Los Angeles Neighborhoods

Hollywood

Hollywood is famous for its movie star image and the seedy, yet fascinating, Hollywood Boulevard. Don’t forget to snap a picture of the Hollywood Sign. The LA Film Office offers a daily list of what is being filmed around LA. (213) 977-8600

• Hollywood Walk of Fame - The famous 2 mile strip on Hollywood Blvd covered with famous Hollywood movie stars, past and present. Runs along Hollywood Blvd between La Brea and Gower Streets
• Hollywood Sign - The sign is perched atop Mount Hollywood. If you go to Griffith Park (see Parks and Hikes below), you can take the Mt. Hollywood Skyline trail, which is an 11 mile hike, to the top (sorry, you can’t drive). Here you will find excellent views of Hollywood and the “sign”.
• Mann’s Chinese Theater - See the most famous section of the Walk of Fame outside this theater, with the handprints and footprints of the stars. 6925 Hollywood Blvd.

West Hollywood

Sunset Strip is famous for its neon billboards, nightclubs and bars. Melrose Ave., between La Brea and Doheny Dr., has trendy shops, art galleries and restaurants.

Santa Monica

Situated along the Pacific coast, here you will find great beaches, hiking, biking, boardwalks and the latest in shopping trends (go to Main St.). The Third Street Promenade is a pedestrian only 3 block shopping strip with restaurants, movie theaters, stalls and shops. Visit the Santa Monica Pier at Colorado Blvd. and Ocean Ave. for clubs, restaurants and Pacific Park, a miniature amusement park.

Downtown

There is not a whole lot to do downtown after business hours. Check out Olvera St., between Main and Los Angeles Sts. for a pedestrian only, Mexican marketplace which includes shops, food stands and restaurants. Chinatown lies between Broadway and Hill Sts, north of Sunset Blvd, and Little Tokyo is bordered by Temple, 3rd, Los Angeles and Alameda Sts.

Beverly Hills

Famous for Rodeo Drive and million dollar homes. Bring your camera and stop for a drink at the Beverly Hills Hotel (9641 Sunset Blvd). You can also buy maps that detail self-guided tours of famous houses in Beverly Hills and surrounding areas. The Golden Triangle, bound by Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica Blvd. and Crescent Drive, is where you will find the glitz of shopping - Rodeo Drive.

Hermosa Beach

A happening surf suburb just 8 miles south of LAX. It boasts an excellent nightlife scene, miles of sandy beaches, great surf, and volleyball

Venice Beach

Beach, boardwalk, bike paths, rollerblade, or people watch. Street performers and loads of cheap vendors.

San Pedro, South Bay

A seaside town in the South Bay, near Long Beach, Catalina Island and the many attractions of Orange county including Disneyland. (29 miles from LA).

Fullerton, Orange Co.

A charming town and birthplace of the Fender electric guitar, is located in Orange County close to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm (40 miles from LA).