hollywood travel

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Entertainment

Day or night, there's always something happening in Hollywood. There's endless entertainment for everyone, from family friendly events to unforgettable concerts by superstar performers. Start exploring the Los Angeles Event Calendar and you're sure to find plenty to do in Tinseltown.

Hollywood Christmas Parade

Each year after Thanksgiving, Santa Claus arrives in Tinseltown along with floats, celebrities, and marching bands along Hollywood Boulevard in the  Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade .

Disability Services

For those with disabilities, there is convenient access to transportation and attractions throughout the city.

LAX provides various services for disabled travelers, including ground transportation and wheelchair services.

Accessibility at Venues

Popular attractions and venues in Hollywood and throughout LA provide disabled access. At Universal Studios Hollywood , many rides, shows, attractions, escalators and parking structures are designed to accommodate guests in wheelchairs and other disabilities.  A minimum of 200 wheelchair, semi-ambulatory, and companion tickets are available throughout the Hollywood Bowl . Inside the Ford Theatres amphitheatre there are 10 wheelchair spaces, 10 companion/ADA fixed seats and 14 transfer seats. Patrons can purchase up to three contiguous seats in the ADA section or as close to possible, if contiguous seats are sold out. The Greek Theatre  is ADA compliant, providing 41 wheelchair and semi-ambulatory tickets throughout the theatre, including accessible seating for those with mobility disabilities who require accessible seating. Check with individual attractions and venues for more information.

City Services

• The Los Angeles Police Department is responsible for police services. The LAPD's Hollywood station is at 1358 N. Wilcox Ave.
• The LA Fire Department operates four fire stations in the area: Stations 27, 41, 52, and 82.
• The LA County Department of Health Services operates the Hollywood-Wilshire Health Center in Hollywood.

The City of Los Angeles has created a contact list for important services, such as Public Safety and Emergency Services (police and fire departments), Transportation & Parking, Animal Services and more. 

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The 8 Best Hollywood Tours

See celebrity homes, top attractions and fun sights on these engaging tours of one of LA's hottest neighborhoods.

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Hollywood's glitz, glamour and celebrities have always held a fascination for travelers. Tourists journey to Los Angeles from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the city's famous residents or scope out iconic filming locations. For a behind-the-scenes peek at Hollywood's unknown tales and secrets, enlist the help of a local by signing up for a guided tour. Researching both expert opinion and traveler sentiment, U.S. News selected the best Hollywood tours.

Big Bus Tours Los Angeles – TMZ Celebrity Tour

Price: From $47.20 for adults; from $39.20 with kids Duration: 2 hours

TMZ, known for its celebrity news-fueled television show and website, operates this bus tour that takes travelers through Hollywood in the hopes of seeing their favorite celebrities. During the two-hour trip, TMZ guides will take you to celebrity hangouts in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills the Sunset Strip and more. The guides even bring video cameras in case a passing celebrity is willing to give an interview. Many patrons say the tour is fun, even without seeing any stars, and applaud the entertaining guides.

Tours run multiple times daily. Children younger than 2 are not permitted.

Check prices & availability on:

Ultimate Hollywood Tours – Celebrity Homes Tour: The Real Hollywood Experience

Price: From $44 for adults; from $34 for kids Duration: 2 hours

Keep your eyes peeled for Hollywood A-listers on this two-hour open-top bus tour, which promises to drive by dozens of celebrity homes. The bus will also cruise down Rodeo Drive and pass by the Hollywood Walk of Fame landmark and the Dolby Theatre, among other celebrity haunts. Visitors appreciate the guides' sense of humor and knowledge. They also say this is an excellent way to see the major attractions in Hollywood in a short amount of time.

The tours depart multiple times daily. There is a booking fee added to the tour price. If you're hoping to see even more of Los Angeles, consider the company's 5.5-hour excursion that includes an hourlong stop in Santa Monica.

The Real Los Angeles Tours – The Real Hollywood Tour

Price: From $40 Duration: 2 hours

During this historic walking tour, travelers will learn why Hollywood – once a farming town – was selected by movie industry pioneers in the early 20th century. The two-hour tour also stops at unique sights, such as the oldest house in Hollywood. But major attractions aren't forgotten either: You can expect to see the Capitol Records Building, the Dolby Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among other sights. Reviewers enjoy the informative guides, and even locals say they discover things they never knew about the city.

Tours are offered daily at 10 a.m. There is a 5% booking fee when purchasing tickets. You can also opt to combine this tour with the company's Central Downtown LA tour for a comprehensive, three-hour historical overview of the city.

Open Bus Tours – Movie Star Home Tour

Price: From $35 Duration: 2 hours

Admire the mansions of Hollywood's rich and famous as you wind through LA's posh neighborhoods on this two-hour, open-air bus tour. Then, pass by iconic sights, such as the Hollywood sign and Mulholland Drive, before cruising along Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip and other well-known Hollywood locales. Most reviewers give the tour high marks, applauding the amusing and informative guides.

Tours are available Thursday through Monday; they depart every two hours between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each operating day. Private tours are also an option.

Bikes and Hikes LA – Hollywood Sign Hike

Price: From $29 Duration: 2.5 hours

For a unique and sunshine-filled Hollywood tour, opt for this 2.5-hour hike to the Hollywood sign. Highlights include a view of Griffith Observatory, panoramic views from Mount Hollywood and local guides who also double as actors and comedians. Along the 4-mile round-trip hike, you might even see local celebrities walking their dogs. Tour-takers love the views, informative guides and the overall experience.

The company offers both morning and afternoon guided hikes. The exact meeting times vary, depending on the time of the year, but there is typically a morning departure and a late afternoon departure. Bikes and Hikes LA recommends wearing sunscreen, sunglasses and sneakers, and bringing a camera or smartphone for all those Instagram-worthy views. The company also offers three different bike tours around Hollywood and LA.

Hollywood City Tours – The Original Hollywood Tour

Price: From $45 for adults; from $35 for kids Duration: 2 hours

According to travelers, this tour is worthwhile if you're only in Los Angeles for a short amount of time, as you cover a lot of ground in just two hours. You'll cruise along Rodeo Drive and the Sunset Strip in an open-top bus as your driver (who doubles as your guide) shares interesting tidbits and historical information. Reviewers compliment the personable, entertaining guides, who they say tailor the tour to the group's interests. Along with celebrity homes belonging to A-listers like Katy Perry and Leonardo DiCaprio, you'll also drive past Hollywood landmarks like the Hollywood Bowl, Chateau Marmont and the Pantages Theatre.

Tours operate daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you're hoping to hit all of LA's top sights, consider the company's seven-hour Grand LA Tour.

Access Hollywood Tours – Celebrity Homes & Hollywood Sign Tour

Price: From $39 for adults; from $29 for kids Duration: 2 hours

Reviewers say this Hollywood sightseeing tour is lots of fun thanks to the engaging, personable guides. They also praise the beautiful scenery and report seeing plenty of iconic landmarks and celebrity homes. On this two-hour tour, you'll board an open-top bus in search of celebrity homes belonging to the likes of Mick Jagger and Madonna, as well as Hollywood must-sees like Greystone Mansion, Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip and more.

Tours are available Thursday through Tuesday starting at 10:30 a.m. until around 4:30 p.m. Tours may be available daily, depending on the month.

Surf City Tours – The Perfect Los Angeles Tour

Price: From $85 for adults; from $70 for kids Duration: 5.5 hours

See the best of both Hollywood and Los Angeles on this half-day tour. Departing from Santa Monica Pier, the bus tour features several stops, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and The Original Farmers Market. Along with celebrity homes belonging to stars like Bruno Mars, Al Pacino and Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, you'll cruise past famous music venues, such as The Viper Room and Whisky a Go Go. Reviewers say the tour flies by thanks to the knowledgeable guides, who are well-versed in celebrity culture. Travelers also appreciate the time allotted for each stop and say they captured great photos.

Tours are available at 10 a.m. and noon daily. If you're short on time, consider the company's two-hour Hollywood tour.

You may also be interested in:

• Best Los Angeles Tours
• Best Things to Do in Los Angeles
• Best Los Angeles Hotels
• Best California Tours
• Best Places to Visit in California
• Top Things to Do in California

Tags: Travel , Hollywood , Tours , Vacations , California Vacations , U.S. West Vacations , US Vacations

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No other corner of LA is steeped in as much mythology as Hollywood. It's here that you'll find the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Capitol Records Tower and TCL Chinese Theatre, where the hand- and footprints of entertainment deities are immortalized in concrete. Look beyond the tourist-swamped landmarks of Hollywood Blvd and you'll discover a nuanced, multifaceted neighborhood of sometimes gritty streets are punctuated by edgy galleries and boutiques, where strip malls hide swinging French bistros and where steep, sleepy lanes harbor the homes of long-gone silver-screen stars.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

TCL Chinese Theatre

Ever wondered what it’s like to be in George Clooney’s shoes? Find his foot- and handprints alongside dozens of other stars', forever set in the concrete…

Hollywood Museum

For a taste of Old Hollywood, do not miss this musty temple to the stars, its four floors crammed with movie and TV costumes and props. The museum is…

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Big Bird, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe and Aretha Franklin are among the more than 2600 stars of big and small screens and the music industry being sought out…

Whitley Heights

For a taste of Old Hollywood, wander the narrow, winding streets of Whitley Heights, a residential preservation zone bordered by Franklin Ave to the south…

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Paradisiacal landscaping, vainglorious tombstones and epic mausoleums set an appropriate resting place for some of Hollywood's most iconic dearly departed…

Hancock Park & Larchmont Village

LA has gorgeous homes galore, but there’s nothing quite like the old-money mansions flanking the tree-lined streets of Hancock Park, a genteel…

Pantages Theatre

Scottish architect Benjamin Marcus Priteca designed this 1930 survivor, the last theater commissioned by Greek-born theater magnate Alexander Pantages…

Egyptian Theatre

The Egyptian, the first of the grand movie palaces on Hollywood Blvd, premiered Robin Hood in 1922. The theater’s lavish getup – complete with hieroglyphs…

Latest stories from Hollywood

Family Travel

Oct 11, 2019 • 6 min read

We see them on the big screen, and we see them along Hollywood Blvd - the heroes and villains of pop culture. But who are the impersonators found along one of…

Sep 27, 2018 • 6 min read

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The 22 best things to do in Hollywood

Find the best tours, attractions, restaurants, bars and things to do in Hollywood, both on and off the Walk of Fame

What’s the deal with Hollywood?

Let’s start with the bad news: Hollywood can be pretty disappointing. Yes, there are still some movie studios here, and yes, there’s some worthwhile history. But it’s probably not the Tinseltown paradise you’re expecting: Hollywood is basically just a district in L.A. with a lot less glitz and moviemaking magic than you’d hope for and a lot more decay and traffic.

But here’s the good news: Hollywood is having a bit of a moment right now. High-end  celebrity hangouts  and hotel bars feel right at home with tucked-away cocktail bars  and bespoke coffee shops —and there seem to be more and more by the day.

Where exactly is Hollywood?

Hollywood is centrally located within Los Angeles, served by the 101 freeway and multiple Metro  B Line stops. The sizable area greets the scenic Hollywood Hills to the north, as well as Universal Studios just on the other side of the hill; stylish  West Hollywood and the eclectic Fairfax District to the west; lively Koreatown and adorable Larchmont Village to the south; and a slew of neighborhoods to the east, including East Hollywood, Thai Town and Los Feliz .

Is Hollywood part of Los Angeles?

Yes, Hollywood is simply a neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles, and has been since 1910.

What will you find in Hollywood?

Well, you know, other than disappointment: the sort of big-name attractions you’ve seen in movies and on TV, including the Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theatre, Paramount Studios and the iconic Hollywood Sign. If you insist on seeing some of the most touristy landmarks, just keep it quick; your time is much better spent elsewhere in L.A.

But there are also a few less-touristy pockets, most notably an actually-worth-visiting row of restaurants and bars on Cahuenga Boulevard and its parallel streets, between Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards.

If you only do one thing

See a show at the Hollywood Bowl —assuming it’s between roughly May and October. The rest of the year, a screening at one of the local movie palaces would top our list.

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Things to do in Hollywood

1.  Picnic at the Hollywood Bowl

• Things to do
• Event spaces
• price 2 of 4

This gorgeous outdoor amphitheatre has been hosting concerts since the LA Philharmonic first played here in 1922. Nestled in an aesthetically blessed fold in the Hollywood Hills, the 18,000-seat venue can bring out the romantic in the terminally cynical. It’s the summer home of the LA Phil (and boozy picnics); as long as there’s no performance, it also doubles as a public park .

2.  See a movie at the Chinese Theatre

• Movie theaters

It’s still a great place to catch a movie but most people come to the Chinese Theatre for the hand and/or foot imprints of around 200 Hollywood stars. The courtyard is usually choked with snap-happy tourists measuring their own extremities against the likes of John Wayne and Judy Garland, but you can avoid the crowds by catching a flick inside, where the auditorium is as stunning as the IMAX screen’s projection quality

3.  Bowl a few frames at the Spare Room

• Cocktail bars
• price 3 of 4

Tucked away on the second floor of the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, the Spare Room is like stepping into another era: one where classic cocktails, tiki-leaning concoctions and punch bowls pour freely, and people make merry all night long. The big draw here, beyond the expertly made drinks, is the gaming. This bar sports an antique, two-lane bowling alley, which looks great with those George Esquivel–designed bowling shoes and argyle socks.

4.  Survey the ’hood from the Hollywood Bowl Overlook

This overlook in the Santa Monica Mountains has fantastic views of the Downtown skyline all the way to the ocean and it’s right on top of the Hollywood Bowl. It’s a prime place to be on a clear day—as evidenced by the tiny parking lot overrun with tour buses—so get there early (it’s also technically not open in the evening). If you’re after more scenic views, you can keep following Mulholland Drive  to find about a half-dozen other overlooks that face the Valley side of the city.

5.  Find the best possible view of the Hollywood Sign

• Sightseeing

Originally created in 1923, the then “Hollywoodland” sign was supposed to be up for only a year and a half, yet here it is a century later . Getting close to the Hollywood Sign, though, is an often contentious issue thanks to pressure from local homeowners. From farther away, the archway at Ovation Hollywood  (formerly Hollywood & Highland) has a pretty decent view of the sign. You can catch a dead-on glimpse of it on Beachwood Drive, or farther up the hill near Lake Hollywood Park  for our favorite all-around perspective. Looking to get even closer? Go horseback riding at Sunset Ranch or lace up for a trek along the closed-to-public-vehicles road on Mt. Lee Drive to where you will be standing directly above the Hollywood Sign and can experience a total 360-degree view of the cityscape.

6.  Visit dearly departed screen legends at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Any cemetery that houses the remains of such celluloid luminaries as Cecil B. DeMille, Jayne Mansfield, Rudolph Valentino and Mel Blanc was bound to become a tourist attraction. Aside from popular posthumous celebs, Hollywood Forever is also home to Cinespia’s summer outdoor movie screenings, an annual Day of the Dead festival and concerts, both outside on the lawn and inside the property’s Masonic lodge.

7.  Sip a stiff martini at Musso & Frank Grill

• Restaurants

Open since 1919, the Musso & Frank Grill is Hollywood’s oldest restaurant, a steak-and-cocktails joint formerly favored by Charlie Chaplin and Raymond Chandler. With its many obscure dishes and individually priced sides (and salad dressings!), the menu can be daunting. However, some dishes are fail-safes. At breakfast, grab an order of crêpe-thin flannel cakes; later in the day, the grilled meats are excellent. And every table gets a half-loaf of house-made sourdough bread, the perfect accompaniment to a dry martini.

8.  Tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s handsome Hollyhock House at Barnsdall Art Park

• Cultural centers

Just outside the Hollywood border, this hilly park is the home of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House . Originally intended as a massive arts complex, the site still fulfills that role with exhibitions in a variety of different gallery spaces, including the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, and public tours of the Hollyhock House. In the summer, the park hosts a variety of alfresco cinema nights, wine tastings and cultural events that bring out a nice mix of singles, couples and young families.

9.  Thumb through stacks of records at Amoeba Music

• Music venues
• price 1 of 4

As streaming services have erased CDs from our collective memory, the L.A. branch of San Francisco’s Amoeba Music could easily be seen as a mausoleum to actually leaving the house to buy music. But this, one of the largest independent record stores in the country, is very much alive (albeit at a new location). The variety of stock (vinyl, CDs and DVDs, new and used) is awesome, the prices are fair and the staff know their onions.

10.  Look down at—but maybe don’t touch—Hollywood Walk of Fame

We’ve spent enough time in Hollywood to know that you probably don’t want to put your hands on those grimy bits of star-dotted sidewalk—better to look but not touch. If you can stomach the suspect superheroes, claustrophobia-inducing crowds and never-ending line of gift shops, tattoo parlors and lingerie stores, there’s actually a lot of old Hollywood history to discover along the Walk of Fame (just maybe not a ton of glamour). The immortalized names on those famous five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars run from the Walk’s western extreme at the Hollywood and La Brea Gateway to the W Hotel and Pantages Theater at Gower, and additionally on Vine from the Capitol Records Building down to Sunset, near where the original movie studios sprang up a century ago.

