10 Classic Hollywood Experiences You Need to Try At Least Once in Your Life

The Best Things to Do in Hollywood

Ever dreamed of seeing that iconic hillside sign or walking the same streets as your favorite movie stars? Hollywood’s got all that touristy stuff, but I’m telling you, there’s so much more to Tinseltown than the glitz.

Whether you’re a film buff or just curious about this legendary neighborhood, this guide covers what’s actually worth your time. Here’s the best of Hollywood, both the spots you’ve seen in movies and the places where locals actually hang out.

Why Is It Called Hollywood, Anyway?

Before it became movie central, Hollywood was just farmland with a name that nobody can quite agree on.

Some say H.J. Whitley (nicknamed the “Father of Hollywood”) came up with it in 1886 when he misheard a Chinese man saying “hauling wood” as “Hollywood.” Others insist it was Daeida Wilcox who heard the name on a train and thought it would be perfect for the community she and her husband Harvey were building.

Whatever the truth, by 1903 it was officially a municipality, and by 1910 it had joined Los Angeles, right when filmmakers started moving in from the East Coast. What started as a sleepy suburb became the heart of global filmmaking almost overnight.

• Address: Hollywood Visitor Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 

• Fee: Free 

• Hours: Daily 10am-10pm

The Hollywood Sign

You can’t say you’ve been to Hollywood without snapping a pic of those nine famous letters.

Funny enough, it was just a temporary real estate billboard when they built it in 1923. “Hollywoodland” was supposed to last about a year and a half, but people loved it so much it stuck around, minus the “LAND” part, which they removed in 1949.

Want a good view? If you’re feeling energetic, hike the Brush Canyon Trail through Griffith Park for an up-close look. If hiking’s not your thing, the observation deck at Hollywood & Highland or Lake Hollywood Park offers great photo ops without all the sweat.

• Address: Griffith Park (various trail access points) 

• Fee: Free 

• Hours: Griffith Park open 5am-10:30pm daily

The Hollywood Walk of Fame

The stars stretch from La Brea all the way to the Pantages Theater, plus a chunk of Vine Street.

You’ll have to dodge street performers, costumed characters, and other tourists snapping photos, but that’s part of the experience.

They add about 20 new stars each year, with Prince, Jane Fonda, and David Beckham among the Class of 2025. The classics still draw the biggest crowds though, everyone wants a selfie with Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, or The Beatles.

• Address: Hollywood Blvd between La Brea Ave and Gower St 

• Fee: Free 

• Hours: Always accessible

TCL Chinese Theatre

This is where Hollywood royalty has premiered films since 1927. The forecourt is covered with handprints and footprints of movie stars, a tradition that supposedly started by accident when Norma Talmadge stepped on wet cement during construction.

Over 200 celebrities have left their mark since then. The building itself is gorgeous, decked out in authentic Chinese décor that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.

You can take a guided tour ($48 for adults, $43 for kids) or better yet, catch a movie in the main theater, which combines old-school glamour with modern IMAX tech. It’s one of those rare places where Hollywood history is still very much alive.

• Address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 

• Fee: Tours from $48 for adults, $43 for children (3-12) 

• Hours: Daily 9am-midnight (hours vary for showings)

The Hollywood Bowl

Nothing says “summer in LA” like catching a show at the Bowl with friends, wine, and a picnic basket. This outdoor amphitheater nestled in the hills has hosted everyone from The Beatles to Lady Gaga since 1922.

The 17,500-seat venue is famous for its shell-shaped stage and perfect acoustics. Summer brings the LA Philharmonic, while other nights feature rock, jazz, or movies with live orchestral accompaniment.

My advice? Show up early with some cheese, bread, and wine (yes, you can bring your own), and make an evening of it. Watching the sunset over the city as the music starts is pretty magical, and it’s something even jaded locals still love to do.

• Address: 2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068 

• Fee: Tickets range from $15-$250+ depending on performance and seating 

• Hours: Varies by performance; summer season runs May-October (individual tickets for 2025 available from May 6)

Universal Studios Hollywood

This theme park is also a working movie studio where they’re filming real movies and TV shows every day.

The Studio Tour takes you through actual sound stages and past iconic sets from movies like “Jaws” and “Psycho.”

The rest of the park is filled with immersive attractions based on everything from Harry Potter to The Simpsons. If you’re a serious film buff, splurge on the VIP Experience.

Yeah, it’s pricey (around $349), but you’ll get exclusive backlot access and gourmet dining that regular ticket holders don’t see. Worth it if you’re a movie geek like me.

• Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608 

• Fee: General admission from $109 (prices vary seasonally); VIP Experience from $349 

• Hours: Generally 9am-10pm (varies seasonally)

Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Paramount Pictures is the last major studio actually located in Hollywood. And unlike Universal, it’s all about real filmmaking, not thrill rides.

Founded in 1912, this historic lot has produced countless classics, and their tour gives you an authentic behind-the-scenes look. You’ll explore sound stages, peek into the prop warehouse, and walk through the New York City backlot where they’ve filmed everything from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” to “Mission: Impossible.”

The standard 3-hour tour runs $150 on weekdays, and the guides really know their stuff. It’s less crowded and more intimate than other studio tours, your group will be small enough that you can actually ask questions and hear the answers.

• Address: 5515 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 

• Fee: Studio Tour $150; VIP Tour from $189

• Hours: Tours run daily 9am-3:30pm

Runyon Canyon

This is where locals go when they need a dose of nature without leaving the city.

The 160-acre park sits right at the eastern edge of the Santa Monica Mountains, and the popular 3-mile loop trail offers killer views of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign, and on clear days, all the way to the ocean.

Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities, plenty of stars live nearby and use these trails to stay in shape. Dogs are welcome (including off-leash in designated areas), which adds to the friendly vibe.

Just remember to bring water and sunscreen, there’s not much shade up there, and the L.A. sun doesn’t mess around. Some sections get pretty steep, but the views make every sweaty step worth it.

• Address: 2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 

• Fee: Free 

• Hours: 6am-6pm (winter), 6am-7pm (summer)

The Hollywood Museum

Housed in the historic Max Factor Building (where stars like Lucille Ball got their signature looks), this museum is packed with over 10,000 pieces of Hollywood history.

You can visit the original makeup rooms where Max Factor worked his magic, each one color-coded for different hair types (blondes, redheads, brunettes) to show how makeup would look on film.

Don’t skip the basement “Dungeon of Doom,” which houses props and costumes from horror classics. For fifteen bucks, it’s one of the best entertainment values in a town not known for bargains.

• Address: 1660 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 

• Fee: Adults $15, Students/Seniors $12, Children under 5 free 

• Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm

Musso & Frank Grill

Musso’s red leather booths have hosted everyone from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Charlie Chaplin, and the place hasn’t changed much in a century.

The martinis are legendary (seriously, they might be the best in LA), and the menu features old-school classics like French dip sandwiches and flannel cakes made from recipes that haven’t changed in generations.

The waiters, dressed in those iconic red jackets, have often worked there for decades and have amazing stories if you take the time to chat.

It’s not cheap, but it’s a genuine slice of old Hollywood that’s survived while trendier spots have come and gone.

• Address: 6667 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 

• Fee: Dinner entrées $30-60 

• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 4pm-9pm

The Hollywood Roosevelt

Even if you can’t afford to stay here, pop in for a drink and soak up the ghostly vibes. This gorgeous Spanish-style hotel opened in 1927 and hosted the very first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929.

Today, it mixes its historic charm with modern luxury touches. The David Hockney-painted pool is still a hotspot, and the bars attract a cool crowd of locals and tourists alike.

According to legend, the hotel is seriously haunted. People claim Marilyn Monroe’s ghost appears in mirrors, and Montgomery Clift supposedly still practices his trumpet in the hallways.

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, the lobby bar and The Spare Room (complete with vintage bowling lanes) are worth checking out for craft cocktails in an atmosphere that screams old Hollywood glamour.

• Address: 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 

• Fee: Rooms from $300/night; bars and restaurants vary 

• Hours: Hotel open 24/7; venue hours vary

Getting to Hollywood

L.A. traffic is no joke, but getting to Hollywood doesn’t have to be a nightmare. The easiest way is hopping on the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland station, which drops you right where most attractions cluster. 

If you’re driving, brace yourself for $20-30 daily parking fees and weekend traffic that’ll test your patience. Uber and Lyft are solid alternatives if you’re not on a super tight budget.

Weather-wise, March-June and September-November offer the best combo of pleasant temperatures and smaller crowds. Summer brings heat and tourists, while winter occasionally serves up rain but fewer people. After dark, stick to main streets, especially east of Highland Avenue where things get sketchier.

• Tourist Information: Hollywood Visitor Information Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd 

• Emergency Services: LAPD Hollywood Station – 1358 N. Wilcox Ave, 213-972-2971 (non-emergency)