When people think of Los Angeles, usually the first place they think about is Hollywood. Hollywood was once known for its glitz and glamor, but present-day, it is more commonly known as the hub for filmmaking. When planning a Los Angeles itinerary, visitors will want to plan at least one day in Hollywood to check out some of the unique attractions.
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History of Hollywood
Hollywood became the center of the American film industry in the 1900s. The filming Industry started around 1910 but the 1930s brought about the Golden Age of Film that brought the rise of iconic studios and movie stars.
Throughout the years, Hollywood has continued to evolve, maintaining a global entertainment hub and a symbol of the film industry.
When to Spend One Day in Hollywood
California is an amazing place to visit any time of the year, as the weather is mild, sunny, and warm most days. Prior to planning a trip to Hollywood, visitors should check to see if any special events, such as the Oscars or other award shows, are going on, as that will affect what is open. It is advisable to avoid Hollywood during these times.
How to Get to Hollywood
The closest airport to Hollywood is the Hollywood Burbank Airport. Many flights fly into here from all over the United States. If coming internationally or if you want a better flight deal, you can fly into Los Angeles International Airport.
Transportation in Hollywood
If you are strictly going to stay in Hollywood or Downtown Los Angeles, you can rely on public transportation to get around. However, if you want to explore more areas from Los Angeles or take some day trips, you will need to rent a car. I recommend renting a car through Economy Bookings as it will search all rental car companies for you.
Alternatively, you could buy a ticket for the Hop On Hop Off Bus, which gives you a narrated tour of Los Angeles. There are three routes the bus makes. Best of all, you can hop on and off the bus at any of the stops all day long. Visitors can buy a 1, 2, or 3-day pass.
Where to Stay in Hollywood
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Hollywood and Los Angeles hotels here!
The following are some amazing hotels to stay at in the Hollywood area.
- The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood
- Kimpton Hotel Wilshire
- W Hollywood (Right by the Pantages Theater)
- Ramada Plaza by Wyndham West Hollywood
- Best Western Hollywood Plaza Inn Hotel
- Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City (Great option if you want to visit Universal Studios)
- Sheraton Universal Hotel (Great option if you want to visit Universal Studios)
- Hotel Erwin
Go City Pass
When spending one day in Hollywood, I recommend buying a GoCity pass. This pass provides you entrance into various attractions across Los Angeles for one price. It is a good way to save money if you plan on visiting many attractions.
*Denotes included with your GoCity Pass.
What to do During One Day in Hollywood
If it is your first trip to Los Angeles, check out this post for things you should not miss when planning your Los Angeles itinerary. Also, make sure to check out this Best of LA Tour for all the main highlights! This Hollywood Experience Tour also visits the main sights of Hollywood.
Day 1
Celebrity Homes Tour*
Cost: $50
Hours: Varies by Company
Start your day with a celebrity Celebrity Homes Tour. These tours take visitors around the Hollywood Hills to known and former homes of celebrities and some filming locations. If you are lucky, you may even spot a celebrity. Visitors will also get a tour of the surrounding area and get to know the history of Hollywood.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Cost: Free
Hours: 24 hours
Next, during your one day in Hollywood, you will want to walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here, visitors can check out the almost 3000 stars that line the Walk of Fame. These stars are embedded in the sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard to commemorate the various actors, actresses, musicians, and others who have made contributions to the entertainment industry. You can look up where your favorite stars are located here.
TCL Chinese Theater*
Cost: Free
Hours: 24 hours, Vaires for Movies
As you check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame, make a stop at the TCL Chinese Theater, once known as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. This theater has been home to many infamous movie premieres, such as Star Wars.
Present-day, it contains one of the largest movie screens in North America and many people head there to watch movies. Also, visitors can stop in front of the theater to check out the handprints, footprints, and autographs of many famous movie stars. With your GoCity Pass, you can opt to take a tour or see a movie.
Check out the Theaters in the Area
Hollywood has no shortage of theaters! From live productions to movie premieres. You will at the very least want to walk by these theaters to see the outside of them.
Pantages Theater: This theater is home to many Broadway productions. It opened in 1930 and since then has become an icon of Hollywood.
