Hollywood is a star-studded destination even for those that aren’t star struck. But if you are, Hollywood’s reputation as an iconic place to rub elbows with the famous isn’t that far-fetched, as visitors to the area often bump into some of tinsel town’s most glamorous residents.
Even if you don’t end up in line behind Johnny Depp inside Starbucks, or Angelina Jolie in the drive-through of McDonald’s, Hollywood is still a great place to visit with some spots you definitely don’t want to miss. The first being the heart of the Hollywood Boulevard experience–TLC Chinese Theatre.
TCL Chinese Theatre
Home to many of the movie industry’s mega premieres – including the 1977 launch of George Lucas’s Star Wars – Sid Grauman’s masterpiece is a local icon from Hollywood’s Golden Era. Recently branded as TCL Chinese Theatre. The new owners have new stadium seating and box office.
Attracting stars from both the past and present to come and leave their permanent mark outside the ornate Chinese-themed theater’s main entrance, which is guarded by a pair of Chinese Ming Heaven’s dogs.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
No trip to Hollywood would be complete without stopping by Grauman’s’ magnificent Walk of Fame, where guests can enjoy comparing the size of some of the motion picture’s biggest star’s appendages, by placing theirs alongside the hand and footprint impressions that cover the entire courtyard outside the theater.
Madame Tussauds Hollywood
Nearby attractions competing for your attention is Madame Tussauds Hollywood and the ‘original’ Hollywood Wax Museum that opened in 1965 and still, claims to be the only wax museum dedicated solely to celebrities with over 180 figures of movie stars and television personalities.
For those that want to get a little closer to some of Hollywood’s greats, along the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard is a great place to take a photo of your favorite lookalike celebrities.
Hollywood & Highland Center
Next door to Grauman’s’ is the Dolby Theatre, located in the crown jewel of the Hollywood and Highland Center. A multi-level retail, dining, and entertainment complex.
The Dolby Theatre is the first permanent home of the Academy Awards, and visitors can tour the $94 million facilities before or after browsing over 60 high-end designer shops, dining at one of nine of L. A.’s finest restaurants, or partying like a rock star at a pair of popular nightclubs, just steps from historic Hollywood Boulevard.
El Capitan Theater
Other nearby attractions include the Guinness World Records Museum, the walk of stars and the fully restored El Capitan Theater. Originally opened in 1926, the theater is now operated by the Walt Disney Company and serves as the venue for many of Walt Disney Pictures’ premieres.
Starline Bus Tours
For those that want a more behind the scenes look into the opulent lifestyles behind the gates of the mansions of Hollywood’s elite, there’s the always popular Starline Bus Tours or a visit to the Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor building.
Aboard an open air or climate control bus, riders embark on a geographical journey of the homes and hangouts of Hollywood’s select, including places like Rodeo Drive, the hotel where rock band Led Zeppelin dropped a piano off the roof, and trend-setting Melrose Avenue.
Hollywood Museum
The Hollywood Museum is located in the Max Factor building, a four-story structure that was home the make-up artist Max Factor. It is within the private salons that Marilyn Monroe became a blonde and Lucille Ball got her famous red locks.
With so much to see, do, and experience. Hollywood provides the perfect destination for a Southern California day trip any time of year.
Nearby Hollywood Attractions
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios is part amusement park part studio tour. Universal Studios is one of the biggest amusement parks in the state of California. Along with thrill rides, and shows Universal Studios most popular attraction is the movie studio tour.
Griffith Park Observatory
The Griffith Observatory is only a short drive from the heart of Hollywood. Admission and parking are free. Inside the Observatory, there are two floors of hands-on exhibits. Outside visitors are treated to amazing views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
Sunset Ranch Trail Rides
Sunset Ranch offers riders a choice of a one or two-hour trail rides into Griffith Park. The staff is very friendly and will try to match you up with a horse that matches your personality. Sunset Ranch stables are located along Beachwood Drive, a very popular spot to view the Hollywood sign.
Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive
Although most of Californians cannot afford many of the items that sparkle from the windows of the posh stores that line Rodeo Drive, a day trip to Beverly Hills will give you a chance to experience how the other half lives.
Los Angeles Zoo
The LA Zoo is located in Griffith Park –the largest municipal park in the US. Griffith Park also has 100 miles of horse trails, a real train yard of antique trains, pony rides and mini-train rides, carousel, polo grounds, hiking trails and even small caves.
LA Farmers Market
The original Los Angeles Farmers Market is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Hollywood. The farmers market has more than 100 shops and restaurants to explore. There are so many different places to eat with so many choices for food chances are you will stop at least a couple of the food booths.
Getting to Hollywood
Park your car and take a walking tour to really enjoy the sights and sounds of Hollywood. There are plenty of places to eat in the Hollywood and Highland mall and if you really want to be a tourist take one of the bus tours and see the homes of the movie stars
See what all the fuss is about and take a Hollywood Day Trip. It’s defiantly worth checking out. Hollywood & Highland Mall is at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood, CA 90028
My husband I are interested in visiting Hollywood someday, so that we can tour the town. I liked your suggestion of finding a bus tour, because it will help us be able to see a lot more compared to just walking.
There are quite a few things to see around Madame Tussauds Hollywood. A car or bus tour will be needed to see all of the sights.