theme building on the front cover.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
They still have fire pit at Dockweiler. It's cool to drive by at night. Thanks for watching.
@BovineExcrements2 жыл бұрын
used to bike by here all the time when i lived in the area and had no idea about all this. thank you for sharing all the cool history!
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@richardmorris7063 Жыл бұрын
Me too in the mid eighties.
@sandraleigh4023 Жыл бұрын
I lived in Manhattan Beach for a long time - thanks for the memories!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Our pleasure! It's a great area. I spend a lot of time in Hermosa.
@mikemcdonald757 Жыл бұрын
Wow! That was the most interesting video I’ve seen in many a year. I know a lot of trivia but I never knew anything about this. Bravo, young man. Video of the year from my point of view and great research too! Outstanding!!!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you! 😊
@Michaela1942 Жыл бұрын
I remember visiting someone in that neighborhood in the early 60s. Horrible, horrible noise. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I can only imagine.
@jimtonimarin Жыл бұрын
In the early 70s my friends at St. Bernard and Westchester High Schools had broken into one of the boarded up homes in Surfridge and made it a party house and stashed booze and porn there. Lasted a long time, maybe 1-2 years. But it was an eerie place to hang out at night; lots of strange animals. It was fenced off mostly so it became its own ecosystem. Most memorable was a huge possum the size of a St. Bernard that stood on its hind legs and was terrifying! I know of some homes moved to Mar Vista; still very chic.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I am not surprised about any of this. Those abandoned homes would have been a great place to hang out for some. I'm also not surprised by the animals and it being creepy. There are unexpected animals all over that region in the populated areas. Thanks for the comment. I love hearing first hand what people experienced.
@TomLloyd-18 Жыл бұрын
This was fascinating. I was born and raised less than 20 miles from here and never knew bout this community. Thanks!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@sb859 Жыл бұрын
Great video, as an airline pilot, I love to learn the history of the area I fly in and out of.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@barnabasseadog7660 Жыл бұрын
I recently spent ten years working in LAX, but I live in San Diego. I often wondered about that "butterfly sanctuary" on my way to the parking lot. I would hang out in my car in that neighborhood just north, waiting for my shift to start. Very interesting local history that makes me appreciate San Diego more. Thanks for this video.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching.
@justinmarshall53812 жыл бұрын
Wow! Incredible history and what a nice looking place to live before the airstrip got too big.
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
It's a beautiful area right along the coast.
@lukeknowles5700 Жыл бұрын
I went to a Christmas party at a friend's apartment there in 1969. Sad that urban sprawl forced the residents of those neighborhoods to move. Great episode, Kendall. Your investigation and report were nicely done.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@kathleenphillips-hellman1502 Жыл бұрын
As a 76 year old native of Southern California, I remember when my friend and his family were forced out of their home there. His father was in a wheelchair and the home and swimming pool had been custom built to accommodate his father’s physical difficulties. They were never able to purchase or build a comparable home. My comments about LAX and Los Angeles in general are not printable. My late husband and I fled California nearly 40 years ago.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
So many were displaced by the airport expansion. I've heard many stories like that of your friend.
@bobbys4327 Жыл бұрын
As kali has declined into a serious woke scum-land, consider yourself fortunate for having escaped!
@scottmckay9535 Жыл бұрын
You are fortunate to have gotten out of commiefornia. I am still here, unfortunately.
@michaelmoran4157 Жыл бұрын
Good job. Keep exploring. There's lots to see.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you, I will. It's fun!
@lifeofMikeee67 Жыл бұрын
Great Job!! I live a few blocks from there in PDR. You should research Westchester Parkway....it was filled with homes at one time. The airport bought up all the land and either tore down the homes or picked them up and moved them to Watts for a dollar each. I lived on El Manor and Will Rogers, just west of Sepulveda. We were the last family to leave that area. I used to watch some of the houses roll down the street during the middle of the night. I'm sure there are many stories of that.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Oh wow! I'll look into that. It sounds really interesting. Thanks for the info.
@ZER0ZER0SE7EN Жыл бұрын
We must have been neighbors! My family lived on the south side of Will Rogers St west of Sepulveda Westway. My parents were one of the first to sell to the Airport after the north runways were built. We moved a dozen blocks north. People told my parents that they saw the Airport run a bulldozer through our old house. I remember seeing your house on the north side of Will Rogers St by itself for many years.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
My parents drove by that area yesterday and I'll go soon to get some footage. I'm having trouble finding much about it, but found info on the golf course being 15 holes and then years later restored to 18. Do either of you have any old photos of your home? I'd appreciate anything you can share with me. You can email anything including a photos, details about how your family felt about the situation, etc. to me at gowithkendall@gmail.com. Personal stories always make the content more interesting. Thanks!
