Must see!
Hollywood is best known as the self-declared entertainment capital of the world. It is a district in the city of Los Angeles, California, situated west-northwest of Downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word “Hollywood” is often used as a metonym of cinema of the United States. Today, much of the movie industry has dispersed into surrounding areas such as Burbank and the Los Angeles Westside but significant auxiliary industries, such as editing, effects, props, post-production and lighting companies, remain in Hollywood. 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. Any location within a few blocks of these intersections is likely to be a satisfying choice. 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, but most people would probably drive.
What To Do:
BEST TIME TO GO
JULY THROUGH EARLY OCTOBER is the most popular period to visit Los Angeles and Hollywood. Outdoor living (concerts, music, eating, biking…) and beach life are mainly centred in these rainless summer months.
SIGHT SEEING. • Hollywood Sign. Hollywood’s most recognizable landmark is easy to spot high up on Mount Lee in Griffith Park. You can drive part way up for a closer look, but you can’t hike all the way to the sign. • Grauman’s Chinese Theater, 6925 Hollywood Boulevard, opened in 1927. The most famous movie theatre in the world. It is home to the cement footprints, handprints, and (in some cases) otherprints of many of history’s most famous movie stars. The theatre is also a former home of the Oscars, and today hosts many movie premieres. The forecourt that showcases the star’s prints is free to all visitors. Movies are shown for $10, and half-hour walking tours are available for $5. • Walk of Fame, along Hollywood Boulevard and also Vine Street. The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of a series of stars embedded in the sidewalk to commemorate famous movie, radio, theatre, and TV personalities. Since 1960, over two thousand stars have been immortalized; the schedule for upcoming star ceremonies is listed on the Walk of Fame’s website. • Griffith Park Observatory, 2800 East Observatory Road,+1 213-473-0800. Tuesdays-Fridays Noon-10PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-10PM, closed Mondays. Reopened in 2006 after a long remodel; reservations are no longer necessary. • Hollywood Wax Museum, 6767 Hollywood Blvd, 1 323-462-8860. 10AM-midnight. Adults (13) $17. • Ripley’s Believe it or Not, 6780 Hollywood Blvd, ☎ +1 323-466-6335. CLUBBING AND DRINKING 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. • Cat & Fiddle, 6530 Sunset Boulevard,+1-323-468-9045. A large and reasonably authentic British pub, the Cat & Fiddle always has a fun crowd, a good selection of beers and British pub food, and darts in the back room. Prices are reasonable given the location and decor, with beers from $5 per pint and food starting around $8. • Roosevelt Hotel Lounge, 7000 Hollywood Boulevard (across the street from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre), +1-323-466-7000 (infoHRH@thompsonhotels.com). 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.
Where To Eat:
Hollywood offers a wide range in price and quality of accommodations. The modern Renaissance Hotel and the antique Roosevelt Hotel provide an upscale choice, though the latter 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. • BEST WESTERN HOLLYWOOD HILLS, 6141 Franklin Avenue, +1-323-464-5181; Toll free: +1-800-287-1700 (fax: +1-323-962-0536), [32]. $110-210 (Doubles). • DAYS INN LOS ANGELES/HOLLYWOOD, 7023 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-464-8344. • HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT HOTEL, 7000 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles California 90028. A luxury boutique hotel right in the center of the action offering spacious, well-appointed rooms and suites with luxury bed and bath linens, bath products and state-of-the-art in-room technologies. It’s a Hollywood legend, and was the location of the first Academy Awards ceremony.
Where To Stay:
BUDGET • PINK’S HOT DOGS, 709 N. La Brea Avenue, +1 323-931-4223, [13]. Sun-Th 9:30AM-2:00AM, F-Sat 9:30AM-3:00AM. Serving the most famous hot dogs in Los Angeles since 1939, their chili dog will set you back just $2.50. Open every day from 9:30 AM to 2 AM or later. Expect a long but fairly fast-moving line. • IN-N-OUT Burger, 7009 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA, 90028. On the West Cost of America, the IN-N-OUT Burger is raved as some of the “best fast food EVER!”
• ROSCOE’S HOUSE OF CHICKEN’ N WAFFLES, 1514 N Gower Street, +1 323-466-7453. For those ready to get their grub on, look no further—chicken, waffles, grits and greens. A few more locations scattered around town. MID-RANGE • CHEEBO, 7533 W. Sunset Blvd, +1 323-850-7070. Everyone loves the Cheebo! 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. • ELECTRIC KARMA, 8222 1/2 W. 3rd St., +1 323-653-2121. Sun-Thu 11:30am-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11:00pm. The “Most Romantic Indian Restaurant in Los Angeles” offers authentic Punjabi cuisine at reasonable prices for lunch and dinner; a beautiful, candle-lit dining room and open-air courtyard; unique cocktails; and warm, professional staff. • AMMO, 1155 N. Highland Ave. Great for lunch or dinner, excellent and fashionable food. SPLURGE • ALL’ ANGELO RISTORANTE, 7166 melrose ave. – los angeles – CA 90046, 323. 933-9540. lunch – friday: 12 – 2:30 pm / dinner – monday through saturday: 6 – 10:30 pm / closed on Sunday. This authentic Italian eatery combines the relaxed atmosphere of a Los Angeles restaurant with a menu that’s as close to a ticket to Rome as you can get without a passport. Their seasonal menu includes mouth watering timbale of cauliflower, authentic tripe, gourmet pastas, and hearty entrees. The owners bring a warm Italian sensibility to fresh dishes that would please any palate. This place is perfect for that special occasion! • CINESPACE, 6356 Hollywood Boulevard (2nd Level), +1-323-817-3456. Offering dinner in front of a large movie screen showing everything from recent movies to classics (movie shown Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8:00 PM). The food is reasonably good California cuisine, and the movie is included with the dinner price. With drinks, expect to spend between $25 and $40 per person. Reservations are required and should be made several days in advance. The restaurant becomes a club after movie showings.
• YAMASHIRO, 1999 N. Sycamore Avenue, ☎ +1-323-466-5125. 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.
When To Go:
| Cultural | |
| Dining |
References:
http://www.best-time-to-travel.com/California/Hollywood.htm , http://wikitravel.org/en/Los_Angeles/Hollywood
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