25 Best Things to Do in Hollywood, California

© Courtesy of vivien - Fotolia.com

Perhaps the most iconic landmark of Los Angeles is the Hollywood Sign, spelled out in huge white letters that are almost 45 feet tall. The sign can be seen from all over LA, and it’s one of Southern California’s most strictly protected landmarks. It was first built in the 1920s, when it read “HOLLYWOODLAND” and was actually just an advertisement for real estate developments, but over the years it has become a treasured and iconic cultural point of interest, recognizable around the world. Located in Griffith Park, visitors can get close to the Hollywood Sign via a short hike, although access to the sign is very strictly off limits and punishable by a $1,000 fine.

Phone: 323-258-4338

© Courtesy of ivandancom - Fotolia.com

The Warner Brother’s Studio Tour, located in Burbank, is a must-see for any film buffs visiting Hollywood. The tour will lead visitors through some of the film lots and studios where classics like Casablanca and Batman were filmed, along with more modern hits like The Big Bang Theory and Gilmore Girls. Guests will have the opportunity to see the Central Perk set from Friends and try on the sorting hat in the Great Hall from Harry Potter. A standard tour with Warner Brother’s Studios lasts approximately 3 hours, but a deluxe tour can also be booked, which lasts 6 hours and offers an even closer look into more studios and soundstages.

3400 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91522, Phone: 818-977-8687

© Courtesy of Stihl024 - Fotolia.com

The Hollywood Walk of Fame was first established in 1958, when the first brass stars were laid into the sidewalk on Hollywood Boulevard. Today, there are over 2,600 stars whose names are on the Walk of Fame, and the site attracts about ten million visitors every year. It’s a truly iconic piece of American cultural history, and features the names of some of the greatest artists in the history of visual media. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a public space that is open to visitors 24/7, and there are usually many celebrity and character impersonators in the area, so that visitors can have their picture taken with Elvis, the Hulk, or Captain Jack Sparrow to memorialize their visit.

N Highland Ave & Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, Phone: 323-469-8311

© Courtesy of flashmovie - Fotolia.com

Universal Studios is both a filming studio and a theme park in Los Angeles, where guests can take a tour of the studio with virtual host Jimmy Fallon to get a behind the scenes look at movie sets as well as props and costumes from classic films like Jaws and Psycho. At the theme park, guests can watch entertaining shows about special effects or featuring the famous animals who are often used in movies, and have a thrilling and fun time on all the rides in the park. There’s The Walking Dead experience and you can meet those lovable yellow minions. And, of course, there’s the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where visitors can select a wand, fly with a hippogriff, and try butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks tavern.

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, Phone: 800-864-8377

© Courtesy of Tall Paul - Fotolia.com

Up on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood sits Griffith Observatory, a popular Los Angeles attraction that offers a spectacular view of Los Angeles, including the famous Hollywood Sign. But the views don’t end there, because Griffith is also home to a planetarium, where guests can sit back and take a look into the infinite reaches of the Universe. Guests can also look through the observatory’s telescopes for a peek at the night sky or any other points of interest, and explore some of the educational exhibits within the observatory. Griffith Observatory hosts many special events throughout the year, and a full calendar can be found on their website.

2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, Phone: 213-473-0800

© Courtesy of ngel - Fotolia.com

Barnsdall Art Park is a haven for appreciators of art, both experienced and amateur. Located in a beautiful park in East Hollywood, on a property that also includes Hollyhock House, the LA Municipal Art Gallery, and the Barnsdall Gallery Theater, among other things, Barnsdall Art Park offers art classes for both children and adults as well as events like wine tastings, art shows, and outdoor movie nights under the stars. This beautiful and unique place aims to foster a love of art in its visitors, and it does so not only by showing art, but also by offering some great opportunities to create it.

