Originally Posted By markcanada With Disneyland, Universal, Legoland, etc. is it worthwhile to take an afternoon to go into Hollywood, see the Walk of Fame with all the stars by the theatre, Rodeo Drive, etc?
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Do you have the time? I really don't think Hollywood is that special, but if you are driving to Universal Studios, you could stop by on the way back to the DLR. Take the 101 south to the Highland Av / Hollywood Bowl exit. (Stay in the right lane, the exit is only a mile or so after you get on the freeway) Follow the signs to Cahuenga Bl, it will change names to Highland Ave. Just before Hollywood Bl, you will see the Hollywood and Highland shopping center, pull into the parking lot, where you can get your parking validated for a few hours. Next door is the Grauman's Chinese Theater, and across the street is the El Capitan therater that Disney owns. You can find the new Ice Cream store there, and Jimmy Kimmel's show tapes there. Walk around, see the sights, and then get back in the car... Go east down Hollywood Blvd to catch up with the 101 south.
Originally Posted By markcanada Ok, seriously, is there anything you don't know? Thanks for the great, clear advice.
Originally Posted By dsny1mom If I were to make a stop in that area I'd do it on my way *to* Universal and not on my way home. During the daylight hours that area is filled with tourists, after dark some tourists are still there but so is the underbelly of life. IMHO, it isn't worth a side trip unless you are simply passing through on your way elsewhere. As always, YMMV. dsny1mom
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Go to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot at DCA instead. That's what it's there for... so you don't actually need to go anywhere in California outside of Anaheim. ;-)
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ dsny1mom, I agree. We made that mistake, and watched a man throwing up blood on one corner, and an ambulance attending to another on the next corner. Needless to say we didn't stay long. It was creepy.
Originally Posted By Ursula I really dislike the whole Hollywood area because it's far too touristy and they take advantage of what tourists "think" they are going to see based on old movies. That said, people have to see this at least once just to say they've done so and to just do it, as Nike says. I'd also like to throw in perhaps maybe some visitors would be interested in the Hollywood Forever Cemetary. It's where a lot of famous people are buried. I think tourists will get more of what they are looking for here than at the plasticy, fake-y Hollywood traps. It's quite serene and nice.
Originally Posted By pecos bill What a difference between the Hollywood now and the one ten or fifteen years ago. Back then you did not dare to be around after dark, but they really have cleaned the place up recently. You can tour the Kodak theater, cruise the Highland complex, of course the Chinese theater is a must. Lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel is cool, really, you can spend a whole day around Hollywood if your even a little bit into it.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<[P]eople have to see this at least once just to say they've done so>> I agree. markcanada, will you kick yourself later if you travel all the way to LA and then NOT do the Hollywood & Vine/Rodeo Drive thing? I think you will. Having said that... I agree with the other posters. Drop by for a few minutes while en route to/from another adventure. Hollywood is not as grand, posh, or FABULOUS as it appears on TV and film.
Originally Posted By TheBellCaptain That's true - Hollywood is not as posh as the movies and television would lead you to believe. That is because it is a real city, with real people and real problems. It is also a wonderful city, full of vibrant artists, cultures, and architecture. It is a city whose history dates back to early 1900's, and is the birthplace of the modern American film industry. I work here in Hollywood, and am posting this post in Hollywood. I recommend all tourists should see this wonderful city - yes, see the Hollywood and Highland complex, tour Grauman's Chinese Theater, and yes, I do recommend touring the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. But you should also take a look at the Farmer's Market on Third & Fairfax, which has been here since 1934. Also take a look at The Hollywood Tower, off of Franklin, to see the original impetus for Disney's Tower of Terror. There's also the Hollywood Bowl, the Egyptian Theatre, The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, site of the very first Academy Awards. You can also check out Hollywood High School, home of the Sheiks, and alma mater to celebrities like Carol Burnett and Ray Bradbury. Then there's Hollywood Temple Israel, off of Hollywood Blvd., which dates back to 1927. I could go on and on, but I guess what I'm trying to say is don't shrug off Hollywood as an "unspecial tourist trap." It's much more that that.