Dolby Theater*: The Dolby Theater is another live production theater located within the shopping mall in Hollywood. This theater is most well-known for hosting the Academy Awards and many other award shows. The theater offers daily tours, which are included as a part of your GoCity Pass.
El Capitan Theater: The El Capitan Theater is owned by Disney and is the palace to go to see the most recent release of a Disney movie. It is a fully restored movie palace with amazing architecture both inside and out. All Disney movies premiere here. Visitors can also check out the attached Disney store and Ghirardelli Shop.
The Hollywood Museum*
Cost: $15
Hours: Wed-Sun: 10am-5pm
The Hollywood Museum is a fun addition to one day in Hollywood. This museum houses a huge collection of Hollywood props, costumes, and other memorabilia that depict the history of Hollywood. Visitors will spend about an hour visiting the four floors of the museum.
Madame Tussauds Hollywood*
Cost: $28
Hours:11am-6pm
After learning about the history of Hollywood, head to Madame Tussauds Hollywood to see the life-like wax figures of real Hollywood stars. These wax figures are custom-made to the size of actual people and figures. Visitors will easily spend an hour here and it makes for a ton of amazing pictures.
Hollywood Sign
Cost: Free
The iconic Hollywood Sign is a must visit attraction in your one day in Hollywood. This historical landmark is situated on Mount Lee and spells out Hollywood in 50-foot letters. It was originally erected in 1923 and read “Hollywoodland” to promote the new area. Over time, that sign deteriorated and was eventually rebuilt as the one it is today.
Visitors can catch a view of this iconic sign from various places across Hollywood. The balcony at the Ovation mall (by the Dolby Theater), Lake Hollywood Park, and the Griffith Observatory. You can also go on this Hollywood Sign Walking Tour to get the full experience. Alternatively, you can opt to hike to the top of the sign for a different view and amazing views of Los Angeles.
Mama Shelter
Cost: $$
Hours: 7am-10:30pm
One of my absolute favorite places to eat during one day in Hollywood is at Mama Shelter. This gorgeous rooftop restaurant offers views of the Hollywood sign and surrounding area. They have a really good happy hour or plan to head here for sunset. I recommend making a reservation to ensure you get a table as it can be very popular.
Hollywood Bowl
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies but usually around 8pm
If you spend one day in Hollywood during the summertime, take in an evening performance at the Hollywood Bowl. This is the summertime home to the LA Philharmonic and they do a lot of special events and unique type concerts. For example, they do a lot of film concerts where you watch a movie, but the LA Phil is playing the music for the movie.
More Than One Day in Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood
Cost: $100
Hours: Varies by Day
For those interested in a theme park experience, I highly recommend spending a day at Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal Studios is a working studio and theme park dedicated to movie attractions. Visitors can check out the film sets, immerse themselves in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and exciting shows.
Magic Castle
Cost: Varies
Hours: Varies
The Magic Castle is an exclusive members-only club in Hollywood that puts on an amazing magic show. In order to visit, you must be escorted or invited by a member. You also MUST follow the formal dress code, or you will not be brought in. Alternatively, you may be able to get in if you book a stay at the Magic Castle.
Griffith Observatory
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues-Fri: 12pm-10pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-10pm
The Griffith Observatory is a working observatory that overlooks the Los Angeles area. It provides some of the best views of the area. On a clear day, visitors can see all the way to the ocean. It is free to view the exhibits inside of the observatory, but extra if you want to view the show. Alternatively, visitors could take this Griffith Observatory Tour.
If you want a tour that covers more ground, also check out this Getty Center and Griffith Observatory Tour that we took as part of our GoCity Pass experience.
Runyon Canyon
Cost: Free
Hours: 24 hours
Runyon Canyon is a very popular park located in Hollywood that has a ton of amazing hiking and walking trails. People from all across Los Angeles tend to visit here for some outdoor time, including many celebrities.
Final Tips for One Day in Hollywood
Spending one day in Hollywood makes for a fun addition to a Los Angeles trip or a part of your Southern California itinerary. It is an iconic spot to visit and can provide a lot of entertainment.
