Hollywood Touring Help

[gboiler1]

I am looking for tips and suggestions on the best ways to visit Hollywood. We were last in SoCal and Hollywood in 2000, so it's been awhile. We are checking out the websites and aren't sure what's worth our time and money. We have looked at both Red Line and Starline Tours web sites and contemplated the walking tour, Hollywood tours, stars homes tours, etc. We have also thought about the Starline tour where you get off and on at their specific stops and spend as much or little time as you want.

At this time, these are what we have some interest in but don't know how much time and money to put into them.

The theaters...Chinese, Kodak, etc. We are thinking about seeing a Disney movie at the El Captian.

Tours...Hollywood, Star Homes, etc.

Farmer's Market

We are already spending 4 nights at DL and plan on visiting Universal.

Finally, we are me, my wife and our 9 year old daughter.

Help us make some smart decisions!

 

[tink too]

I would like some assistance with this too. It's me, DH and DD6.

We won't be driving, and we would like to see the Chinese Theater, Walk of Fame, El Capitan (maybe even catch a movie there), and anything else in that area that you might suggest and/or recommend as being suitable for a first visit to Hollywood.

However, we aren't too bothered about bus tours to see stars homes.

Any and all tips and suggestions are appreciated.

 

[cindy2939]

Bumping this up because I am looking for the same info?? Anyone with Hollywood touring help?

 

[disneydreamertoo]

Anyone willing to share? I'm also interested in some touring help on how to do "Hollywood".

 

[LauraAnn630]

We are doing the same thing.

Ive been reading theres a mall called
Hollywood & Highland Mall at Highland and Orange Ave.
You can see the huge Hollywood sign for there.
Is this a good idea? Where else can you see the Hollywood sign?

Its not far from Manns.

I guess everything is pretty close together. I hope we are not lost driving around waisting time!

We are going June 27.

 

[Another Voice]

Most of what you mentioned is actually all on one corner - Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. Both the Gruman's Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theater are part of the Hollywood & Highland shopping complex. Directly across the street is Disney's El Capitan Theater. The complex also includes a Metrorail Station - it's just one stop to Universal Studios. The complex is framed so you also get a look at the Hollywood sign. Nearby is the Hollywood Bowl and the Pantages Theater. The Arclight Cinemas - currently L.A.'s best theater complex, is just to the southwest. If you're a big movie fan, check to see if the American Film Institure is holding an event during your stay. I could be your chance to talk to a big time star.

There actually isn't all that much to see in Hollywood. In a town of illusion there are just a few real sights. Also be ware that Hollywood and Highland have a growing trouble with "fake characters" - people dressed up like famous movie personalities. They stand out front and pose for pictures - and they expect money in exchange for their "services". The courts have ruled that there's nothing that can be done to stop them (freedom of speech), and they seem to be increasingly hostile to people that don't pay up. Every now and them the local news will broadcast the latest schuffle - Chewbacca being arrested on outstanding warrants, Batman and Spider-man fighting over prime begging locations.

Universal Studios is about 80% theme park and about 20% real movie backlot. But you will see a lot of backlots that you recognize from television and movies (even if some of them have been recreated). For a real and in-depth Hollywood studio tour, try Warner Brothers (they're over the hill in Burbank about 5 miles and a mindset away).

The Farmer's Market and The Grove complex are west of Hollywood and significantly more upscale. The market has lots of great food stands, the Grove is a collection of upscale shops (including the American Girl). Beverly Hills is...well, it's Beverly Hills. Lots of snooty shops and homes with huge ivy covered fences. And yes, you really can see stars in the wild in this location although now that Britney's free again I suggest caution when crossing the street.

The real secret in touring "Hollywood" is to figure out what you really want to see before hand. If it's moviemaking - try a Studio Tour. If it's glamour and excitment - watch a couple episdoes of 'Entourage' and note down the names of the restaurants. If it's just to say you've been to Hollywood, find a good bus tour from Anaheim and spend a day just being driven around and let someone else hassle with the traffic.

 

[tink too]

Wow - thanks for all the great advice, Another Voice!

We just want to say we've been to Hollywood and have seen the most famous sights! We may try to catch a movie and I would like to have a sundae at Disney's Soda Shop (I know, but it's Disney and I'll be sooo close - I couldn't possibly just not go in!)

It's good to know that there is a Metrorail station right there - I'm sure this will work out cheaper for us (me, DH and DD6) than taking a cab.

 

[LauraAnn630]

THANKS! That helps a lot.