Need advice from L.A. locals on the logistics of a quick Hollywood sightseeing itinerary for a few hours

[laurajetter]

I apologize for the length... any help at all is appreciated...

I'm from Maryland and will be traveling to Los Angeles for a work event. This Friday, 3/28 (the morning after the event), I will be free to go home... it will probably be by 11am that I can leave the hotel. I purposely chose a later flight out of LAX (7:22pm), because I will be soooo close to Hollywood I wanted to at least see some kind of famous landmark or popular place of some sort. I won't have a rental car, so any travel I do will either be with Uber or on foot. Additionally, I will have a carry-on size suitcase with me as well as a computer bag (most likely backpack-style). I don't want to get involved in any kind of tour that might be too lengthy, just a few quick things to explore and take photos of.

Things I think I might be most interested in doing, in my preferred order (but I'm open to suggestions):

- Drop off my bags to some sort of temporary luggage storage
I only recently heard about this, places such as Bounce and Luggage Hero... If anyone has experience or advice using them (or maybe an alternative idea as to where to store my bags) please let me know. I don't know that I want to use my hotel's service because I will already have traveled away from that location and I don't necessarily want to take extra time to go back there after sightseeing... or I could be wrong and that might be the best bet.

- See and photograph the Hollywood sign
The hike sounds nice, but might take too long so I will probably just go to Griffith Observatory.

- Chinese Theatre
At first I thought I wanted to see the stars on the sidewalk, but then realized it might be more interesting to see where celebrities have put their hand and footprints in the cement in front of this theater.

- A bit of shopping/sightseeing
Maybe one touristy shop for small souvenirs, but mostly I was wondering if there were any interesting shops or boutiques unique to Hollywood Blvd. I see that Ovation Hollywood is nearby, but a bunch of mall shops don't really interest me... I'm looking for more of the experience of feeling like I'm doing something exclusive to Hollywood itself. Maybe there aren't many places like that there, I don't know. If there is anything nearby you could suggest that would be great.

Concerns: I'm not sure of how exactly to orchestrate everything, and I've never used Uber before... I'm surmising that perhaps I first find a luggage storage place within walking distance of the shopping area I will end up at, so I can walk straight over to retrieve them after shopping. Can Ubers wait for people to do things like drop off their luggage that if the person has another place to go, or do I have to just call another Uber to take me to the Observatory? I'll have to probably call Uber several times (from hotel to luggage storage, luggage storage to observatory, observatory to the Chinese Theatre, luggage storage to airport); I don't know if there is a better way to do it.

Also, what time should I call the Uber at my final location (probably not too far from the Chinese Theatre) to drop me off to LAX by about 5pm, taking into consideration waiting for the Uber, and any possible back ups or traffic issues along the way?

 

[sam_gordon]

Can't help you on anything else, but the hotel may store your bags for you. If so, I'd invest in some simple zipper locks. Wont stop a determined thief, but would be quickly obvious if broken into.

 

[laurajetter]

Can't help you on anything else, but the hotel may store your bags for you. If so, I'd invest in some simple zipper locks. Wont stop a determined thief, but would be quickly obvious if broken into.

At first I abandoned the idea of storing my bags at the hotel because I felt like it would be backtracking too much to go retrieve them. Now I'm thinking that it still might make sense instead of having the extra headache of making a separate trip to a luggage storage place, then yet another Uber to my first destination.

 

[sam_gordon]

Another thought, what about a one day car rental? Pick it up Thurs evening (uber to the rental place), drive it Thurs, return it at an airport location, then shuttle to LAX.

That also gives you a secure spot (trunk) to keep luggage while you sight see.

 

[MsChristy12]

I am not La La land local but been there enough times that I can give some suggestions.
You will be running smack down into Friday rush hour traffic on the way to the LAX. I am very conservative when it comes to timing to airports so it was me, I would like to be in the car by 345p at the latest if I wanna be there by 5, but 330 would be more ideal. It takes just under an hour from Hollywood to LAX with no traffic, so I'll definitely tag on extra 30 mins just in case. I have family and friends have both missed or almost missed their at LAX simply because of traffic. Sometimes it might not even be the freeway traffic but once you get into the LAX territory, it can be very congested.

Leaving your luggage with your hotel is probably the best option IMO. I would go to Griffith Observatory first then the Chinese theater and shopping. The shops on Hollywood Blvd are all about same same to me, very touristy souvenirs.

 

[LKing]

You might ask one of the moderators to move this to the California & the West forum.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I am local and think you may enjoy checking out The Farmer's Market on 3rd and Fairfax. Adjacent to the original shops and restaurants inside the Market is an upscale shopping area called The Grove. Just as an fyi this shopping area is outdoors. Have a safe and fun trip

 

[bcla]

I'm not a local, but I've done something similar before and as someone who isn't a local, I'd think my case would be closer to that of a visitor dealing with being in an unfamiliar area. I managed to do a few trips around 2022 and 2023 solely on public transportation. So now that's out of the way.....

It would be awesome at night, but Griffith Observatory is really good for the views, there's also a free museum. LA DOT's DASH bus goes up to the top. It's certainly touristy, but those parts of Hollywood Blvd are very accessible by the Metro Red Line as well as Metro buses. In addition to that, most public transportation has real time updates. Perhaps you won't want to wait, but it could save a ton on

I've literally had to be at LA Union Station or LAX by early evening and was able to get around and back on public transportation alone. Not bad for $5 a day (used to be $3.50). LAX is a little bit more difficult if you're coming in from Hollywood though, but Union Station is a snap.

 

[VandVsmama]

You should ask this here --> https://www.disboards.com/forums/california-the-west.131/

 

[laurajetter]

I am not La La land local but been there enough times that I can give some suggestions.
You will be running smack down into Friday rush hour traffic on the way to the LAX. I am very conservative when it comes to timing to airports so it was me, I would like to be in the car by 345p at the latest if I wanna be there by 5, but 330 would be more ideal. It takes just under an hour from Hollywood to LAX with no traffi, so I'll definitely tag on extra 30 mins just in case. I have family and friends have both missed or almost missed their at LAX simply because of traffic. Sometimes it might not even be the freeway traffic but once you get into the LAX territory, it can be ger very congested.

Leaving your luggage with your hotel is probably the best option IMO. I would go to Griffith Observatory first then the Chinese theater and shopping. The shops on Hollywood Blvd are all about same same to me, very touristy souvenirs.

I am conservative too, so in that case 3:00pm it is! Lol I don't mind tagging on an hour if it gives me peace of mind.

 

[MsChristy12]

I am conservative too, so in that case 3:00pm it is! Lol I don't mind tagging on an hour if it gives me peace of mind.

Never too early getting to LAX!

 

[NotUrsula]

If there is any chance of changing your flight to Burbank? That airport is right on top of Hollywood and you wouldn't have to deal with all the major freeway traffic when getting around. It's a small airport and very quick to get in and out of.

Also, DH & I recently took the Warner Brother's tour (the Classic Films version that goes back to Hollywood's golden age, 1930s to 1960s) It was excellent, and ran about 2 hours. Paramount also has a studio tour, but I'm not sure of the details on that one.

 

[LKing]

I will be soooo close to Hollywood

Did I miss it? Where is that you will be that is so close to Hollywood?