11.  See and be seen during a hike at Runyon Canyon

• Parks and gardens

This 160-acre park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains has one main loop, plus a bevy of dirt hiking trails. The sea of buff trainers and their sleek, sweaty clients can get to be too much during the busy morning and weekend workout traffic, but you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of the city (and, if you’re lucky, a chance to gawk at power-walking celebs). The southern entrance is at the end of Fuller Avenue in Hollywood; if you want to cut out most of the hiking and just beeline it to the tob, use the northern entrance off the 7300 block of Mulholland Drive.

12.  Take a tour of Paramount Studios

• Walks and tours

Believe it or not, Paramount is the last major studio to keep its headquarters located in Hollywood—and the only one there to open its doors to the public. Inside the famous wrought iron gate, you’ll be treated to a guided tram tour through soundstages and a sizable New York backlot.

13.  Walk through the fridge at Good Times at Davey Wayne’s

Good Times at Davey Wayne’s takes us back to the 1970s via garage. Walk past the knick-knacks to find the portal to this booze-fueled time machine: an old refrigerator. Step through its door and you’re instantly transported to a house party in the era of hard rock, sideburns and shag carpeting. Vintage beer cans and retro tchotchkes surround the tufted bar, where staff whip up craft cocktails with forgotten spirits and draught beer is served in cans and novelty mugs.

14.  See a classic Disney flick at El Capitan

Yearning to relive your childhood and indulge in a Disney flick? El Capitan’s your spot—the lavish 1926-built theater screens Disney’s most current feature along with classics in between releases. Tickets are indeed pricier than other nearby cinemas, but then again, where else do you get to dine at a classic fountain and see a 2,500-pipe organ be played before the show?

15.  Go horseback riding at Sunset Ranch Hollywood

• Griffith Park

If you keep driving up Beachwood Drive in search of the Hollywood Sign, eventually you’ll hit a dead end at Sunset Ranch Hollywood’s cluster of horse stables. The ranch offers a variety of daily trail rides through Griffith Park, and you can book ahead on their website. Pricier and longer rides include meals or a trek to the top of the park or Mt. Lee, but even the basic one hour ride ($75) lets you snag a close-up look at the Hollywood Sign along with sweeping views of the hills and L.A. cityscape below.

16.  Associate with the industry crowd along Sycamore Avenue

Multiple publications have tried to deem this L.A.’s coolest neighborhood recently, but a single block of entertainment office spaces and high-end restaurants doesn’t exactly constitute an entire neighborhood in our eyes. That said, there is an impressive assortment of dining options along this block of Sycamore Avenue, south of Romaine Street, including Tartine Sycamore , Mr. T , Gigi’s , Mother Tongue  and Sightglass Coffee , plus always-interesting art exhibitions at Jeffrey Deitch .

17.  See some illusions at the Magic Castle

Speak the secret phrase to the owl sculpture in the lobby of this private club (we’re serious here), and the rest—well, we don’t want to ruin the surprises in store for visitors at this magical institution. The mansion that houses the Magic Castle is over a century old, but since 1963 it’s been the home of the Academy of Magical Arts, an exclusive organization made up of roughly 2,500 American magicians. Sorry to be cryptic, but if you can bag yourself an invite, you’re guaranteed to have a night you’ll never forget. If you can’t find a member of the Academy to tag along with , stay at the adjacent Magic Castle Hotel for access.

18.  Catch a concert at one of Hollywood’s many music venues

You’re bound to find something worth listening to just about any night of the week in Hollywood. The Fonda and the Hollywood Palladium  are the go-to picks for touring acts, while Avalon  and Academy L.A.  specialize in DJ-fueled dance parties. For a more sedate evening, expect singer-songwriters at the Hotel Café  or intimate outdoor shows at the Ford , just up the canyon from the Bowl.

19.  Bring on the heat at Jitlada

• East Hollywood

With endless celebrity photos and numerous “best of” lists on the walls, this Thai Town restaurant is one of the city’s cult favorites. If perusing the lengthy menu leaves you feeling dazed and confused, the green mussel curry—succulent New Zealand mussels piled high and bathed in an aromatic Southern curry flavored with lemongrass, sweet pineapples and chiles—is a good place to start on the extensive list of fiery Northern and Southern Thai specialties.

20.  See a Broadway musical at the Pantages Theatre

Just about every Broadway musical that comes to town sets up inside of this gorgeous Art Deco auditorium. Our tip: Opt for the first few rows of the mezzanine for the best seats in the house.

21.  Look out on the neighborhood from Yamashiro

Built as a private art museum in the 1920s, this Japanese palace-like restaurant is a spectacular structure with extraordinary views of Hollywood. As for the food… hey, those views are nice, right? If you want an actually great meal, we love the minimalist Japanese-inspired menu at the adjacent Kensho .

22.  Watch cinema gems at the Egyptian Theatre

• Independent

Temporarily closed for renovations, with plans to reopen in 2023.

Built by the same man who erected the Chinese Theatre and El Capitan Theatre, the Egyptian was faithfully restored by American Cinematheque in 1998. Though the building itself is now owned by Netflix, the not-for-profit company continues to program a wide range of excellent themed mini-festivals and one-off Q&As with legendary figures, as well as classic films and contemporary indie cinema.

More essential things to do in Hollywood

5 Hollywood tours to take

Explore the Walk of Fame while learning a bit of Tinseltown history with these Hollywood tours.

23 must-see Hollywood attractions

Tour the iconic movie town’s must-visit attractions along with a few stops away from the crowds.

The best restaurants in Hollywood

Peruse our picks of Hollywood restaurants for the top places to drink and dine in Tinseltown.

The best bars in Hollywood

Forget clichéd, tourist spots and velvet-rope attitude; instead, check out our top bar picks in Hollywood.

The best hotels in Hollywood

Here are the best hotels in Hollywood for every traveler’s budget.

Here’s how to spend a perfect day in Hollywood

There are many ways to explore Hollywood, but there’s only one perfect way to spend a day in the famous neighborhood.

Upcoming events in Hollywood

At the Edge of the Sun

• price 0 of 4
• Hollywood Until Jun 1, 2024

What does living in L.A. look like? It’s a wildly different picture depending on each Angeleno’s point of view, and so to celebrate that diversity of perspectives, Hollywood gallery Jeffrey Deitch will display pieces from a dozen local artists that delve into underground economies, landscapes, surveillance, backyard hangouts and public transit, among other topics.

Rooftop Movies at the Montalbán

• Hollywood Until May 25, 2024

Watch a slate of classics from the past couple of decades on one of the prettiest rooftops—now called Anita’s Oasis—in Hollywood at this outdoor screenings series. All movies are piped in over sets of provided wireless headphones. Before showtime, make sure to hit up the bar or the on-site kitchen.

Friday Movie Nights

• Family and kids
• Hollywood Until Nov 29, 2024

Take a seat under the arch at the former Hollywood & Highland for this free series of movie screenings, typically held on the last Friday of the month. Stop by the Ovation Hollywood booth for free popcorn and discounted treats from the TCL Chinese Theatre concessions stand.

Street Food Cinema

• Griffith Park Until Oct 31, 2024

For dinner and a movie, all in one, just follow the food trucks. During the spring, summer and fall, Street Food Cinema throws together a series of outdoor parties that include screenings of some of our favorite movies, paired with an assortment of gourmet food trucks and even a live music performance from a cool local band. The screenings are held in venues across L.A. and alternate from week to week, so make sure to check the schedule. Some of the outdoor venues are dog-friendly, allowing you to bring your four-legged cinema lover along. See more of this season’s outdoor movie screenings in L.A.

More of the best of Hollywood

The best Hollywood Sign tours

If you’re specifically looking to see the Hollywood Sign tour, consider one of these tours.

Hollywood bar crawl guide

Check out these classic watering holes to see a side of the real Hollywood.

The best live music venues in Hollywood

Whether you’re interested in big name bands or local acts, this ’hood has it all packed into one lively place.

Where to shop near Hollywood and Highland

Stop in to these Hollywood stores for unique shopping experiences and finds.

The best clubs in Hollywood

Our list of the best clubs in Hollywood is the cream of the party-spot crop.

The best coffee shops in Hollywood

Take a break from the Tinseltown madness with a stop at one of the neighborhood's best coffee shops.

Hour to Kill: Mulholland Drive

Take a joyride on the classic highway in the hills and stop at some of our favorite overlooks.

Hour to Kill: Lake Hollywood Park

Relax underneath the Hollywood Sign at this hilltop park.

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18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hollywood, CA

Written by Lura Seavey and Lana Law Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Hollywood lies about eight miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains , the home of the famous Hollywood sign . Hollywood is the birthplace of the American film industry, its name eliciting images of wealth and fame. It is filled with attractions that celebrate the entertainment industry and its larger-than-life persona, from behind-the-scenes tours at Universal Studios to high-end shopping and people-watching on the Sunset Strip and Hollywood Boulevard .

Most tourists come to Hollywood to experience the glamour and excitement of Tinseltown while keeping a hopeful eye open for celebrity sightings, but you will also find a variety of natural and cultural attractions and things to do, including hiking, horseback riding, and museums. Find the best places to visit with our list of the top tourist attractions in Hollywood, California.

See also: Where to Stay in Hollywood: Best Areas & Hotels

1. Walk of Fame

2. hollywood sign, 3. universal studios hollywood, 4. la brea tar pits and museum, 5. hollywood boulevard, 6. griffith observatory, 7. catch a show at the hollywood bowl, 8. griffith park, 9. take a tour of the warner brother's studio, 10. sunset strip, 11. celebrity photo ops at madame tussauds & the hollywood wax museum, 12. hike with celebs in runyon canyon, 13. hollyhock house, 14. catch a flick at the dolby theatre, 15. the hollywood museum, 16. capitol records building, 17. tcl chinese theatre, 18. museum of illusions, where to stay in hollywood for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions in hollywood, ca, hollywood - climate chart.

The famous Hollywood Walk of Fame runs along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street . Here, Hollywood's most recognized faces and names are represented by bronze-rimmed stars dedicated and laid in the sidewalk. Honorees include prominent actors, musicians, directors, personalities, and other important people from the areas of motion picture, TV, radio, recording, and live theater/performance. Stars are still being added, and new nominees are announced each June. Today, there are about 2,500 stars on the sidewalks, with a small number added each year.

Official site: www.walkoffame.com

The famous hillside Hollywood sign is perhaps the most iconic site in California. The original sign was built in the 1920s to advertise a new residential development named Hollywoodland. It was never intended to be a permanent sign and eventually fell into disrepair. Rebuilt in 1978, it was changed to say simply "Hollywood" and soon became a recognized symbol of the city.

When the sky is clear, the sign is visible from several vantage points during the day, but that can be a rarity. The best way to see the sign is on a hike or horseback ride through the Hollywood Hills, and the guides know right where to go. The folks at Sunset Ranch are a treasure trove of information about other great places to view the Hollywood sign, and tourists can explore the trails around the ranch via guided horseback tour.

Another excellent option is this 2.5-hour hiking tour of the Hollywood Hills through Griffith Park . Highlights include Hollywood Sign photo ops, a visit to the Griffith Observatory , and the chance to visit numerous filming locations.

Official site: www.hollywoodsign.org

Universal Studios Hollywood is one of Hollywood's biggest family tourist attractions. The site is divided into several areas, including a theme park, working studio, and the Universal City Walk , an area of restaurants and shops.

The park offers some of the most innovative and interesting theme park rides to be found anywhere in the United States. There are several classic rides, but new rides are being developed all the time, based on popular movies and TV shows. One of the most popular areas of the park is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter , complete with Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and Hogsmeade, where even Muggles can fully embrace magic.

The Universal Studio Tour is the most exciting aspect of the park, a must-do for film-lovers. Here, visitors get to take a trip behind the camera and see what goes into making a Hollywood film extravaganza. The tour involves riding a tram throughout the backlots and former movie sets of classics like War of the Worlds, Bates Motel, and Wisteria Lane. The tour's finale is an immersive experience within the Fast & the Furious world where tourists can feel the heat from explosions and the thrill of the action.

For a bite to eat, some shopping, or to catch a movie, wander over to the pedestrian-only City Walk , where there are dozens of restaurants, cinemas, comedy clubs, and even indoor skydiving.

Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California

Official site: www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Tens of thousands of years ago, sticky tar (natural asphalt) created pools in the ground, which trapped a variety of large and small animals. Preserved within the substance, over time their remains became fossils, which now help to shed light on these extinct species, some of which have been frozen in place for nearly 50,000 years.

The La Brea Tar Pits are located within Hancock Park , easily recognized by the population of life-size prehistoric animal replicas in the Pleistocene Garden just outside the George C. Page Museum . The museum was created to educate the public about the fossils found in the many excavation sites, as well as encourage interest in the science and methods of paleontology. Exhibits include the remains of many types of animals, from a prehistoric mammoth and Smilodon (better known as the saber-toothed tiger) to a horse, bison, and even a condor.

Address: 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California

Official site: https://tarpits.org/

If you are looking for things to do at night in Hollywood, this is the place to come. Hollywood Boulevard is the main east-west axis, and it has been compared with New York's Broadway because of its entertainment and nightlife. However, instead of theaters, Hollywood has extravagant cinemas, such as the Chinese and Egyptian Theaters, built originally by Sid Grauman in the twenties.

Hollywood Boulevard is probably most famous for the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Kodak Theatre , which is the home of the Academy Awards, where the Oscars are awarded each year. This street is mostly about the night scene, when these famous places are lit up, and throngs of people come down here to walk around.

There are several top-rated restaurants in this area, so you may want to combine a walk along the boulevard with a dinner out.

The Griffith Observatory, located on a hill overlooking Griffith Park , is home to a wide array of telescopes, as well as a planetarium and exhibits. Its crowning jewel is the Zeiss telescope, a historic 12-inch refracting telescope, which is open to use by the public. Visitors are also welcome to use this to stargaze, or borrow one of the observatory's portable telescopes to use on the lawn. Thanks to the elevated position of the observatory and grounds, the sky is often less obscured by the light and thick air of the city.

The planetarium and exhibit halls offer a wide range of presentations and educational programs throughout the year, including night sky shows and exhibits about space exploration. The front lawn is a stunning attraction in itself, adorned with a model of the solar system with orbital paths marked out in bronze on the sidewalk. There is also a grand statue dedicated to six influential astronomers, including Galileo and Isaac Newton.

Address: 2800 E. Observatory Road, Los Angeles, California

Official site: www.griffithobservatory.org

The Hollywood Bowl is an outdoor concert area set in a natural amphitheater, which has been hosting performers from around the world for over 100 years. Built in the 1920s in Bolton Canyon, the Bowl eventually grew into the enormous venue that it is today, capable of seating 20,000 people and accommodating another 10,000 standing. The stage has presented artists from all genres, including both theater and musical performances.

Among legendary guests are Ella Fitzgerald, Danny Elfman, Stevie Wonder, the Beatles, Garth Brooks, John Williams, and many, many more. It is also home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, which performs here throughout the summer months with its "Symphonies Under the Stars." Tourists can also visit the Hollywood Bowl Museum , a place where music and history lovers can learn more about this landmark and its cultural significance.

Address: 2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, California

Official site: www.hollywoodbowl.com

In the same way that tourists could easily spend days exploring New York's Central Park, the 4,200-acre Griffith Park is full of attractions and activities. Best known as the home of the Griffith Observatory and for the park's proximity to the Hollywood sign , there are plenty more things to do and see at L.A.'s biggest park.

One of the most popular family attractions is the L.A. Zoo , home to animals from around the world, including Masai giraffe, koalas, lemurs, and elephants. Younger kids will love visiting the park's Merry-go-Round ; taking a pony ride ; and taking a trip through history on the miniature train ride , which takes passengers through a Native American village and an old west town. Train enthusiasts will not want to miss Steamers Railroad Museum and the Travel Town Museum , dedicated to scale models and steam trains respectively.

Nature lovers will find a retreat from the bustle of Hollywood city life among the miles of hiking trails, with plenty of places to explore. Fern Dell trail is home to over 50 species of tropical plants, and the zoo is home to a Botanical Garden . Visitors also enjoy seeing Bronson Caves , a location used in numerous films and TV shows, including the original Batman series. Other park attractions and activities include horseback riding, golf, performances at the Greek Theater , and the Autry National Center , a museum dedicated to the history of the American West.

Official site: www.laparks.org/griffithpark

A tour of the backlots at Warner Brothers is a literal walk down TV and cinema's memory lane, allowing visitors to step inside the magic and feel what it's like for their favorite actors.

Visitors get the chance to see the actual sets, including some of the most featured fictional settings in Hollywood. Gilmore Girls fans can see Stars Hollow on "Mid-West Street," a set that has been used in almost 400 shows and films for over 80 years, while Pretty Little Liars fans will recognize the Brownstone Street lot.

Fans of the long-running show Friends can take selfies on the couch at Central Perk, or pose on the iconic fountain from the show's opening credits. Big Bang Theory fans can walk inside Sheldon's apartment, knock on its door in front of the ever-broken elevator, or even check out the Caltech physics department cafeteria.

