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For other places with the same name, see Hollywood (disambiguation).

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.

Understand

Hooray for Hollywood

The best-known song about Hollywood was introduced in the Busby Berkeley-directed 1937 film Hollywood Hotel. Since then it has become the unofficial anthem for the movie capital of the world, and is even played at the annual Academy Awards ceremonies.

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 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

Map
34°6′6″N 118°20′19″W
Map of Los Angeles/Hollywood

By car

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 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 public transit

Hollywood's location is central to most other popular attractions. Metro's Red Line subway service stops at Hollywood/Vine and Hollywood/Highland, and is the most direct transit connection to Downtown. 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 now is to take one to the station in North Hollywood, then catch the Metro Red Line.

By plane

Hollywood is served by Los Angeles International Airport (LAX IATA) or the slightly closer Bob Hope Airport (BUR IATA) in Burbank. A direct scheduled shuttle service from LAX is provided by LAXFlyAway for $8 per person, and stops on the northeast corner of Selma and Argyle Avenues, one block southeast of Hollywood and Vine. Metro operates a free shuttle between Bob Hope Airport and the North Hollywood Metro station, where you can ride the Red Line subway into Hollywood.

Get around

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

The Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood is the place for film and TV series 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, among others (@Midnight is a big draw these days), 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.

  • 1 Hollywood Sign. Hollywood's most recognizable landmark is easy to spot high up on Mount Lee in nearby Griffith Park. You can drive part way up for a closer look, but you can't hike all the way to the sign. The best viewpoints of the sign are from the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park, on Mulholland Drive above the Hollywood Bowl, and from the corner of Hollywood and Highland. 
  • 2 Hollywood Walk of Fame, along Hollywood Blvd and also Vine St. 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. 
  • 3 Capitol Records Building (Capitol Studios), 1750 Vine St (between Hollywood Blvd and Yucca St). One of the most iconic buildings in Los Angeles. The circular tower—which contrary to popular belief was not intentionally designed to resemble a stack of records—is home to Capitol Records' west coast operations. Contained inside the building are the renowned Capitol Studios. Unfortunately, tours of the inside are no longer offered to the general public. 
  • 4 Charlie Chaplin Studios, 1416 N. La Brea Avenue (just south of Sunset Boulevard). An interesting historical landmark, this complex was built in 1917 as the studios for Charlie Chaplin's film company. Constructed in Tudor-style architecture, it has the appearance of a small English village from the outside and was where many of Chaplin's most iconic films were shot, including The Gold Rush, City Lights, Modern Times, and The Great Dictator. In 2000, the studio was bought by the Jim Henson Company, which marked their presence with a statue of Kermit the Frog above the main gate. The studio is not open for tours, but you can admire the architecture from the outside. (updated Oct 2015)
Paramount Pictures Studios
  • 5 Paramount Pictures Studio Tour, 5555 Melrose Avenue (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 1926 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. $53. (updated Apr 2015)
  • 6 Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, ☏ +1 323 469-1181. Grounds open daily 8AM-5PM. Dating back to 1899, this beautiful cemetery is one of Los Angeles' oldest and is the final resting place for hundreds of film stars, directors, writers, and other influential figures from the entertainment industry. Johnny Ramone, Cecil B. DeMille, Mel Blanc, Peter Lorre, Mickey Rooney, and Bugsy Siegel are but a few of the famous names you'll see here. Interactive kiosks located throughout the cemetery play short documentaries about those interned here, making it a great place to learn about Hollywood's early history. The cemetery also often holds events, including regular movie screenings (see below under Do) in the summer. Free. (updated Oct 2015)

Theaters

  • 7 Dolby Theatre (formerly the Kodak Theatre), 6801 Hollywood Blvd, ☏ +1 323 308-6300. Check schedule for events; tours daily every half hour 10:30AM-4PM. Located at the Hollywood & Highland Center (see "Buy" below). Hosts a wide range of live performances, including the annual Academy Awards. Half hour guided tours of the theater are available. Tours $19 adults, $15 seniors/youth 17 and under. (updated Apr 2015)
  • 8 Egyptian Theater, 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, ☏ +1 323 466-3456. Check schedule for tours and film screenings. An ancient Egyptian-themed theater that was built in 1922 and operated by Sid Grauman, of Grauman's Chinese Theatre fame, this was one of the first lavish movie palaces and was the venue for the first-ever Hollywood premiere. Today it screens many classic films and documentaries. Screenings $11; tours $9. (updated Apr 2015)
  • 9 El Capitan Theatre, ☏ +1 800 347-6396. Check website for screening times. A lavish movie palace dating from 1926, which hosted the Hollywood premieres of many films, most notably Citizen Kane. These days it's owned by Disney, and hosts the premieres of many Disney feature films. (updated Apr 2015)
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
  • 10 Grauman's Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd, ☏ +1 323 464-8111. The most famous movie theater in the world, Grauman's Chinese Theatre opened in 1927 and is home to the cement footprints, handprints, and (in some cases) otherprints of many of history's most famous movie stars. The theater 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. Half-hour guided tours of the theater are available. Screenings $12-$16; tours $13.50 adults, $11.50 seniors, $6.50 children. 