4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

© Courtesy of Andrea Izzotti - Fotolia.com

Most people know the Dolby Theatre as the home of the Academy Awards, the biggest red carpet night in Hollywood. This ornate theater, with its grand staircase and massive stage crowned by a “tiara,” is a wonder in its own right, and visitors to Hollywood can tour the Dolby Theatre 7 days a week, with guides starting a tour every half hour between 10:30am and 4:00pm. Besides being the venue for star-studded awards shows, the Dolby is also a world-class events venue, with a calendar of performers that is just as A-List as the people who walk the red carpet there each year.

6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028, Phone: 323-308-6300

© Hollyhock House

Hollyhock House is located within Barnsdall Art Park, which has been previously mentioned on this list. Designed by the famous Frank Lloyd Wright, Hollyhock House was built between 1919 and 1921. It was the first house built by Wright in Los Angeles, and represents his first attempt at a style of architecture that would suit Southern California. Visitors to Hollyhock House can explore the house and gardens to see the seamless combinations of indoor and outdoor space, the lovely rooftop terraces, and the incorporated hollyhock flowers from which the house gleaned its name. Hollyhock House is open for visitation Tuesday through Sunday, and docent-led tours are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays by reservation.

4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, Phone: 323-913-4030

© Courtesy of oneinchpunch - Fotolia.com

This hour-long walking tour will lead visitors to all the major sights of Tinseltown, from famous landmarks down to hole-in-the-wall theaters. Knowledgeable guides will point out architectural points of interest as well as cultural landmarks, all while offering fascinating stories of the famous people who had a hand in making Hollywood the place it is today. Some of the stops on the tour include the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the original location of the Academy Awards, and a 1920s speakeasy bar from the Prohibition era. Tours begin at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm each day, and can be reserved online.

© Hollywood and Highland Center

Hollywood and Highland is a major tourist destination, well known as the home of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and it is also a major cultural center. There is a massive shopping mall at Hollywood and Highland, with shops, restaurants, hotels, and more. Also in the vicinity is the Dolby Theater, where the Academy Awards are held each year, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and much more. There are always plenty of character impersonators at Hollywood and Highland, from Spiderman to Marilyn Monroe, who are available for photo opportunities.

6801 Hollywood Blvd #170, Los Angeles, CA 90028

© Courtesy of Andriy Solovyov - Fotolia.com

The Hollywood Bowl is one of the most famous music venues in the world, an amphitheater set into the “bowl” of the hills that surround it. Known for the distinctive shell that envelops the stage, creating a visual and acoustic masterpiece, the Hollywood Bowl can seat up to 17,500 people, and its calendar of events features every type of music, from a full-orchestra classical concert band to popular hip hop artists. The Hollywood Bowl is the largest of its kind in the US, and is also home to a park with picnic grounds. No matter what the agenda, Hollywood Bowl offers its guests a perfect night under the stars, every time.

2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068

© Hollywood Museum

The Hollywood Museum contains four floors of movie magic and Hollywood history. It possesses the largest collection of movie memorabilia in the entire world, with amazing exhibits that include costumes, props, set elements, and photos of some of the most beloved and classic films ever created. Guests can visit Hannibal Lector’s cell from Silence of the Lambs, see Marilyn Monroe’s Million Dollar Dress, and even see the personal bathrobe of the King of Rock and Roll himself. The museum’s rotating displays and exhibits highlight certain film genres, illustrious individual actors and directors, and cultural trends in filmmaking, like the changing perception of LGBTQ individuals onscreen or the life of a child actor.

1660 N Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028, Phone: 323-464-7776

© Hollywood Roosevelt

The Hollywood Roosevelt is a classic hotel that over the years has hosted stars like Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and Clark Gable, and which has served as a set location for countless films over the decades. Today, the hotel is still in operation, with rooms that have a distinct Old Hollywood feel to them. The Roosevelt also offers plenty of food and drink options, from The Spare Room – a 1920s speakeasy with a two-lane bowling alley – to the Library, where there are no menus, only a wall full of drink ingredients that guests can choose from. There is also a 24-hour burger joint, a SoCal style beer garden, a cafe, and the Public Kitchen and Bar.

