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Hollywood is the center of the film and television industry in the United States. It’s known for iconic Hollywood sign, the Walk of Fame, and film studios such as Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, and Warner Brothers. Hollywood is a captivating district with its rich culture, scintillating history, and star-studded boulevards. You can visit this city at almost any time of year. The Mediterranean climate provides an abundance of sunshine and relatively warm temperatures year-round. So what are you waiting for? Embrace your inner diva and start planning your trip to Hollywood.
When you stroll down Hollywood Boulevard, you are walking in the same footsteps as the world’s most famous stars. It is one of the best things to do in LA, hands down. This iconic boulevard is home to a plethora of Hollywood museums, landmarks, and other Hollywood attractions including Capital Records Tower, Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, El Capitan Theatre, Roosevelt Hotel, Walk of Fame, Hollywood Wax Museum, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, and so much more.
The Dolby Theatre has been the host of the annual Academy Awards ceremony for almost 20 years. It was designed especially with the Oscar ceremonies in mind. The theatre has also hosted a range of prestigious artists, American Idol finals, Emmy Awards, ESPY Awards, BET Awards, America’s Got Talent, Victoria Secret Fashion Shows, and many more. You can take a tour of the beautiful Dolby Theatre by purchasing tickets online or at their box office. Be sure to plan at least a couple of weeks in advance as tickets can be very popular.
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is a movie palace on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was built in 1926 and has since been the home of many premieres, including the 1977 launch of Star Wars. There are nearly 200 Hollywood celebrity handprints, footprints, and autographs in the concrete of the theatre’s forecourt. You can place your hands and feet in the exact spots of your favorite celebrities.
The El Capitan Theatre is owned by the Walt Disney Company. If you are a Disney fan, then visiting this theatre is an absolute must-see. This theatre has served as the venue for a majority of Walt Disney Studios’ film premieres. It is still an active movie theatre and you can buy tickets to watch a Disney movie. If that’s not enough, there are also movie-themed exhibits and terrific pre-show entertainment. This is one of the perfect things to do in Los Angeles with kids.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the quintessential things to do in Los Angeles. Construction of the walk began in 1958 and the first star was installed in 1960. Joanne Woodward is often credited with the first star, although it was a continuous project with no individual ceremonies. Today, there are more than 2,600 stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street (total length is 1.3 miles). Take an afternoon and go exploring down this historic path. You will come across actors and actresses that made huge contributions to the Hollywood film industry. One such woman is Delores Del Rio, a Mexican actress from the 1920s and 1930s. She was the first major female Latin American crossover star in Hollywood and paved the way for all the Latin American actors after her. Visit Delores Del Rio's Walk of Fame star at 1630 Vine Street.
Behind the Hollywood sign is a fun and unique view of Los Angeles. There are multiple routes to hike up to the Hollywood sign. A popular hike is from Innsdale Drive, which is about 4.6 miles round trip. If you take this route, you will have great head-on views of the Hollywood Sign as you hike up. If you want a longer hike, then take the Brush Canyon Trail, which is about 6.4 miles round trip. This trail has ample parking and you can add a side trip to Bronson Cave (aka the Batcave). This is one of my favorite things to do in Hollywood because it is such a unique vantage point of the city.
The Los Angeles area is known for its incredible food scene. Fine dining is truly top-notch here as the city is home to 24 coveted Michelin stars. Expect unique flavors, creative twists, and innovative techniques when you dine at one of the Michelin-ranked restaurants. But if paying over $100 per meal isn't quite your style, then don't worry because LA still has lots of cool eateries and delicious international cuisine to choose from. Go check out EatDrinkLA's best tacos in LA (for under $4) because is there anything tastier than cochinita pibil tacos with a homemade corn tortilla?
If you want to see these famous landmarks and learn about their legendary origins, then you have to take a Hollywood Hidden Gems Tour with Los Angeles Urban Adventures. Their guides will take you to all of these iconic spots and so much more. They will share mischievous gossip, show you the hidden corners of Hollywood Boulevard, and take you off the beaten path to local Hollywood hotspots. LA Urban Adventures also has a Cocktail Tour so you can explore Hollywood Boulevard while fueling up at local bars, speakeasies, and mobster hangouts. They will take you to the bars frequented by Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and Earnest Hemingway. I really can’t recommend these tours enough!
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We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest.