Hollywood 101: Beginner’s Guide to Hollywood

This Ugly Beautiful CityJuly 10, 2019

Here is my Hollywood 101: A beginner’s guide to Hollywood. It will give you an idea of where to start if you have never been to Hollywood before and you want that touristy experience. These attractions are some of the most well-known and most visited in the world. That means that they can also be some of the most crowded. Hollywood Boulevard has some of the best people-watching in the city. You can visit all of these places in this post in one day, even if you take in a movie at Grauman’s Chinese Theater or a show at the Dolby. If you are easily frustrated by crowds of people, as some of my guests have been, this area is probably not for you. Not to worry, there will be more options in my next posts.

NOTE: As of the update of this post, 12/03/2021, COVID-19 regulations are still in place for Los Angeles County. You can find a cheat sheet here.

Table of Contents

A Beginner’s guide to the Walk of Fame

Beginner's guide to Hollywood. Photo of the Hollywood Walk of Fame looking down on Jack Benny Star. — Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Walk of Fame, established in 1958, takes up fifteen blocks in Hollywood from La Brea to Vine on Hollywood Boulevard and part of Vine between Hollywood Blvd. and Sunset Boulevard. If you were walking in this area for the first time, you might miss it. The Walk of Fame (WoF) is not roped off like a museum, just simply look down as the pinkish-red stars are set in glittering black terrazzo incorporated into the L.A. city sidewalk.

There is no pomp and circumstance to the Walk of Fame and if you are looking for your favorite stars of screen, television, and music this is very much a choose your own adventure. To find those specific stars, there are many maps but nothing is as detailed as the LA Times project Hollywood Star Walk. It gives the exact location of almost three thousand stars.

Unfortunately, Marilyn Monroe’s is right in front of the popular Hollywood McDonald’s so it is hard to picture with all of the foot traffic. I would keep in mind lunch and dinner hours if you want to get a good photo.

The Walk of Fame and the dedication ceremonies are free and open to the public. If you are in town or going to be, check the WoF website for upcoming dedication ceremonies. (linked below)

Hours, cost, and other information

Website: https://walkoffame.com
Hours: The Walk of Fame is open 24/7, with the exception of the week around the Oscars. Check the website for dedication ceremonies
Cost: Free
Ages: All

A Beginner’s guide to the Grauman’s Chinese Theater

Beginner's guide to Hollywood Facade of Grauman's Chinese Theater — Grauman’s Chinese Theater

Debbi Reynolds’ feet were so tiny!

I figure you already know about the Chinese Theater and handprints in the cement if you are coming up to Hollywood, but also note that you can still see current-run movies in this theater. It is also one of the two places you can see 70mm films in Los Angeles. Keep in mind that you are paying additionally for the history and Hollywood location. (Cost information below)

The interior has been restored and shows the grandeur of the theater and how it must have been to go to see movies when they were events. Tours of the theater are given weekly.

Chinese Theater History

This theater was opened by Sid Grauman in 1927. Before Grauman built his theaters in Hollywood, movie premieres were held in downtown Los Angeles at the movie palaces along Broadway. Another Grauman-built location, the Million Dollar Theater, was the site of many premieres. I think it is a common misconception that films got their start in Hollywood. Sid Grauman was the person responsible for the change in location. He was an interesting character and if you want to know more, I strongly recommend reading my favorite book about Old Hollywood, City of Nets, by Otto Freidrich.

The Los Angeles Conservancy has a tour of the theaters that premiered silent and early talkie films in DTLA. I strongly recommend it.

Hours, costs, and other information

Website: http://www.tclchinesetheatres.com
Hours: check website for movie times
Cost: Free for footprint viewing in front of the theater. Movies cost between $14 and $30 (3D and IMAX comes at this higher cost)
Other: Tour of the theater is $8 for kids, $10 for seniors, $14 for adults

A Beginner’s guide to taking photos with Characters

light city sunset man — Photo by Keenan Constance on Pexels.com

On the Grauman’s Chinese Theather side of Hollywood Blvd., you will see the line-up of popular characters from movies and television. If you choose to cuddle up to Chucky or sling webs with Spiderman, I would always err on the side of tipping, even if it is a dollar or two. The characters are not being paid by the theater or the City of Hollywood. Generally, these people are just trying to make ends meet, be discovered, enjoy putting smiles on people’s faces. A few bucks would be nice for the touristy photo.

A Beginner’s guide to the Hollywood and Highland Center

I mention this mall for a couple of reasons. The first is that it contains the Dolby Theater, formerly the Kodak Theater, which has held the Academy Awards for the past few years. You can walk up the steps that actresses and actors walked up before accepting their Oscars. I also mention it because the theater has events, concerts, and tours all year long.

Secondly, The Hollywood and Highland Center is first and foremost a mall. The turnover is high and last time I was there, there was a completely different set of tenants. There is however a lot of shopping in this area, but not anything you can’t find in your hometowns. Unless you need that missing Hollywood snow globe for your collection.

Getting there: The Walk of Fame and Hollywood and Highland Center are both accessible by the following public transit options: The Metro Red Line and buses 780, 180, 212, 210, and the Hollywood DASH. Use Metro trip planner here.

Pink’s (Hot Dog)

No beginner’s guide to Hollywood is complete without a stop at Pink’s.

A little south of the Hollywood strip on Melrose and La Brea is another beloved tourist spot, Pink’s. You will recognize it from the long line in front that often wraps around the side of the building. If you are not into hot dogs it is really great for people watching and reading the celebrity-designed dogs and polishes on the menu. Some are pretty heavy on the toppings like the Giada de Laurentis with peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. I think it is also just an accomplishment to say you waited in line. The busiest times are the weekends and really anytime after the city’s 2:00 a.m. bar close.

Note: If you are from Chicago, you might not like it here if you are comparing it to your hometown. Their Chicago-themed dogs and polish don’t have the right ingredients and are almost like the creators have never visited Chicago. I think there is even ketchup on them! The blasphemy!! There is a Portillo’s in Buena Park an hour or so car ride away.

Note for the health-conscious eater: If you just don’t dig the idea of a hot dog you can leave some of your group and go to M Café de Chaya where I have seen quite a few non-hot dog-eating celebrities.