7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, Phone: 323-856-1970

© Hollywood Wax Museum

At the Hollywood Wax Museum, guests can get up close and personal with the likenesses of some of their favorite stars. The oldest and longest running museum of wax figures in the US, the Hollywood Wax Museum contains lifelike models of stars and characters such as Samuel L. Jackson, James Bond, Marilyn Monroe, and George Clooney. Guests are welcome to pose with and take photos with the wax figures, which also feature placards containing fun facts and trivia about the famous faces seen there. Visitors can even view a brief demo from one of the artists at the museum to gain an idea of how the wax figures are created.

6767 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, Phone: 323-462-5991

© Museum of Death

Despite the morbid name and subject matter, the ultimate aim of the Museum of Death is to make visitors appreciate life. The museum contains artwork done by serial killers, photos of infamous crime scenes, including those involving Charles Manson, collections of coffins and body bags, and historical execution devices. Exhibits focus on the art of the autopsy, death cults and serial killers, and much more. The grisly museum can be explored via a self-guided tour, which generally lasts about 1 hour, and although there is no age limit, visitors should be aware that the content of the museum is best viewed by mature audiences.

6031 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028, Phone: 323-466-8011

© Courtesy of oscity - Fotolia.com

Lake Hollywood Park is home to the Hollywood Reservoir, a large manmade lake in the Santa Monica Mountains. Within the park, there are paved trails for cyclists, joggers, and those who wish to take a nice walk, as well as picnic areas and large grassy areas perfect for a game of frisbee or laying out on a blanket and reading a book. The park is dog friendly and very scenic, with excellent views of the Hollywood Sign up on the hill above the park. Lake Hollywood Park is open daily from sunrise until sunset.

3160 Canyon Lake Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068, Phone: 818-243-1145

© Yamashiro Restaurant

Yamashiro Restaurant is one of Los Angeles' most iconic dining destinations, originally constructed in 1914 as a replica of a famed palace in Kyoto's Yamashiro province. The gorgeous hilltop restaurant and estate, which is named for the Japanese word for "mountain palace," has been one of the city's top attractions for more than a century. Its menus were recently overhauled, highlighting elegant dinner fare such as koshu-braised wagyu short ribs, sake-marinated lamb chops, and belly-on pork handle with yama-hog sauce. A full sushi and sashimi menu is also showcased, along with an ishi-yaki cooking stone dining experience available for the entire table. Unique experiences at the restaurant throughout the year include a Hollywood Night Market event, which brings more than 30 food vendors to the restaurant's grounds and showcases live music performances.

1999 N. Sycamore Ave, Hollywood, CA 90068, Phone: 323-466-5125

© akaphon/stock.adobe.com

Croft Alley is a charming West Hollywood eatery that originally opened in 2014, offering two locations today, including a location within the Standard Hotel Hollywood. The restaurant is known for its authentic artisanal dishes crafted with fresh, unique ingredients. Hearty internationally-inspired fare is served up throughout the day, including favorites such as chicken schnitzel, Scottish salmon, pomodoro with bucatini, and honey-ginger-glazed duck breast. A delicious sandwich menu serves up meat and vegetarian options like bacon-tomato-avocado sandwiches, cauliflower grilled cheeses, and signature Croft burgers with gruyere and red onion. At breakfast, diners can choose from health-conscious options such as acai bowls and gluten-free waffles or enjoy international favorites like shakshuka.

8300 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, Phone: 323-650-9090

© Stahl House

In 1956, a man named Buck Stahl and his wife built their dream home, designed by Pierre Koenig. The end result was a modern structure with huge glass windows overlooking the lights of Los Angeles. This house, which was officially declared an Historic Cultural Landmark in 1999, became an icon of the modern architectural style. Tours of the house and grounds can be reserved online, and experienced docents will lead visitors through the house to show architectural points of interest and tell stories of the history of the place and its cultural significance.

