When you think of Los Angeles, one word comes to mind first—Hollywood. It conjures up images of big stars, spotlights, and broken dreams. Visitors to LA are drawn to the glamor of Tinseltown, but many are disappointed to find that Hollywood is more grit than glitz. There are few studios active in Hollywood these days, and you’ll be rubbing elbows with more street performers than celebrities.
Still, Hollywood is worth a visit to experience its historic locations and traces of LA’s moviemaking magic. From hiking to dining to live music, there’s more things to do in Hollywood than the Walk of Fame. I have visited Los Angeles several times and have stayed in Hollywood, and I recommend about one day to experience the neighborhood. Based on my time in LA and suggestions from locals, here is my one-day Hollywood itinerary.
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History of Hollywood
Hollywood got its start in 1887 as a real-estate development and voted to merge with Los Angeles in 1910. Chicago was once a moviemaking hub, and in 1908 the production of The Count of Monte Cristo moved to the area making it the first movie filmed in Hollywood. The area’s first movie studio opened in 1911, and more filmmakers followed. Most film studios moved out of Hollywood after World War II, and the television industry began to grow.
Morning: Get Moving and Have a Meal
Hike Runyon Canyon
Runyon Canyon (2000 N. Fuller Ave.) is a 160-acre park located in Hollywood. With natural landscapes, city views, and multiple trails to choose from, it’s no wonder that many Angelenos (and their dogs) choose to start their day here. I hiked the loop of both the East and West Ridge trails (2.7 miles) and it took me an hour and a half, including stopping for photos. Most of the trail is straightforward, but there are some steep inclines and areas that require scrambling so stick to the paved areas if you’re traveling with someone who isn’t surefooted. If you’re visiting Hollywood, it’s a tranquil place to admire the rock formations and plants native to the area while viewing the city from above.
You can catch views of the Hollywood Sign from Runyon Canyon, although it’s located in Los Feliz. I visited the canyon on an abnormally cloudy day, but I snapped some photos of the sign from Griffith Park. The Hollywood sign was first built in 1923 and renovated, with help from Hugh Hefner, in 1978. Each letter is 45 feet tall and around 30 feet wide.
Brunch at Jane Q
After you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the Kimpton Everly Hotel for all-day brunch at Jane Q (1800 Argyle Ave.). The ground-floor restaurant boasts tall ceilings and lots of natural light. The menu offers a Southern California spin on Italian-inspired favorites. While the wood-fired pizza and pastrami-cured salmon bagel caught my eye, I stuck with a green juice and Caesar salad. Next time, I’m all in on the strawberry cheesecake waffle!
Afternoon: Walk in the Footsteps of Old Hollywood
Crate Digging at Amoeba Music
Most of the shopping on Hollywood Boulevard consists of cheesy souvenirs, but there are a few exceptions. Amoeba Music (6200 Hollywood Blvd.) is a 23,000-square-foot mecca for music lovers. Originally founded in Berkeley in 1990, Amoeba has been selling vinyl, CDs, movies, posters, books, and more in LA since 2001. Leave some extra room in your suitcase for the treasures you’ll find at Amoeba!
Pro-tip: Famous musicians often visit Amoeba for live shows and signings. Check out Amoeba’s event calendar to plan your visit.
While you’re busy looking down at the stars on the sidewalk, don’t miss Larry Edmunds Bookshop (6644 Hollywood Blvd.). The bookstore has been serving LA since 1939, including famous customers like William Faulkner, Debbie Reynolds, and Anjelica Houston. If you’re a cinephile, you’ll love this store crammed with thousands of movie posters, photographs, scrips, and books about film.
While you’re out and about, don’t miss a view of the Capitol Records Building (1750 Vine St.). Completed in 1956, the 13-story building designed by Welton Becket was the first circular office building. Supposedly, the tower’s resemblance to a stack of records is just a coincidence.
Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre
You can’t miss the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, because it’s right beneath your feet! Since 1960, the attraction has honored more than 2,700 stars of film, television, theater, music, and radio. It’s one of the most popular things to see in Hollywood. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is located on Hollywood Boulevard between North Gower Street and North LaBrea Avenue and on Vine Street from Yucca Street to Sunset Boulevard. Admiring the stars and seeing how many names you recognize is a fun, free attraction. If you’re looking for a specific star, the Walk of Fame’s online database will point you in the right direction.
