Bizarre Los Angeles

Designed by Robert Stacy-Judd, the Aztec Hotel opened in 1925. Its quirky Mayan Revival style was an oddity praised for its inventive design that walked a bizarre edge. The hotel, located along the old Route 66 roadway through Monrovia, has had many ups and downs over the years and its real history is still shrouded in mystery and urban legend.

Is it cursed? What famous people actually stayed there? Did it have a speakeasy?

Join Bizarre Los Angeles' Craig Owens, author of Haunted by History Vol. 1, for a rare look inside this legendary Monrovia landmark. As the official historian of the Aztec, Craig will lead you through these legends and stories to the truth of why this place has held such curiosity and mystery for many decades. The tour will visit numerous locations throughout the hotel, many that are not available to the public. The tour ends in the hotel bar for drinks specially created for the tour and lively discussion. Non-alcoholic options also available.

ABOUT CRAIG OWENS

Los Angeles-based photographer and Bizarre Los Angeles moderator Craig Owens is a well-known haunted location expert, who has been featured on My Ghost Story: Caught on Film, Los Angeles Magazine , NBC Los Angeles, Bizarre States podcast and Ghost Magnet with Bridget.

His book Haunted by History Vol. 1: Separating the Facts and Myths of Eight Historic Hotels and Inns in Southern California earned Publisher Weekly's coveted star review in 2018.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Wear comfortable shoes, as the majority of the tour will consist of standing and walking.

At the moment the hotel is not ADA compliant, and some parts of the tour are not accessible.

Please bring a valid ID and be 21 years old to partake in any alcoholic beverages.

In 1906, the Alexandria Hotel became the first 5-star hotel in Los Angeles. In the 1910s, it became the Plymouth Rock for film industry people migrating to Los Angeles from the East Coast. Anyone who was anyone waltzed through its lobby...from U.S. Presidents Taft and Wilson to America's Sweetheart Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin. It also served as the beating heart of the city's social scene until 1921. During the Great Depression, the building spiraled into a sharp decline. As a result, much of its fabulous and most important history became forgotten, lost, distorted and overlooked by historians.

That is...until now.

Join Bizarre Los Angeles' Craig Owens, author of Haunted by History Vol. 1 (which includes the Alexandria Hotel) for a private, one-of-a-kind history tour of the Alexandria Ballrooms and lobby. See where Rudolph Valentino danced and Paul Whiteman played. Also hear anecdotes, both funny and dark, that Craig has unearthed through extensive research

ABOUT CRAIG OWENS:

Los Angeles-based photographer and Bizarre Los Angeles moderator Craig Owens is a well-known haunted location expert, who has been featured on My Ghost Story: Caught on Film, Los Angeles Magazine and NBC Los Angeles.

He authored his first book Haunted by History Vol. 1: Separating the Facts and Myths of Eight Historic Hotels and Inns in Southern California, which earned Publisher Weekly's coveted star review in 2018. He also happens to be an Alexandria Hotel historian.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Please arrive at the Spring Street entrance (between the Wolves DTLA and Down and Out Bar) around 6:45 pm. Tour will start promptly at 7:00 PM. Doors will be locked.

• No refunds or exchanges.

• Wear comfortable shoes as you will be standing for the majority of the event.

Moved to July 17!