1635 Woods Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069, Phone: 208-429-1058

© Sunset Ranch Hollywood

At Sunset Ranch, visitors can see Los Angeles from the back of a horse, a view that is simply unforgettable. With calm, gentle horses and knowledgeable and friendly guides, Sunset Ranch Hollywood will take its guests through Griffith Park and to the top of Mount Hollywood. The trail winds up the side of the mountain, along steep ridges and rocky hills on a beautiful journey. There are several different tour packages available, such as the one or two-hour Day Tour, the two-hour Evening Tour, an evening barbecue option, and even a package that includes an overnight stay at the ranch’s bed and breakfast.

3400 N Beachwood Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068, Phone: 323-469-5450

© Courtesy of ivandancom - Fotolia.com

With Ultimate Hollywood Tours, guests can see Hollywood while enjoying the sunshine from the back of an open-air bus. Tours are led by experiences guides, most of whom have years of experience in the film industry, as they drive around Hollywood, pointing out cultural landmarks, movie and tv locations, the Hollywood Sign, and the Sunset Strip. Moreover, the tours will allow guests to see more than 50 famous homes, which over the years have belonged to stars such as Michael Jackson, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Julia Roberts, Elvis Presley, and more.

6660 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, Phone: 323-915-1889

© Mels Drive-In

Located in Hollywood’s historic Max Factor building, the same one that hosts the Hollywood Museum and just around the corner from the Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Mels is a popular spot for fun drinks and a great atmosphere. Located in the former building atrium, filled with lights from the glass ceiling, the restaurant is not actually a drive-in, but retains many of the traditional touches such as colorful banquettes, neon signs, tabletop jukeboxes, brick walls, and a traditional American menu of everyone’s favorites. While you are waiting for your burger, check the photos of Hollywood celebrities on the walls. The bar is famous for hosting many celebrities who come for one of Mels famous cocktails or to hang out with friends in this Hollywood icon.

1660 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, Phone: 323-465-3111

© Courtesy of granitepeaker - Fotolia.com

Grauman’s Chinese Theater first opened in 1927, and in the decades since it has established itself as an essential keystone in the world of Hollywood theater. Many elements of the theater, including the stone dog statues and the temple architecture, were directly imported from China. Today, it’s well known as the location of many red carpet movie premieres as well as for being on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, where thousands of celebrities have their names, handprints, and footprints immortalized in the sidewalk. Seeing a film at Grauman’s Chinese Theater is an experience like no other, and patrons will feel very much a part of Old Hollywood from the second they walk through its doors.

6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 Phone: 323-461-3331

© carlosrojas20/stock.adobe.com

Ernie's has been a North Hollywood staple since 1952, known for its high-quality, authentic Mexican entrees prepared with fresh meats, cheeses, and produce. The restaurant, which was founded as a taco house by Phoenix residents Ernest U. Cruz, is known for its use of cheese melter technology, which guarantees hot plate delivery to each table. Excellent meat and seafood entree options include camarones rancheros, carne asada, Mexican-style bandillera shish kabobs, and halibut filets prepared a la plancha or mojo de ajo. Sizzling fajitas are also served up, along with combo platters featuring favorites like tamales, chile rellenos, taquitos, and enchiladas. Traditional homemade aguas frescas are available to complement all meals, including horchata, Jamaica, and tamarindo.

4410 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602, Phone: 818-985-4654

© Courtesy of f11photo - Fotolia.com

There are a lot of ways to see Hollywood, but drunk and on foot is arguably one of the most fun. With the Drunken History of Hollywood Walking Tour, guests will depart on a 2-hour adventure with a guide who will lead them through the sights of Hollywood. The tour includes trivia questions, stops at cultural landmarks and points of interest, over-the-top Hollywood reenactments and improvised comedy acts and, of course, plenty of drinks. It’s a tour of Hollywood like no other, and one that’s not likely to be forgotten… unless you partake in a few too many of the drink specials, that is. Meeting Point Outside the Egyptian Theater