Museums

  • 11 Guinness World Records Museum, 6764 Hollywood Boulevard, ☏ +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)
  • 12 Hollywood Museum, 1660 N Highland Ave (at Hollywood Blvd), ☏ +1 323 464-7776. W-Su 10AM-5PM. Countless pieces of memorabilia from films and Hollywood stars of old, housed in a beautiful Art Deco building that was the home of the business of Max Factor, "the Make-up King" of Hollywood. $15 adults, $12 seniors/students, $5 children ages 5 and under. (updated Apr 2015)
  • 13 Hollywood Wax Museum, 6767 Hollywood Blvd, ☏ +1 323 462-5991. 10AM-midnight daily. The Hollywood Wax Museum is the longest running wax museum in the United States, with more than 45 years of continuous operation by the same owners since 1965 and featuring over 180 figures of celebrities. $16.99 adults, $14.99 seniors 55+, $9.99 children 5-12, children 5 and under free; discount if purchased online. (updated Apr 2015)
  • 14 Los Angeles Fire Department Hollywood Museum, 1355 N Caheunga Blvd, ☏ +1 323 464-2727. Sa 10AM-4PM. This museum is in the old Los Angeles City Fire Station 27, opened in 1930. It is fully restored to how it appeared in 1930 and contains a historic fire apparatus. (updated Apr 2015)
  • 15 Madame Tussauds Hollywood, 6933 Hollywood Blvd (at Orange Drive), ☏ +1 866 841-3315. Opens daily at 10AM; closing times vary by season, check website. The Hollywood location of the popular chain of wax figure museums, with numerous wax replicas of Hollywood celebrities. $29.95 adults, $22.95 children (discount if purchased online). (updated Apr 2015)
  • 16 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)
  • 17 Museum of Death, 6031 Hollywood Blvd., ☏ +1 323 466-8011. Su-Th 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-9PM, Sa 11AM-10PM.. A museum that was founded, according to its website, to "fill the void in death education in the USA." The collection includes such items as serial killer artwork, crime scene photos, replicas of execution devices, and a coffin collection. The self-guided tour lasts approximately an hour, "but those who can stomach it may stay as long as they'd like." There is no age limit but the museum is recommended for mature audiences. $15.. (updated Jan 2016)

Do

Hollywood Bowl
  • 1 Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Ave, ☏ +1 323 426-2829. America's most famous outdoor theatre hosts the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra as well as numerous other concert events. Traffic and parking can be a nightmare, so the $5 round-trip public shuttles are highly recommended. 
  • 2 Cemetery Movie Screenings, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, . 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. 
  • 3 Mulholland Drive, Mulholland Drive (Hollywood Hills). If you have a car, it is worth driving up to Mulholland Drive - the home of the stars. Apart from star seeking, the views across Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley are breathtaking. 

Buy

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.

  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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

Hollywood and Highland Center
  • 4 Hollywood and Highland Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, ☏ +1 323 467-6412. M-Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 10AM-7PM. Something of an attraction in its own right, this massive shopping complex is the home of the Dolby Theatre (where the Oscars are held) and adjacent to Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The streetfront facing Hollywood Blvd is lined with giant advertisements and LED signs, making it seem like a miniature Times Square, and within it has monumental Babylon-themed architecture based on the sets of D.W. Griffith’s 1916 film Intolerance. Its four levels hold a food court and numerous retail chains, and since its construction it has become the location of most tourist-oriented services in Hollywood, like bus tours and information centers. 

Eat

Budget

  • 1 In-N-Out Burger, 7009 W Sunset Blvd. Su-Th 8AM-1AM, F-Sa 8AM-1:30AM. This hugely popular Southern California burger chain has a surprisingly basic menu, but serves up some of the most popular burgers around, and does burgers well. In-N-Out has a "secret menu," which was spread by word of mouth before the internet was around. Today it's listed on the company's website, but the secret menu is not listed on menus on-site. 
  • 2 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

  • 3 101 Coffee Shop, 6145 Franklin Ave (at Vista Del Mar Ave), ☏ +1 323 467-1175. 7AM-3AM daily. Previously known as the Hollywood Hills Coffee Shop, this place has been popular for years, and the new owners have only improved it. Great selection of sandwiches, burgers, sweet potato French fries, coffee and tea. It's not unheard of to spot celebs here. 
  • 4 Ammo, 1155 N Highland Ave, ☏ +1 323 871-2666. Lunch: M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM; brunch: Sa-Su 10AM-2:30PM; dinner: M-Th 6AM-10PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-11PM, Su 5PM-9PM. Great for lunch or dinner, excellent and fashionable food. 
  • 5 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. 
  • 6 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. 
  • 7 Mel's Drive-In, 1660 N Highland Ave, ☏ +1 323 465-3111. Su-Th 6:30AM-3AM, F-Sa 24 hrs. Come here for traditional diner fare: cheeseburgers, French fries, and milkshakes. Part of the chain that opened in San Francisco in the late '40s. There is another location on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. 
  • 8 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. 
  • 9 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. 

