Los Angeles
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Los Angeles - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Hollywood Bowl
HollywoodFor those seeking a quintessential Los Angeles experience, a concert on a summer night at the Bowl, the city's iconic outdoor venue, is unsurpassed. The Bowl has presented world-class performers since it opened in 1920. The L.A. Philharmonic plays here from June to September; its performances and other events draw large crowds. Parking is limited near the venue, but there are additional remote parking locations serviced by shuttles. You can bring food and drink to any event, which Angelenos often do, though you can only BYOB to L.A. Phil performances and some rock and other shows. (Bars do, however, sell alcohol at all events, and there are dining options.) It's wise to bring a jacket even if daytime temperatures have been warm—the Bowl can get quite chilly at night. Visitors can sometimes watch the L.A. Phil practice for free, usually on a weekday; call ahead for times.
View Tours and Activities2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90068, USA323-850–2000 -
2. Hollywood Forever Cemetery
HollywoodOne of the many things that makes this cemetery in the middle of Hollywood so fascinating is that it’s the final resting place of many of the Hollywood greats, from directors like Cecil B. DeMille and actors like Douglas Fairbanks and Judy Garland to musicians like Johnny Ramone. Beyond its famous residents, however, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is also frequented for its serene grounds peppered with intricately designed tombstones, not to mention by cinephiles in the summer and fall months for the outdoor movie screenings that take place under the stars on the Fairbanks Lawn. If you’re looking for both tourist and local experiences while in town, this sight lets you tick off both in one visit.
View Tours and Activities6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90038, USA866-706–4826Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free; check online for film screenings -
3. Hollywood Museum
HollywoodDon’t let its kitschy facade turn you off: the Hollywood Museum, nestled at the busy intersection of Hollywood and Highland, is worth it, especially for film aficionados. A museum deserving of its name, it boasts an impressive collection of exhibits from the moviemaking world, spanning several film genres and eras. Start in its pink, art deco lobby where the Max Factor exhibit pays tribute to the cosmetics company’s pivotal role in Hollywood, make your way to the dark basement, where the industry’s penchant for the macabre is on full display, and wrap up your visit by admiring Hollywood’s most famous costumes and set props on the top floor.
1660 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA323-464–7776Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15, Closed Mon. and Tues. -
4. Hollywood Sign
HollywoodWith letters 50 feet tall, Hollywood's trademark sign can be spotted from miles away. The icon, which originally read "Hollywoodland," was erected in the Hollywood Hills in 1923 to advertise a segregated housing development and was outfitted with 4,000 light bulbs. In 1949 the "land" portion of the sign was taken down. By 1973 the sign had earned landmark status, but because the letters were made of wood, its longevity came into question. A makeover project was launched and the letters were auctioned off (rocker Alice Cooper bought an "O" and singing cowboy Gene Autry sponsored an "L") to make way for a new sign made of sheet metal. Inevitably, the sign has drawn pranksters who have altered it over the years, albeit temporarily, to spell out "Hollyweed" (in the 1970s, to push for more lenient marijuana laws), "Go Navy" (before a Rose Bowl game), and "Perotwood" (during businessman Ross Perot's 1992 presidential bid). A fence and surveillance equipment have since been installed to deter intruders, but another vandal managed to pull the "Hollyweed" prank once again in 2017 after Californians voted to make recreational use of marijuana legal statewide. And while it's still very illegal to get anywhere near the sign, several area hikes will get you as close as possible for some photo ops; you can hike just over 6 miles up behind the sign via the Brush Canyon trail for epic views, especially at sunset. Use caution if driving up to the sign on residential streets; many cars speed around the blind corners.
View Tours and Activities -
5. Paramount Pictures
HollywoodWith a history dating to the early 1920s, the Paramount lot was home to some of Hollywood's most luminous stars, including Mary Pickford, Rudolph Valentino, Mae West, Marlene Dietrich, and Bing Crosby. Director Cecil B. DeMille's base of operations for decades, Paramount offers probably the most authentic studio tour, giving you a real sense of the film industry's history. This is the only major studio from film's golden age left in Hollywood—all the others are now in Burbank, Universal City, or Culver City. Memorable movies and TV shows with scenes shot here include Sunset Boulevard, Forrest Gump, and Titanic. Many of the Star Trek movies and TV series were shot entirely or in part here, and several seasons of I Love Lucy were shot on the portion of the lot Paramount acquired in 1967 from Lucille Ball. You can take a two-hour studio tour or a 4½-hour VIP tour, led by guides who walk and trolley you around the backlots. As well as gleaning some gossipy history, you'll spot the sets of TV and film shoots in progress. Reserve ahead for tours, which are for those ages 10 and up. You can be part of the audience for live TV tapings (tickets are free), but you must book ahead.
View Tours and Activities5515 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90038, USA323-956–1777Sight Details
Rate Includes: $63 -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Dolby Theatre
HollywoodMore than just a prominent fixture on Hollywood Boulevard, the Dolby Theatre has a few accolades under its belt as well, most notably as home to the Academy Awards. The theater is a blend of the traditional and the modern, where an exquisite classical design inspired by the grand opera houses of Europe meets a state-of-the-art sound and technical system for an immersive, theatrical experience. Watch a concert or a show here to experience it fully, but before you do, take a tour for an informative, behind-the-scenes look and to step into the VIP lounge where celebrities rub elbows on the big night.
View Tours and Activities6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA323-308–6300Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tour $25 -
7. El Capitan Theatre
HollywoodHome to Los Angeles's first home of spoken drama, El Capitan Theatre carries on that tradition by way of film showings—specifically Disney films, having been acquired by the company in the 1980s. Watching movies in this classic movie palace, originally built in 1926, is an elevated experience, thanks to its special screenings and its elegant East Indian Revival interior. Having survived several transformations, it has been restored to almost exactly how it looked in 1926. It's also the grand venue for all Disney movie premieres during which movie fans can spot (and perhaps even meet) celebrities as they walk the red carpet on Hollywood Boulevard.