The studio tour also includes opportunities to see authentic costumes and interact with their favorite props, like the Sorting Hat from Harry Potter. There is also a fully interactive exhibit where visitors can see exactly what goes into the process of making a film, start to finish.

Address: 3400 W Riverside Drive, Burbank, California

Official site: www.wbstudiotour.com

Located in West Hollywood, the famous Sunset Strip is a portion of Sunset Boulevard . This area, between Hollywood and the high-end neighborhoods of Beverly Hills , is very eclectic, with restaurants, retail, and entertainment venues towered over by huge billboards. At night, the street comes to life, with neon signs and throngs of people walking the streets or cruising the strip. It is not the glitzy high-end street it once was, but it still has plenty of character.

The Sunset Strip is still a place to see and be seen; where famous people sometimes hang out and those waiting to be discovered congregate. Some Hollywood celebrities do live in the area. If you are planning on visiting, you may want to simply walk the strip and have a look around, do some shopping, and have a meal. However, the busy and exciting time, with the best chance to see celebrities is in the evening.

Official site: http://thesunsetstrip.com/

Tourists are unlikely to get the chance for a selfie with a movie star while visiting Hollywood, but they have a few options for the next best thing. The realistic figures artfully created and presented at Madame Tussauds and the Hollywood Wax Museum are more than happy to pose for a pic or let you enact a favorite film scene. At Madame Tussauds, visitors can have a virtual reality experience and go on a time travel mission, and at Hollywood Wax Museum, guests can get dressed up in costumes and use props to really get into character.

Other nearby family favorites include the Guinness Book of World Records Museum , where you can attempt record-breaking challenges, and Ripley's Believe-it-or-Not , where you can see the famous shrunken heads and other bizarre items, like a portrait of Michael Jackson made entirely of candy.

Official site: www.hollywoodwaxmuseum.com

Even if hiking isn't your thing, tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of a celebrity in their native environment will want to make an exception and take a hike in Runyon Canyon. The path, which runs north/south through Runyon Canyon Park from Hollywood's Fuller Avenue to Mulholland Drive , is convenient to the city's residential areas and therefore a common place for celebrities to run off some steam, and Runyon's off-leash dog park is equally popular.

Runyon Canyon Road is the easiest of the routes to take, a wide and relatively smooth path that is maintained as a fire road but closed to traffic. For a more challenging hike, the Star Trail is a good option, and more ambitious and experienced hikers can try the Hero Trail, a more difficult path that leads to the park's highest point, Indian Rock.

Fans of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural achievements will want to visit Hollyhock House, designed by Wright and two proteges by commission of oil heiress Aline Barnsdall. Part of a larger art complex on Olive Hill now named Barnsdall Art Complex , the Hollyhock House was Barnsdall's residence and was completed in 1921.

Docent-led tours are available by advance reservation, but most tourists enjoy the building via self-guided tour. A guide book is provided, and there are docents available to answer questions and provide more information about the home and its unique design. The home is at the center of Barnsdall Art Complex, which is located in East Hollywood and considered a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.

Address: 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California

Official site: www.barnsdall.org/hollyhock-house

Located within the gigantic shopping and dining complex Hollywood & Highland , the Dolby Theatre is an iconic venue, which has hosted the Academy Awards and music awards. It has also hosted numerous musical, theatrical, and artistic performances, including touring Broadway shows, the American Ballet Theater, fashion shows, and musical concerts from orchestras to Steven Tyler.

Even if you don't see a show here, a tour of the building will let you admire the stunning architecture and décor of the lobby and audience seating area, known for its Italianate influences. Tours are available daily, and visitors can learn about the building's history and see the highlights.

Address: 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, California

Official site: https://dolbytheatre.com/

With four floors of exhibits, the Hollywood Museum houses an extensive collection of Hollywood memorabilia, most of which focuses on its early years and the film industry's golden age. Located in the historic building that once held legendary Max Factor's studios, the museum's architecture is a celebration of "Hollywood Regency" Art Deco. Several of the original makeup studios, innovative and ground-breaking in their time, have been restored to their former states for tourists to enjoy.

Classic cinema enthusiasts will enjoy the authentic setting and appreciate the numerous exhibits dedicated to Tinseltown's greatest, from Cary Grant's Rolls Royce to a tribute to Marylin Monroe. In addition to thousands of photographs, costumes, props, memorabilia, and personal items, the museum features a basement exhibit dedicated to "all things creepy and scary," where you can step into some of Hollywood's scariest sets, like Hannibal Lecter's jail cell.

Address: 1660 N. Highland Ave, Hollywood, California

Official site: www.thehollywoodmuseum.com

The unique Capitol Records Building is a circular shaped multi-story building built in 1956. Designed by Welton Becket, it was intended to look like a stack of vinyl records sitting on a turntable, complete with a spindle on top. Today's younger generation of music fans may not recognize what it was meant to look like, but the building is an iconic landmark in Hollywood that has been featured in films and television since it first pierced the skyline.

In addition to being an architectural feature, the Capitol Records Building has earned its place as a historic landmark as well. Home to Capitol Records' recording studio, some of the world's most talented artists have laid their tracks here, including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and the Beach Boys. On its south wall, a 1972 mural by local artist Richard Wyatt pays tribute to the artists and clubs that made Hollywood a center for innovative jazz.

Also known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Chinese Theatre was built by Sid Grauman in 1927 and has had many names over the years. After the last change of hands, the theater became known as the TCL Chinese Theatre. This famous theater features Chinese design and decoration, and has hosted three Academy Awards ceremonies, as well as film premiers for major hits, including the Star Wars franchise launch in 1977.

It is perhaps best known for the "autograph collection" of famous footprints and handprints in the forecourt, an honor bestowed upon various celebrities. In addition to hands and feet, you can find tracks made by the lovable VW bug Herbie's tires, as well as imprints from the wands of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.

Address: 6925 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California

Official site: www.tclchinesetheatres.com

Hollywood's Museum of Illusions is a favorite for families with kids and teens, full of chances to snap perfect Instagram-ready photos. Photography is encouraged here, an imaginative space where visitors can interact with the exhibits to bring home larger-than-life memories. The museum's main exhibit is its collection of 3D illusions that can put you on center stage, walking the red carpet, in the middle of an African Safari, or balancing on the ledge of a skyscraper.

At the Giant House, visitors can pose with oversize everyday items, from a massive high heel shoe to a slice of pizza bigger than a doorway. The Upside-Down House is just what it sounds like - visitors can get their photo taken dancing on the ceiling or defying gravity while doing the dishes, with seven rooms to explore. The museum's newest addition is Smash It, an area where museum guests can get their frustration out by literally smashing items in a safe space.

Address: 6751 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California

Official site: https://laillusions.com/

Luxury Hotels:

• One of the trendiest places to stay in Tinseltown is Dream Hollywood , a four-star luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, just a few blocks form the Walk of Fame and the Capitol Records Building. Guests can easily get to and from tourist attractions with the complimentary car service, then unwind after a day of sightseeing at the rooftop pool and grill.
• The Hollywood Roosevelt is another four-star luxury hotel, a historic Hollywood landmark, which has been called home by many of the industry's greatest actors. It has its own nostalgic charm, with a 60s-style poolside lounge, vintage game parlor with bowling lanes, 24-hour burgers, and, of course, an excellent restaurant.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• The Mama Shelter Los Angeles is a good mid-range boutique hotel, with trendy rooms in bright, vibrant colors. It's centrally located between Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, and just a five-minute walk from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The hotel has two restaurants on-site, as well as a rooftop lounge that offers great views of the Hollywood sign.
• On the same block, convenient to the top Hollywood attractions, Hollywood Celebrity Hotel has affordable rates and homey guest rooms. Kitchenette suites are available for families and longer stays, and the staff provides personal service.

Budget Hotels:

• Close to Griffith Park, the Cara Hotel has budget rates and friendly service, with the added (and valuable) bonus of free guest parking. Amenities include a pool and hot tub, self-service laundry, in-room fridge, and free Wi-Fi.
• Another great budget option in the Griffith Park area is the Hollywood City Inn, which also has free parking and Wi-Fi, as well as an outdoor pool and in-room fridge and microwave.

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More in Los Angeles : Hollywood is the most famous area of Los Angeles , California's largest metropolitan area. In addition to plenty of big-city tourist attractions, Los Angeles is home to some beautiful beaches , including the famous Santa Monica, Malibu, and Huntington Beaches.

San Diego Sights : Farther down the coast, close to the Mexican border, San Diego is a smaller city but has plenty to offer, from Mission Beach to historic sites like Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala and the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. If you are visiting as a family, be sure to see our article on Things to Do in San Diego with Kids .

More on California

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 By public transit
• 2.3 By plane
• 3 Get around
• 4.1 Theaters
• 4.2 Museums
• 6.1 Shopping centers
• 7.2 Mid-range
• 7.3 Splurge
• 8.2 Clubs and bars
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge
• 10.1 Internet

No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a visit to its most famous district: Hollywood , best known as the self-declared entertainment capital of the world. It is one of the greatest places in the world for film tourism and the backdrop of numerous blockbuster movies.

Understand [ edit ]

A business and residential district in the city of Los Angeles , the core of Hollywood for a tourist is its three fascinating boulevards: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood Boulevard, and Melrose Avenue, all of which are worth seeing. Hollywood Blvd is known for its entertainment history, Sunset Blvd for its clubs and nightlife, and Melrose Ave for its shopping, nightlife, and eclecticism.

Hollywood was founded as an independent city in 1903 and voted to merge with the City of Los Angeles in 1910. That same year also saw the birth of the Southern California motion picture industry when D. W. Griffith relocated his Biograph Company, sparking a westward migration of East Coast filmmakers. As movies exploded in popularity in the 1910s and 20s, the name Hollywood became synonymous with the American film industry.

In the decades following World War II, Hollywood's glitz and glamour began to fade as most of the leading film studios moved to other places. By the 1980s, Hollywood was considered one of the worst neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The 1990s, however, saw the beginning of community redevelopment efforts, and today Hollywood is once again one of the region's most vibrant areas. Paramount is the only major film studio still headquartered in Hollywood, but the area nonetheless remains an important center of the entertainment industry with its myriad production and broadcast facilities. Smaller studios still in Hollywood include Sunset-Gower Studios, Hollywood Center Studios, Raleigh Studios, Jim Henson Studios, and Sunset Bronson Studios (housed on the original Warner Bros. lot).

The other major studios are located to the north in the San Fernando Valley , particularly in Universal City (NBC, Universal), Burbank (ABC, Disney, Warner Bros.), and Glendale (DreamWorks). Most of the rest are to the west: Century City (Fox, MGM), the Fairfax District (CBS), and Culver City (Sony). Many of the studios offer tours if you want to see where films are shot.

If you want to see celebrities, pack your patience or be prepared to play the role of boulevardier . The chances of bumping into a celebrity are very low (mainly because most of the celebrities who live in Hollywood usually do not go out in public) unless you're willing to do a lot of hanging out at expensive restaurants in West Hollywood , Beverly Hills , or in Malibu . You can easily see where they live by taking a tour or buying a star map.

Get in [ edit ]

By public transit [ edit ]

Hollywood's location is central to most other popular attractions. Metro's   B   Line subway service stops at Hollywood/Vine and Hollywood/Highland, and is the most direct transit connection to Downtown . Due to the traffic along the 101 freeway, its usually quicker to take the Red Line to or from Downtown than it is to drive. It also continues north to its terminus in North Hollywood , with a stop in Universal City . Visitors from Orange County can get to Hollywood by taking Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink's Orange County Line to Los Angeles Union Station and then transferring to the Red Line.

The stretch of Hollywood Blvd between Highland and Vine is served frequently by Metro bus lines 217 and Metro Rapid 780, while the 180 and 181 from the east terminate just before Hollywood/Vine. Sunset Boulevard is served frequently by bus lines 2 and 302, Santa Monica Boulevard by the 4 and Metro Rapid 704, and Melrose Avenue by the 10. For frequent north-south service, Vine Street is served by the 210 and La Brea Avenue by the 212 and 312.

Long-distance bus service is not available into Hollywood. If taking Greyhound, the best option is to take one to the station in North Hollywood, then walk to the Metro Red Line. Other intercity bus options can be found in Downtown LA.

By car [ edit ]

Hollywood is close enough to the Westside to make car trips there relatively easy. If you're beginning your trip in Downtown Los Angeles—the proverbial center of Southern California's intricate freeway network—you can head north on U.S. Highway 101 (Hollywood Freeway) and exit on Hollywood Blvd or Gower Street. If traffic is a problem (and it will be around the hours of 1PM-6PM), consider an alternate route such as one of the surface streets. From the west, Santa Monica Boulevard is a major thoroughfare that links Hollywood with Beverly Hills and Santa Monica .

By plane [ edit ]

Hollywood is served by Los Angeles International Airport ( LAX  IATA ) or the closer Hollywood Burbank Airport ( BUR  IATA ) in Burbank . The LAXFlyAway operates hourly service to Hollywood for $8 per person, and stops on the west side of Vine Street about half a block south of Hollywood Boulevard. Alternatively, the Flyaway to Union Station runs every 30 minutes, with a transfer to the Red Line subway to Hollywood. BurbankBus offers a connecting route between Bob Hope Airport and the North Hollywood Metro Red Line station, where you can ride the metro into Hollywood.

Get around [ edit ]

Hollywood sits roughly between the 101 freeway on the east, Melrose Avenue on the south, West Hollywood on the west, and the Hollywood Hills on the north. The main east-west streets of central Hollywood are Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd, intersected by the main north-south streets of La Brea Ave, Highland Ave, Cahuenga Blvd, Vine St, and Gower St. Night-time pedestrian activity in this area is focused on Hollywood Blvd.

The main areas of Hollywood are walkable, and you could walk all the way from Hollywood Blvd to Melrose Avenue, but the distance is far enough that most people would probably drive or take the bus.

See [ edit ]

Hollywood is the place for fiction tourism . If you're lucky, you can see a taping of a TV show; most of America's sitcoms, game shows, and quite a few of its talk shows are taped at any one of the major studios in the Hollywood area (quite a few dramas are filmed in these studios as well, but since they tend not to be filmed before a live studio audience, your chances of getting to see one of those live are virtually nil). Nearby Studio City , Burbank , Century City , Fairfax , and Culver City hold the most prominent studios, but in Hollywood proper, Paramount Studios is the filming location of many sitcoms and Dr. Phil , Hollywood Center Studios provides production facilities for Disney and Comedy Central, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! broadcasts from a complex adjacent to the El Capitan Theatre. In general, you'll have to call or go to the website of the show itself to get tickets.

• 34.0837 -118.3194 5 Paramount Pictures Studio Tour , 5555 Melrose Ave ( entrance at Windsor Blvd ), ☏ +1-323-956-1777 . Tours held daily every half hour 9:30AM-2PM; advance reservations required . The only major film studio still located in Hollywood, Paramount has been using this as a production facility since 1927 and has filmed many notable pictures here, including Sunset Boulevard , Rear Window , Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments , and Breakfast at Tiffany's . Today you can take a 2 hour guided tour of the backlot, which is still used for film and television production today. The former RKO Studio, one of the Big Five studios of the Golden Age of Hollywood, was purchased by Paramount in 1967 and is today part of the complex. $65 . ( updated May 2024 )

Theaters [ edit ]

Museums [ edit ]

• 34.1012 -118.338 12 Guinness World Records Museum , 6764 Hollywood Blvd , ☏ +1-323-463-6433 . Daily 10AM-midnight . Held in the historic Hollywood Theater building, this museum showcases various world records. $16.99 adults, $14.99 seniors ages 55+, $9.99 children ages 5-12 . ( updated Apr 2015 )
• 34.101353 -118.338445 18 Ripley's Believe it or Not , 6780 Hollywood Blvd , ☏ +1-323-466-6335 . Daily 10AM-midnight . A museum that focuses on the odd, the unusual and the unbelievable. Features interactive illusions and a gallery. $17.99 adults, $11.99 children; discount if purchased online . ( updated Apr 2015 )

Do [ edit ]

• 34.089097 -118.318775 3 Cemetery Movie Screenings , Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd , [email protected] . Saturdays at 7PM, May–September . The Cinespia film society screens creepy older movies every Saturday during the summer on the Fairbanks Lawn in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Crowds can be huge, so arrive prior to gates opening if you want a good vantage point. Most people bring a picnic dinner, a drink (wine or beer allowed, no spirits), blanket, pillow (or low chair) and jacket. A DJ plays music prior to the showing to create a fun outdoor atmosphere. Tickets (including parking) often sell out and should therefore be purchased in advance through the Cinespia web site.  
• 34.11403 -118.33436 6 Ford Theatre , 2580 Cahuenga Blvd E , ☏ +1-323-461-3673 . An intimate outdoor amphitheater that dates back to the 1930s and underwent an extensive renovation in the mid-2010s. The theater is partnered with the county arts commission and regularly hosts community theater productions. ( updated Jul 2016 )

• 34.10546 -118.31883 8 Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre , 5919 Franklin Ave , ☏ +1-323-908-8702 . The L.A. branch of the popular improv and experimental comedy troupe that have cultivated some of the best comics in the industry today. Regularly shows some well-known acts as well as plenty of up-and-comers. ( updated Jul 2016 )

Buy [ edit ]

Hollywood Blvd has countless urban clothing stores. Walk around and find stores with the latest LNG, Phat Farm, Timberland, Sean John, and many more. Melrose Avenue is the to go to place to feel like a star. Start by browsing through vintage clothing stores to maxing out the credit card at chic boutiques.

