| |
 Hollywood....
Although located close to some
lovely areas of Los Angeles, Hollywood itself was a real dump,
populated all-too-frequently by hustlers, pickpockets, drug
addicts, con artists and panhandlers.
To view the
"major attractions" at the time - the Hollywood Walk of Fame
and Grauman's Chinese Theatre - you had to walk a gantlet of
tacky souvenir stands, adult book stores and X-rated movie
theaters.
It has come a long way since this review
just 4 years ago.
Fortunately Hollywood is now
significantly more pleasant than it used to be, and Disney has
played a major role in the improvements. The changes started
in the mid-1990s when the city of Los Angeles decided to place
a stop on the new Metro Red Line subway right in the heart of
Hollywood.
From that point on, improvement has been
happening slowly but surely along the central section of
Hollywood Boulevard.
The good news about Hollywood is,
everything you will want to see is located within about three
city blocks, with the center being Hollywood Blvd. and
Highland Ave. (The famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine
has nothing to offer.) If you want to do the "grand tour,"
consider the Hollywood CityPass, which provides admission to
many of the major attractions at a discounted
price.
The bad news is, there's still a seedy side to
Hollywood, even in the central tourist area. Be prepared for
crowds. Watch for pickpockets. Also, be aware that there are
many costumed individuals, particularly in the plaza in front
of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, who will try to get you to have
your picture taken with them, and then charge you money. These
people are not official, licensed or authorized to do this, so
proceed with caution.
Getting to Hollywood and
Getting Around
Assuming you want to visit Hollywood
in conjunction with a Disneyland vacation, there really are 4
ways to get to there: driving, a tour, the Metro 460 bus or
taking the train.
Disney does not offer any kind of
bus or shuttle service between the two.
Renting a car
is a good bet but it is not for the faint hearted. Los Angeles
is a town dominated by the automobile, so traveling by car is
the quintessential way to experience it but just remember,
there are more people living in this city than in many
countries of the world and EVERYONE has somewhere to go.
Disneyland and central Hollywood are about 34 miles apart.
Driving time to Hollywood is about 45 minutes from Disneyland,
if traffic is light. (In heavy traffic, it can take up to 2
hours. Avoid rush hours: 6:00 to 9:00 am and 3:00 to 7:00 pm.)
Once you're in Hollywood, park at Hollywood & Highland
Center. The parking underneath is plentiful and, with a
validation, you can save a few dollars.
The Metro 460
Bus leaves from in front of Disneyland at the OCTA bus stop
right next to the main, walk in entrance on Harbor Blvd. You
can either take it direct to the Red Line at 7th and Metro or
get off in Norwalk and take the Green Line train to the Blue
Line train to the Red Line train.
There is an easy to
follow map available at the Anaheim Visitor and Postal Center
so stop in and we'll point you in the right
direction.
If you prefer the train, you'll first need
to get a cab to the Anaheim train station, located about 2.5
miles from Disneyland. From there you can take either an
Amtrak train (fare about $9 one way) or a Metrolink commuter
train (fare about $6.75 one way) to Los Angeles Union Station.
This portion of the trip takes about 45-50 minutes. At Union
Station, transfer to the Metro Red Line toward North Hollywood
and exit at Hollywood & Highland station. The Metro fare
is $1.25 and this portion of the trip takes 21
minutes.
Taking a tour is great because you see
everything you want to see in all the different areas of LA
including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Venice Beach and
More!
Taking taxis in Los Angeles is a bad idea.
Distances are large and fares are high. As an experiment, I
tried taking a cab from the Beverly Hilton to Disney's El
Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, a distance of less than 6 miles.
The one-way cab fare, including a modest tip, was
$29.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood
Walk of Fame, created in 1960, consists of the famous bronze
and terrazzo "stars" imbedded in the sidewalks along Hollywood
Blvd. between Gower St. and La Brea Ave., and along Vine St.
from Sunset Blvd. to Yucca St.
If you want to visit your
favorite celebrity's "star," visit the Hollywood Chamber of
Commerce web site to learn its location.
Bear in mind that
in the central tourist area of Hollywood (around Hollywood
Blvd. and Highland Ave.), many of the "stars" are difficult to
see (much less photograph) due to the high volume of
pedestrian traffic.
