Hollywood Boulevard Travel Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Go

10 things you must know before you travel to Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. First off, Hollywood Boulevard is definitely not as nice as you think it is. The idealized Hollywood in your head is most certainly better than the real Hollywood. You've seen it on TV for the Oscars, and it's all decked out and amazing. The real Hollywood blvd is filled with shady businesses, crumby souvenir stands, and panhandling “entertainers” who will attempt to shake you down for a photo with them. Hollywood is also huge! There are so many hidden gems in the city, but most of what you’ll find in this immediate location is catered to tourists.

2. Parking:
Street Parking (Meter Prices -- but watch out!)
Expensive Pay Parking Lots

My favorite: garage at Hollywood & Highland, which is a mall that includes Chinese and Dolby Theaters. With validation (available with a purchase at shops in the mall), you get 2 hours for $2 or 4 hours for $2 with validation from the Chinese Theater. Daily max of $17

US Highway 101 provides the easiest access via the Highland Avenue exit south.

This is also a great place to have a quick meal. There are several restaurants hidden away in this area where you can get a fast and affordable meal away from some of the more touristy restaurants on the main street.

3. Subway

Yes, Los Angeles has a subway, and it’s one of the best ways to get to Hollywood, the LA Metro Red Line has 3 stops along Hollywood boulevard. And it’s cheap, only $1.75 per ride, any distance!

Hollywood & Western,
Hollywood & Vine
Hollywood & Highland (Which is the best stop to start at)
And it also stops at Universal Studios Hollywood, which isn’t in Hollywood at all!

4. Photos with Street Performers

They aren’t there out of the kindness of their hearts, if you take a picture with them, or of them, they’ll expect some money. And sometimes be forceful about it. I’m not telling you not to take a picture with them… just know it’s going to cost you.

5. Food

It all is pretty mediocre on Hollywood boulevard, and overpriced. If you want “cheap”, best options are the food court at the top of Hollywood and Highland mall, I like Poknomitry, or there’s an In-N-Out burger a block over on Sunset. If you want better sit-down eats, get off Hollywood blvd, head over to West Hollywood.

6. Making Movies

They don’t make them here anymore… most movie making in LA happens in Burbank, which is North of Hollywood. If you are looking for the “movie studio” experience, check out the Warner Brothers Studio Tour, and Paramount Pictures Studio Tour, or Universal Studios Hollywood theme park for their Studio Tour. None of these are near Hollywood boulevard. You can take the subway to Universal Studios Hollywood though.

If you want to take a tour of the Dolby Theatre, head to their box office when you first arrive on Hollywood Boulevard, then organize the rest of your day around your scheduled tour time.

7.The Sign:

In 1923, an investor by the name of Harry Chandler had the letters ‘Hollywoodland’ constructed to advertise a new real estate development. In 1949, the word ‘land’ was removed from the sign and it became an advertisement for the whole town rather than just one neighbourhood.

8. The stars:

It's called the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and celebrities can earn stars in 5 categories.

9. Celebrities have to pay for their star

10. Celebrities can earn multiple stars

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[TripAstute]

Thanks Chris for exploring Hollywood with me! We had a great time and look forward to more collaborations with your channel. 😊

[Carl_Johnson_from_grove_street]

I couldnt agree more, Im from LA and whenever I get friends and family they all want to see Hollywood Blvd and I always see the look of disappointment when I take them.

[stuartmiller]

Great video! Very informative and helpful...thanks!!

[DisneyMarkUK]

Great tips chaps, I love Hollywood & all of its craziness

[robsmoviecollection]

I grew up in Hollywood and spent my summers going to watch movies at the Hollywood Blvd theaters. It sure was different in my day. But this video took me back regardless. Great vid Chris!

[PhoebeGlamour]

100% agree with Hollywood not being as nice as you think it will be. I have been twice (from Australia) and absolutely loved it both times and will go back again! I think the key is to go there with realistic expectations! :)

[hannahedwards]

Thanks Chris & Topher for all of your fantastic travel videos, we've watched your videos before all of our overseas holidays so far and your channel is always the first thing we look up when planning our next trips! Such fun to watch and so much great information - especially about food! From Hannah & Steve in South Australia

[evancortez]

I have a friend who used to work at a store down by Hollywood and Wilcox and sometimes I would just hang out there for hours just walking up and down Hollywood boulevard, from the Pantages theater all the way down to the Chinese theater and back, just going back and forth, back and forth for hours - I've seen all kinds of weird and wacky things and people on Hollywood boulevard at all times of the day and that's actually one of the things I really enjoyed and miss about my trips to LA

[andypoopoo]

Love your style of video. Fast, informative and fun.

[sonjasuracha]

I totally agree. I was just there last week.

[kimeddy]

The blvd is awesome! Lived here for 30 yrs. Always something to see and never boring

[theduden]

I'm visiting LA in November. This video is rightly timed for me. Excited 🤩

[ryusei]

8 year Hollywood resident here to say this video is spot on

[Nonduality]

Yet another fine production. Maybe the best pizza slices I've ever had were at Two Guys from Italy, on Hollywood Blvd. I see they are still around and still have high ratings. Near them is Kino Sushi. However, I don't know if that's the same sushi restaurant I used to go to back in the 60s before sushi was . . . sushi. Crazy, some of us were eating sushi in L.A. 50 years ago.

[ASMRwithSofia]

Loving your videos, new subbie here! 💖 Just a little fun fact : A lot of movies and tv shows are also filmed in Toronto, Canada, called " the Hollywood North" 😉 I am a background performer here. Can't wait to go back to LA again, it's been years. So sad for all the fires happening now.

[gloribelrodriguez]

This is an amazing video just booked to take my boys in August.thank you !

[idiadiaana]

Never knew about the subway; im gonna have to try it next time. Thank you for the tip

[dorseylandria]

i love the historical buildings in hollywood. right around the corner where i lived on yucca, carol burnet lived there when she was a girl.i see that this video was done in 2018 and the blvd has definately improved.

[bibianaguadalupeislasherre]

Your videos are so helpful, keep doing a good job 😃❤️

[kyleirving]

Panda plush is so cute and your pretty cool.