@scottmckay9535 Жыл бұрын
I lived in Manchester Square east of the airport, and went to Westchester High. All our houses were carted away starting in early '70's, and now there's nothing left.
@cardiffchris Жыл бұрын
Sandpiper Street was a terrific lunch spot for me in the 90's. Surf View and planes flying over.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment. We love to hear about personal experiences with the places we visit.
@davebennett4087 Жыл бұрын
The original Los Angeles municipal Airport terminal was shown momentarily in this video. Fun fact, it was used for the farewell scene in Casablanca. Some years back, it was slated for demolition in order to build more warehouses, but thankfully preservationists fought to save it. It is easily viewed as you approach LAX on the 105 freeway.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
That's a cool fact. I had no idea.
@davebennett4087 Жыл бұрын
@@adventureswithkendall Check KCET’s “From Mines Field to LAX: The Early History of L.A. International Airport.” Some years back, I lived in El Segundo and was based as a flight attendant for American Airlines at LAX. Although I transferred to Miami international, I routinely layed over in Los Angeles. Returning to LAX the following day, I would point out to fellow crew members the Mines Field terminal and share the Casablanca trivia. Once you know this fun fact, you can never watch the farewell scene and not think of Mines Field. I searched a little bit to see if it was possible to visit the terminal, but was unable to figure it out. My guess is that since it is in a secure area, it might not be possible. Perhaps you will be able to find out and maybe pay a visit. I wish you the best with your channel.
@AndreaEvansTribute Жыл бұрын
This was one of the most fascinating videos I’ve seen on KZbin and I watch it all day everyday!!! Kudos!!! I’ve never even heard of Surf Ridge and I was BORN miles from there!!!! My mom never heard of it either! 😮😮😮 Im flabbergasted by this discovery. Thanks for making this video! 🎉
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Wow, thank you!
@higherresolution4490 Жыл бұрын
There were many places to locate an International Airport in Los Angeles besides right on the beach! Beaches and beach property are very limited anywhere, let alone Southern California. Because of all the bribes and political favors, this is why I dropped out of urban planning at the University. It was obvious that compromises would be too great. This video clears up a lot of questions. A great job done and much gratitude to you.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the kind words.
@lisabaltzer4190 Жыл бұрын
In the late 1970’s my friends and I used to go into these houses and explore. I miss those days.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Sounds like fun.
@Eyefartconfetti2 жыл бұрын
This is beautiful. Thanks for the brain food ❤️ Mom sent me here. Thanks mom 🏆
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
Always glad to feed the brain. My mom is my biggest fan for sure.
@Cnhfcsh Жыл бұрын
Fascinating podcast! Thank you!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Our pleasure!
@cpace313 Жыл бұрын
I actually grew up in that neighborhood, although with the introduction of the Boeing 707, it was a noisy place as you mentioned. My dad bought our house, a cape-cod style house with 2 floors and an attic which my dad converted into two addition bedrooms for my brother and I for a third floor. We lived at 9120 Trask Avenue and that was one house away from Haviland Drive running from PCH up to the top of the sand dune. We were hardly wealthy though, as this was much later and the noise probably caused the wealthy to exit and kept property values down. Side note: at the end of Haviland was a small Nike Missile Air defense post. I remember having army troops going in and out from there to operate the missile defense. They troops only worked there as there was a base about 1 mile away that they were quartered in right on the edge of airport property. They shut that down very early in the 1960s though as I have only dim memories of that being operational. We used to climb the fence and explore the little outpost. Much to explore for a kid!! Our house abutted LAX property and we spent many a day roaming around all that land as well. It was separated from LAX proper by a fence and Pershing Drive which ran the western perimeter of the airport. We were a good 150 feet above the airport level property and would spend every dinner hour wathcing the planes take off. As you mentioned they were mostly prop-planes when I was younger, but quickly in my lifetime were replaced with the 707s. Later the 727s and even the very first 747 jumbo jet arrived at LAX in a nationwide tour around Christmas-time. Good times with the beach being two blocks away and down a pretty decent sized bluff - 100 foot tall or so as I remember - and Dockweiler State Beach and the ocean. Back to life there - even in our house, someone would have to sit 4-5 feet from the TV set in the living room as we did not have remote control back then and you would turn the volume to near max as the jet roared over, and then back down as you sat back down. Repeat that every 4 minutes or so!!! We were dead off the shorter southern pair of runways mostly runway 25R (the right most runway of the south-pair). I mentioned they were shorter, but were extended later as larger planes became the norm. The 747s, DC10s and such were initially restricted to using the northern runways 24 L/R. Thank you for the tour. Brought back many fond memories. We all loved that location and house, but alas, the city of Los Angeles, department of airports, condemned the entire neighborhood and houses were either moved or torn-down - with most being run through with a bulldozer. We witnessed about 1/2 or the neighborhood removal before my parents agreed to sell. - Chris Pace
@cpace313 Жыл бұрын
Oh by the way, we never called it surf ridge. That must have predated our time there. We just called it by the post office name: Playa del Rey (spanish for King's Beach or some such). I went to elementary school at Paseo del Rey - so we learned many of the spanish names that existed around the area.
