I'd love to hear your review of the Roosevelt. It's one of those old Hollywood Hotels that I remember seeing as a backdrop in the old I Love Lucy shows when they were in Hollywood.

One of the age old issues we're had is where to have dinner before the theatre when we're in that area. Well, the Kodak theatre complex helped resolve that issue to a certain extent.

Down at Sunset & Vine are like three little places in a row -- Bodega, Fabiolus Cafe, and the Bowery -- all different tastes, vibes, clientele (although mostly young for all). I generally like to eat light before going to a concert or theatre, so I've found the bar in the lobby of the W really hits the spot -- love their hummus with a nice glass of wine.

Weather: Very warm and sunny right now (so different from yesterday!) and supposed to be 80 tomorrow. We're not supposed to get wet until the weekend.

But chilly overnight..brrr. Bring something warm if you are out during the day and won't be back to hotel til after sundown.

We ended up having the best time at the Roosevelt. Old time Hollywood feel there. We and our adult kids found lots of great shopping and walking nearby. The bars and restaurants in the hotel are all good. We took a shuttle to Disneyland for a day. Really enjoyed ourselves. We'll try another area next time but this was a great introduction to L.A. we thought.

Suggest you also try to get to the Getty Museum - the new one in particular (405 and about Mullholand - take Sunset east from Hollywood) - and even the older/original one out by the beach has a beautiful setting. I think admission is free but best to reserve a parking space.

It's one of the great museums of the world, and a great view looking back at downtown LA. They have free docent tours and enjoyed the one about the marble used in the buildings, the scenic garden tour, etc. see: http://www.getty.edu/museum/

Or just grab a cab from Hollywood.

please note, the OP and family have now BEEN and GONE from Hollywood. So specific recommendations for them are kind of pointless.

jranger, glad you had a good time and enjoyed staying in Hollywood. Sure it's a bit gritty, but I think it seemed a good choice for what you described.

jranger, thanks for reporting back. Did you post a trip report? Did you feel the hotel was gritty, too, or was it more an oasis in the midst?

I would not characterize the hotel as gritty at all. It was a very pleasant stay.

Just reading this thread - we found an apt for our weeks stay on homeaway website. Its near Fountain Ave Hollywood and approx 10min walk to Ranyan Canyon - is this also a gritty area?

Fountain Ave is miles long. The west part is nicer than the east part. What is the cross street?

ac291, please start a new thread, this is a old thread that is 1.5 years old. Thanks.

Jamie, just curious, what's the difference?

sf, Well among other things the requirements are very different, the OP wanted and stayed in a nice hotel, ac is asking about a vacation rental. Also not sure how Fodor's works but often when I post on Trip Advisor I get an email letting me know whenever someone has posted on my thread, this could be mildly annoying to someone who has already taken their trip.

It doesn't work that way on Fodors.

"Also not sure how Fodor's works but . . . "

Seems odd you don't know how Fodors works since you've been a member for years.

But I also agree ac291 should probably start a new thread of his/her own since the questions are different

no problem janisj - i will!! thanks...

mlgb - its N.Alta Vista blvd and near Fountain Ave - will be starting a new thread ....