Tips for Exploring Hollywood

August 22, 2025
Tips for Exploring Hollywood - Hollywood Sign

Planning your first visit to Hollywood? With so many iconic attractions and exciting landmarks, a vacation script here practically writes itself! However, it still helps to know some insider tips for planning a thrilling, unforgettable trip. Check out four essential tips for visiting Hollywood.

Hollywood Boulevard

Start With the Iconic Spots

Use some of the iconic attractions in Hollywood as the tent poles for your itinerary. These are the attractions that "define" the Hollywood experience. Due to their popularity, you might consider scheduling visits to popular and iconic attractions earlier in the day to avoid crowds and lines. You can then fill in the rest of your day with visits to attractions that might not be as busy. What belongs on the list of must-see iconic attractions in Hollywood? Take a look!

Iconic Hollywood Theaters

The quintessential list includes the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman's Chinese Theatre). First opened by Sid Grauman in 1927, the venue has hosted countless blockbuster premieres over the decades. It's also where you'll find imprints of the hands and feet of the most prominent actors in the world! Other iconic theaters in Hollywood to put on your list include the Hollywood Bowl, the Ford Amphitheatre, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, and the Greek Theatre.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame

Spanning 15 blocks, this landmark covers Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street and honors more than 2,500 stars from yesterday and today. You can download the Hollywood Walk of Fame's official app or visit the website to find the stars of your favorite celebrities.

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Located on Santa Monica Boulevard, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a final resting place for celebrities and a living park for Hollywood visitors. Icons like Cecil B. DeMille, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Jayne Mansfield, and Johnny Ramone are all interred here. In addition, the park hosts a wide range of events, including outdoor movie screenings, concerts, and cultural festivals.

Enjoy a Mix of Nature and Culture at Griffith Park

Devote a day to the diverse attractions within 4,200-acre Griffith Park if your schedule allows! Griffith Park is a large municipal park and urban wilderness area home to several natural and cultural attractions located on the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. The list of attractions contained within the park includes:

  • The Hollywood Sign
  • The Griffith Observatory
  • Bronson Caves
  • The Los Angeles Equestrian Center
  • The Los Angeles Zoo
  • Travel Town
  • The Autry Museum of the American West
Universal Studios Studio Tour

Take a Studio Tour to See How Hollywood Magic Is Made

Have you always wanted to peek behind the camera? The world-famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios lets you do just that! During this experience, you'll tour one of the world's busiest studio lots. Yes, you might just run into your favorite stars as they film scenes! In addition, the tour includes a look at iconic sets and props from many beloved movies and television shows of the past.

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is another must-do experience for movie buffs and television fans. During a three-hour guided tour, visitors can tour 100-year-old backlot sets and sound stages. They'll also see parts of the iconic "Friends" set and walk where scenes from the DC and Harry Potter universes were filmed!

Don't Forget About Shopping

It should come as no surprise that Hollywood is one of the best places to shop for luxury. You may already know that Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and Sunset Plaza on Sunset Boulevard are home to upscale, designer boutiques frequented by celebrities. However, the best-kept secret in Hollywood is the vintage shopping scene. Vintage shopping in Hollywood is excellent because shops here maintain curated collections of rare and designer goods that span decades. You never know when you might discover a piece worn by a celebrity on a red carpet or in a film.

Make the Most of Your Hollywood Moment

Something you'll notice about Hollywood after arriving for your dream trip is that things move pretty quickly around here. That's why one of the big tips for visiting Hollywood is picking the right place to stay. If you want to make the most of every minute, be sure to book a hotel room close to all the attractions you want to see to avoid time stuck in traffic. Luckily, a selection of hotels in Hollywood CA offers a taste of luxury just minutes from iconic, tourist-friendly attractions.