HOLLYWOOD Facts and Helpful hints for Tourists from Locals

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Wow this thread is so helpful. Thank you everyone for this. We have a whole day to spend exploring Hollywood. I would like to head to Westwood Memorial Park (from the discussion 1st on my list), then head East on Wiltshire to Rodeo Drive. Now from there I want to go to Holywood/Highland for the shopping and the walk of fame and the disney shops. But I would also like to see Forest Lawn Memorial Glendale and Hollywood Hills. Then end up at the Observatory at the end of the day for the sunset. We will spend at least 1-2 hours per gardens depending on the day. The biggest thing is the monuments at these park, I have heard they are huge and incredible. I also can't be in California without seeing my favourite actress Marilyn Monroe's grave site. Can this be done without rushing?? Shopping is really just for fun, this won't take up alot of time, more will be the walk of fame and the disney shop and soda place.
 
It sounds like a lot, but I would say it is doable on a weekend. Trying to visit different, spread-out places in L.A. on a weekday will just be too time-consuming. Take a look at this page - WMP is not easy to find
 
Thanks for replying. We would be doing it during the week, likely a Monday or a Tuesday. I'm possibly thinking of starting off and seeing how the day goes, if we don't have time then head back to DL and then start again the next day where we left off. We will see how much we get done, maybe we will be satisfied with what we get done and then not use the 2nd day. Rodeo drive will just be a drive through anyway and I'll be taking pictures out of the car window. Thanks for the help.
 


I have not fully read through the thread, but my first real trip into LA was in July. My family took me as I was doing a 4 day lay over in Cali, and doing Disney. We took a day to do LA. I went down to the hotspots sunset, Robertson, beverly hills, and saw no one not even papparazzi. I wanted to mention 1 cemetary that I did not see mentioned in the list that really is a must, and gets thousands of visitors a year. WestWood Cemetary. There are some VERY well known people there. The great Marilyn Monroe is buried there which was really my main reason of going there I am a HUGE fan of hers. Also Rodney Dangerfield is there, Truman Capote, Dorthy Straton (1 of the playboy centerfolds who was brutally murdered by her ex husband), Heather O Rourke (also known as Carol Ann from Poltergiest), Don Knots, Walter Matheu (sp), and Jack Lemmon both from Grumpy old men movie, Dean Martin, Natalie Wood, Billy Wielder (famous writer), Farrah Fawcett, Eva Gabor, Roy Orbinson, Dominque Dunne (older sister who was murdered from Poltergiest), Merv Griffen (game show creator such as jepordy). There are many more those are the ones I got photos of, and there are some very odd/funny epitaphs instead of birthdate/death date some chose to go out very funny. Now this cemetary is kind of tricky to get into as it is dead center in the wilshire blvd area. I highly suggest mapquest, or GPS. If youre a fan of many of these, and I know many probably are this really shouldnt be missed. When I went we thought it would be crowded, but it was very calm, and I walked right up to Marilyns with no wait. As soon as you enter you start seeing stars.
 
I LOVE this thread. I've got 4 days in Hollywood alone and now have some really good ideas on what to do.

Thanks peeps
 
Has anyone stayed at the new W Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard? I'm staying there in a couple of weeks and have read mixed reviews to being great to being awful with wannabee-movie star staff and loud parties...

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
 


Another question. I am interested in doing the Hollywoodtours.us. Has anyone used them and what is your review? They have the best route I am interested in, but can't find reviews if they are reliable, since you have to prepay and no cancellation returns.

Sure appreciate any help from you all.
Thank you,
Karen
 
prior to our 3 days in Anaheim we are staying in Culver City for 3 days. On Monday Morning we are thinking of having breakfast in Beverly Hills and a little time to look around. Thinking of "The Farm"? was recomemded to me. Then we want to go to Santa Monica to spend the rest of the day.
My first question is, I was thinking of taking Sunset Blvd all the way to PCH then drive the coast to Santa Monica, do the pier and third street promenade. Then maybe dinner and sunset drinks at sunset. finally taking Santa Monica Blvd back to Culver City.

Any thoughts on this? Especially the Sunset Blvd part? Is it senic? is it worth going out of the way for the views?


Thanks in advance
Joey B
 
prior to our 3 days in Anaheim we are staying in Culver City for 3 days. On Monday Morning we are thinking of having breakfast in Beverly Hills and a little time to look around. Thinking of "The Farm"? was recomemded to me. Then we want to go to Santa Monica to spend the rest of the day.
My first question is, I was thinking of taking Sunset Blvd all the way to PCH then drive the coast to Santa Monica, do the pier and third street promenade. Then maybe dinner and sunset drinks at sunset. finally taking Santa Monica Blvd back to Culver City.

Any thoughts on this? Especially the Sunset Blvd part? Is it senic? is it worth going out of the way for the views?


Thanks in advance
Joey B


Sunset to PCH will give you a view of UCLA/westwood area. Traffic can and will get backed up around there but use the time to take in the scene. Its not a bad drive and you will have some great views. Its been a while but there are some rather curvy streches.


Have fun, I miss Socal. Where are you staying in Culver City? I use to live in Culver city
 
We are staying at the Four Points By Sheraton. I work for Westin so I get employee rates. Thats Why in Anaheim we stay at the Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort right behind DCA.
 
We are staying at the Four Points By Sheraton. I work for Westin so I get employee rates. Thats Why in Anaheim we stay at the Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort right behind DCA.

nice! well have a great trip, enjoy the beach.
 
