Hollywood
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Although Hollywood has become known worldwide, it is no longer an independent township as it has formed part of Los Angeles since 1910. It lies about 8mi/13km northwest of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, the so-called Hollywood Hills. Purchased more than 100 years ago (1887) by the Kansas real-estate broker Harvey Wilcox as cheap waste and arable land, Hollywood was named after the ranch of the same name and the holly trees which were to be found there in abundance at the time.
Hollywood Map
Related Attractions
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Sunset Strip
Located in West Hollywood, the famous Sunset Strip is a portion of Sunset Boulevard. This area, between Hollywood and the high end neighborhoods of Beverly Hills is very eclectic with restaurants, retail, and entertainment venues along side huge billboards. At night the street comes to life with neon signs and throngs of people walking the streets or cruising the strip. It is not the glitzy high end street it once was historically, but it still has plenty of character.The Sunset Strip is still a place to see and be seen; where famous people sometimes hang out and those waiting to be discovered congregate. Some Hollywood celebrities do live in the area. If you are planning on visiting you may want to simply walk the strip and have a look around, do some shopping, and / or have a meal. Of course the busy and exciting time, with the best chance to see celebrities is in the evening.
8000 Sunset Boulevard
The shopping mall at 8000 Sunset Boulevard has theaters, music and bookstores.
Hollywood Sign
The famous hillside Hollywood Sign, is perhaps the most iconic site in Hollywood. The first sign, built with a much different intention than the one that exists today, was conceived in the 1920s. The original sign read Hollywoodland, advertising a new residential development. It was never intended to be a permanent sign and was not built to last throughout the decades. Eventually the sign was changed to simply Hollywood and became a recognized symbol of the city.After various changes, problems, and deterioration of the sign, celebrities like Gene Autry, Alice Cooper and a few others contributed money in the 1970s to replace to deteriorating sign. A new Hollywood Sign was erected in 1978. This time it was built to withstand the elements. A permanent emblem of Hollywood.You don't need to drive far to see the sign, you can see it from all over during the day. Many people have the impression that the sign is lit up at night but it is not, and given its location high on the hillside you will not be able to see it at all after dark.
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is an outdoor concert area set in a natural amphitheatre. The area can hold up to 30,000 people, although this includes standing area as well. There is seating for approximately 20,000 people. The history of the Hollywood Bowl dates back to the 1920s and has attracted top performers over the years.Today the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra performs here throughout the summer months with its "Symphonies Under the Stars". There are also special evenings with the Hollywood Bowl's tradition of fireworks. A quick look at the calendar of events will show all kinds of performances take place here, from jazz and classical, to country and pop. Taking in a concert here can be a great way to spend a summer evening.The church service at sunrise on Easter Sunday is a long-standing tradition.
Edmund D Edelman Hollywood Bowl Museum
In the grounds of the Hollywood Bowl, near the Patio Restaurant, you will find the Hollywood Bowl Museum, which houses photographs and other exhibits relating to the history of the Bowl and its concerts, and where you can listen in small rooms to tape-recordings of some historic concerts.
Hollywood Heritage Museum (formerly Hollywood Studio Museum)
The Hollywood Studio Museum is known as the Barn and features displays from the films of Cecil B DeMille including the famous chariot from Ben Hur. The main large exhibit room contains artifacts from early days of silent film-making: antique cameras (including one belonging to Charlie Chaplin), tripods, projectors, film editing tables, costumes, make-up kits, and props. One corner of the Barn contains a reproduction of Cecil B. DeMille's private office, complete with his original old desk, period telephone and typewriter. You can also see Demille's glasses, shoes, riding gloves and crop on display.
Capitol Records Building
The unique Capitol Records Building is a circular shaped multi story building. It was built in 1956, designed by Welton Becket, who intended it to look like a stack of vinyl records sitting on a turntable complete with a stylus on top. Although, the younger generation of music fans may not recognize what is now an obsolete piece of equipment. The building is a bit of an icon in Hollywood and can be appreciated with a simple drive by.A 1972 mural by local artist Richard Wyatt pays tribute to the artists and clubs that made Hollywood a center for innovative jazz.
Madame Tussauds Hollywood (Wax Museum)
Madame Tussauds Hollywood is the wax museum of the Hollywood Stars. The Hollywood location is one of the newest additions to this world chain of wax museums. It is located on Hollywood Boulevard near Grauman's Chinese Theatre, making it an easy destination to visit if you are already in the area. Since opening the museum has received mixed reviews. Some of the figures on display include Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lopez, Clark Gable, Audrey Hepburn, Hugh Jackman's character Wolverine, Lady Gaga, and many more.