@smileync2056 Жыл бұрын
Wow! That's truly amazing! I lived at 9120 Trask Ave too! 🤣🤣🤣 You remember it all better than I do. My memory is a little foggy because my big brother used to throw concrete blocks at my head and push me off the upper bunk backwards before we moved upstairs. Lol. Well, obviously, we both survived somehow. Thanks for sharing this with me. I'll write a comment to this, too.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
What a story! It must have been hard to watch when they were demolishing houses and moving them. Thanks so much for sharing all these great details.
@mariantreber8055 Жыл бұрын
This was sad and very interesting. Thanks !
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Yes, thanks for watching.
@Autojones Жыл бұрын
I remember when there were still houses there. they were used in a few Rockford files episodes . after all the houses were torn down the streets remained open for years, then the city blocked all but one street going from pureshing way down to the beach . now that one is blocked also.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I wish I could have seen it before.
@Autojones Жыл бұрын
@@adventureswithkendall.. I saw it when it was already abandon . I'm not old enough to have seen it when people still lived there. I'm from Hermosa Beach. not far from there. but I remember the empty houses .
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Hermosa is my second home. Ive done several episodes on the area including one on Hermosa itself, the Greenbelt and the bike trail. We have a small home that's been in my family for nearly 90 years.
@jeffsmith846 Жыл бұрын
Great video. I really liked the Boeing Stratocruiser four engine airline footage. Some of those homes were absolutely beautiful. Cannot imagine what the homes would be worth today if they had instead moved the airport further out into the desert.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Right, the homes in the area are very valuable.
@indetrucks2 жыл бұрын
Great video my dude, I have always driven by Surfridge and pondered what it was all about. You cleared up all questions I once had. Great content and keep it up! Got a sub outta me :)
@adventureswithkendall2 жыл бұрын
So glad you learned from it and thanks for the subscription!
@kristinakahila8914 Жыл бұрын
Very good. Very well done video.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!
@krokus1972 Жыл бұрын
sandpiper street was always a spot to park and drink beers until they fenced it off.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Too funny!
@loritracy1385 Жыл бұрын
Thank you 😊
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
You're welcome 😊
@ruthc8407 Жыл бұрын
I had a friend in the 1980's whose mother had been an elected official in Los Angeles during the time Surfridge and Palisades Del Rey were destroyed. The mother said, in my presence, that L.A. City Council members had gotten so tired of dealing with the home owners complaints, they decided the best way to fix the problem was to get rid of the home owners. This despite the fact that the home owners had the law on their side in regards to the noise issue. But the City of L.A. made so much $$$$$ from LAX, that what the home owners wanted didn't matter. What the greedy politicians wanted DID matter.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Interesting aspect I hadn't thought about. Im honestly not surprised though.
@Ghostrider-71 Жыл бұрын
Awesome video, I fly into LAX all the time. Great history and thank you for posting!.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
@nypdbagpiper Жыл бұрын
We have a place like this here in New York. It’s called Queens.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I'll have the check that out sometime. I'd love to get back to that area.
@elaineash1557 Жыл бұрын
This was an excellent video presentation. Thank you so much.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the encouragement.
