Hollywood

Hollywood is the mythic home of the American film industry, and its landmarks are woven into global culture: the white letters of the Hollywood Sign on the hillside, the brass stars of the Walk of Fame underfoot, and the ornate theatres of Hollywood Boulevard where premieres and the Oscars play out. It is glamour and grit in equal measure.

The main sights

• The Hollywood Sign - the hillside letters, seen from viewpoints and hiking trails.
• The Walk of Fame - the brass stars along Hollywood Boulevard.
• TCL Chinese Theatre - the ornate cinema with the handprints in the forecourt.
• Griffith Observatory - the hilltop landmark with sweeping city views.

When to go

Year-round in the mild Los Angeles climate; clear days are best for sign views from Griffith Observatory. Evenings light up the boulevard.

What to expect

Hollywood Boulevard itself is often gritty, crowded and touristy, so many find the reality less glamorous than the myth. The sign cannot be reached directly and is best seen from Griffith Observatory or a hike. It is a car city, so plan the sprawl.

Nearby

Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Hills are above; downtown LA, the beaches and the studios are a drive away.