Frederick's of Hollywood Lingerie Museum (closed)
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.Frederick's of Hollywood Lingerie Museum is located in a colorful Art Deco building. The museum features women's evening wear produced by the fashion house all the way back to 1946. It is intended to trace the history of the bra and lingerie fashions over the years.For celebrity watchers the museum dishes up undergarments from the likes of Cher, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Madonna and the ever-popular Milton Berle.
Freeman House
The Freeman House is a textile-block house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and owned by the University of Southern California since 1986. Many of the original furnishings were designed by R.M. Schindler. The 1994 Northridge earthquake and the departure of its resident curator forced USC to suspend tours in late 1997. At present, the house is in dire need of renovation, and it is hoped that USC will soon figure out what to do with this property.
Gallery 825 and Los Angeles Art Association
Gallery 825 and Los Angeles Art Association features the work of southern California artists. There are four individual gallery spaces - the largest gallery, the North Gallery, hosts group shows juried by members of the arts community, gallery owners, curators and art critics, while the smaller galleries, South, Center and Wurdemann, feature solo artist exhibitions.
Starline Tours
Starline Tours has been offering sightseeing tours since 1935. Major attractions include Universal Studios, Disneyland, J.Paul Getty Museum, Knotts Berry Farm, San Diego Zoo, Legoland, and Sea World. Tours of famous places in Los Angeles: Beverly Hills and Bel-Air, Rodeo Drive, and Sunset Strip as well as the mansions of famous celebrities are also available.
Wattles Mansion
The Wattles Mansion is a residence built in 1907 by Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey, architects of the Huntington Art Gallery and the Pasadena Library, as the winter home of a banker. The mansion is often used for shooting films such as "Rain Man", but can be seen by the public by appointment. The rose garden is filled with pre-1920 vintage roses.
Wattles Farm and Neighborhood Gardens
The Wattles family commissioned the design of their mansion in 1907 by noted architects Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey. The grounds of this Mission Revival home include a Japanese Garden, an Italian Rose Garden, a Formal Spanish Garden, Palm Court, and orchards, as well as exotic plants from around the world. The Wattles Mansion and Gardens soon became one of Hollywood's first tourist attractions.
MAK Center for Art & Architecture at R.M. Schindler House
Schindler House at 835 North Kings Road in West Hollywood was built by Rudolf M. Schindler in 1922 and reflects the influence of his mentor Frank Lloyd Wright. The house was designed for two couples with a shared kitchen and an apartment for guests.
Comedysportz
Comedysportz is competitive team improvisational comedy suitable for the whole family. The show has been running for 20 years making it the longest running show in Los Angeles.
Hollywood Entertainment Museum
The Hollywood Entertainment Museum is dedicated to the celebration of the history of Hollywood and the entertainment arts. There are displays of film, radio and sound recording.Highlights include sets and memorabilia from Star Trek and Cheers.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery (formerly Hollywood Memorial Park)
Anyone who is interested in dead celebrities will find their remains in Hollywood Forever. Visitors will find the graves of Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks Sr and Rudolph Valentino to name a few.
Hollywood History Museum (formerly Max Factor Museum of Beauty)
The Hollywood History Museum is housed in the historic Max Factor Building. The building has been restored to its original Art Deco splendor. Over 5,000 displays are found on four floors.
John Storer House
The John Storer House in Hollywood was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1924. It is made of concrete blocks, in a manner that Wright hoped would catch on and become a new American style of architecture.
Pantages Theater
The Pantages Theater in Hollywood is a grand theater built in 1929 and renovated 2000. The Pantages is still used for live theatrical productions and filming location for movies.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium
Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium in Hollywood has over 300 items collected from around the world. The first "Odditorium" was held at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933 and attracted over 2 million people.
Roosevelt Hotel
The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood opened in 1927 and was renovated in 2005. Numerous famous people have stayed at the Roosevelt including Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and Marilyn Monroe.
American Cinematheque
American Cinematheque presents weekly screenings at the refurbished Egyptian Theater, a city landmark.
Canter's Deli
Canter's Deli in Hollywood is open 24 hours and is a favorite hangout in the early hours.
El Capitan Theater
The El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood was built in 1926 and is used as a cinema today where many of the Disney Company films open.
Guinness World of Records Museum
The Guinness World of Records Museum in Hollywood celebrates the biggest and best of everything.
Hollywood Museum
Housed in the historic Max Factor Building, the Hollywood Museum displays over 5,000 exhibits that relate to the motion picture industry.
L'Orangerie (closed)
Attraction is closed.L'Orangerie in West Hollywood serves classic French cuisine. Prices are expensive.
Paramount Pictures Studios
Paramount Studios is the only major studio still located in Hollywood. Tours are no longer available.
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