• 34.097753 -118.329168 1 Amoeba Music , 6400 W Sunset Blvd , ☏ +1-323-245-6400 . M-Sa 10:30AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM . The country's largest independent music store, Amoeba has three locations including Hollywood, Berkeley and San Francisco . Prices are slightly higher than at the discount stores, but the selection is enormous and just about any obscure record you could imagine is to be found somewhere on the shelves.  
• 34.101749 -118.337507 2 Frederick's of Hollywood , 6751 Hollywood Blvd , ☏ +1-323-957-5953 . M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-7PM . During the golden years of Hollywood, all the superstars were wearing Fredericks, from Greta Garbo to Mae West to Marilyn Monroe. Today, the store is a lot less polished but still a good place to pick up glamorous lingerie.  
• 34.098293 -118.338196 3 IPED Foot Spa , 6767 W Sunset Blvd Suite 22 ( at Highland ), ☏ +1-323-466-1038 . 11AM-10PM daily . If you are tired of walking a long day in Hollywood. Iped offers 1 hour foot massage for as less as $25. 25+ .  

Shopping centers [ edit ]

Eat [ edit ]

Budget [ edit ].

• 34.101486 -118.31835 1 Palms Thai Restaurant , 5900 Hollywood Blvd , ☏ +1-323-462-5073 . Su-Th 11AM-midnight, F-Sa 11AM-2AM . Home of the infamous Thai Elvis, who will serenade you through dinner. The decor is authentically cheesy and Elvis sings the hits. While plain dishes such as fried rice or pad Thai are nothing to write home about, the curries (duck and panang), pad prik king, and anything off the "wild things" menu are excellent choices.  

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 34.098197 -118.353777 2 Cheebo , 7533 W Sunset Blvd , ☏ +1-323-850-7070 . 8AM-11PM daily . Everyone loves the Cheeb! A play on "cibo" (Italian for food), this place has great and creative food and a fun atmosphere. All-day breakfasts, excellent sandwiches, salads, pizzas by the foot and nice dinners to boot. Eat here for breakfast and you'll be back for lunch.  
• 34.097866 -118.36221 3 The Griddle Café , 7916 W Sunset Blvd ( east of Fairfax Ave ), ☏ +1-323-874-0377 . M-F 7AM-4PM, Sa-Su 8AM-4PM . The Griddle Café is the best breakfast experience in LA. It features pages of every type of pancake you can imagine, which also happen to be twice as large as any pancake you've ever had, and still manage to be fluffy-thick and light on the tummy. Coffee is fresh, in a French press, and the menu features more than just breakfast. Short story: Food is awesome, service is great, but its always crowded. Don't worry though, they serve fast and you will feel the wait is worth it.  
• 34.100856 -118.338454 4 Mel's Drive-In , 1660 N Highland Ave , ☏ +1-323-465-3111 . Su-Th 6:30AM-3AM, F Sa 24 hr . Come here for traditional diner fare: cheeseburgers, French fries, and milkshakes. Part of the chain that opened in San Francisco in the late 1940s. There is another location on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood .  
• 34.101784 -118.33539 5 Musso and Frank Grill , 6667 Hollywood Blvd , ☏ +1-323-467-7788 . Tu-Sa 11AM-11PM . For a taste of old Hollywood, this is the place. It's been famous for generations.  
• 34.102051 -118.321824 6 Sushi Ike , 6051 Hollywood Blvd ( in a mini-mall on the corner of Gower ), ☏ +1-323-856-9972 . Lunch: M-F noon-2:30PM; dinner: M-Sa 5:30PM-10PM . A small and moderately-priced authentic Japanese restaurant with a great sushi bar and friendly chefs--one of the best this side of the 101.  
• 34.09399 -118.327617 7 Doomie's Home Cookin' , 1253 Vine St, # 9 ( at Fountain Ave ), [email protected] . Su–Th noon–midnight, F Sa noon–3AM . It looks like a low-key burger grill, with hamburgers, chicken, and fries — but every dish is vegan! Mains $9.50–14.50 . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 34.12 -118.3213 8 Beachwood Cafe , 2695 N Beachwood Dr , ☏ +1-323-871-1717 . Tu–Sa 8AM–9PM, Su 8AM–3PM, M closed . The bright, whimsical colours evoke the laid-back vibe of "Hollywoodland", the 1920s real estate development in this canyon which left behind a famous hillside sign. The food is fresh, interesting California cosmopolitan, with plentiful vegetarian and vegan options. A popular brunch spot. Reservations only for groups of 6 or more. brunch entrees $10-15 . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 34.10054 -118.32941 9 Running Goose , 1620 N Cahuenga Blvd ( just south of Hollywood Blvd ), ☏ +1-323-469-1080 , [email protected] . M–Th 11AM–10PM, F 11AM–11PM, Sa 10AM–11PM, Su 10AM–10PM . Creative, delightful food, international with a Central American heart. A range of vegetarian and vegan options. Their patio is a quiet oasis in the Hollywood bustle, with easy walking distance to Hollywood Blvd theatres. Reservations recommended before shows. entrées $20-30 . ( updated Oct 2017 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• 34.105882 -118.342073 10 Yamashiro , 1999 N Sycamore Ave , ☏ +1-323-466-5125 . Su-Th 5:30-9:30PM, F 5:30-10:30PM, Sa 5-10:30PM . This Japanese restaurant is perched above Hollywood, and on most nights provides an unbeatable view of the city, from downtown to Palos Verdes. The food is excellent, the gardens and architecture are elegant, and the restaurant has a fascinating history (the story's on the menu). Look for the small sign just west of the Magic Castle; valet parking only.  
• 34.101498 -118.326944 11 Katsuya , 6300 Hollywood Blvd ( at Vine St ), ☏ +1-323-515-8782 . Lunch: M–F 11:30AM–2:30PM; Dinner: Su–W 5–10PM, Th-Sa 5-11PM . Run by acclaimed chef Katsuya Uechi, designed by Philippe Starck. Mouth-watering Japanese menu of sushi and wagyu steak, but not much for vegetarians. His ten other restaurants around the LA area are rated as some of the best in the city. Parking costs $14, cash only. Entrees $20–55, omakase (chef's choice) $70–100 per person . ( updated Apr 2020 )

Drink [ edit ]

Juice [ edit ]

Clubs and bars [ edit ].

Street life in Hollywood remains lively later than in most other areas, making the district a satisfying location to come home to. In fact, the best time to see Hollywood is in the evening, since the district serves along with the nearby Sunset Strip, as the regional center for clubs and nightlife. The Cahuenga Corridor (along Cahuenga between Sunset and Yucca) has several bars and lounges for bar-hopping.

• 34.101258 -118.34183 1 Roosevelt Hotel Lounge , 7000 Hollywood Blvd ( across the street from Grauman's Chinese Theatre ), ☏ +1-323-466-7000 , [email protected] . The lounge in this historic hotel is an upscale hotspot where one is likely to find Hollywood elite enjoying cocktails on weekdays, and a hipster party scene on weekends. Plenty of leather couches, candles, and a classy staff provides a sense of how the "other half" lives. Expect Hollywood prices to go along with the Hollywood atmosphere.  
• 34.102173 -118.338448 2 Power House , 1714 N Highland Ave , ☏ +1-323-463-9438 . M-Sa noon-2AM, Su 10AM-2AM . One of the most laid back and relaxed bars in town, head here for cheap beer, darts and classic rock. Come as you are, and you will be glad you're here.  
• 34.101087 -118.334934 3 Boardners , 1652 N Cherokee Ave , ☏ +1-323-462-9621 . Su-Th 5PM-2AM, F Sa 4PM-2AM . Power through the packed crowds and grab yourself a spot at this bar, where the drinks are strong and there's good people watching to be had.  
• 34.098652 -118.325389 4 The Well , 6255 W Sunset Blvd , ☏ +1-323-467-9355 . 5PM-2AM daily . Make out as if you're a local and head to this so trendy it has a secret entrance door (hint, the entrance is on Argyle, even though the address is on Sunset). While the crowd can be posey, its one of the better clubs in the area, and still manages to remain intimate and cozy.  

Sleep [ edit ]

Hollywood offers a wide range in price and quality of accommodations. The antique Roosevelt Hotel provides an upscale choice, though has a reputation for frequently closing its pool for private parties. There is a full range of standard motel chains including Travelodge, Motel 6, and Best Western. There are also a few well-located hostels.

• 34.102832 -118.33313 1 Motel 6 , 1738 N Whitley Ave , ☏ +1-323-464-6006 , fax : +1-323-464-4645 . This is part of a budget model chain. It offers clean rooms in a convenient location. $70 for a double/twin .  
• 34.097737 -118.347453 2 Sunset West Hotel, Surestay Collection , 7212 W Sunset Blvd , ☏ +1-323-874-6700 . The Sunset West Hotel features deluxe rooms and suites, luxury amenities and excellent service. $100+ .  
• 34.103967 -118.324997 4 Kimpton Everly Hollywood , 1800 Argyle Avenue ( At the NE corner of Argyle and Yucca ), ☏ +1-213-279-3532 . The bones of an old hotel, a couple of blocks back from the heart of Hollywood, and right next to the busy 101 freeway, has been given the characteristic Kimpton glossy makeover, and equipped with soft sheets and attentive service. Rooms with "Hollywood view" can indeed see the hills and the famous "Hollywood" sign — and also face the 101, through noise-insulated glass. Two bars, a cafe, plentiful lounge space, and free wifi make this a congenial place for guests to kill time. $280–400 . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 34.105505 -118.32175 5 Villa Carlotta , 5959 Franklin Ave , ☏ +1 323 628 6628 , [email protected] . A historical landmark dating back to the Golden Age of Hollywood that has been lovingly restored, Villa Carlotta offers residential hotel living in furnished studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments, welcoming stays of 30 days or more. USD . ( updated Jul 2020 )

Connect [ edit ]

Internet [ edit ].

A few internet cafés are dotted around town, but a better (and cheaper) option if you've got a laptop is to take advantage of the free wireless internet at the numerous coffee shops along and off of either Hollywood Blvd or Melrose Ave.

• 34.099892 -118.329377 1 Caffe Etc , 6371 Selma Ave , ☏ +1-323-464-8824 . 7AM-11PM daily . Free wireless internet (if you've got a laptop), decent coffees and teas, and sandwiches and desserts to snack on.  

Go next [ edit ]

• Downtown LA – Rapidly renovating, downtown LA is a great place for a meal or to catch a show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and best of all, it's reachable by Metro Red Line's fast and frequent service.
• Wilshire District – Located to the south of Hollywood, the Wilshire district is home to Koreatown, as well as attractions that include the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Peterson Auto Museum, and the world-famous La Brea Tar Pits.
• West Hollywood – This may be Hollywood's less-famous sibling, but it boasts a bustling nightlife and features excellent restaurants, clubs, and hotels.
• Beverly Hills – Home of 90210 , and a few other zip codes. If you want to see how the rich and famous live, Beverly Hills is the place to go.
• West LA – The west side of the sprawling city of LA is Hollywood's northwestern neighbor, and is home to UCLA and the Getty Museum.
• Studio City – Located to the northwest of Hollywood, among other attractions Studio City offers perhaps the highest density of sushi restaurants in Los Angeles.
• Universal City – Home to Universal Studios and a short trip from Hollywood via US Highway 101 or the Metro Red Line.
• Burbank – Hollywood's northeastern neighbor is the "Media Capital of the World", home to the studios of Warner Brothers, NBC Universal, and Disney.
• Northwest LA – Located to the east of Hollywood, this area is home to Dodger Stadium and the massive Griffith Park and its world-famous observatory.

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A weekend in Hollywood: travel guide, things to do, food and drink

Everything you need to know for a city break in the heart of the American movie industry

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Why you should visit Hollywood

The streets of Hollywood are lined with palm trees and movie history: this is the film capital of the world. An estimated 50 million visitors come to Los Angeles a year, with many flocking to "Tinseltown" to tread in the footsteps of the stars. 

The Hollywood sign, which is celebrating its centenary in 2023, stands tall above the neighbourhood, synonymous with showbiz and glamour. But it is not all studios and sunshine – Hollywood and its surroundings boast great food, hiking trails and awe-inspiring views of the sprawling Californian city.

Warner Bros. Studio guides are brimming with insider secrets

Top attractions and things to do

Studio tours

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For a behind-the-scenes peek at famous sets, props and costumes, head to one of LA's film studios. Jump in a golf buggy to explore the backlot "streets" of Warner Bros. Studios in nearby Burbank, where "Friends", "Gilmore Girls" and "Casablanca" were filmed, followed by a coffee at Central Perk. Tour guides are brimming with insider secrets, like what the studio uses to make fake snow in sunny California (clue: it is no longer asbestos!). 

Paramount, Sony and Disney also offer tours, while Universal Studios has its own theme park for movie-based thrills.

The Hollywood sign

Now one of the most iconic symbols in the world, the Hollywood sign was first erected as a real-estate promotional gimmick in 1923. It spelled out "Hollywoodland" until 1949 and went in and out of disrepair over the decades, restored at one point with the help of Playboy's Hugh Hefner. A recent facelift, using 400 gallons of white paint, has put it on top form for its 100th anniversary.

The nine letters, which tower above Hollywood from Mount Lee in Griffith Park, can be seen from Hollywood Boulevard, or you can hike up to a closer vantage point for a better look. Don't forget to turn around and take in the beautiful views. Tour companies like Bikes & Hikes can take you right up behind the sign, but getting too close to LA's prize monument is strictly prohibited.

Griffith Observatory

Another popular landmark with spectacular views of the city, and of the Hollywood sign, is the Griffith Observatory , located on Mount Hollywood, above the celebrity-filled Los Feliz neighbourhood.

The Art Deco exterior, as seen in James Dean's 1955 drama "Rebel Without a Cause", remains largely unchanged from when it was built in 1935. Inside, visitors can journey through the solar system in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium or explore the exhibits and public telescopes. The Observatory's cafe, with its outside terrace, is the perfect place to watch the sun go down.

Hollywood Boulevard

Steady your expectations here. The red carpet is rolled out for the Oscars and the famous Christmas Parade, but on a normal day Hollywood's namesake boulevard is a little less glamorous. There are souvenir and lingerie stores aplenty, and the city's homelessness crisis plays out on the side streets. It is nevertheless a rite of passage for movie fans to scour the sidewalks for the terrazzo and brass stars memorialising their favourite entertainment icons. 

Escape the crowds and hawkers by stepping into the Chinese Theatre for a show or tour. Other highlights include the Dolby and El Capitan theatres, Madame Tussauds and the Hollywood Museum. For shopping, pop into Hollywood & Highland, or head five miles west for the world-famous Rodeo Drive fashion paradise in Beverly Hills. If you can time your trip with a concert, The Greek Theatre and Hollywood Bowl are also just a short drive away.

Mama Shelter's colourful rooftop bar has near 360-degree views of the city

For a party hotel in the middle of the action, Mama Shelter LA is the place to be. The first Mama hotel was set up in Paris by Club Med's Serge Trigano and there are now 16 others worldwide, including Mama Shelter Shoreditch in London, but they have retained their kitschy boutique feel. 

Located a short distance from the Walk of Fame, there is no doubt you are in Hollywood as you enter Mama LA. Chalk graffiti decorates the ceilings, vintage photos line the retro dining booths and Looney Tunes masks hang from the light fixtures. No hotel-room bibles here, only printed film screenplays for guests to enjoy. For added stardust, Room 304 is dedicated to Jimi Hendrix, who stayed there during the hotel's former life as the Wilcox. The cherry on this six-storey cake is the rooftop bar, with its rainbow parasols, cocktails and near 360-degree views of the city.

Trejo's Tacos at the Original Farmer's Market was set up by actor Danny Trejo

Mama Shelter hosts a lively line-up of regular events for locals and tourists alike, from live DJ sets and open air cinema on the roof to drag bingo in its downstairs bar. Chef Jonathan Kim has created a unique menu in the restaurant – think braised short ribs with pickled jalapeno, followed by savoury cheesecakes and banoffee pie reconstructed as tiny bananas. Recover from your flight on the rooftop with a Wake Me Up cocktail (bomani cold buzz, mr. black, averna amaro) and a bowl of boujee fries (with truffle oil and nori goma) overlooking the Hollywood sign. 

For a taste of history, Musso & Frank Grill is the oldest restaurant in Hollywood, offering antiquated charm. Or try the Original Farmer's Market for a lunchtime feast – especially recommended is Trejo's Tacos, set up by actor Danny Trejo. Elsewhere, fine-dining seafood restaurant Providence , on Melrose Avenue, has two Michelin stars and recently earned its first-ever Green Michelin Star for sustainability.

