How to Explore Jim Morrison's Los Angeles

Jim Morrison by photographer Joel Brodsky on a "Doors" album cover.

Jim Morrison--poet and 1960s frontman for The Doors--is followed by controversy to this day. Fans and friends alike have pondered the accuracy of his official cause of death, which is listed as "heart failure" on his death certificate. Some even wonder if he is still alive somewhere, living under an assumed name that allowed him to start anew away from the spotlight. You can pay homage to the self-styled "Lizard King" by stopping by his band's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame or taking a self-guided tour through Los Angeles.

Things You'll Need

• Books on Jim Morrison Current and updated Los Angeles map

Instructions

1. Do your research thoroughly before leaving home. Decide which spots are worth seeing if you have limited time to spare. Two of the most authoritative books you can read are "The Jim Morrison Scrapbook" by James Henke and "The Doors" by The Doors with Ben Fong-Torres. Morrison's former bandmates have written memoirs of their own as well: Drummer John Densmore released "Riders on the Storm" while organ player Ray Manzarek penned "Light My Fire." Take along a current map of Los Angeles with the locations you plan to visit marked down for convenience. Many of the key spots on your itinerary will be within walking distance of one another.

2. Drop by UCLA in Westwood Village. This is where Morrison attended film school upon his 1964 move to Los Angeles from Florida. Contrary to the scene in director Oliver Stone's movie "The Doors" in which Morrison--played by Val Kilmer--quits school, the real Jim earned his undergraduate degree.

3. Stroll along Venice Beach. This is the area where Morrison lived before hitting it big. It is also where he and Manzarek ran into each other in 1965 and made the decision to start a rock 'n' roll band. Santa Monica Beach also figures prominently in the band's early history as evidenced by photographs.

4. Take a look at the locations where The Doors played such as the Whisky a Go Go, the Hollywood Bowl and 8911 Sunset Blvd., where they were the house band in the days when it was the London Fog. At 6230 Sunset Boulevard once where stood the Aquarius Theatre. The building itself is historic but fans of the band know it specifically as the July 1969 venue for memorable performances, the recordings of which are available to the public. You might also be interested in visiting some spots where the band did their offstage work. Benvenuto Café, for instance, on Santa Monica Boulevard off of La Cienega Boulevard was where the "L.A. Woman" album was recorded.

5. Grab a bite at a few of Morrison's favored places to eat and drink. There's Barney's Beanery on Santa Monica Boulevard, for one. Further west, you'll find The Palms Bar and the Troubadour on the same street. Almost just across the street from The Palms Bar is Monaco Liquor, where Morrison was a regular patron.

6. Book a room at one of the hotels Morrison would frequent. He lived on and off from 1968 through 1970 in Room 32 of the Alta Cienega Motel, which is conveniently close to the Sunset Strip. The Chateau Marmont and the Hyatt, now Andaz, on Sunset Boulevard are two other accommodations where Morrison has made himself at home. Actual residences the singer shared with Pamela Courson, whom he called his "cosmic mate," are at 8021 Rothdell Trail in Laurel Canyon and 8216 Norton Blvd. in West Hollywood, which is his last U.S. home. Themis, the boutique given to Courson by Morrison, is located at 947 La Cienega Blvd. Courson died at 108 N. Sycamore Ave. in Hollywood at age 27, three years after Morrison's death.

Tips & Warnings

• Businesses in a city such as Los Angeles can change hands, if not at least names, rather frequently.

• Do not disturb current inhabitants, if any, of residences you choose to visit.

Resources

• The Doors' Official Website
• EHow Article on "How to Explore the 1960s Los Angeles Music Scene"
• Tips on Exploring West Hollywood