Locations from which to view and photograph the Hollywood Sign, with a focus on areas of interest to tourists who have limited transportation options. You can take a shuttle to some view points, or go on a guided tour that includes a view of the sign from an overlook of the city on Mulholland Drive. If you don't want to spend the time to get near the Hollywood Sign, you can download a close-up photo of it for free.
Hollywood Sign Official Website - The sign's official website, produced by the Hollywood Sign Trust and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. There is a photo history of the sign, including facts and a timeline. You can also find trivia, plus news and upcoming events. There's a live webcam running 24/7, although obviously the sign is only visible in the daytime.
Attractions on Hollywood Boulevard - The "heart" of Hollywood is at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Avenue. There you will find most of the most famous Hollywood tourist attractions such as hand/footprints in the cement courtyard of the Chinese Theatre, the Kodak Theatre, Hollywood and Highland entertainment complex, Madame Tussaud's and more. A short walk away are more of the familiar attractions, such as the Hollywood Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe it or Not.
Academy Gallery & Grand Lobby Gallery - The Academy's Grand Lobby Gallery and Fourth Floor Gallery offer free exhibitions that are related to the film industry, and are open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. Both galleries (as well as the Samuel Goldwyn Theater) are located at the Academy Headquarters in Beverly Hills. The Linwood Dunn Theater is at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood (at Fountain Avenue, a half mile south of Hollywood and Vine Metro station). The Samuel Goldwyn and Linwood Dunn theaters offer exhibitions on scheduled dates, which you can find on the calendar at the Academy's website.
Celebrity Driveways - Photographs of driveways of the rich and famous.
- Some of the most popular guided tours are the tours or movie star homes. Starline Tours of Hollywood offers a two-hour Movie Stars Homes Tour that takes you by current homes of top stars like Jennifer Aniston, Tom Cruise and Dr. Phil, as well as former homes of super stars like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. The tour includes a drive past other hangouts of the rich-and-famous, such as Rodeo Drive, Bel Air, Beverly Hills and the Sunset Strip. LA City City Tours offers a two-hour tour that includes a stunning view of the city, the Hollywood Bowl and the Hollywood Sign from atop Mulholland Drive! See the stars' homes and then look down on the city below! You will also see Bel Air and the Sunset Strip. You might not actually see a celebrity, but imagine the thrill of seeing their neighborhoods, the streets that they drive on and the house that they call home. These tours are far better than buying a worthless "map of the movie star homes" and driving around in a rented car looking for those locations. Those maps can be quite outdated. Instead, take a Movie Stars Homes Tour driven by a professional who already knows where to go. They'll give you the scoop on the REAL homes of the stars.
- Starline Tours: Movie Stars Homes Tour - (2 hours) - Current and past homes of movie stars and celebrities; Sunset Strip; Rodeo Drive; Beverly Hills, & Bel Air.
- LA City Tours: Movie Stars Homes - (2 hours) - More than 45 current and past homes of movie stars and celebrities; Sunset Strip; Bel Air; Mulholland Drive; Overlook the Hollywood Bowl, the city and the Hollywood Sign.
- LA City Tours: Hollywood & Movie Stars Homes - (3 hours) - Same tour as Movie Stars Homes, including current and past homes of movie stars and celebrities; Sunset Strip; Bel Air; Mulholland Drive; Overlook the Hollywood Bowl, the city and the Hollywood Sign. In addition, you will see Rodeo Drive, more of Hollywood, filming locations and more.
- From Anaheim: GrayLine Tours Movie Stars Homes and 1/2 Day Shopping Tour - (10 hours)A fully narrated two-hour tour that includes views of mansions in Beverly Hills and Bel-Air, high-end shops at Rodeo Drive, clubs on the Sunset Strip, the Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Sign from Hollywood Boulevard. Next, you will be taken to the Citadel factory outlet center, a large outdoor mall where you can find deals on name-brand clothes, shoes, books and other items. This tour is only offered on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Celebrity Home Addresses - Addresses for homes of famous celebrities who live in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, Brentwood, Malibu. This appears to be a list that is similar to what you will find if you purchase a map of movie stars homes.
