A tourist guide to Hollywood Vacations

Visiting Hollywood: A tourists’ guide

Aside from the sun and sand, the next thing that comes to mind when hearing “California” is Hollywood. Tinsel Town with all its famous celebrities and tourist attractions is open 24/7 for all those interested in enjoying the razzle and dazzle that come with Hollywood vacation packages, yet still want to remain within their budgets. With this guide at Hollywood Vacations, tourists will know where to go.

Many hotels and inns offer their services to those interested in Hollywood vacation rentals while visiting the city. Tourists can enjoy the comfort of a

Hollywood vacation rental as well its proximity to different famous Hollywood vacation attractions, and all that at a cost that is a little less than $60.

Plus, if money is no problem, then visitors can rent Hollywood vacation homes that are more luxurious and even much closer to the city’s hotspots.
With the luggage at the hotel, it is time for sightseeing. Even those with tight budgets can have fun in Tinsel Town, because there are some attractions that do not require much money to visit or enter. For example, the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, which was established in 1927 as an Oriental-themed movie house, can be entered for $10 and toured for $5.

Plus, many can spend a day out soaking up the sun on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street while following over 2000 five-pointed stars that feature the names of human celebrities and fictional characters who have contributed most to the entertainment industry.
In addition, if finding a celebrity to share a picture with becomes too hard and toiling, then a visit to the Hollywood Wax Museum is quite necessary for a Hollywood vacation tourist. From 10Am to midnight, tourists can click away pictures with the stars’ wax doubles, who are dressed up in their most famous roles, for example, Clint Eastwood’s immortal Dirty Harry.

On the other hand, the best way to see Hollywood in action is by signing up for Universal Studios Hollywood vacations. This 85 year-old movie studio/theme park has been an attraction for many tourists visiting Hollywood through various Hollywood packages. With the Universal Hollywood Tour at the studio, many will get to see their favorite stars prepare for their movies as well as watch different scenes being filmed as they pass by.

Regardless of the Hollywood vacation package one may take up, the city will have many attractions and sights that may require a second visit to be fully covered. With shopping, movies and glam dominating the city, it is no wonder that many choose Hollywood vacations to relax and have fun during the holidays.

The wild side in hollywood

you know about West Hollywood? If you don’t – then you are not alone – if you do congratulate yourself.

West Hollywood is called as the Boy Town. It is almost a 2 square mile of a city surrounded by Hollywood and Beverly Hills within LA and this is where Sunset Strip starts and it ends with really great bars and nightclubs such as The Roxy, The Troubador, The House of Blues , the famous Whiskey a Go-Go and of course, the Viper Room. This place rocks with an entirely different beat due to the creative energy of  entertainers, artists, writers and alternative lifestyles (a third of the population of this section of the city is gay or lesbian) – everyone is welcome here.

Here you will find the trendiest designer shops and the most outrageous nightlife and of course the largest Halloween street gathering in the world which is called the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival.

When the time comes for the annual Oscars ceremony, chances are you that you might get personal glimpses at a huge number of celebrities attending the Studio.

Many of the Oscar parties are held in West Hollywood. Some of West Hollywood’s famous business owners and residents include Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts, Bradd Pitt, Johnny Depp, Steve Martin and a host of celebrities – it is quite easy to spot celebrities throughout the year.

The best way to get close and personal is to stay at a West Hollywood hotel.

Guests come from almost everywhere in the world – UK, Germany, France, India, South Africa, Brazil, Italy and other countries. The visitors are a mix of people who prefer West Hollywood’s choice of hotels and night life to the . These hotels are centrally located  and range from the modest to the upscale and offer tourists a great home base to explore the area.

West Hollywood is one of the best spots for celebrity gazing and perhaps there is no better way to do it than dining at dozens of restaurants on Santa Monica Boulevard and North Robertson areas. you can eat outdoors all year long thanks to mild temperatures and enjoy your a cocktail – there are well over a hundred restaurants throughout this area. West Hollywood is home to the largest GLBT community in Southern California so you can expect a lively atmosphere in almost everything you see and explore in this charming, sophisticated and fun-loving city within a city.

For the ones who love music – this place is a paradise. You  will find it tough to find a place of this caliber and with this quality of acts. The night is always alive with pulsating music and rhythms in clubs and bars that have  helped catapult groups like The Byrds, The Doors, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, The Talking Heads, Bruce Springsteen and The Who into stardom.

Visiting Hollywood: A tourists’ guide

Aside from the sun and sand, the next thing that comes to mind when hearing “California” is Hollywood. Tinsel Town with all its famous celebrities and tourist attractions is open 24/7 for all those interested in enjoying the razzle and dazzle that come with Hollywood vacation packages, yet still want to remain within their budgets. With this guide at Hollywood Vacations, tourists will know where to go.
Many hotels and inns offer their services to those interested in Hollywood vacation rentals while visiting the city. Tourists can enjoy the comfort of a Hollywood vacation rental as well its proximity to different famous Hollywood vacation attractions, and all that at a cost that is a little less than $60. Plus, if money is no problem, then visitors can rent Hollywood vacation homes that are more luxurious and even much closer to the city’s hotspots.
With the luggage at the hotel, it is time for sightseeing. Even those with tight budgets can have fun in Tinsel Town, because there are some attractions that do not require much money to visit or enter. For example, the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, which was established in 1927 as an Oriental-themed movie house, can be entered for $10 and toured for $5.
Plus, many can spend a day out soaking up the sun on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street while following over 2000 five-pointed stars that feature the names of human celebrities and fictional characters who have contributed most to the entertainment industry.
In addition, if finding a celebrity to share a picture with becomes too hard and toiling, then a visit to the Hollywood Wax Museum is quite necessary for a Hollywood vacation tourist. From 10Am to midnight, tourists can click away pictures with the stars’ wax doubles, who are dressed up in their most famous roles, for example, Clint Eastwood’s immortal Dirty Harry.
On the other hand, the best way to see Hollywood in action is by signing up for Universal Studios Hollywood vacations. This 85 year-old movie studio/theme park has been an attraction for many tourists visiting Hollywood through various Hollywood packages. With the Universal Hollywood Tour at the studio, many will get to see their favorite stars prepare for their movies as well as watch different scenes being filmed as they pass by.
Regardless of the Hollywood vacation package one may take up, the city will have many attractions and sights that may require a second visit to be fully covered. With shopping, movies and glam dominating the city, it is no wonder that many choose Hollywood vacations to relax and have fun during the holidays.

