Visiting Hollywood
 

I'm not a real movie kind of guy, but my MIL is one of those people who seem to be hung up on movie stars and all the trappings. We will be in LA in early June for two days at the end of a CA coast road trip and would like to show her some of that "stuff". You know the drill, Graumman's, Beverly Hills, etc. I don't really know where any of that is, but can probably find it.

Any suggestions on places to take her? Thanks!

Sounds like she would enjoy the Warner Brothers Studio Tour in Burbank.(http://wbsf.warnerbros.com/home.html). It's a behind-the-scenes look at movie & TV show production. Since it is an active, working studio complex, you may even see some stars walking around.

NBC studios also has a tour. You could also attend a taping of the Tonight Show there.

There are some bus tours that hit the highlights of Hollywood/Beverly Hills. Grayline and Starline are the two I hear mentioned.

You can hit Warner Brothers, Graumann's, Walk of Fame (Hollywood Blvd.), and still stroll Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills all in the same day.

Be prepared to be underwhelmed at Hollywood proper. It's kind of a gritty area, but everyone has to see it for themselves at least once.

I'm sure the other poster didn't mean to mislead, but don't expect to walk up to NBC studios and get into a taping of the Tonight Show.

Start now at trying to get tickets by calling or writing. If that fails (and unless the polcy has changed) you could go to the studio early on the morning of taping and wait in line for any available tickets. The show itself is taped @ about 5 p.m.

You might have better luck getting into something lesser or a walk-thru rehearsal of a popular sitcom. One place to possibly score tickets to a game show: near the Chinese Theater. There are people there handing out tickets to shows that have empty seats that day.

This site may be helpful:

http://www.seeing-stars.com/

It lists lots of star related restaurants, locations, statues and even cemetaries where famous celebrities are buried.

That site also has information on getting tickets to shows filmed in LA. My own experience is the Walk of Fame is sort of nothing, but Graumanns is worth a stop just because you've seen it so often on tv. And while you are there you can check out the Hollywood and Highland complex which is a relatively new shopping/entertainment complex that houses the Kodak Theatre, new home to the Oscars.

http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/home.html

Plan lunch at the Coffee shop in the Beverly Hills Hotel, or have a drink at the Polo Lounge there.