Long stay in Hollywood

[pigby]

We are staying for 10 nights at the Loews Hollywood hotel - what were your experiencs of the hotel, if you have stayed there (used to be the Renaissance but Loews have bought it and make a lot of positive changes).

We are big fans of Loews - having stayed at all 3 Orlando hotels so hoping this is as good.

What attractions did you enjoy most in Hollywood and surrounding area? We have bought 7 day Go Los Angeles cards to do lots of sightseeing.

 

[sheetz]

Hope you'll have access to a car. In the Hollywood area the El Capitan Theatre is a nice theater owned by Disney so it plays Disney films. Just before the film starts there's usually a short live stage production featuring Disney performers.

Graumann's Chinese Theater, famous for the footprints in the sidewalk, is right across the street. Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is also at that location, and Universal Studios is a short drive or subway ride away.

Other attractions included with the Go LA card I'd recommend:

WB Studio Tour
Aquarium of the Pacific
Autry National Center
Petersen Automotive Museum
Huntington Library
Whale Watching Cruise

Depending on your particular interests I might recommend a few others. Many of LA's attractions are located in clusters around the area, so it's a good idea to plan your itinerary based on which neighborhoods you will be in.

I've never stayed at the Loews so can't really help there but I've heard lots of good things about it.

 

[pigby]

We won't be hiring a car (wouldnt drive around a city in the UK, never mind US) - planned to go to attractions around Hollywood bvd, Red Line Metro to Universal and open top hop off hop off bus tours for round town to Rodeo Drive etc.

WB Studios is a must do - it it easier to get to using public transport

 

[sheetz]

OK, then. It looks like the Hop On Hop Off buses pass by a long list of attractions so you won't suffer from a lack of things to do.

If you have time you might also consider visiting Venice Beach and the California Science Center (new home of the Space Shuttle Endeavor). Long Beach can be easily reached by train and you can combine trips to the Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, and a harbor cruise to make a nice day trip.

Have fun!

 

[packedforadventure]

I also wanted to chime in with the WB Tour. It's just to cool and everyone who has visited me in CA, has really loved it.

If you want to do something utterly cheesy (it's not at all well done, but it's so bad that it will make you laugh) do the Hollywood Wax Museum. The figures look nothing like the celebrities and it's hilarious. My boyfriend and I did all of the Hollywood museums last summer and just cracked up.

Depending on when you go, check out LA Live Steamers in Griffith Park. On a certain sunday of the month, they have Walt's Carolwood Bard open for tours. loads of Disney History and cool thing to see.

other LA musts - The Getty, museum row (the la county museum of art, Pettersen automotive museum, et..), the huntington gardens

If you poke around there are a lot of companies that offer tours of downtown la, including food tours.

oh my goodness, I almost forgot an awesome Hollywood specific tour. it's a walking tour of the hollywood hills, the hidden stairs. I did it with my boyfriend last spring and it was fantastic. I think the company is called LA Active Adventures. It was really great and a good value, lots of local history.

I hope that you have a great vacation!

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