Originally Posted By Ursula BellCaptain: I worked in Hollywood up until August. (Thak goodness the company transferred me back to Santa Monica!). I was in the tall building next to the Roosevelt facing La Brea and Hollywood Blvd. I am thrilled that you like it so, but I hated every minute of it!!! I did like the lobby restaurant of the Hollywood Roosevelt, Theodore's. I just couldn't stand seeing the low-life's that preyed on the unsuspecting tourists in front of Grauman's. I totally second that everyone needs to attend a concert at the bowl, too.
Originally Posted By markcanada Well, let's clarify. If it was my wife and I, we might find it fascinating. But with my 8 and 5 year old daughters, maybe just a "drive-by" in the minivan might be more in order? I had wanted to leave the kids with my mother at the hotel for a day while we did the Hollywood-Santa Monica bus tour, but that's a full day and wouldn't be fair to them.
Originally Posted By dsny1mom Mark, with kids the ages of yours I'd pass on the area, unless you do a drive by on the way to Universal. I think I was around 9 or 10 the first time my parents took us to Hollywood. I still remember the boredom and just wanting to get back in the car and get to Universal. Unless your little ones are movie buffs and would enjoy seeing how much larger a movies star's feet or hands are compared to theirs it would probably be a snoozefest for them in the daylight. At night I'm sure it would be *very* educational, but the type of education they would recieve isn't appropriate for children. Unless you are interested in teaching your children how scam artists and hookers earn their keep. Listen to Ursala, she just recently worked in that area and no natter how nice they made it look, the low life still gravitate there to prey on the tourists. Stay safe and have fun, no matter what you decide. dsny1mom
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan The Grove, just a ways away from Hollywood, is really neat and worth a look. Nicely themed outdoor shopping area with a trolley car, music, neat "dancing waters" type fountain, some cool stores.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Here's my advice ... and I've been living in the near-by area for nearly 8 years. If you want to come, concentrate your area right in the city block area of the Hollywood&Highland entertainment complex/Grauman's Chinese/El Capitan. As Darkbeer brilliantly states already. I think you can cover this area within 2 hours. And if you have any more time .. do check out the Farmer's Market/Grove area, further south on Fairfax and 3rd Street. You'll get just enough of real "Hollywood" history right there .. and keep yourselves out of harm's way with all the seediness of LA that is very real, and around every corner. Thank God I'm not IN Hollywood. I'm in the hills. I think I'd go insane if I lived along some really horrible stretches of Hollywood. It's not a good place to "hang out".... especially after dark. There are ways to discover Hollywood's "hidden pockets of treasure". The Magic Castle to the immediate north of the Hollywood&Highland complex is another gem of Hollywood's past. You know ..... Hollywood was a clean and respectable town from the teens .. up to the early 60s. Since the 80s .. city planners are trying to clean up the ugly filthy image that has covered Hollywood since the late 60s. If you drove down Hollywood Blvd. between Vine & Highland .... you'll see it's still going to take YEARS .. if ever ... if this town is to clean up it's image completely. But the area is still full of panhandlers. Just hang out near the Cinerama Dome on Sunset and Vine .... and things may look "okay" on the surface .. but it's still "Filth Town USA", unfortunately.
Originally Posted By 2girls2disney We took our 8 and 10 year olds there this summer. We parked at the mall right there, walked down a block or so reading the names on the stars, then back up the other side of the road. The highlight for us was stopping at the Disney soda parlor for ice cream treats. We also saw the Build a Bear store and spent some time in there. It was 2 hours total.
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk Oh Brother, Hollywood is so cool. Don't listen to the negativity. The Walk of Fame, Grauman's with the people dressed up as movie characters and the Disney Soda Fountain are so worth the stop. I took my Girl Scout troop in July and we all had a great time. But I love people and their cultures-even if they aren't mainstream. Bring your camera. There is a website seeingstars.com which will give you alot of tips on Stars receiving their Walk of Fame stars, including Disneyland. I took my GS troop to see the house they used in filming "Cheaper by the Dozen". They really loved that. The website can give you directions and info on other movies that were filmed in the Hollywood area.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Both the Chinese theatre area and the Farmer's Market/Grove area are worth seeing - just keep your wits about you in the former, and you'll be fine. I haven't been in a couple of years, and I'm curious about the Disney soda fountain. Can someone describe it, please?
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk Well, it is cool if you don't have high expectations. Goofy is there! The food is okay, the prices are too high, but the stiltwalkers make it all worth it!