Pro-tip: Did you know that you can attend a Walk of Fame ceremony? The ceremonies are free and open to the public. Check the schedule of upcoming Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies.
One of the few places where you can really walk in the footsteps of Hollywood stars is the TCL Chinese Theatre (6925 Hollywood Blvd.). You might know it better as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, which opened in 1927. TCL purchased the naming rights in 2013. The exterior is striking enough, with an entrance resembling a Chinese pagoda and featuring a 30-foot-tall dragon carving. You can take a tour of the theater, which has hosted many Hollywood premieres and a few Academy Awards, or even see a movie. TCL Chinese Theatre’s biggest draw is the Forecourt of the Stars featuring where around 200 celebrity handprints, footprints, and autographs are enshrined in cement blocks. From Marilyn Monroe to Robin Williams, I found it charming to step into the footsteps of the stars who have spent so much time on our screens. It was incredible to imagine Marion Davies signing her autograph in the cement on that spot way back in 1929. The Forecourt of the Stars is free to visit, although you’ll have to dodge some street performers on the sidewalk.
Tour the Hollywood Forever Cemetery or Paramount Studios
One way to spend time with your favorite celebrities is to visit their final resting place. Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6000 Santa Monica Blvd.) is where you can pay tribute to stars like Judy Garland, Johnny Ramone, Mel Blanc, and Rudolph Valentino. As we cemetery lovers know, it’s also a peaceful place to spend some time outdoors in its 50 acres walking around the pond and admiring the peacocks (yes, peacocks) who roam the grounds. Hollywood Forever Cemetery even hosts occasional concerts and film screenings! Check out upcoming events programmed by Cinespia.
If you’d rather spend your time with living actors, sign up for a studio tour. These days, Paramount is the only major studio still located in Hollywood. If you want to see how the magic is made, you can take a Paramount Studio tour (5555 Melrose Ave.). The standard Paramount studio tour costs $65 and lasts two hours. You’ll visit the tour center, prop warehouse, soundstages, and be transported to NYC at the New York Backlot.
During a recent visit to Los Angeles,I was lucky to be invited to a film premiere at Paramount Studios! We sipped cocktails in front of Paramount’s iconic Bronson Gate and watched the film stars walk the black carpet (it was a horror film). Then, we headed into the Paramount Theatre to hear the film’s director speak and watch the movie. The theater was renovated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Dolby audio system was impressive. If you ever have a chance to attend a premiere at Paramount Studios don’t miss it!
Evening: Dinner and a Show
Dinner at Musso & Frank Grill
I’m always going to opt for a classic, old-school restaurant, and in Hollywood that is Musso & Frank Grill (6667 Hollywood Blvd.). As soon as you enter, the wood-paneled walls lined with murals and red leather booths transport you back in time. Musso & Frank has been serving Hollywood since 1919, making it one of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles. Once you take your seat, you’ll be joining the ranks of legends like Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, and Raymond Chandler who were all regulars at Musso’s. The restaurant has even made a cameo in films like Ocean’s Eleven and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Musso’s claims to have originated Fettuccine Alfredo in the United States after Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford brought the recipe back from their honeymoon in Italy. Our server recommended ordering a steak cooked on the 50-year-old grill, and my filet was perfect. I paired it with a martini, which is served with a sidecar in a decanter on ice. If you want to dine at Musso & Frank, I’d recommend making a reservation as the popular spot gets packed. I have a feeling that visiting Musso & Frank just became my new LA tradition.
If you’re looking for a quick meal in Hollywood, I’d recommend Kino Sushi (6721 Hollywood Blvd.). I popped in on a whim and was delighted by the quality of the sushi. In addition to sushi, they serve ramen, teriyaki, soup, and rice dishes.
See a Show at an Iconic Venue
In a town built on showbiz, there’s no shortage of options for a fun night out. I saw a concert at the Hollywood Palladium (6215 Sunset Blvd.) and was slightly distracted by the lovely Streamline Moderne ballroom. It turns out that the Palladium opened in 1940 with none other than Frank Sinatra with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra as the headliner.