@hgr4255 Жыл бұрын
A large part of the final decision to vacate the neighborhood was due to excessive lawsuits. LA was paying out big bucks for some suits and contended with two that I recall from back in the day. 1) Family sues LA International and the city because the frequent flyovers of the new jets caused their dog to bite them. The suit was in the high hundreds of thousands, a lot of money back then. (2) Another one was blaming the jet noise on their sons recent 'outing', saying he was gay. The blamed it on the jets. I should have sued as well. One time, sitting on Sandpiper drive, I had to scratch my nose. I should've stated it a nervous condition from all the new noisy jets flying over. What trash they come up with, and look who prevailed. I'm not saying eminent domain is a great thing, but the city HAD to grow it's airport, the lifeline of any growing city. Sorry Surfridge, to this day I still love plying your crumbled and overgrown weeded streets, until they finally closed off the last road, Sandpiper.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Wow! Great info. Yes, progress isn't always pretty.
@NoCoolNamesAvailable Жыл бұрын
This video helped me to finally understand something that I've been trying to figure out for years. Surfridge was used as a filming location for an episode of the TV show "The Rockford Files." The episodes in question (it was a two part) was "The House on Willis Avenue." I've watched and rewatched it many times over my life, and I was always fascinated that the producers managed to find a whole abandoned neighborhood to use as a filming location. The only clue that I had were some signs you could see in the footage that proclaimed that the area was condemned for "noise abatement." Your video helped me to put the final piece of the puzzle together! Thanks.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad to help and thanks for watching. I need to watch that episode.
@kevy1yt Жыл бұрын
Nice job. I grew up about 200 yards north of the runway in Westchester and LAX did the same thing to those homes in the early 70’s. Our family ended up having to move and ended up in Orange County. The other part of the story is that I remember the lawyers from LAX tried to gip my parents of $7000 in the purchase of their house so my parents took them to court and without any lawyers of their own, just husband and wife, ended up winning a judgment against three LAX lawyers to collect the additional funds.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I'm in that neighborhood today shooting some video. Another viewer of this video said his family was the last to leave that area of Westchester. Then another chimed in and said his house was the first to go. I'm doing research on that project. If you have a statement about what it was like or any photos of your former home or neighborhood, I'd love to use them. You can email me at gowithkendall@gmail.com
@kevy1yt Жыл бұрын
@@adventureswithkendall sure I could find some pix…
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
That would be great!
@gardenmama1393 Жыл бұрын
@@adventureswithkendallA friend of mine told me that his dad had purchased a house near the airport and had it moved to la Sierra area in Riverside CA. 92506 I think it would still be there today. Left off of the 91 freeway at la Sierra st. near the park. That would be crazy if it was.
@deborahconkle6822 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for telling this story! I grew up in the LA area.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad to do it!
@lagodifuoco313 Жыл бұрын
Wow. I grew up in So-Cal from 1977 and my dad worked for United at LAX and I never even knew that place existed. I probably flew over it a hundred times.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
I've heard that a lot.
@francescaa8331 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the history.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
You're welcome.
@BillJonesJr-h4i Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your time helping me with local historical education
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad my work is helpful!
@CJinsoo Жыл бұрын
cool! nice gem of history and LA culture.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@sevenirises Жыл бұрын
This was a great video! I grew up in Los Angeles and didn't know this story. Feel bad for the people who lost their homes to the airport though. Thanks Kendall!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Yes, it's been a learning experience for me. Progress comes a a cost.
@lorenheard2561 Жыл бұрын
Kendall,excellent job setting and putting this all together!! You're a good narrator too!!🤗👍🤙💯
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@JayBobJayBob3 ай бұрын
Thank you, Kendall! I remember those few remaining houses between 1971 and 1981 when our family would take coastal drives on a Sunday afternoon. I grew up in Ontario California and as Ontario airport grew, noise was unbearable in South Ontario and the city bought up a few square miles of neighborhoods at the end of the runway basically from Grove Avenue to Bonview Avenue. Thank you for your great work!!!
@adventureswithkendall3 ай бұрын
You're welcome. I'm glad it triggered some memories.
@meesr Жыл бұрын
I lived in Inglewood in1960s, and I remember this stretch of land.
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching.
@jsstiven Жыл бұрын
My husband and i just watched(stumbled on ut!) your historical telling of Surfridge and so appreciate the time you out into this! We went to LMU and used to watch sunsets on Sandpiper! We knew the history but not the details - and great pics!- you included. Thanks for a lovely trip down memory lane, and a history adventure!!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad it stirred up such great memories and thanks for watching!
@rvvanlife Жыл бұрын
Good job telling this places history 👍👍👍
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@Skylark-nu4qt Жыл бұрын
Thank you! This was a great and informative video!
@adventureswithkendall Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@Unlimited_Power_TV Жыл бұрын
i Really Enjoyed This Video About the Real History Of LAX Airport & The Area Once Known As Surfridge in L.A. Thanks So Much