Griffith Observatory is the perfect place to watch the sun go down over LA

How to get to Hollywood

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary airport serving the city. From there, you can travel on the LAX FlyAway Bus and Metro Rail Red Line up to Hollywood, although you might need to take another bus or walk depending on your final destination. Yellow Cabs, Uber and Lyft are also available, or rent a car at the airport.

Hollie Clemence was a guest of Los Angeles Tourism ( discoverlosangeles.com ) and Mama Shelter LA. Room rates at Mama Shelter LA start from $169/£140 (medium Mama, double room only). 6500 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028; mamashelter.com

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Hollie Clemence is the UK executive editor. She joined the team in 2011 and spent six years as news editor for the site, during which time the country had three general elections, a Brexit referendum, a Covid pandemic and a new generation of British royals. Before that, she was a reporter for IHS Jane’s Police Review, and travelled the country interviewing police chiefs, politicians and rank-and-file officers, occasionally from the back of a helicopter or police van. She has a master’s in magazine journalism from City University, London, and has written for publications and websites including TheTimes.co.uk and Police Oracle.

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Hollywood encapsulates the LA dream of glamour, money and overnight success, with millions of tourists arriving on pilgrimages every year. Although many of the big film companies long ago relocated to blander digs in Burbank, and you’re still more likely to see a homeless person than a movie star, recent attempts at renovation have added a bit of the old glitz to the previously shabby streets.

The Hollywood Hills

The hollywood sign, west hollywood.

The hub of Central Hollywood is the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, where, amid the flashy neon tourist traps, the modern Hollywood & Highland Center hosts a major hotel and chic restaurants, plus colossal pseudo-film-set architecture and the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held annually (the fun guided theatre tours take in the posh Dolby Lounge and the chance to see a real statuette).

Also incorporated in the Hollywood & Highland Center is the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, which opened in 1927 and has since been expanded into a multiplex, its main auditorium restored to its gloriously kitschy origins. It’s an odd version of a classical Asian temple, replete with dubious Chinese motifs and upturned dragon-tail flanks; the lobby’s Art Deco splendour and the grand chinoiserie of the auditorium certainly make for fascinating viewing. After a guided tour linger in the theatre’s forecourt to see the handprints and footprints left in cement by Hollywood’s big names. You’ll probably encounter plenty of celebrity impersonators in the forecourt – Elvis, Marilyn and Star Wars characters among them – along with low-rent magicians, smiling hawkers and assorted oddballs vying for your amusement and money.

The canyons and slopes of the Hollywood Hills, which run from Hollywood west to the canyons above Beverly Hills, are best seen from the winding concourse of Mulholland Drive, threading the crest of the mountains. With its striking panorama after dark of the illuminated city-grid stretching nearly to the horizon, the road is a prime axis for the LA good life, with mansions so commonplace that only the half-dozen fully blown castles really stand out. For a more up-close look at landmark architecture, take in a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Ave (Los Angeles Philharmonic concerts July–Sept, the massive concrete bandshell whose summer music offerings tend toward the crowd-pleasing variety.

Throughout Hollywood you can see the Hollywood Sign, erected as a property advertisement in 1923 (it spelled “Hollywoodland”, until 1949) and illuminated with four thousand light bulbs. Nowadays, infrared cameras and radar-activated zoom lenses have been installed to catch graffiti writers. Curious tourists who can’t resist a close look are liable for a steep fine. The best views can be had from the Griffith Observatory (opposite). For a much simpler look, see Whollywoodsign.org.

The famed Hollywood sign began life on the slopes of Mount Lee in 1923 as a billboard for the Hollywoodland real estate development and originally contained its full name; however, in 1949 when a storm knocked down the “H” and damaged the rest of the sign, the “land” part was removed and the rest became the familiar symbol of the area and of the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, the current incarnation has literally lost its radiance: it once featured 4000 light bulbs that beamed the district’s name as far away as LA Harbor, but a lack of maintenance and an abundance of thievery put an end to that practice.

The sign has also gained a reputation as a suicide spot, ever since would-be movie star Peg Entwistle terminated her career and life here in 1932, aged 24 – no mean feat, with the sign being as difficult to reach then as it is now. Less fatal mischief has been practised by students of nearby Caltech, who on one occasion renamed the sign for their school, while other defacers have included USC, UCLA, the US Navy and Fox Television. Because of this sullied history, there’s no public road to the sign (Beachwood Drive comes nearest, but ends at a closed gate) and you’ll incur minor cuts and bruises while scrambling to get anywhere near.

In any case, a razor wire fence, infrared cameras and radar-activated zoom lenses have been installed to catch graffiti writers, and innocent tourists who can’t resist a closer peek are also liable for a steep fine. The best views can be had from the Griffith Park Observatory, and, more distantly, from the junction of Hollywood Blvd and North Highland Ave.

The West Hollywood neighbourhood is synonymous with social tolerance and upmarket trendiness, with a sizeable gay contingent, seen most prominently along the chic blocks of Santa Monica Boulevard, from Doheny Drive to La Cienega Boulevard. Just south, Melrose Avenue is LA’s most fashionable shopping street and one of the unmistakeable symbols of southern California, where neon and flashy signs abound among a fluorescent rash of designer and secondhand boutiques, antique shops and high-end diners. La Brea Avenue runs perpendicular to the east side of the Melrose district, offering more space, fewer tourists, chic clothiers, upscale restaurants and even trendier galleries.

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18 Best Hollywood Tours to Experience the Glitz, Glamour, and Legends of Cinema

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Ready to explore Los Angeles with a local on the best Hollywood tours ?

The best things to do in Hollywood are going behind-the-scenes of movie heaven, whether hiking the Hollywood Hills or scouting out your favorite actors on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Check our top 3 choices for the best Hollywood tours, or keep reading to explore more options.

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

• Hollywood tours

1 – The Official Hollywood Sign Walking Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 1723 reviews )

“My wife and I went on the your on our honeymoon. We had the best time! Our guide was Matt García and he was extremely funny and also knowledgeable about the history of the Hollywood sign.” Anthony. Viator

Explore one of Hollywood’s top attractions on an adventurous hike to the Hollywood Sign!

On the official Hollywood Sign walking tour in Los Angeles, you’ll embark on a fun 2.5-hour long walk through Southern California’s nature while learning more about Los Angeles through history and unique facts.

Enjoy picturesque views of Los Angeles, while stopping by a few other famous spots!

Want to get to the sign with the guide of an aspiring actor, comedian, or writer?

Get the inside scoop of living in LA from the locals, as you trek up to the Hollywood Sign with Hollywood Hikes !

Summary of tour:

• See the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Park, and the Hollywood Hills
• Choose between morning or sunset tour
• Guided photo ops

If it’s your first time in Los Angeles, this tour is a must! Proving to be one of the main LA activities and best things to do in Hollywood, enjoy the company of the caring and knowledgeable guides, highly rated by past visitors for their humor, snacks, and stellar photo-taking skills!

• walking tours in Hollywood

Read more: Best Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles

2 – Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 1036 reviews )

“I loved the open air bus! So comfort and easy to see things. Our driver was knowledgeable and charming made sure we took a stop for a potty break and photo ops. It’s the best way to see a lot of Hollywood in the most efficient and entertaining way.” Kathleen. Viator

Oooh and ahh at the larger-than-life homes of the rich and famous on the Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tours by Open Air Bus with Hollywood Bus Tours .

Cruise through more of Hollywood’s must-see sights, from passing by the Beverly Hills sign to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and more!

Catch a glimpse of some of the world’s most lavish and interesting homes, and neighborhoods, as you ride through the labyrinth of hilly mountains, and admire the beautiful gardens.

Enjoy the enthusiasm of your tour guide showing you around, as you relax and take in the unobstructed LA views from the open-top bus!

• See the Hollywood Sign, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverley Hills, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive, West Hollywood
• Photo op at Beverly Hills sign
• Drive past the homes of famous celebrities
• check offer

An impressive tour around the neighborhoods of the rich and famous, we recommend this entertaining and comfortable Hollywood Bus Tour to explore some of Hollywood’s most notable streets and celebrity homes!

Relish the humor and knowledge of your tour guides, while learning other fascinating facts on the comfortable open-top bus!

• bus tours in Hollywood

Read more: Hollywood & Celebrity Homes Tours – All you Need to Know

3 – Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 4185 reviews )

“It was my firtime and a first day in LA. I had fun, the guide gave us lots of interesting facts not only about the city but also about movies and celebrities.” Karolina. Viator

See Los Angeles’ most famous sights on this all-encompassing full-day tour.

Start your adventure with the optional hotel pick-up option, or meet up at some of the pre-established bus stops, to get going and see sights from Venice Beach to Griffith Park, the Sunset Strip, and plenty of other sights.

Enjoy riding in a luxurious bus, as your guide takes over the reigns and shows you the best of LA, in one day.

Other great full-day city tours include the 7.5-hour long LA City Tour, offered by A Day in LA Tours .

• Full-day, small group tour with max 15 participants
• Visit Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Griffith Park, Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Hotel pickup and drop-off included

If you only have 1 day in Los Angeles, this tour is an essential one not to miss out on! We recommend this tour for anyone who wants to see LA’s top sights, with a dose of Hollywood, local life, and nature, all with convenience and comfort, and with a local.

• Beverly Hills & Hollywood tours

4 – Griffith Observatory Hiking Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 874 reviews )

“I really enjoyed my tour guide he was really knowledgeable and I loved the story he told while we walked. I also got in a great work out in nature while sight seeing. What more could I ask for” Meisha. Viator

Get the best photos of LA’s most beautiful viewpoints on the Griffith Observatory hike !

Be guided as you get a good workout in, exploring the view of Los Angeles from the Hollywood Hills, offering abundant views of the valley.

Your guide will share their best photo spots on the way for those Instagram-worthy photos while learning the history of this famous city.

You’ll also get skip-the-line entry to The Griffith Observatory , for even more photo ops!

Want to keep exploring the Hollywood Hills?

Check out the Bikes and Hikes LA Tours , and other hiking in Hollywood tours to stay on LA’s nature side.

No special hiking skills are required to participate in this one-of-a-kind hike around the Hollywood Hills! We recommend this tour to anyone who wants to spend time outdoors but is also excited to learn about local sights important in LA culture and history. Your expert guides will also share local recommendations with enthusiasm and care.

Read more: Best Places to Visit in Los Angeles

5 – Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 246 reviews )

“We had a great time on our tour. Our guide was so fun – knowledgeable & funny. He told many stories & all about the areas we were in.” Mara. Viator

Get picked up on the iconic Sunset Strip for a cruise through Los Angeles’s most sought-out spots, on this 2-hour bus tour.

Operated by Hollywood Tour Pass , this tour features witnessing the Capitol Records Building where famed stars from Frank Sinatra to Sir Paul McCartney recorded their best hits, to spotting celebrities shopping on fashion street, Rodeo Driv e, and even their lavish homes on celebrity home tours.

To see Hollywood’s most important spots, this tour is the perfect one with multiple departure times throughout the day and early evening. Your local guides and Hollywood awaits!

We recommend this tour if you want to score the best photos in front of the city’s most famous landmarks and buildings! Perfect for solo travelers, and families, aside from the famous sites you’ll see, the other stars of the tour are the hospitable, knowledgeable, and entertaining local guides!

Read more: Best bus tours in Los Angeles

6 – LA & Hollywood Tour from Santa Monica

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 895 reviews )

“Great tour. Perfectly organized. The driver was hilarious. Highly recommend. Great as for both a solo and group traveler.” Victoria. Viator

Let the California sun and wind blow through your hair as you ride around an open-top bus through Los Angeles’s famous streets on a 5.5-hour LA and Hollywood Tour from Santa Monica.

This half-day tour experience will take you through the most photographed sights in Los Angeles, from celebrity hot spots like Rodeo Drive to the star-studded Hollywood Walk of Fame , and even stopping by for lunch at the Original Farmer’s Market , famous for its over 100 different food stalls and more!

Operated by Surf City Tours LLC , and their long legacy of fun tours, check out other incredible tours by them!

If you’re looking for a good time of entertainment, in one of the world’s entertainment capitals, then this 5.5-hour-long tour of Los Angeles and Hollywood should be on your radar. Get ready to soak up history, culture, and fun facts, while laughing a bit on the open-top bus, with your local expert’s expertise and funny jokes!

7 – Hollywood Sightseeing by Electric Bike

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 137 reviews )

” An absolute MUST! My husband and two daughters (age 9 and 11) had an absolute blast on this tour. I am the bike enthusiast in our house but everyone had smiles for days after our tour with Sarah. I would recommend renting the e-bike even if you are an avid cyclist.” Dean. Viator

See more in less time on this epic Hollywood Sightseeing Tour by Electric Bike! Cover approximately 12 miles (19 km) as you follow your local guide through Los Angeles, listening to local stories, interesting city facts, Hollywood legends, and more!

Throughout the e-bike tour , you’ll get to stop at numerous photo-worthy spots, from the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Paramount Studios , plus other unique stops like the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and LACMA .

From bustling LA streets to quieter neighborhoods, be sure to check out more group and private bike tours with Bikes and Hikes LA Tours , offering you the reigns to discover LA!

For a great time biking around the second most populated city in the U.S. with like-minded travelers, and enthusiastic tour guides, this tour is a winner!

Learn stories from the locals, from what it’s like to live in a city like Los Angeles, to answering your questions about Hollywood, and getting local recommendations!

8 – Hollywood and Celebrity Homes Bus Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 1362 reviews )

“I loved this tour so much I almost booked it again just to sit on the other side of the bus so I could see everything!! Lots of cool tidbits – celebrity homes, film locations, and other hot spots. Tour driver was awesome. Loved the open air set up so windows weren’t in the way of photos. Fun and fantastic.” Cathy. Viator

Catch a glimpse of the lifestyles of the rich and famous when you explore the city’s most lavish neighborhoods on the iconic Hollywood and celebrity homes bus tour!

Sit back and relax as you hop aboard the open-top bus , with clear views of your surroundings for your viewing and photography pleasure, exploring the homes of celebrities from Adele, Jennifer Aniston, and many more in Beverly Hills .

Operated by Hollywood City Tours , you can rest assured knowing that the tours are complete with bonus stops at famous landmarks too, from the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the Chinese Theater , and more.

A tour through the wealthy neighborhoods of Hollywood A-listers is one experience not to miss out on while in Los Angeles.

Drive through winding streets, and observe the privacy, and design of the famous homes and gardens, while listening to your knowledgeable guide.

Laugh, learn, and explore more about this opulent side of Los Angeles!

9 – Private Ferrari Driving Tour To Hollywood Sign

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 547 reviews )

“Great way to get a “fast” view of Hollywood. Not only did we see some of the sights, but learned more about the car too. Everyone should do this at least once. Even my teen enjoyed the GTA routes! Medhi was great!” Mark. Viator

Ride in LA with style like any other celebrity when you book this one-of-a-kind private Ferrari driving tour !

Slip inside a luxurious Ferrari, whether you’re the one driving or your travel companion, and get going as you see and are seen cruising by LA’s main sights like Hollywood Boulevard , El Capitan Theater, and even making it the lavish Mulholland Drive where many celebrities live.

On this fast and furious tour with I RIDE LIKE A STAR , spot the Hollywood sign, spot a celebrity or two, and feel like you’re in the scene of your very own movie, riding like the VIP that you are!

Have your own fast and furious moment while riding through Los Angeles, whether you’re driven or you’re the one driving!

Everyone deserves to ride in a Ferrari at least once, and what better place to do it than in LA? Appreciate the luxurious car up close, and relish the beautiful scenery in view!

10 – Hollywood Walking and Hiking Sunset Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 167 reviews )

“Awesome Awesome tour. I would highly recommend it! I’ve been on Hollywood Blvd a few times before and never knew all that goes on there. Our tour guide was the best!” Avery. Viator

Get the best of both worlds when you sign up for the Hollywood Walking and Hiking Sunset Tour by Hollywood Tourz, taking in the nature of Hollywood, mixed in with a few important landmarks you have to see while in LA.

Though this tour is not a hike to the Hollywood Sign, you’ll get plenty of photo opportunities with the famed sight, while also getting to stop at the Hollywood Walk of Fame , and the Live Nation Building for more pictures!

Learn local stories, and get insider perspectives on what LA is like on a daily basis from a passionate guide on this walking tour !

See LA’s nature and city sights on this wholesome tour, with Scott and Blue as your guides! Be taken to the best sights for the best photo ops, as you listen to Scott tell local stories. Explore the famous Runyon Canyon, just in time for sunset hour in LA.

11 – Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 632 reviews )

“The driver stayed engaged with the customers. He explained everything well. It was a great tour and experience.” Tawaina. Viator

Looking to take a peek at how the rich and famous Hollywood stars live? Look no further than this memorable Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Celebrity Homes Tour by Ultimate Hollywood Tours !