Cheap Vacation in Hollywood

Free Things to Do:

Old Hollywood is all around you in downtown Hollywood. Avoid the tours and take a walking tour down Hollywood Blvd. from Sunset and Vine to Hollywood and Highland and then take in Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the footprints. There are now signs which give you a self-guided tour down the street.

Low Cost Things to Do:

Pick up a guide on the Blvd. from the Hollywood Arts Council which has maps and will clue you into concerts/events/festivals. We have lots of them. Also pick up the L.A. WEEKLY, a free paper (out every Thurs.) at 7-11s, newsboxes and the like. There are also up-to-date listings of music and of the lively small theater scene. Hang around the atrium of the Hollywood/Highland complex and see where the stars go up the stairs to the Oscars. Follow around the magic carpet of stardom and have a drink in the elephant court. Take pictures at the “casting couch.” Watch the street performers. You can also drive up Mulholland Drive to get a spectacular view of the City. Another spectacular view is from the Hollywood Reservoir up in the Hollywood Hills – where you might find someone you recognize from TV or film jogging around.

Expensive But Worth It:

There are lots of wonderful restaurants. Check out the Zagat Guide. Some historical ones are Musso-Frank’s – the oldest restaurant in Hollywood, and the majestic Yamashiro. with its great view over Hollywood. There are also lots of trendy clubs for nightlife. It’s not IN Hollywood, but OF Hollywood – Drive down Sunset through Beverly Hills past UCLA to Bel-Air and find the reclusive Bel-Air Hotel, with its swans and gardens – which has been a movie set itself.

Nightlife:

There are lots of trendy bars and nightclubs in downtown Hollywood. But some of them have exclusive entry policies and only let in the young, trendy and gorgeous. Look in the L.A. WEEKLY for tips. You can also do internet research for the latest lowdown.

Just for Kids:

Kids love Universal Studios – try to get discount tickets before you go. There are also more authentic studio tours at NBC, Warner Brothers (in Studio City), and Paramount. You can get tickets to tapings of TV shows within season. Check out the networks. There is a Hollywood Studio Museum near the Hollywood Bowl with old equipment and a museum on the site of Max Factor’s old make up studio on Highland and Hollywood.

There is also the Hollywood Wax Museum on the Blvd. You can get inexpensive t-shirts and the like in the shops there, too.

Seasonal Information:

During the summer when the weather is nice, the Hollywood Bowl is open. The classical concerts with the L.A. Philharmonic during the week are the best buy, and the seats way up at the top are less then $5 and the sound is quite good, and you can either picnic on the grounds, or eat at your seats. Bring a jacket, though, it gets cold in the evenings. (Ditto any evening concerts/events.) It RAINS heavily during the winter – so check the weather report and be prepared if you are visiting then.

Inexpensive Lodging:

There are lots of inexpensive motels in and around Hollywood. Check on line for deals – or pick up one of the many coupon books you will find in gas stations in and around Hollywood for deals. There is a motel – I think a Best Western now, on Franklin Ave, which I recommend to my family. Best to drive by and check out the neighborhood, there are still some iffy areas in the neighborhood.

Interesting Facts or History:

Hollywood was founded more than 100 years ago by Midwesterners who were looking for sunshine. Some of them were even Temperance, and were shocked by the advent of the raucous movie folk around the First World War. Until the 40′s, Hollywood was still covered by groves of lemon, orange and avocado trees, many of which can still be seen in the backyards. Go to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Santa Monica, which was founded in the early says and then was the final home of many famed movies stars, including Rudolph Valentino. They now have events in the summer, like showing silent Valentino movies on his mausoleum in the evenings. You can also see the history of the 30′s Hollywood, by going over the hill to Forest Lawn Hollywood, with its period reproductions of famous churches with literary ties. Many books have been written on the subject – so if you are interested, bone up a bit. There are even tours of where famous movie folk died, which includes my old apartment building, where Bela Lugosi died! You will find a lot of it curiously recognizable from all the old movies you have seen over a lifetime.

Chamber of Commerce Contact Information:

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce can be found on the net at http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/

There is a lot of info on the site about Hollywood, its restaurants and nightlife and attractions. The Chamber maintains the Hollywood sign, which you can see very well from Sunset just near the freeway. And they, of course, also maintain the Walk of Fame down Hollywood Blvd., with all the stars, something else to see on you Hollywood walks.

Additional Comments:

You really do need a car to get around L.A. – but just in Hollywood you can get by with public transportation. There is a subway underneath Hollywood Blvd. with stops at Western, Vine and Highland. And also many buses. Call the MTA to find out schedules, etc. You might want to buy an Entertainment book for Central Los Angeles for the many coupons – What with the attractions, you could save more than the $15 cost.

Pamphyila from Los Angeles, CA

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