Nichols Canyon Real Estate

There are many reasons why people choose to live in the city… and perhaps the same set of reasons explain why people are willing to spend hundreds of hard-earned dollars for a relaxing weekend in the countryside. Too bad they didn’t think of Nichols Canyon… a place where the excitement of city life co-exists with the tranquility of the suburbs.

Nichols Canyon, located in the Hollywood Hills begins on Hollywood Boulevard and continues into the hills just below Mulholland Drive. Known to have Spring year round with a lovely creek and waterfall 100 feet high, it is the only place in Los Angeles to host natural waterfalls. In addition to the beauty of the natural landscape, some small man-made waterfalls can also be enjoyed from the paths frequented by joggers and cyclists alike. A miniature paradise in the hills… it’s no wonder Nichols Canyon became famous for being home to many wild animals: raccoons, skunks, rabbits, coyotes, frogs, hawks and more can all be spotted pretty frequently. The neighborhood’s incredible beauty attracted celebrity homeowners which have kept the area growing in stature throughout the years.

Nichols Canyon was named after Angelino mayor, John G. Nichols who served in Los Angeles between 1852 to 1853 and then another term from 1856 to 1859 and was the first to really make tangible efforts to expand the city. In 1851 John Gregg Nichols became the first Anglo-American born in Los Angeles. Aside from being a public servant, Nichols was a businessman and a builder. He was the first to build and live in a brick house in Los Angeles.

Back in the frontier days, there was a small sales office resting almost ¾ mile up Nichols Canyon. It had an old, western porch and roof overhang giving shelter to children who would play in the stream; this came to be known as Rick E Lake. It was named after Rick Ambrose who is its current owner. It is a large property and features four waterfalls and 150 ft. of waterfront that sets on a year round running stream. Before it was converted into a residential area it was the Nichols Canyon Development’s real estate office. It has been remodeled numerous times and even landed in the pages of Beautiful Homes Remodeling Magazine in 1976. Fast forward to the present day, the house now consists of 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Inside we find an antique heart pine interior inspired by, movie star, James Cagney's cabin in Lake Arrowhead. The house is believed to be the subject of David Hockney’s artwork, Nichols Canyon. Only a few original bungalows have survived the test of time most were either expanded or replaced entirely by new owners.