Explore the nicest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, viewing up to 50 different celebrity homes , from A-List stars to famous influencers, and more. Your tour will include a headset, so rest assured you’ll catch every last bit of information, and a complete insider look into the glamour world of celebrities.

On the way there, catch views of the Hollywood Hills , the Hollywood Sign , and the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame .

Enjoy a relaxing drive along Los Angeles through the eyes of a knowledgeable and passionate local! Perfect for families and solo travelers, make sure to bring your camera to take photos on the open-top bus!

We especially recommend this celebrity home tour if you want to enjoy the experience in a small group.

12 – West Hollywood Food Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 43 reviews )

“This was an amazing tour…. WE HAD MORE THEN ENOUGH TO FOOD!!! Every food stop, the food was delicious!!! We learned the history of LA…” Griselda. Viator

Wander through the Original Farmer’s Market , Los Angeles’s foodie haven chock full of local cuisine from tacos, to fresh baked goods, burgers, and more!

On this West Hollywood food tour with Sidewalk Food Tours , you’ll get to bite into some of the best foods at the market from the most famous restaurants and stalls at the farmer’s market.

As you take your tastebuds for a culinary spin, you’ll also nourish your brain with interesting facts about Los Angeles cuisine , multi-cultural food influence, and the farmers market itself.

Avoid the tourist trap restaurants, and get well-versed in what LA food is really like on this tasty tour!

Receive a great introduction to the fresh food scene in Los Angeles, with a few bites in between the stories and fascinating food facts!

This tour is not only a great way to try the best of LA food, but also a great place to get local food recommendations from your local guides.

13 – Haunted Hollywood Tour: True Crime & Creepy Tales

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 199 reviews )

“Beau was such a pro! There was so much great information. I was unsure, as a local, how much there was to learn, but my mind was blown! Highly recommend for tourists or locals!” Stephanie. Viator

Do you believe in the paranormal? After attending the Haunted Hollywood Walking Tour by ExperienceFirst , you may just begin!

Go back to the yesteryears when the Hollywood Ripper walked the dark streets of LA in search of their next victim, learn about the disturbing facts about the Manson murders , learn about all the tragedy of the famous Black Dahlia , and more!

Visit notoriously haunted places like the Pantages Theater buzzing with ghost activity, explore other famous hotels like the Knickerbocker Hotel where Houdini first performed, and feel the unsettling feeling at some of Hollywood’s famous landmarks.

Are you spooked yet?

If you’re into spooky tales, and true crime, with a bit of history, this haunted Hollywood tour is for you! Enjoy the storytelling talents of your guide, retelling LA’s most bone-chilling stories, while visiting some of LA’s iconic spots after dark to see the city through a darker lens.

14 – Private Tour of Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 381 reviews )

“I think this is one of the best tours we have taken…! Mark made the tour so fun and entertaining with his jokes, music and photos on the big screen. He even took our photos and later airdropped it to our phone. Adding a few of his own informative one. If you are in LA you must definitely book this tour! Can’t recommend it enough.” Mara. Viator

Be entertained, educated, and amazed at all there is to see and experience in Los Angeles on this private tour of Hollywood, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills!

Operated by Legends Of Hollywood Tours LLC , ride inside a luxurious van , equipped with a 32” screen, detailing stories of the specific areas that you’re passing through. Enjoy rapid facts, and fun trivia questions, and enjoy the company of your local guide, who will share even more local insight.

Whether you’ve been to Los Angeles before or it’s your first visit, this tour will surely surprise you with unique storytelling, local recommendations, and good-to-know information.

Be impressed by the City of Angels on this 4-hour-long tour, with music, games, and fascinating facts in between iconic landmark spotting!

If you’re traveling with a group, this tour is one to consider!

Feel the contagious enthusiasm and good energy from your guide, and add this bucket-list tour to your itinerary!

15 – Hollywood and Beverly Hills Guided Bus Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 232 reviews )

“The tour was excellent! We saw many celebrity homes, the Hollywood sign, the house and the driver of Al Pachino our guide chatted for a while, made a pit stop when needed just below Rodeo Drive, and all supported with the artistic commentaries of our guide!” Georgi. Getyourguide

Have a blast with other like-minded travelers exploring LA and it’s finest locations on this exciting Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills, guided bus tour!

Known as one of the most popular tours by Star Track Tours, be driven around like a VIP close to celebrity hot spots while looking around at iconic views of the H ollywood Walk of Fame from your open-top bus !

Discover Los Angeles’s other sights, closer to the Hollywood Sign for your epic selfie, and then head towards the neighborhoods of the stars.

Then, explore where stars like John Travolta and John Legend live, while cruising through Beverly Hills !

Sign up for a fun tour that covers pretty much the majority the Los Angeles’, Hollywood, and Beverly Hill’s most popular sites!

Enjoy a small group ambiance, and the professionalism and joy of your local guide leading the way with facts and comedy, set inside a spacious tour bus!

16 – Hooray for Hollywood Helicopter Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 14 reviews )

“Great way to see LA from above! Was the highlight of our trip and Peter was just the best pilot with great knowledge about the area. Highly recommended” Sultan. Viator

Soar across the sunny blue skies, overlooking Los Angeles in a whole new way with a  Hollywood helicopter tour !

Get a whole new perspective of Los Angeles and Hollywood, as you ascend to a whole new level of touring the city’s most popular sites, from the Hollywood Sign to The Hollywood Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theater, and beyond.

Enjoy a wider view of the homes and neighborhoods of celebrities in Beverly Hills, while enjoying the commentary of your professional pilot and guide.

Operated by GROUP 3 HELICOPTERS , with years of experience, raving reviews, and creators of memorable helicopter experiences.

If you’re looking for a romantic activity or something fun to do with friends, this epic tour will be a highlight!

We absolutely recommend you add this amazing experience to your list of things to do in Hollywood to truly relish the unique and best views in the city.

• helicopter tours in Hollywood

Read more: Best helicopter tours in Los Angeles

17 – Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 95 reviews )

“Really had no expectations but WOW was I surprised. Pip did a great job and we really felt like we were back when Hollywood started. Just the right amount time for a walk. Thanks” Karen. Viator

After you experience the initial impression of Hollywood, get to know the real city and its landmarks on this detailed Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour.

Put on your audio set, and walk alongside a local sharing lesser-known facts about Hollywood, from its fascinating building architecture to a look at what made Hollywood an entertainment powerhouse, and more.

This tour takes you to some buildings, especially theaters, not commonly part of other tours, so you’ll get to peruse the interiors of numerous historical entertainment hubs, including the Egyptian Theater and Disney’s El Capitan Theater !

Operated by Red Line Tours , get ready to enjoy entertainment magic!

Enjoy exclusive access to theaters and other not-so-commonly seen buildings on this behind-the-scenes tour of Hollywood! From a speakeasy bar to the Blossom Room where the first Oscars were hosted, this tour is brimming with unique facts!

We recommend this tour if you want to do something a little off the beaten path.

18 – Hollywood Sign & Celebrity Homes Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 200 reviews )

“Great tour guide and group, very knowledgeable, saw the areas where many stars live and drove through Beverly Hills.” Alicia. Viator

Access Hollywood Tours offers insight and, well, access, to the homes of the big names in Hollywood on this Hollywood Sign & Celebrity Homes Tour!

This award-winning tour features an interactive and comfortable ride along Hollywood’s most coveted landmarks and buildings, with top-tier professionalism, information, and hospitality from the company and the staff members.

The open-top bus allows for wide views of the Hollywood Sign , the Hollywood Walk of Fame , the lavish homes of Beverly Hills , and more, so you can walk away with the best photos, and an incredibly enriching experience.

This experience is ideal for families and friend groups!

We recommend this tour for its professionalism, enthusiastic guide, local insight, and interactive nature that not only allows for an informative tour but also one where you may even make a few friends.

Covering the most popular sights in Hollywood, you’re bound to fall in love with the city on this tour!

How to book Hollywood tours?

As you search for the best Hollywood tours and things to do in Hollywood online, you’ll see these tours appear on other travel websites, possibly with occasional discounts, therefore prices may vary from site to site.

Use TourScanner’s efficient search engine to plan your tours, and ensure a wide view of all the tours available in your desired city, at the best price, with reviews!

• compare Hollywood tours

Seattle Travel

The 5 Absolute Best Places To See The Famous Hollywood Sign in LA

Posted: May 11, 2024 | Last updated: May 11, 2024

The famous Hollywood Sign in LA is much more than a staple in the City of Angels. It's a symbol of how Los Angeles became the top city for film and television for many decades. It's a sight for tourists who roam across town in tour buses, rentals, or afoot. The history of the Hollywood sign begins in 1923. Originally, it was a marketing plan by a real estate company that wanted to get its name out there to the public. The original spelling of the monument was HOLLYWOODLAND. The 50-foot-high and 400-foot-wide sign was supposed to stay on Mount Lee for eighteen months. Due to popular demand from the city, the famous Hollywood sign became a permanent fixture in Los Angeles. It has had several renovations to preserve the famous sign through donations from Hugh Hefner and other influential figures.

As Los Angeles celebrates the 100th anniversary of the famous Hollywood Sign, there are several locations to view the legendary monument.

Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory is at 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Visitors can go there to get not just a wonderful view of the sign but also a great overlook of the City of Angels. It has free admission and easily accessible parking, compared to the rest of Hollywood, to explore the observatory grounds and capture some shots of the famous Hollywood sign. Griffith Observatory has a planetarium, free-to-use telescopes, and more for visitors.

Innsdale Drive Trail

The Innsdale Drive Trail provides many opportunities to view the sign up close. It also provides the longest hiking trail in that area. Street parking can be found on Tahoe Drive or Canyon Lake Drive. About 0.45 miles into the hike, the Hollywood sign becomes easily visible as the trail bends right below the mountain. Be aware of the "restricted" areas. Crossing into those areas can result in fines and possible arrest. Innsdale Drive can also send hikers into different areas to view the sign such as Mulholland Highway and the exit of Griffith Park.

Mt. Lee Drive

Mt. Lee Drive is the shortest and quickest route to get close to the Hollywood sign. However, it's not as easily accessible as the other locations mentioned in this list. Parking is not allowed on the western ends of the trailhead from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays. It follows an asphalt trail at the gated end of Deondra Drive and goes up the north side of the mountain. Mt. Lee Drive takes you just behind the letters and presents hikers with a beautiful view of the city that stretches toward the coastline. Along the trail, you can find over two hundred bird species, lizards, and many different mammals.

Bronson Caves

The Bronson Caves not only give a majestic view of the monument, but they are also the home of the iconic Batcave from the _Batman_ show in the sixties. It is also home to scenes from films like _Army Of Darkness_ and _The Searchers_. It is a relatively short hike compared to the other trails on the list, clocking in under an hour, but it is an effective trail to get some amazing shots of the sign itself. To access the caves, park at the parking lot at the end of Brush Canyon and you'll reach a gate by Camp Hollywoodland. After that gate, keep going north through the Brush Canyon and you'll be there in no time.

Ovation Hollywood

Ovation Hollywood is the host to the Dolby Theater, which has been the home of the Oscars since 2002. It is catered to having multiple areas that display the larger-than-life sign from a distance. A tourist favorite is the 4th level bridge. Ovation Hollywood is also a shopping center and event venue. Their Instagram page is very active in showing how much they do for their community and its visitors. Before it was a shopping center, Ovation Hollywood used to be the location of the famous 1092 Hotel. The 1902 Hotel was a popular spot during the very early days of Hollywood. Other than it being a shopping center, it is a studio hub where many different TV shows are filmed.

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Contact Us to Find Out More about Our Holidays and Trips

Cost-Effective Day Trips

from the West Midlands

Whether you’re looking for an alternative to a holiday, or simply a treat for your family, Hollywood Travel provides interesting, educational, and enjoyable days out for all involved. From the historic cobbled streets of Winchester to the modern urban environment of Bristol, our coach trips enable you to explore the best the UK has to offer in just one day. Based in Birmingham in the West Midlands, our company is here to provide a memorable time.

Day Trip Calendar

Sunday 5th May Llandudno - Transport Festival / Victorian Extravaganza / a day at the seaside. £30.00 Pick Up Route A

Tuesday 14th May Moreton in Marsh, Market Day then The Valley / Evesham Country Park £25.00 Pick Up Route B Saturday 25th May Weston Super Mare or Burnham on Sea - A day at the Seaside! £30.00

Pick Up Route A Wednesday 29th May Nottingham Princess River Cruise - 2 course meal included £50.00 Pick Up Route C

Monday 3rd June Bakewell Market, the largest market in the Derbyshire Dales then free time in Matlock. £30.00 Pick Up Route B Saturday 8th June Liverpool - Free time to explore this vibrant City. £30.00 Pick Up Route A Monday 17th June Runneymede, Boat trip to Windsor then free time to explore Windsor £50.00 Pick Up Route B Sunday 23rd June Barmouth Beach - Stunningly beautiful with a vintage seaside atmosphere! £30.00 Pick Up Route A

Saturday 6th July Anderton Boat Lift then Trentham Shopping Village £50.00 Pick Up Route A Monday 8th July Bletchley Park - Once the top-secret home of the World War Two Codebreakers. £50.00 Pick Up Route B Saturday 13th July Barry Island - A golden beach and also the home of Gavin & Stacey £30.00 Pick Up Route A Saturday 13th July Cardiff - A visit to the Capital of Wales £30.00 Pick Up Route A Wednesday 24th July Webbs of Wychbold then 2 course Carvery at March Hare Inn, Broughton Hackett £40.00 Pick Up Route B

Thursday 1st August Skegness day trip - A day at the Seaside / Visit Fantasy Island. £30.00 Pick Up Route A Saturday 3rd August York - a visit to this historic City. £30.00 Pick Up Route A Wednesday 7th August Chester via Llangollen & The Horseshoe Pass £30.00 Pick Up Route A Tuesday 13th August Buckingham Palace State Rooms visit. Admission included. £70.00 Pick Up Route A Tuesday 13th August Nottingham Princess River Cruise - 2 course meal included £50.00 Pick Up Route C Tuesday 20th August Bowness on Windemere - with a scenic drive over the Kirkstone Pass. £30.00 Pick Up Route A Tuesday 27th August Weston Super Mare or Burnham on Sea - A day at the Seaside! £30.00 Pick Up Route A Thursday 29th August Gloucester - Explore the Cathedral City or Gloucester Quays shopping outlet. £30.00 Pick Up Route B

Sunday 1st September Bournemouth - See the golden sands, visit the Pier & Town or see the Airshow £30.00 Pick Up Route A Saturday 7th September Whitby - explore the the Harbour, Whitby Abbey or the scenic steam railway. £30.00 Pick Up Route A

Tuesday 10th September Moreton in Marsh, Market Day then Cirencester £25.00 Pick Up Route B Thursday 19th Sept Port Sunlight, enjoy a guided coach tour & a visit to the Museum. Admission included. £40.00 Pick Up Route B Wednesday 25th Sept National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, including Land Train tour. £30.00 Pick Up Route C Monday 30th September Pavilion Gardens, Buxton then onto Judith Mary II Boat Cruise with afternoon Tea. £50.00 Pick Up Route B

Tuesday 1st October Boundary Mills Shopping Trip - West Midlands Designer Outlet £25.00 Pick Up Route C Thursday 10th October Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet - Shopping Trip £30.00 Pick Up Route B Tuesday 15th October Black Country Museum / Dudley Canal & Caverns (admission not included) £25.00 Pick Up Route B Saturday 26th October Blackpool with a tour of the Illuminations £30.00 Pick Up Route B

Saturday 9th November Albert Hall, London - Royal British Legion Rememberance Service. £60.00 Pick Up Route A Saturday 16th November The Down Inn, Bridgnorth. Christmas Dinner and Entertainment! £45.00 Pick Up Route C Wednesday 20th November Gloucester Quays for the Christmas Markets & Shopping. £30.00 Pick Up Route B Saturday 30th November London - A day for shopping or to explore Hyde Park Winter Wonderland £30.00 Pick Up Route A

Saturday 7th December Stratford upon Avon Victorian Christmas Market £25.00 Pick Up Route C Thursday 12th December Christmas Lunch at The March Hare followed by free time at Webbs of Wychbold £45.00 Pick Up Route C Monday 16th December Christmas Lunch & Entertainment with Maggie O'Hara at Fulford Heath Golf Club Cost: TBC Pick Up Route: TBC Thursday 19th December Christmas Lunch & Entertainment with Maggie O'Hara at Fulford Heath Golf Club Cost : TBC Pick Up Route: TBC

January 2025

Saturday 18th January Peter Pan Pantomime at Birmingham Hippodrome …. He's behind you!!!! Cost: TBC Pick Up Route: TBC

Pick Up Points

Marston Green

Chelmsley Wood

Solihull Lodge

Description

Marston Green Tavern, bus stop outside.

Pine Square / Chelmsley Interchange, bus stop near Iceland.

Bus Stop on East Meadway outside Our Lady's Church.

Bus Stop on Queens Road, after Sedgemere Road towards Yew Tree.

Bus stop on Church Road, outside Iceland Store.

Bus stop on A45 Coventry Road, outside Toolman Yardley.