Splurge

  • 10 Yamashiro, 1999 N Sycamore Ave, ☏ +1 323 466-5125. Su-Th 5:30PM-9:30PM, F 5:30PM-10:30PM, Sa 5PM-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. 
  • 11 Katsuya, 6300 Hollywood Blvd (at Vine St), ☏ +1 323 871-8777. Lunch: M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM; dinner: Su-Th 5:30PM-11PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-midnight. The newest restaurant from acclaimed chef Katsuya Uechi, designed by Philippe Starck. Mouth-watering Japanese menu, destined to be a new Hollywood institution. His other restaurants around the LA area are rated as some of the best in the city. 

Dessert

  • 12 ceFiore, 6922 Hollywood Blvd #107, ☏ +1 323 465-9097. 11AM-11PM daily. Right across the street from Grauman's Chinese Theatre you'll find one of LA's best places for tart Italian non-fat frozen yogurt and yogurt smoothies. Choose from 4 different frozen yogurt flavors: Original, Blackberry, Raspberry-Pomogranate, and Green Tea, along with a wide variety of fresh fruits and dry toppings. They also offer smoothies, herbal teas, and coffees. 

Drink

Juice

  • 1 The Juice Fountain, 6332 Hollywood Blvd (between Ivar and Vine), ☏ +1 323 464-8986. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-4PM. One of the best juice places in LA, it recently moved from its old location on Vine St. The juices are fresh and delicious, and its run by a sweet Hispanic family. Don't mess with the grandma! $3-5. 

Clubs and bars

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.

  • 2 Roosevelt Hotel Lounge, 7000 Hollywood Blvd (across the street from Grauman's Chinese Theatre), ☏ +1 323 466-7000, . 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. 
  • 3 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. 
  • 4 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. 


  • 5 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. 
  • 6 Velvet Margarita Cantina, 1612 N Cahuenga Blvd, ☏ +1 323 469-2000. M-F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa-Su 6PM-2AM. Dark lounge inspired by Dia de los Muertos. Lots of tequila, beer, and of course margaritas. 

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget Under $100
Mid-range $100 - $200
Splurge Over $200

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.

Budget

  • 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. 
  • 2 USA Hostels, 1624 Schrader Blvd (5 blocks from metro off Hollywood Blvd), ☏ +1 323 462-3777, toll-free: +1 800 524-6783, fax: +1 323 417-5152. The #1 rated hostel in Los Angeles (by hostelworld guests) in 2007 and 2005, USA Hostels is in the heart of Hollywood off Hollywood Blvd on a quiet side street. This 150-bed hostel offers female and mixed 6- and 8-bed dorms and private rooms, free all-you-can-make pancakes, free coffee and tea all day and free wireless internet. The hostel runs many free and discounted activities and tours and a free shuttle three times per week to Venice and Santa Monica beaches. Dorms from $30, private rooms from $90. 

Mid-range

  • 3 Hollywood Heights Hotel (Hilton Garden Inn), 2005 N Highland Ave, ☏ +1 323 876-8600, fax: +1 323 876-3272. This boutique-style hotel is relaxed, comfortable, and uniquely personal with 160 rooms fitted with amenities including FACE cosmetics and flat-panel TVs. Starting in March 2012 this hotel will be rebranded as the Hilton Garden Inn. $99+. 
  • 4 Saharan Motor Hotel, 7212 W Sunset Blvd, ☏ +1 323 874-6700. The Saharan Motor Hotel features deluxe rooms and suites, luxury amenities and excellent service. $100+. 

Splurge

  • 5 The Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd, ☏ +1 323 466-7000, toll-free: +1 800 950-7667. A 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 is a Hollywood legend, and was the location of the first Academy Awards ceremony. $300+. 

Connect

Internet

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.

  • 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

  • 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.
  • 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 Brae 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.
Routes through Hollywood
Santa Barbara ← Universal City ←  N  S  → Northwest L.A. → Downtown L.A.
Santa Monica ← West Hollywood ←  W  E  → Northwest L.A. → Glendale
Santa Monica ← West Hollywood ←  W  E  → Northwest L.A. → Downtown L.A.
North Hollywood ← Studio City/Universal City ←  N  S  → East Hollywood → Downtown L.A.


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