The Secret Stairs of Los Feliz: A Hidden-LA Coloring Adventure
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There’s a certain kind of Los Angeles magic you don’t see from the freeway.
It’s in the quiet hillside corners. The leafy paths. The unexpected staircases that feel like they were built for explorers—kids with big imaginations, adults who love a good walk, and anyone who enjoys finding something “secret” in the middle of a huge city.
The Secret Stairs in Los Feliz are exactly that.
They’re not flashy. They don’t have a gift shop. They’re just…there—tucked between trees and houses, climbing up the hill like an invitation.
And that’s what makes them perfect for a coloring page: they’re a landmark that rewards noticing.
Why the Secret Stairs Feel Like a Storybook
A staircase is simple—until it’s not.
In this illustration, the stairs stretch upward through dense greenery, creating that tunnel-of-trees feeling Los Feliz does so well. The scene has:
- a long run of steps that pulls your eye up the hill
- thick, layered foliage on both sides (so many shapes to color)
- a quiet “neighborhood hidden trail” vibe
- a couple of people mid-walk, reminding you this is a place you move through, not just look at
It feels like a portal to a different version of LA—the one where you can hear birds and footsteps instead of engines.
A Coloring Page That Doubles as a Mini Adventure Prompt
This page is a great “slow down and look closer” activity.
As your kids color, try prompts like:
- “Where do you think these stairs lead?”
- “Is it morning, afternoon, or golden hour?”
- “What sounds would you hear here?”
- “What would you pack for a tiny Los Feliz expedition?”
Then invite them to add details:
- a hidden cat on a wall
- a hummingbird in the trees
- a little trail sign (real or imagined)
- a treasure at the top: a view, a secret garden, a lemonade stand
The stairs become a setting—and the setting becomes a story.
Color Palette Ideas: Make It Feel Like Los Feliz
Because the scene is so leafy, it’s ideal for playing with greens and light.
Classic Los Feliz Hillside
- sage, olive, and deep forest greens
- warm tan steps
- pale blue sky peeking through leaves
- soft shadows in cool gray-blue
Golden Hour Walk
- sunlit yellows and warm oranges filtering through the trees
- deeper green shadows
- a rosy sky in the background
Kid Fantasy “Secret Stair Portal”
- purple trees, teal bushes, rainbow steps
- glowing lanterns along the rail
- a starry sky behind the leaves
A fun trick: choose 3 greens (light, medium, dark) and rotate them as you color the foliage. It makes the whole page feel dimensional fast.
Make It a Los Feliz “Stair Day” (Screen-Free + Easy)
If you want to turn this into a simple local ritual:
- Color first (10–15 minutes)
- Walk later (even just around your block)
-
Play “Secret Stairs” spotting
- find staircases, hidden paths, little cut-throughs
- count steps
- notice plants, gates, railings, old lamps
Kids start to see the neighborhood differently—like it’s full of clues.
If you do visit the real Secret Stairs, you can bring the page along and do a “compare and notice” game:
- “Which parts look the same?”
- “Which parts did we imagine?”
- “What details would we add if we drew it again?”
Why Hidden Landmarks Matter (Especially for Kids)
Big landmarks are exciting, but hidden landmarks build something else:
- confidence navigating a neighborhood
- curiosity and observation
- appreciation for small beauty
- a sense of belonging (“this is our secret spot”)
A Secret Stairs coloring page is a reminder that adventure doesn’t always require a road trip. Sometimes it’s a staircase you’ve walked past a hundred times—until the day you finally notice it.