Hurray for it and all that :)

To help find what you need at a glance here is some helpful links

Hollywood- Walk of Fame, Hollywood Blvd., El Capitain and Chinese Theater
Post #1

Quick Hints from Corpse Bride- Restaurants, Activities and other local favorites
Post #3

Griffith Park- The View, Observatory, Museums and more
Post #9

Television Audience Tapings- Helpful hints, sites to find tickets, and information on how to pick a show
Post #10

Cemetaries- See history and the stars, both above your head and below
Post #11

Los Angeles Traffic- hints from a local for dealing with traffic to and from LAX, Hollywood and even on to Las Vegas.
Post #13

Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood- Food, Sights, Star Sightings and shopping
Post #17

Sunset Blvd. beyond Hollywood- Gladstones, the Getty Museums, and Gardens down to the coast
Post #19

Melrose Ave- Lingerie, Pink's Famous Hot Dogs and more!
Post #29

Pasadena - Shopping, NY's and Food Post #37
Architecture, Back to the Future House and more Post #38

Yamishiro's in Hollywood- I owe you one Corpse Bride, good food, atmosphere and what a view!!
Post #45


Hollywood

Last night while driving through Hollywood I tried to look at it through a Tourists eyes and realised that it might be helpful for us So. Calers to offer a thread to help tourists coming in from out of town to get the best out of a very unusual city.

First Los Angeles is not Hollywood. Los Angeles is actually about 10 miles away from Hollywood and though LA does have some nice musuems and Olvera Street what most people want to see is in Hollywood.

The first stop for most people is the now famous Hollywood and Highland (named for the corner where the two streets meet). H&H has a new complex built in 2001 to revitalize the area, it offers, dining, shopping and the Kodak Theater home to the Oscars. You can walk around seeing the sites or look into a tour of the Theater. From one of the balconies at H&H you can also get a great view of the famous Hollywood sign on a clear day.

When you walk out side of the complex you are now standing on the famous Walk of Fame. The Stars are literally under your feet as you walk by shops and onto the famous Chinese Theater. Here you can see all the footprints and more of the stars from today and yesteryear. Don't miss Trigger or Jimmy Durante's marks since these are extra fun, so is R2D2's! You can also get guided tours of the theater or go see a first run show here. Watch out for Premieres you are sure to see the stars and lots of people for these!

I also want to take a moment to point out a few things. This area of Hollywood is still in the process of being revitalized. Some areas and shops are not "pretty" and do need work. But its not a terrible area. Also you will see people dressed as Characters, these people are not paid by anyone to be there. They will charge you to take pictures. Do not take pictures if you don't want to pay. Also make sure your kids know this since many of these people do have amusement park quality costumes. This is these people's jobs, they are just trying to earn some money. If you want a picture its usually a few dollars. They can be pushy so just move on if your not interested.

This is also a high tourist area so remember to watch your stuff. Like any tourist high area criminals know that you are so involved with the moment and large crowds that they can find easy pickings. I have never in all my years ever had a problem but its better to be aware then a victim.

Now across the street is the El Capitan, it is one of the original Hollywood Picture Houses and a few years back was bought by Disney to be restored and used as a special first run movie theater. If you have the time go see a movie here you will not regret it! Most movies include a special treat with the showing depending on the movie it can be a live show, extra film feature, a props display, or even a Tea Party. These activities are included in your ticket price. They also have one of the few working Organs, they have some one playing the organ before the show just like they would have when they opened the theater, they play showtunes and Disney classics and is always worth showing up a little early before the picture starts to enjoy this special treat!

Next door is what I like to call "The Littlest Disney Store" inside you will find a small disney shop that does have some pieces that are exclusive only to this shop. Its fun to have a peek and then head over for ice cream at the Malt Shop which is part of this store. Note that on busy days you might need a reservation or have to wait but it is worth the experience.


If you head up the street towards Vine you will see the Ripley's Museum, the Wax Museum and more.

More to come about West Hollywood, Sunset Blvd., Vine and Melrose.

Locals feel free to add more of your helpful hints and must sees. If you want information of a certain areas feel free to ask.

These links don't work right, they don't take you to the information they intend to. Maybe this thread needs to be updated, it's 6 years old.
 
This thread is very dated. There are many new, exciting restaurants in Hollywood, new and updated hotels, the Renaissance is the Loews and more. Melrose Ave hasn't been hot for years for trendy shopping.

Time to unpin it?
 
This thread is very dated. There are many new, exciting restaurants in Hollywood, new and updated hotels, the Renaissance is the Loews and more. Melrose Ave hasn't been hot for years for trendy shopping.

Time to unpin it?

How about we updated it? I'll make time to go through it and update links and info. Help from all is appreciated. :)
 
How about we updated it? I'll make time to go through it and update links and info. Help from all is appreciated. :)

How do you remove all the old/bad information like Renaissance Hotel (Loews now), Aaardvarks (closed) and all the ancillary information that isn't about Hollywood? Wouldn't a new thread be easier?
 
How do you remove all the old/bad information like Renaissance Hotel (Loews now), Aaardvarks (closed) and all the ancillary information that isn't about Hollywood? Wouldn't a new thread be easier?

You've got a good point there. :) Okay
 
I know this is a super-old thread, but hopefully somebody responds with some newer info.....

While I was quite content to spend all of our 10-day trip at DLR, aside from a late afternoon/early evening at a beach, DD20 has mentioned wanting to go to Hollywood.

Potential plans: We will have a rental car from Downtown Disney. Seeing the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Graumann's Chinese Theater, Griffith Observatory. And possibly La Brea Tar Pits, Chinatown (or Little Tokyo). And I would love to go to a beach- just to relax and watch the waves for awhile (especially after the sun has set). I would also like to see the Griffith Observatory at night, but I don't know how late it is open or if we could do that and the beach the same night. We will only have the car for one day.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Best order to see things? Routes to take?

Any help most appreciated!
 

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