The Los Angeles Conservancy held its annual benefit at the former Toluca Lake home of Bob and Dolores Hope on June 26. Titled “On the Road to Toluca Lake” after the classic comedic Road to… film series starring Bob Hope and neighbor Bing Crosby, the event celebrated old Hollywood, Hope’s life and entertainment career, and the successful preservation of his magnificent 5-acre estate, originally built by local architect Robert Finkelhor in 1939, expanded in the 1950s by master architect John Elgin Woolf and now lovingly restored by current owner Ron Burkle.
Attendees enjoyed rare access to the iconic property while learning about the history of Toluca Lake and its connection to the film industry, past and present. A house tour offered a glimpse into the Hopes’ home life with their four children, including the opportunity to see Bob Hope’s office and the room-sized safe where he kept his most prized possessions — his jokes. A poolside cocktail reception and an al fresco dinner overlooking the Hopes’ private golf hole rounded out the evening. The fundraiser helped support the Conservancy’s mission of educating and advocating for the historic places that make Los Angeles unique, ensuring that they survive and thrive for future generations.