View Tours and Activities6838 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA800-347--6396 -
8. Hollywood Bowl Museum
HollywoodOriginally the tearoom for the Hollywood Bowl, this unassuming, two-story museum not only recounts the history of one of L.A.’s most renowned landmarks, but also commemorates some of the major and unforgettable performances that have taken place here. While the second floor mostly touts temporary exhibits, the first floor boasts permanent displays, a few of which are interactive. A quick visit to this museum is a definite must whether you’re a musicophile or you’re coming to see a performance at the Hollywood Bowl.
2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90068, USA323-850–2058Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sat.--Mon. during offseason -
9. Hollywood Heritage Museum
HollywoodThis unassuming building across from the Hollywood Bowl is a treasure trove of memorabilia from the earliest days of Hollywood filmmaking, including a thorough look back at Cecil B. DeMille's starry career. Large sections of the original stone statues from The Ten Commandments lay like fallen giants among smaller items in glass cases around the perimeter of this modest museum. A documentary tracking Hollywood's golden era is worth taking in. The building itself is the restored Lasky-DeMille Barn, designated a California State Historic Landmark in 1956.
2100 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90068, USA323-874–2276Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Closed Mon.--Thurs. -
10. Hollywood RockWalk
HollywoodProviding equipment for countless Los Angeles bands since the 1960s, Guitar Center pays tribute to its rock-star clientele with the Hollywood RockWalk in front of the building. The concrete slabs are imprinted with the talented hands of Van Halen, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck Berry, Dick Dale, Def Leppard, Carlos Santana, KISS, and others. Two standouts are Joey Ramone's upside-down hand and Lemmy of Motörhead's "middle finger salute." The store's minimuseum displays signed sheet music and memorabilia like Bob Dylan's hat and harmonica.
7425 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90046, USA323-874–1060Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
11. Hollywood Walk of Fame
HollywoodAlong Hollywood Boulevard (and part of Vine Street) runs a trail of affirmations for entertainment-industry overachievers. On this mile-long stretch of sidewalk, inspired by the concrete handprints in front of TCL Chinese Theatre, names are embossed in brass, each at the center of a pink star embedded in dark gray terrazzo. They're not all screen deities; many stars commemorate people who worked in a technical field, such as sound or lighting. The first eight stars were unveiled in 1960 at the northwest corner of Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard: Olive Borden, Ronald Colman, Louise Fazenda, Preston Foster, Burt Lancaster, Edward Sedgwick, Ernest Torrence, and Joanne Woodward (some of these names have stood the test of time better than others). Since then, more than 2,000 others have been immortalized, though that honor doesn't come cheap—upon selection by a special committee, the personality in question (or more likely his or her movie studio or record company) pays about $30,000 for the privilege. To aid you in spotting celebrities you're looking for, stars are identified by one of five icons: a motion-picture camera, a radio microphone, a television set, a record, or a theatrical mask.
View Tours and ActivitiesHollywood Blvd. and Vine St., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA -
12. Icons of Darkness
HollywoodMovie buffs rejoice in director, producer, and actor Rich Correll's expansive sci-fi, fantasy, and horror movie memorabilia collection, the world's largest privately owned collection of screen-used props, costumes, and special effects. Icons are found in spades, from the original helmets and costumes from the Star Wars franchise to costumes and props from 1979 to present-day Alien films, and Jurassic Park's T-Rex heads, stunt suits, puppet heads, and cage raptors. A guided tour ensures you can both geek out and not miss out on any details. Watch out for jump scares!
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA323-380--7548Sight Details
Rate Includes: $25 -
13. Japan House
HollywoodHighlighting the best of Japanese art, food, and culture with a goal to nurture a deeper understanding of Japan in the world, Japan House is an oasis of serenity on frenetic Hollywood Boulevard. This two-floor, multiuse space, whose interior and exterior were designed by leading Japanese designers, is made up of a gallery, a store with beautiful Japanese wares for sale, a library, an event space, and a fine-dining restaurant. The gallery hosts touring and original exhibitions focused on photography, architecture, manga, paper culture, and more. The library and reading nooks welcome further exploration.
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA800-516--0565Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
14. Pantages Theatre
HollywoodBesides being home to the Academy Awards for a decade in the '50s, this stunning art deco--style theater near Hollywood and Vine has been playing host to many of the musical theater world’s biggest and greatest productions, from the classics like Cats, West Side Story, and Phantom of the Opera to modern hits like Hamilton and Wicked. During your Los Angeles jaunt, see a show or two in order to really experience its splendor. While guided tours are not being offered to the public, an annual open house is available to season pass holders for an exclusive and informative tour of the theater and its history.
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15. TCL Chinese Theatre
HollywoodThe stylized Chinese pagodas and temples of the former Grauman's Chinese Theatre have become a shrine both to stardom and the combination of glamour and flamboyance that inspire the phrase "only in Hollywood." Although you have to buy a movie ticket to appreciate the interior trappings, the courtyard is open to the public. The main theater itself is worth visiting, if only to see a film in the same setting as hundreds of celebrities who have attended big premieres here. And then, of course, outside in front are the oh-so-famous cement hand- and footprints. This tradition is said to have begun at the theater's opening in 1927, with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's King of Kings, when actress Norma Talmadge just happened to step in wet cement. Now more than 160 celebrities have contributed imprints for posterity, including some oddball specimens, such as casts of Whoopi Goldberg's dreadlocks.
View Tours and Activities6925 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA323-461–3331Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tour $16
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