Celebrity Home Guide - Seeing Stars' comprehensive guide to the stars' homes.
- See Hollywood Boulevard Attractions Links below.
- See Universal CityWalk below.
Guided Tours of Los Angeles and Hollywood - The easiest way to see L.A.'s best attractions is to let a pro show you around. Here are a variety of guided tours of Los Angeles, from the time-tested Grand Tour to the brand-new helicopter tours. See beaches, movie star homes, downtown and all of the attractions through the eyes of an expert! This is a great way to explore our great city, even if you've been here before.
Haunted Hollywood - Stories, websites, books, a DVD and a professional guided tour that describe Hollywood hauntings and ghost stories, as well as gravesite locations.
Hollywood Boulevard Attractions - The "heart" of Hollywood is at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Avenue. There you will find most of the most famous Hollywood tourist attractions such as hand/footprints in the cement courtyard of the Chinese Theatre, the Kodak Theatre, Hollywood and Highland entertainment complex, Madame Tussaud's and more. A short walk away are more of the familiar attractions, such as the Hollywood Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe it or Not.
Hollywood Bowl - The Hollywood Bowl is L.A.'s premier location for thrilling summer evenings of extraordinary music, dance, and film, fine dining under the stars, and, of course, spectacular fireworks! Calendar of Events, Online Store, Bowl info.
Hollywood Bowl Museum - features history, photos, posters, videos, and rock memorabilia from events at the Hollywood Bowl.
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - Demographic data, visitor information, Hollywood Sign history, and Walk of Fame history.
Hollywood Christmas Parade - The very first parade, in 1928, consisted of only one actress, Jeanette Loff, and Santa Claus. Today, the holiday season is kicked off with a star-studded extravaganza with nearly 100 celebrities offering their holiday cheer to the people of Southern California and the World.
Hollywood Farmers Market - Sunday, 8 AM to 1 PM, Ivar Avenue and Selma Avenue (between Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd). Fresh fruit and produce as well as baked goods and prepared foods. Also features street musicians, community organizations and free events (such as cooking demos, cookbook autographs, kids workshops, and family-oriented festivals).
Hollywood Forever Cemetery - Founded in 1899, it is the resting place of hundreds of Hollywood's greatest stars. Recently refurbished to its original splendor, the cemetery attracts visitors from all over the world. On Saturday evenings during the summer, Cinespia shows classic films at the cemetery.
- See Haunted Hollywood above.
Hollywood Heritage Museum - (across from Hollywood Bowl) is dedicated to the early days of filmmaking in Hollywood. The Museum features archival photographs from the silent movie days of motion picture production, movie props, historic documents and other movie related memorabilia. Also featured are historic photos and postcards of the streets, buildings and residences of Hollywood during its heyday.
Hostels in Hollywood - There are hostels and shared-room hotels that are in the Hollywood Entertainment District or nearby. The list includes hostels in Santa Monica, Venice beach and other parts of Los Angeles. Obviously the rooms fill up pretty fast so if you are considering a hostel or shared-room hotel in Los Angeles then it is best to book your space far in advance.
Hollywood Landmarks - Whether or not you choose to take a guided tour, there are some definite must-sees on a visit to Hollywood. Some have been around for years while others have assumed a place in more recent history.
Hollywood's RockWalk at the Guitar (Opens 10AM) - An outdoor monument to some of rock music's most influential figures. Their handprints and memorabilia are on display in the large entryway of the Guitar Center store. This is not as large as the courtyard at the Chinese Theatre, but it's interesting in a similar way, especially if you are interested in music legends like AC/DC, Aerosmith, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Frank Zappa, Johnny Cash, KISS, The Ramones and almost 200 more. If you are a guitar aficionado, you'll probably enjoy looking around inside The Guitar Center, which holds an impressive array of guitars and musical instruments. There is also a Sam Ash music store across the street.