At the north end of Hollywood is the legendary Hollywood Bowl (2301 N. Highland Ave.). The venue hosts the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the summer and has seen everyone from the Beatles to Jay-Z take its stage. If you don’t have a ticket, you can still enjoy the Hollywood Bowl for free. During the day, it’s a public park where folks gather to admire the grounds and have a picnic.
If you’re more of a musical fan, grab a ticket to the Pantages Theatre (6233 Hollywood Blvd.). The grand, Art Deco building designed by B. Marcus Priteca was the last movie palace built in Hollywood. It opened in 1930 hosting vaudeville shows and films. Today, it’s the home of Broadway in Hollywood hosting shows like Hamilton and Wicked.
Cocktail at the Hollywood Roosevelt
Where better to end an epic day in Hollywood than at the Hollywood Roosevelt (7000 Hollywood Blvd.)? Built in 1927, the hotel hosted the first Academy Awards and was Marilyn Monroe’s home for two years. Grab a nightcap at the bar in the Lobby, then sit back and admire the recently renovated Spanish Colonial Revival design. For something more exclusive, slip into the Library Bar, a speakeasy located in the lobby (open Thursday-Sunday). If you want to see and be seen, take the elevator to the sixth floor Tropicana Bar and enjoy a drink by the 1960’s pool. You might see one of the hotel’s famous ghosts, or you might have had one too many drinks.
Where to Stay in Hollywood
If you plan to stay in the neighborhood during your vacation in Hollywood, you’ll benefit from its central location. It’s just west of charming Los Feliz, south of the Hollywood Hills, and east of trendy West Hollywood (aka WeHo). Cars are king in LA, and Hollywood is conveniently located on the 101 freeway. If you’re a fan of public transit, as I am, you can get to Hollywood via several B Line Metro stops..
Hotels and Rentals in Hollywood
If you want to research hotels and vacation rentals for your Los Angeles weekend itinerary, this map can help you compare the available options. It’s set to show hotels and rentals in Hollywood, but you can view any neighborhood where you’d like to stay.
Budget Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Los Angeles/Hollywood – This is an affordable and convenient option in Hollywood. I stayed here for several days and loved the location on the north end of Hollywood. I was able to valet my rental car and walk everywhere I wanted to visit in the neighborhood.
Mid-range Hotel
Mama Shelter Los Angeles – This boutique hotel features a colorful design sensibility at an approachable price point. Take advantage of the rooftop bar, restaurants, and social spaces.
High-end Hotels
Kimpton Everly – With bright, spacious public spaces and a design-forward atmosphere, the
Kimpton Everly is a breezy option in what can be a hectic Hollywood. For views of the Hollywood Sign, request a room that faces north.
The Hollywood Roosevelt – If you want to live as Marilyn Monroe did, soak in the Old Hollywood glamor at the Hollywood Roosevelt. It’s located steps from the TCL Theatre and Walk of Fame, but who needs to go out with several bar and dining options in the hotel.
Lowe’s Hollywood Hotel – This hotel offers the convenience of being around the corner from the Chinese Theatre and connected to the Ovation shopping center. But when you want to get away from the crowds, escape to the rooftop pool for a swim or a drink.
I hope that you enjoyed my tips for spending a day in Hollywood! Are there any Hollywood destinations that you recommend?
Sources
- “The Capitol Records Building.” Discover Los Angeles.
- “History of Musso and Frank Grill.” Musso and Frank Grill.
- “Hollywood Palladium History.” Hollywood Palladium, Live Nation Worldwide, Inc.
- “Hollywood Walk of Fame.” Visit California.
- “Hollywood.” Encyclopædia Britannica.
- “Our History.” Larry Edmunds Bookshop.
- “Pantages Theatre.” LA Conservancy.
- “TCL Chinese Theatre.” Visit California.
- Westhoff, Clara. “The Hollywood Sign: Everything You Need to Know about LA’s Iconic Landmark.” Architectural Digest, Condé Nast.
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Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
