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Getting to Hollywood
The easiest way to get to Hollywood is to take US Hwy 101, and exit at Highland Avenue. If you're coming from the south or west, located the intersetion of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue on your map or enter 6801 Hollywood Boulevard into your GPS system, which will take you to that intersection.See It Now: Photo Tour
How to Spend Your Day in Hollywood
If you get up fairly early and don't dawdle, you can see all of these sights in a day.- Hollywood Boulevard: This is where you'll find the Walk of Fame (sidewalk stars) and Mann's Chinese Theater (stars' hand- and footprints), as well as the Hollywood and Highland shopping complex, the Kodak Theater and lots of fun Hollywood kitsch. Allow two to four hours to see it all, and while it's the one don't-miss attraction in Hollywood, go there last and stay into the early evening if you can.
- Take a Real Studio Tour: If you're looking for a theme park with thrill rides, go to Universal Studios, but if you want an authentic, behind-the-scenes tour that shows you how movies are made, take a tour at one of the other studios instead. The tours take about two hours and studios are closed on the weekend, so this is a weekday activity only.
- Farmers Market: It's not quite in Hollywood proper, but the Farmers Market is close by and a great place to get an inexpensive meal. Some say it's also one of the best places in Los Angeles to spot a celebrity. Early risers can start their day by eating breakfast here.
- See the Sign: You can see the Hollywood Sign from many places around town, but a quick drive up Mulholland Drive or above the Hollywood Reservoir will reward you with a glimpse of living in the Hollywood Hills and get some great city views, too. Allow about an hour for the round trip drive.
- Hollywood Bowl: This summer concert series is one of the best outdoor music experiences anywhere. This is an after-dark activity.
What You Won't See and Why
Even though Hollywood is a small portion of the larger Los Angeles area, you still can't see it all in a day. These are some of the popular activities that we haven't included in your one-day experience:- Sunset Strip: This section of Sunset Boulevard has a big reputation, but there's not that much to see, unless you want to go to the clubs at night.
- Stars' Home Tour: Few of today's stars actually live in Hollywood, and much of what the guides tell you is made up or just plain wrong. There are better ways to spend your time.
- Forest Lawn or Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Unless you're a fan of old Hollywood and want to pay tribute to the stars of yesteryear, these places won't hold much interest for you.
- Universal Studios: It would take you a whole day just for Universal, and while it's a fun theme park, its studio tour is cursory and scripted.
