Los Angeles is the largest city in California and a global epicenter of entertainment. Hollywood, in particular, is the mecca of the film and TV industry, drawing countless tourists every year. This post will introduce you to the main attractions of Hollywood.
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The City of Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a city that truly shines with its cultural diversity. Immigrants from Mexico, Asia, Europe, and beyond have come together, infusing every corner of the city with their unique national characteristics.
Thanks to this, Los Angeles is also famous as a city where you can taste food from all over the world. Furthermore, it holds an unparalleled position in various entertainment fields, including film, music, and fashion.
As one of the major metropolises representing the American West Coast, it has many direct flights, mild weather year-round, and plenty of sunshine, making it an ideal city for travel.
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Lombard Street
The Magic of Hollywood
Hollywood, the quintessential symbol of Los Angeles, is literally a “City of Stars.” It has been the center of the film industry since the early 20th century, and many movie studios and production companies are still based here today.
Hollywood Boulevard, the main street of Hollywood, is a dazzling road filled with vibrant neon signs and famous theaters. Various movie premieres and red carpet events are held here throughout the year, and if you’re lucky, you might even run into a famous celebrity.
The first landmark that comes to mind when you think of Hollywood is the Hollywood Sign. It overlooks the city from its perch on the Griffith Hills and is easily visible from a distance.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Walk of Fame is an iconic symbol of Hollywood, stretching for 1.3 miles (2.1 km) along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.
Pink, star-shaped plaques, which began to be installed in 1960, bear the names of individuals who have made significant achievements in the entertainment industry, including film, TV, music, radio, and theater.
Currently, there are over 2,700 stars installed, and 20-24 new personalities are selected each year to have their names added to the Walk of Fame. Each star is engraved with the honoree’s name and an emblem representing their primary field of activity.
Along with the Hollywood Sign, it’s one of LA’s most famous tourist spots, but it’s also often ranked as one of the most disappointing attractions, as there isn’t much to it. Still, since you’ve come all the way to LA, it’s worth visiting at least once.
Dolby Theatre
Located within the Ovation Hollywood complex (formerly Hollywood & Highland), the Dolby Theatre is famous as the permanent home of the Academy Awards. Completed in 2001, the theater features an elegant design inspired by European opera houses.
Theater tours are available, allowing you to experience the red carpet area and the theater’s interior firsthand. On both sides of the grand staircase at the main entrance, you can see plaques listing the past winners of the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Picture.
Don’t forget to look for the plaque for Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, which made a huge impact worldwide by winning Best Picture at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Opening Hours
- 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- May be closed for events, so check the schedule on the official website.
Tour Ticket Price
- Adults: $25 USD
- Seniors (65 & over): $19 USD
- Youth (17 & under): $19 USD
- Children (under 3): Free
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is a place where you can experience the beauty of both science and nature, offering panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline and the starry night sky all in one place.
In accordance with the will of its founder, Griffith J. Griffith, admission is free. The observatory contributes to the public’s understanding of astronomy and science through various exhibits and programs.
Since its opening in 1935, it has welcomed over 85 million visitors and is also famous as a viewpoint for seeing downtown LA and the Hollywood Sign.
Griffith Observatory Official Website
True to the city’s reputation for being ugly, the view of Downtown Los Angeles wasn’t particularly moving. Still, given its high location, the observatory offers an unobstructed, 360-degree panoramic view, making it the perfect spot for taking in the surrounding landscape on a clear day.
The interior of Griffith Observatory is divided into six sections, featuring in-depth exhibits and hands-on programs about telescopes and the advancement of astronomy.
The Wilder Hall of the Eye is an exhibit showcasing the history and development of the telescope, with interesting interactive displays like a Tesla coil and a camera obscura.
In the central rotunda of the observatory, you can also see a Foucault pendulum in action, an experimental device designed to demonstrate the Earth’s rotation.
One of the highlights of Griffith Observatory is the 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope. Over 9 million people have observed the night sky through this telescope, making it the most-viewed telescope in the world.
On clear nights, a free program allows visitors to observe celestial objects through the telescope. Along with the main telescope on the roof, four portable telescopes are set up outside for viewing celestial objects visible that night.
The observatory’s recent surge in fame is undeniably linked to the movie La La Land. The scene where the main characters, Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), dance against the backdrop of the LA night view is an acknowledged masterpiece.
Since the location for that iconic scene, which was even used for the movie’s poster, is right here at Griffith Observatory, watching the LA night view from here is a special treat if you enjoyed La La Land.
During the day, the flat, sprawling city with its tightly packed buildings didn’t leave much of an impression. At night, however, it transforms into a much more stunning sight as those buildings light up, twinkling like stars in the dark.
Griffith Observatory is more than just a tourist attraction; it’s a place where you can feel the wonder of the universe and a spark of interest in science, all while enjoying the best views of LA. A visit is highly recommended.
Operating Hours
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Closed every Monday
Final Thoughts
Today, we’ve covered a trip to Hollywood in Los Angeles. If you visit LA, why not set aside a day to walk the Walk of Fame, follow in the footsteps of the stars, get a taste of the Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre, and feel the mystery of the universe at Griffith Observatory?
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