#9 The Oak Knoll
Once the site of an Indian settlement, Oak
Knoll was developed into large estates about 1900. This rolling, oak-covered
landscape dropped into Kewen Canyon on the east and the plains leading to the
San Gabriel Mission on
the south. At this ridge in 1906, the Wentworth Hotel (now the Ritz-Carlton) was
begun. Nearby impressive houses were built, many in the 1920s and later. The
well known R.R. Blacker House (1777 Hillcrest) by Greene & Greene dominates
the neighborhood. Many parcels, including the Blacker, have been subdivided
where extensive gardens once flourished.
From California Blvd. west:
- Left on Oak Knoll
Avenue
- Left on Hillcrest
- Right on Wentworth
- Left on Oak Knoll
- Left on Hillcrest Avenue (curves to left)
- Left on Oak Knoll Avenue
- Left on Old Mill Road (curves to right)
- Right on Monterey Road
- End tour on Oak Knoll Avenue and Monterey Road
To begin tour #10, turn right
on Oak Knoll; continue north