Bus stop on Hobs Moat Road, opposite Solihull Ice Rink.

Bus Stop on Lode Lane, outside Renewal Christian Centre.

Bus Stop on Lode Lane, outside Solihull Hospital.

Solihull Train Station

Bus stop on Sharmans Cross Road, outside Sharmans Cross School

Bus Stop on Solihull Road outside Woolmans Lodge

Bus Stop on Haslucks Green Road outside C Bastock Funeral Directors

Bus Stop on Haslucks Green Road outside The Colebrook Pub.

Shirley Train Station

Bus Stop on High Street outside Peterbrook Primary School

Bus Stop on Alcester Road South, just after Sainsburys mini island

Bus Stop on Alcester Road opposite The Packhorse Pub

Bus Stop on Alcester Road outside White Swan Pub

Bus Stop on Alcester Road outside Wythall Village Hall

***Discounts available for group bookings of 10 or more people*** *** Please ensure you are at your designated pick up point 5 minutes early as the coach will depart on time***

Please Note

Our company does not offer door-to-door service on day trips. Local pick-up points are arranged in central locations such as Marston Green, Chelmsley Wood, Tile Cross, Yardley, Solihull,  Solihull Station, Shirley, Solihull Lodge, Sainsbury’s Maypole, Hollywood, and Wythall unless otherwise stated, admission fees may be incurred upon entrance for some of these trips.

Larger Groups

Groups of 10 or more passengers will receive a discount. Alternative arrangements to those listed above are also available, enabling organisers to tailor their trip to their specific needs. Whether you’re interested in travelling on a different date or arranging a different pick-up point for your group, ask about our bespoke packages for larger groups.

Get the Most out of the Midlands

There’s a vast array of things to see and do in the UK and the best part is that most of it is on your doorstep. The Midlands is host to a multitude of award-winning attractions and Hollywood Travel are proud to be running excursions to them. We offer day trips to various locations, including:

Black Country Living Museum

Coventry Cathedral

Cadbury World

National Sea Life Centre

Birmingham Hippodrome

Drayton Manor Theme Park

Coventry Transport Museum

Alton Towers Resort

Explore the Capital

There’s nothing more exciting than the hustle and bustle of London and Hollywood Travel run a selection of great value day trips to the capital. Choose from attractions including the  following:

The West-End and Theatreland

The Tate Modern and Tate Britain Art Galleries

The London Eye

The Natural History Museum

The Science Museum

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Madame Tussauds

The Globe Theatre

Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and Leicester Square

Is One Day Enough?

Perhaps you’re looking for a longer break? Here at Hollywood Travel, we accommodate varied and interesting coach holidays as well as our fantastic selection of day trips.

“Great Coach Drivers”

“To our great coach drivers, the children and staff in year 4 would like to say thank you! We really enjoyed our trip to St Briavels”

Year 4 and Staff at Peterbrook Primary School

Contact us today, in Birmingham, for further details about our days out and coach trips from the West Midlands.

[email protected]

Move over Tokyo. Universal Studios Hollywood is getting Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift

Universal Studios Hollywood is getting in the fast lane. 

On Friday, the Southern California theme park shared new details on its “first-ever, high-speed outdoor roller coaster.” Fast & Furious : Hollywood Drift, which will open in 2026 with advancements never previously used in a coaster, according to the park.

“Highlights will include groundbreaking 360-degree rotation of the individual ride vehicles as they rocket along an elaborate track meticulously constructed with sound reduction technology for a breathtaking, superior experience,” Universal Studios Hollywood said in a press release. “These attributions will create a seamless sensation of drifting cars as guests spin in motion at furiously fast speeds.”

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will be located on Universal Studios Hollywood’s Upper Lot, which is already home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Minion Land and more. The Lower Lot has Super Nintendo World and popular attractions like Jurassic World – The Ride.

Universal Studios Hollywood already has a Fast and Furious - Supercharged experience within its World Famous Studio Tour , which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Universal Studios Florida has a standalone Fast and Furious attraction of the same name.

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Airbnb goes hollywood with plans to rent x-men mansion, ‘up’ home, ‘purple rain’ house and more.

The travel and tech firm is launching an 'Icons' program, letting users book a visit to a comedy show with Kevin Hart, a night at the Ferrari museum, or a stay in fictional locales.

By Alex Weprin

Alex Weprin

Media & Business Writer

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The mansion, sitting atop a hill in Westchester County, New York, could be mistaken for any number of homes in the area, save for one little, er, big, thing.

In the driveway, feet from the front door, there is the battered severed head of a giant Sentinel, one of the antagonists to the X-Men.

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That includes an interior that has been meticulously hand-painted so as to appear two-dimensional, as in the cartoon, with the bedrooms, Professor X’s office, Beast’s lab, and even a “danger room” available for guests to explore.

The X-Men mansion is part of a new effort by Airbnb, one that will embrace pop culture to offer its users the ability to stay in iconic properties, both real and fictional. It’s an effort the company is calling “Icons.”

“The name Airbnb is a noun and a verb used all over the world, that’s a good thing, that means everyone knows it. But the downside is kind of like Kleenex or Xerox, it’s associated with one thing, and we want to do more things,” says Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter . “We want to be in the business not just of places to stay, but experiences and more. And so I think this is a gateway for us to offer more types of services and more types of offerings, and really just do something I think that brings magic in the world and attaches us to some of the biggest icons in culture.”

And while some companies would be fine going halfway, Airbnb is not pulling any punches. To whit: Carl’s house from the Pixar film Up , which was recreated room by room, and which can actually be suspended in the air by a crane.

“I think it’s about the details. You know Walt Disney used to talk about the details,” Chesky says. “Walt Disney also said if you can dream it, you can do it and that’s exactly what we’re trying to do.”

The idea for Icons actually started … with Ikea, and a chance shopping excursion about a decade ago.

The company would go on to do other one-offs, like the Barbie Dreamhouse, or the home from Home Alone.

“It captured people’s imagination. And we started realizing, what if this wasn’t just a one off program?” Chesky says. “What if we made this a whole product on Airbnb? What if we gave it its own category right in the homepage? and gave it the same level of seriousness and treatment that we treat the rest of the product? What if we do that more frequently, make the builds even more fantastic, and just make an ongoing commitment to doing this?”

Many of the Airbnb icons will offer exclusive experiences to go along with the stay. Guests who stay in Prince’s Purple Rain house will be able to listen to rare and special from the musician; while a stay at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy includes a lap around a track with a professional driver. One experience will see a guest joining Kevin Hart for an evening at his members-only Coramino Live Lounge; and another includes a private living room performance from Doja Cat.

Inside the X-Men mansion in Westchester, overnight guests will experience a multi-hour tour hosted by a team of actors portraying X-Men in training, including some unique cocktail-making in Beast’s lab, and combat training from a stunt man in the danger room. Each of the bedrooms is themed to different X-Men, with little details true to the character (Wolverine’s alarm clock has claw marks, for example).

“We’re just trying to capture a decent cross section of pop culture. But I’m particularly excited about the extremes, either these imaginary worlds that no one has ever tried to bring to life before, or these things that are real, but you never could get access to before,” Chesky says. “Most people don’t just hang out with Kevin Hart and get a 30 person comedy show from Kevin — he does like stadiums, you know — so we like bringing our imagination to life and being able to give you access to something that’s real, but that you’ve never had access to before.”

Airbnb will have 11 Icons at launch, and is promising to refresh it with new offerings throughout the year. Most will be free and first-come, first-serve, but even the ones with a fee will cost under $100 per person, per night (the X-Men mansion, for example, will be $97, but includes the overnight stay, the X-Men training experience, dinner, and breakfast).

You can see the full list of Icons experiences, as well as photos, below.

Drift off in the Up house – Sleep inside one of Disney and Pixar’s most iconic homes—and yes, it floats. You’ll explore Carl’s world in this detailed re-creation of his home, complete with more than 8,000 balloons, and located in the scenic red rocks of Abiquiu, New Mexico.

Step into X-Men ‘97 – Live like the X-Men as you stay in a 2D animated re-creation of Marvel Animation’s X-Mansion in Westchester, New York. You’ll discover your mutant abilities and even train in the Danger Room.

Go VIP with Kevin Hart – Kevin Hart is taking you inside his members-only Coramino Live Lounge for an A-list evening. You’ll join Kevin and his friends in this secret speakeasy, where they’ll treat you to a tequila tasting and live stand-up by the best comedians in the game.

Wake up in the Musée d’Orsay – Stay in the Paris art museum’s iconic clock room, which has been transformed into a luxurious bedroom by Mathieu Lehanneur, designer of the Paris 2024 Games torch and cauldron. From the terrace, you’ll witness the historic Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games along the River Seine.

Join a living room session with Doja Cat – Fresh off a tour performing on the world’s biggest stages, Doja is hosting you for a much more intimate experience. You’ll enjoy an unforgettable living room performance from the Grammy-winning artist, including her favorite songs and tracks from her latest album.

Stay in Prince’s Purple Rain house – Prince purchased the Minneapolis, Minnesota home featured in the legendary film Purple Rain, but it’s never been available to the public until now. Explore the home and go crazy for rare and special tracks from Prince’s world in an exclusive studio session.

Go on tour with Feid – Join the reggaeton superstar on his FERXXOCALIPSIS World Tour for an entire week. You’ll join the crew for rehearsals, ride along on the tour bus, and get backstage access for every show.

Live like Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor – Janhvi Kapoor is inviting you into the legendary, never-before-seen Kapoor family home in Chennai, India. From learning her Bollywood beauty secrets to tasting her favorite southern Indian dishes, Janhvi will host you personally on this ultimate overnight stay.

Make core memories with Inside Out 2 – In anticipation of the June 14 release of Disney and Pixar’s new movie Inside Out 2, you’re invited to an overnight stay at Headquarters, the control center of Riley’s emotions. Your host, Joy, will welcome you into her vibrant world to witness the emotions in action and help keep things in balance.

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Weird places that Hollywood stars visited in Moscow

Quentin tarantino: pasternak's grave and the state central film museum.

Tarantino near the Kremlin's Tsar Bell

The last time the famous U.S. director came to Moscow was in 2019 to promote his movie  Once Upon a Time in Hollywood . The then Russian culture minister Vladimir Medinsky gave the maestro a tour of the Kremlin and its museums, photographs of which became  memes . And not by coincident did the minister present Tarantino with a volume of poetry by Boris Pasternak.

Tarantino and Vladimir Medinsky in the Kremlin

On his previous visit to Moscow, in 2004, he didn’t go just anywhere, but to the grave of Boris Pasternak , who, it turned out, is the great director's favorite author. Tarantino spent about half an hour at the cemetery. Eyewitnesses recall that, far from being a perfunctory visit, the director sat huddled against the tombstone in a kind of trance. Tarantino himself later claimed to possess the ability to establish spiritual contact with genius writers.

Tarantino at the Pasternak's grave

On the way back to the cemetery, which lies on the outskirts of Moscow, Quentin came back down to Earth by calling at McDonald's, and then unexpectedly showed up at the State Central Film Museum. Director Naum Kleiman took him on a tour, showing things that the erudite director might not have seen – the maestro was in raptures.

Johnny Depp: Lenin's Mausoleum and the Mayakovsky Museum

The world’s most famous pirate has been various movie premieres in Moscow, but his most unusual visit was in 2018. Depp came to play with the rock band Hollywood Vampires, which he formed with Alice Cooper and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry.

Before the concert at the Olympic Stadium, Depp dropped by the... Mayakovsky Museum, which, it turned out, the actor had long dreamed of visiting, having read Mayakovsky voraciously since adolescence, admiring "his passion, drama, drive and incredible forcefulness." Once he bought a book of his poetry for the portrait on the cover: "When I saw that shaved head and unkind face, I thought, oh, that’s definitely for me!"

In addition, the actor visited Lenin's Mausoleum and the necropolis by the Kremlin wall. Later, at a press conference, he bemoaned always having too little time in Moscow to see all the wonderful sights.

Tom Hardy: Ice Cave and the Moscow metro

Tom Hardy in Moscow's Zaryadye Park next to the Kremlin

Tom Hardy came to Moscow in 2018 to promote the film  Venom . He met with fans and took a stroll round the trendy Zaryadye Park near the Kremlin, where he went inside the Ice Cave pavilion. To keep his ears from freezing, he was presented with a fur hat, which he took a fancy to and showed off at a press conference.

Hardy also took a ride on the Moscow metro. Not without security, of course, but he still got a good feel of the place and even rubbed the nose of the bronze dog at Ploshchad Revolutsii (Revolution Square) station for good luck.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Skolkovo Innovation Center and the Tretyakov Gallery

In 1988 Arnold Schwarzenegger wore the uniform of a Soviet policeman in the Red Square as they were shooting Red Heat movie there

Iron Arnie has been to Moscow many times. Probably the actor's most famous Russian scene was the one shot on Red Square for 1988’s  Red Heat . On that visit, he wanted to buy a fur coat for his wife, but the perestroika-era USSR was suffering shortages. But after pulling a few media and official strings, Schwarzenegger was taken to the Torgmekh store, where he picked out a beautiful white fur coat for his other half. Arnie also got to meet up with his idol from youth, Soviet world champion weightlifter Yuri Vlasov.

Arnold Schwarzenegger meet with his idol Yuri Vlasov at the Moscow Athletics sports club, 1988

In 2010 Schwarzenegger came not as an actor, but as the "governator" of California, bringing with him a group of American businessmen looking to invest. He rode the subway in the morning rush hour and got caught in the crowd rushing to work, from which he concluded, optimistically, that Russians love their public transport.

Later, then-President Dmitry Medvedev personally took Arnie on a tour of the Skolkovo Innovation Center, where they discussed American investment opportunities. Medvedev even accompanied the actor to the gym. Arnie expressed a desire to visit the Tretyakov Gallery, and so the doors were opened specially for him, even though it was a cleaning day!

Madonna: orphan boarding school

Madonna leaves her hotel in Moscow, 2006

The pop diva first performed in Moscow in 2006, and, yes, it caused a commotion. Despite the eye-watering ticket prices, the show at the Luzhniki Olympic Complex was a sell-out, and afterwards she was inundated with invitations to nightclubs. Reporters set up camp outside the lavish Café Pushkin, expecting to see the singer show up for a meeting with representatives of Russia’s LGBT community. But Madonna shocked everyone by not going to any parties. Instead, she drove from the hotel to the airport, paying a secret visit to an orphanage on the way and donating a tidy sum (how much the press did not manage to ascertain).

Steven Tyler: busked in the street

On his last visit in 2015, the lead singer of the legendary Aerosmith went straight to Kuznetsky Most street to... busk with a local street musician! It all happened by chance. He was walking by when he heard a guy with a guitar performing his song "I Don't Want Miss A Thing". Tyler walked up to the microphone and joined in with the young musician to the delight of the ecstatic crowd.

The frontman has Russian roots, he later revealed at a press conference. His grandfather came from Ukraine and always considered himself Russian, Tyler said, and he himself grew up on borsch and generally loves Russian food.

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‘I have my iPhone, X and a brain in my head’: Ukrainian journalist and social media star Illia Ponomarenko

Ahead of the publication of his raw account of the Russian invasion, the reporter talks about capturing the conflict in real time – and when the war will come to an end

I llia Ponomarenko was mulling over the idea of writing a book about the war in his home country, Ukraine. He decided to ask his X (formerly Twitter) followers – 1.2 million of them – whether this was a good idea. “There were a lot of positive responses,” the 32-year-old says, with a self-effacing grin. In early 2023 he began work at his new flat in Bucha, the Kyiv satellite town now synonymous with Russian war crimes. He finished the manuscript in two and a half months. “It was brutally intense and emotionally exhausting,” he says.

This month, Bloomsbury publishes  I Will Show You How It Was , Ponomarenko’s gripping account of the battle for Kyiv. It is a wonderful work of reportage, immediate and raw, as well as vivid and personal. As the former defence correspondent for the Kyiv Independent newspaper, Ponomarenko is uniquely placed to tell the story of how Russia’s swaggering imperial plan – to conquer Ukraine and to topple its pro-western government – failed. “It was a pivotal moment in European history,” he notes.

When the all-out invasion began on 24 February 2022 , Ponomarenko was at home in Kyiv. He thought Russian troops would enter the capital. Western governments made the same gloomy assessment. At 4.45am Ponomarenko knocked on his flatmate Ivan’s door, telling him: “Wake the fuck up, it’s war.” Soon, he heard explosions. “We were under no illusions as to what would happen. We would end up in a pit with a bullet in our heads. So we decided to go bright,” he recalls.

Going bright meant documenting events in real time – not just the epic fighting, but the emotions and anxieties of Ukrainians caught up in what he calls the “biggest European bloodbath since 1945”. Ponomarenko’s posts were heartfelt, illuminating and brutally mocking of Moscow. They lit up X, and in the space of five days, he went from 10,000 followers to more than a million. He is arguably the most famous Ukrainian abroad after Volodymyr Zelenskiy .

