Sign in with Facebook"Los Angeles / Hollywood / Beverly Hills" Los Angeles by Odinnthor
Los Angeles Travel Guide: 4,336 reviews and 8,577 photos
I am frequently asked questions regarding what to see in Hollywood, and Beverly Hills, including tours of the stars homes, as - I personally did a number of those tours as a portion of the general L.A. tour, which was a part of the overall Californa tour. If you decide to do the Stars Homes tour in your own car, it is wise to stay in your car, as the general security in the area is high due to constant intrusions by a variery of fans. You can pick up a Stars Homes map, available all over Hollywood, including street corners, usually around the street entrances into the residential neighborhoods. Starline Tours still does the British double decker bus tour, (convertable top). if you are looking for that sort of thing, - which is an excellent choice if you are pressed for time. Their bus has made it into dozens of movies, including one of the Rush Hour movies with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. They are located right next to the Chinese Theatre, on Hollywood Blvd. - and they do a combination of Hollywood and Beverly Hills tour. You can't miss them. They have several tours each day. We are pretty blaze about those tours, but that is because we live here. For most however it is often a highlite.
We also take the ocean for granted, - for others it can be a lifelong dream, just to see it. Amazingly, none of the Los Angeles tours include the beach, so if you have a car, I highly recommend a trip to any of the many beaches to be enjoyed here, including Santa Monica Beach, Manhattan Beach, Laguna Beach and Venice Beach, which is a cultural phenomena all its own.
You may want to consider the ultra renovated Hollywood Wax Museum, where even Shiloh, (Brads & Angelina's baby), has a likeness. This is also located down the street on Hollywood Blvd. Go have lunch at Musso & Franks with its endless movie history, 6667 Hollywood Blvd, where you can relive the old Hollywood days. The Kodak Theatre Complex, the home of the Oscars, is also just down the street from the Chinese Theatre, and well worth a visit.
You may also consider visiting movie locations. (websites included) , and I believe there is a website that keeps up on actual present time filming locations, where, - if lucky, you can see actual filming. Just a thought. It is also possible to catch one of the frequent filmings that take place in the early morning in Downtown L.A. For instance, you may have seen how they destroyed Downtown in the film "Transformers."
A frequent highlite for visitors is a visit to one of the many sit-coms or talkshows filmed at one of the many T.V. studios in L.A. Tickets can be easily had on-line, or - if you make it to Farmers Market, there will be tickets for free there for all the L.A. location T.V. shows that require a live audience.
For the trendy shoppers there is Melrose Avenue, where the trendy shops and restaurants are, located just a few block below Hollywood Blvd, - and it runs paralel with it. Then of course, there is THE Rodeo Drive, with all the highend fashions. You are likely to see the TMZ TV show paparazzi hanging out there waiting to catch a video clip of the stars. TMZ by the way, stands for The Movie Zone, - a term coined back in the 30s and 40s, which included all the major studios in Hollywood.
Look below for all the web addresses for all the attractions mentioned here
Downtown L.A. was always just a business community, that was busy during the day and then fell quiet and empty at night. In the last ten years or so, that has changed dramatically. All the old and rundown neighborhoods that surrounded the business district have transformed, into a real and vibrant, urban environment with condos, lofts and trendy restaurants and bars. Living and working downtown has become a preferred lifestyle here in L.A. There are numerous choices for hotels in Downtown L.A., many luxury and business type hotels as well as 3 star and boutique hotels.
The fairly new Complex surrounding the home of the L.A. Lakers basketball team, is called "L.A. LIVE!", and is quite a combination of restaurants and bars, as well as shopping and sport related activities. Located on Olympic and Figueroa, it includes the trendy club, the Conga Room, owned by such stars as Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Smits, Paul Rodriguez, Sheila E, and will.I.am. of the Black Eyed Peas.
Another not to be missed attraction downtown is Olvera Street, a step into Old Mexico. Somewhat touristy but a lot of fun with many many stalls and restaurants, - located across from Union Station.
Also close by, are both Chinatown and Little Tokyo, each worthy of a visit as well.
For those looking for bargain shopping, there is the Garment District, located on Los Angeles Street and Santee Street, where all the famous designer fashions are available for a fraction of the price.
Look below for all the websites to the attractions mentioned.
The Kodak Theatre Complex on Hollywood and Highland
http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/
For movie locations:
www.movielocationsguide.com/...l
and
http://www.planitlocations.com/?
Musso & Franks Restaurant
http://www.mussoandfrankgrill.com/
Hollywood Wax Museum:
http://www.hollywoodwaxmuseum.com/hollywood/
Starline Tours:
http://www.starlinetours.com/los-angeles-tours.asp?gclid=CJyUwqTW4JwCFR4HagodZ17QwA
Santa Monica Pier:
http://www.santamonicapier.org/
Downtown walking tour:
http://college.usc.edu/geography/la_walking_tour/
L.A. LIVE! / Staples Center
http://www.lalive.com/content.php?section=about&page=vision
Olvera Street / Little Mexico
http://www.olvera-street.com/
The Los Angeles Garmet District
http://www.fashiondistrict.org/
Los Angeles Chinatown
http://www.chinatownla.com/
Little Tokyo Shopping Center
http://www.littletokyoshoppingcenter.com/
- Pros:Hollywood glamor! What else is there...??
- Cons:Parking in Hollywood can be difficult.
- In a nutshell:More than just palm trees and moviestars.....
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Comments (16)
More than happy you shared my comment on the Misc Forum. I always knew you were a rock and roller at heart!
I have been here for 2 nights in the past. Great tips Erik!
thanks for the vote of confidence! will send it to you when it's all done.
Erik, great page on Los Angeles! You are right that locals do not care for those tour buses. I saw the improvement of downtown LA years ago, but it hardly compares to what it is now. Have not been to LA Live yet. Cheers! ~Marissa
Happy Birthday Eric, I look forward to the next round. Karl
Great photo's and nice tips ;-)
I do like specialist shops, like your travel shop tip!
Hi again! Well I did my LA tour and it was excellent! I walked and walked and walked and didnt do any of the bus tours. Looking at your recommendations now, I think I did almost all of them!
Good tips!
I will never understand the obsession with Hollywood & movie stars- but I guess I am in the absolute minority. Good page and well written tips, Erik.