Ponomarenko and other Ukrainian journalists tried to stay human, he says, and to convey an authentic sense of being in the middle of a conflict that went beyond the headlines. “We were not merely informational. We were describing what we saw and how we felt. Nobody had a strategy for social media growth,” he says. “Someone would post ‘Fuck Russia’ and it would get an insane number of likes.”

Putin’s so-called special military operation was one of the most “absurd, unnecessary and shamelessly trumped-up wars” in modern history, he adds. There was nothing inevitable about it. “It was one idiot, drunk with power. There’s zero reason for Russians and Ukrainians to fight each other. A small group of people thought they are the ones who rule the world,” Ponomarenko says. “Russians are OK with it. Some are making careers, others money.”

The book opens in a pine forest somewhere east of Kyiv . It is March 2022 and Ponomarenko is on patrol with a Ukrainian combat team. On the roadside next to a pile of rubble he finds two dead bodies – of Russians. They are dressed in “swamp-coloured fatigues” and the “frayed remains of red-sleeve ribbons”. “Their pale bellies are bloated. Postmortem paralysis has shackled their fingers,” he records. Ponomarenko has no sympathy with the enemy soldiers, one of whom turns out to have come from distant Siberia.

He describes his writing style as “sharp and easy-going”, a conversation with a friend. The book is in part, he adds, a “love letter to Kyiv” – to its coffee shops and drinking dens, and to his girlfriend Natalia and resourceful friend-cum-driver Ivan. “Some of it is bromance,” he acknowledges. He cites Hunter S Thompson’s nonfiction novel Hell’s Angels as a literary influence, as well as Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood .

Ponomarenko’s journey to reporter stardom is an unlikely one. He grew up in Volnovakha, a city in eastern Ukraine . His father was a welder; his mother a pensions manager. The family spoke Russian. A “bookworm” and a “nerd”, he played bass guitar at school. As a teenager, he realised education was his ticket out of the depressed and Soviet-inflected Donbas area. He enrolled at the state university in Mariupol and studied international relations and politics. In his spare time he learned English.

In 2014, the Kremlin staged a covert takeover of the regional capital Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk. “Russia ignited this war. It became a self-sustaining process,” Ponomarenko observes. “On both sides everyone has someone who was killed.” In Mariupol, Russian “separatists” briefly seized the city. Ponomarenko got a job on a local paper and in 2016 moved to Kyiv with $100 in his pocket, eventually working for the English-language Kyiv Post. In late 2021 he cofounded the Kyiv Independent , after the Post’s oligarch owner shut the title.

I Will Show You How It Was ends in May 2022, on a warm spring day. It was a moment of optimism. Russia had been thrown out of the Kyiv region , “thanks to the resilience of our soldiers and military people”. “It was a human-made miracle,” Ponomarenko says. Since then, Ukraine’s mood has become darker. Its counteroffensive last year failed, Republicans in Congress delayed military aid to Kyiv , and Russia is advancing again, village by shattered village. Kharkiv and other cities are being pulverised. New US weapons are coming but have yet to arrive.

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How long will the war last? Ponomarenko’s guess is another two years. At some point, he thinks, there will be negotiations. “The question is whether we can do it from a position of strength,” he says. The war so far has been hard to predict and full of “black swans”, he stresses, such as the  doomed rebellion last summer by the Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who died in a plane crash in August. Ponomarenko is scathing about outside experts who say Kyiv should concede territory. “They are a continent and ocean away, sitting in an AC office,” he says.

One prominent US critic of Ukraine is Elon Musk, billionaire owner of X. Ponomarenko says he initially defended Musk because of Starlink, the “invaluable” satellite internet system provided by Musk’s SpaceX to Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline. Now, he remarks: “I don’t think Musk is evil. He’s badly informed and lives within his own bubble. A lot of people whisper in his ear.”

Ponomarenko says he wants to explain “complicated truth”. His book is a first draft of history and a compelling chronicle of Kyiv’s against-the-odds victory. Last summer he resigned from the Kyiv Independent, shattered, to become a full-time, supporter-funded author. He is currently reading Nevil Shute’s On the Beach and is thinking about writing a novel of his own, set in Mariupol and provisionally entitled Mary By the Sea – the English translation of the name of the ruined and now occupied port city.

In the meantime, he will continue to debunk Russian lies, and challenge the “useful idiots in the west and beyond” who spread them. “Putin spends billions on propaganda,” he says. “I have my iPhone, X and a brain in my head.”

Luke Harding’s Invasion: Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival, shortlisted for the Orwell prize, is published by Guardian Faber. To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com . Delivery charges may apply.

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Shōgun Breakout Star Tadanobu Asano Is Ready for a Call From Hollywood

The Japanese movie star is surprised and delighted by the fan reaction to Yabushige.

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Major spoilers ahead for the entirety of Shōgun. If you haven't watched the finale, you've been warned!

In the critically acclaimed miniseries, which is almost guaranteed to be an Emmy frontrunner, the seasoned Japanese actor plays the scheming, sadistic, and duplicitous Lord of Izu. Over the ten episodes, Yabushige oscillates in his loyalty to Lord Toranaga ( Hiroyuki Sanada ) and ultimately betrays him, leading to the death of Mariko ( Anna Sawai ). In the final episode, he suffers a mental breakdown, and asks the Anjin, a.k.a. John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) to bring him to England, but ultimately is forced to return to Toranaga's side in Izu, where he is ordered to commit seppuku for his treachery. In his final scene, Yabushige asks Toranaga about his plans—and if he always intended to be Shōgun. "How does it feel to shape the wind to your will?" Yabushige asks. Toranaga replies, "I don't control the wind. I only study it."

It's a testament to Asano's skills as an actor that the unlikeable Yabushige became a fan-favorite, but the audience reaction is a turn of events that still surprises him. "Looking back at my career, I'm in my fifties now, but I have been really astounded by not only Japanese fans, American fans, but internationally," he tells Town & Country over Zoom. "I thought I would just be a quiet actor in my fifties, doing my thing, but I never thought at this point in my career, and my age, that I'd get this much attention."

Speaking through translator Junko Goda, Asano opened up about why fans are obsessed with Yabushige, his character's curiosity around death, and why he's waiting for a call from Hollywood (and Nicholas Cage).

How do you feel about the reaction to Shōgun ?

Surprised, really! I was catching up with Hiroyuki Sanada last night; we were just talking about how surprised we are. During filming, we were doing our best—the best of the best that we could do—but we never thought it would be this lauded. I myself, I live in Japan so I've been surprised by the reception from the U.S. audience and people really liking the Yabushige character, too.

Yabushige became such a fan favorite character over the course of the ten episodes. Why do you think audiences reacted so positively to him?

I actually want to ask everyone why! [ l aughing ] As an actor, I was just making the choices that I thought were right for Yabushige and the story. I didn't think it would connect with the audience this much. So I'm actually the one who wants to ask the audience members what they connected with.

Since wrapping, [the reaction] validated that I was on the right path as far as creating him. especially now that the show is over, everyone's seen it all, it helped validate how I develop these characters in my work. Making those choices in those moments, it validated that I was on the right path because so many fans have accepted Yabushige and they really love him.

Have you seen the memes about Yabushige online? There’s one where people share the still of “I don’t have time for this Christian nonsense.”

I am filled with wonderment that there's so many Yabushige memes, that even the fans in Japan are surprised by how many memes are coming out of the English-speaking audience. There's folks who edited together Yabushige scenes on YouTube! It's been fun, and wonderful.

One of my favorite scenes in the show was Yabushige’s final meeting with Toranaga on the cliff, where he asks Toranaga about his plan. What was it like filming that moment between the two men?

That scene is only a scene that Hiro Sanada and I could do. [In 2013,] we were in 47 Ronin , Keanu Reeves was the lead. In that movie, my character commits seppuku and then Sanada-san cut my head. Over a decade later, because we have that working relationship, and we've known each other for such a long time, that led to that energy, and that vibe in the scene. I'm really glad that people saw that and experienced it.

He is fascinated with death, and wants a better death than seppuku—like being eaten alive by fish. Why do you think he’s fixated on the end of his life?

It's Yabushige's curiosity, and the ultimate unimaginable thing is death to him. He can witness death; he can experiment with death on others; but you can't really experiment death on yourself—it's one and done. It's Yabushige's continuous curiosity about that ultimate unimaginable step, that makes him so caught up in death.

He’s so different from the other lords and samurai we meet—in terms of his expressiveness, his humor. Why do you think he’s more free-spirited?

To summarize, it's because of his curiosity, because he'll look at those around him, he'll question, directly to them or himself: Why is this person speaking that way? Why is this person tied down to these actions? Why does everyone look the same, do the same things? So, his curiosity leads to, well, what if I didn't do the same thing? That's his appeal—that curiosity has led him to the Yabushige we see.

How did you ensure Yabushige's character would come across even if the viewer didn't understand Japanese?

There's a saying in Japan that the eye can express more than the words. Especially in acting, I wanted to see if that works. Can ideas be communicated without language? Of course, Shōgun has subtitles and you can listen to the voiceover version and things like that, but that was the real question for me on Shōgun. Even if I work with other directors outside of Japan, I'll say something in Japanese, they don't know what I'm saying, but people will say, 'Oh, that's interesting. The communication is interesting.' Shōgun definitely proved that just that I can communicate beyond words, and express things beyond words.

The dynamic between Yabushige and Blackthrone is one where they don't communicate with words—Justin Marks, one of the co-creators, said he could do seven seasons with you and Cosmo and your characters. What do you make of their relationship? Why do you think people are so interested in their dynamic?

They're both like animals running on instinct. Yabushige, he sees something and he just goes for it, while Blackthorne gets swept up in it too, he goes along. With just Yabushige and Blackthorne, there are no brakes. The car just keeps going. When you have Toranaga or Omi, those two are the brakes for Yabushige. In that way, Yabushige and Anjin are almost similar as well. They end up being this unstoppable vehicle if they are left to their own devices.

What’s next for you after the success of the show?

We were shooting in 2022, and at that time, I had specific things I wanted to do. Even now in 2024, I feel that whatever I want to do in 2024, that it would be the right path.

You know, I haven't gotten any calls or offers based on folks watching Yabushige yet, but I think that the U.S. audience, the English speaking audience, they see me and they want me, and want to see more of my work, that's what I'm hoping will be the next thing. It'd be really interesting to be working in the U.S. as a Japanese actor. We're in a different age of filmmaking where I don't have to speak perfect English or anything. The experiences I gain working in the U.S. would then feed into my work [in Japan] as well. So I'm really hoping the next project could connect like that.

Do you have a dream role, or a dream person you'd like to work with?

It'd be great to be in something with Nicholas Cage! I think that'd be really fun.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

I recently had a new atelier built, I've actually been thinking about the landscaping of it and that's been fun to think about.

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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Will Cannes Rebound After Hollywood Strikes Overshadowed Last Year’s Market?

Like many film executives, Tamara Birkemoe spends much of the Cannes Film Festival sprinting from lunches to drinks to dinners, as she meets with potential distributors, financiers and filmmakers. Most nights, the Palisades Park CEO hosts a cocktail hour at the company’s temporary headquarters directly across from the Palais des Festivals, where Cannes’ biggest premieres are held. 

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“It’s a period of confusion,” admits Glenn Kendrick Ackermann, a sales agent who is at Cannes looking for buyers for the Peter Facinelli-Charlotte Radford supernatural drama “Can You Hear Me?” “Theatrical admissions are down, and people aren’t going back to cinemas in droves. The traditional formulas are not working in the way they once did. People are trying to figure things out.” 

“We had big plans for a number of projects,” notes Birkemoe. “They were all going into motion at the time, and that all stopped for a while with the strikes. Things slowed down, and unfortunately, some projects will not get picked up again.” 

Birkemoe and many others believe that despite its challenges, the movie business is turning a corner — or at the very least, approaching a bend in a bumpy road. Ticket sales for niche titles haven’t rebounded to pre-COVID highs, but there have been some recent success stories. A24’s “Civil War” is one of the highest-grossing movies in the studio’s history, while Focus Features’ “Asteroid City” and “The Holdovers” were solid performers. That’s to say nothing of indie horror hits like Neon’s “Immaculate” or IFC’s “Late Night With the Devil,” both of which topped $10 million at the domestic box office. 

“I really feel like we’re on the other side of a lot of things,” says Scott Shooman, head of AMC Networks film group. “The audience has become clearer — we’re seeing who is going to movies and the type of movies they want to see. And there’s a strong lineup of new movies at Cannes this year.”

Shooman notes that the festival is screening many films from seasoned filmmakers that still need distribution. These include “Megalopolis,” Francis Ford Coppola’s decades-in-the-making epic, which stars Adam Driver, as well as “Oh, Canada,” a drama reuniting Paul Schrader with his “American Gigolo” star Richard Gere, and Ali Abbasi’s “The Apprentice,” featuring Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump when he was young and the apple of his attorney Roy Cohn’s eye. At Cannes, executives pack in multiple screenings every day as they look to land at least one high-profile movie to justify their European jaunt. 

“You come because there’s always that chance that you might find the next big foreign-language film or that hot young American director who’s about to break out,” says Tom Bernard, co-founder of Sony Pictures Classics. 

“You need to make films that have original stories that haven’t been told before, but you also need the right caliber of talent to make them sellable,” says John Friedberg, president of Black Bear. “And they have to be made for the right budget. It’s a tough recipe to get right.”

Sales agents stress that more glitzy movies would have been available if the strikes hadn’t happened. They’ve been engaged in a mad scramble to line up actors, most of whose schedules are jammed as they try to finish up projects that were in production or were about to start shooting when talks with SAG-AFTRA broke down. 

“We’re finding that things that were sort of set up last year are fine, but trying to set up new things is very hard in terms of the availability issue,” says Gabrielle Stewart, CEO of HanWay Films.

When it comes to pitching studios and streamers, executives like Stewart may face new teams with different priorities. Netflix, for instance, has a fresh film chief in Dan Lin, who recently took over for Scott Stuber. The company was very active at past editions of Cannes, spending $50 million to buy “Pain Hustlers” with Emily Blunt and $11 million to pick up the Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore drama “May December.” But Netflix has signaled it wants to release fewer films, joining a long line of Hollywood players that are looking to economize, and some agents privately say they don’t expect it or the other streamers to be as active at Cannes. 

But others are quick to note that recent festivals like Toronto and Sundance saw their share of big deals, despite being held during the strikes or in the immediate aftermath. Netflix, for instance, spent a lot on Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man” and the documentary “Skywalkers,” while Warner Bros. Discovery shelled out $15 million for “Super/Man,” a documentary about the late actor and advocate Christopher Reeve. 

“There’s still an outrageous amount of money allocated to production of content and acquisition of content,” John Sloss, a veteran sales agent, notes. “I don’t know if that’s diminished much.”

But it’s hard to escape a sense of pessimism that’s gripping the industry as it brushes off its passports. Netflix and its ilk may still spend, but not at the levels they once did, and the film business, at least the one that relies on cinemas, faces more competition than ever from gaming, YouTube and TikTok. Glen Basner, the founder of FilmNation, has been coming to Cannes for decades. He’s seen it rise and fall in popularity and prominence, and he’s weathered his share of economic downturns and setbacks, starting FilmNation in 2008 during the Great Recession. He’s growing tired of the doom and gloom he’s hearing around the business. 

Alex Ritman contributed to this report.

A surprising number of films in Cannes’ official selection are heading to the Croisette without distribution deals in key territories. Here’s a look at attractive features ready for the right buyer.

The Apprentice

Ali Abbasi’s buzzy drama stars Sebastian Stan as the young version of Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong as his consigliere, Roy Cohn. Unspools in competition.

Sales : Rocket Science

Motel Destino

Karim Aïnouz returns to Cannes with this erotic thriller. His 2023 Cannes entry, “Firebrand,” sold worldwide.

Sales  The Match Factory

Cannes veteran Andrea Arnold’s latest stars Oscar-nominated Barry Keoghan, whose career is hotter than hot now, and Franz Rogowski, another actor finally earning acclaim.

Sales  Cornerstone Films

Megalopolis

A lot has been written about Francis Ford Coppola’s self-financed epic, and buyers are circling but may hold off on any deals till its Cannes bow. Coppola’s lawyer Barry Hirsch is courting buyers; French indie distrib Le Pacte is close to securing a deal for France.

The Shrouds

David Cronenberg returns with a powerhouse cast — Vincent Cassell, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce — in a film that has genre fans drooling. Should elicit lots of distrib interest.

Sales  SBS Intl.

Paul Schrader secured one of the biggest young stars in the world right now — Jacob Elordi — alongside veteran Richard Gere in this adaptation of Russell Banks’ novel “Foregone.” Sounds like prestige awards season material for the right buyer.

Sales  Arclight/WME

Limonov: The Ballad

Celebrated auteur Kirill Serebrennikov’s offers a timely English-language adaptation of Emman­uel Carrère’s fictionalized biography of radical Russian poet and political dissident Eduard Limonov, played by Ben Whishaw. 

The Balconettes

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” star Noemie Merlant and her “Fire” director Céline Sciamma co-wrote this fantastical comedy horror movie, directed by Merlant. Great pedigree for an adventurous buyer.

Sales  MK2

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