Kodak Theatre
Kodak
Theatre, new home to the Academy Awards, was opened in 2001.
Most concerts, shows and other events held at Kodak Theatre
are open to the general public, so if you're going to
Hollywood, check to see what's playing during your visit.
Even if you don't choose to attend a live show, there are
some aspects of the theater anyone can enjoy. Walk through the
impressive multi-story portal from Hollywood Blvd. to approach
the theater, which is set back from the street. Once inside
the portal, you can wander along an Awards Walk of glass
plaques featuring winners of the Best Picture Oscar.
Kodak
Theatre is located at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard (north side, at
Hollywood & Highland Center). For information call (323)
308-6300.
30-minute guided tours of Kodak Theatre are
offered seven days a week, every thirty minutes from 10:30 am
to 4:00 pm (June 1 to August 31) and 10:30 am to 2:30 pm (rest
of the year), except when there are schedule conflicts due to
rehearsals or productions. Guided Tour tickets cost $15 for
adults, $10 for seniors (65+) and children (ages 3-17).
. The Hollywood & Highland Elephant Card (request
in advance) gives you 2-for-1 admission to the Guided Tour.
The card can be used for up to 4 total admissions.
.
Admission to the Kodak Theatre Guided Tour is usually included
in the Hollywood CityPass, except when the theater is closed
for productions.
Hollywood & Highland Center
Hollywood &
Highland Center, opened in 2001, is now the focus of
Hollywood's revitalization. You'll definitely want to check
out the center's over-the-top Babylon Court, inspired by D.W.
Griffith's 1916 silent film Intolerance. The two gigantic
elephants and huge columns are quite amazing.
Hollywood
& Highland is the home of many restaurants, a couple of
nightclubs, a trendy bowling alley/restaurant/lounge called
Lucky Strike Lanes, a multiplex movie theater (Mann's Chinese
6) and the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel .
For a
reasonably-priced meal, Hollywood & Highland has quite a
few options such as Quizno's, Great Steak & Potato Co,
California Pizza Kitchen and Johnny Rocket's. There are also
some high-end eateries, including two operated by Wolfgang
Puck: Vert and Loggia at the Highlands.
Hollywood &
Highland is located on the north side of Hollywood Blvd., half
a block west of Highland Ave.
There is a large parking
structure in Hollywood & Highland Center and this is the
best place to park for your explorations of Hollywood.
Entrances are on Highland Ave. and Orange Ave. Parking is $2
for 4 hours (with validation) and $1 for each 20 minutes
thereafter. There is a $10 per day maximum charge.
. If
you plan to shop or eat at Hollywood & Highland, be sure
to get an Elephant Card in advance, since that will give you
lots of discounts.
. The 2007 Los Angeles Entertainment
Books contains coupons for up to 50% off at Lucky Strike
Lanes. Expires 12/31/07.
. If you purchase the 2007
Orange County Entertainment Book (perfect if you are going to
Disneyland) you can print a coupon from the Entertainment web
site for 20% off (up to $25 savings) at Lucky Strike Lanes.
Expires 12/31/07.
Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio
Store
Located next door to El Capitan Theatre, Disney's
Soda Fountain and Studio Store makes a nice addition to any
outing to Hollywood. It offers excellent ice cream that is
trucked in from Bakersfield, where it is made by a famous
old-fashioned soda fountain called Dewar's. The "soda jerks"
at Disney's fountain are even trained by Dewar's soda
jerks!
The atmosphere is fun and the menu is simple - ice
cream cones, sundaes, shakes, malts, freezes, phosphates and
old-time flavored sodas, plus a few basic food items like
grilled cheese, hot dogs and peanut butter & jelly
sandwiches. Prices are pretty reasonable considering the
location and surroundings: you can get a nice big sundae for
under $7.
The adjacent Studio Store itself isn't anything
too exciting - just the usual Disney plush toys, videos and
souvenirs at inflated prices.
Disney's Soda Fountain and
Studio Store is located at 6834 Hollywood Blvd. (southwest
corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave., next to Disney's
El Capitan Theatre).
Disney's El Capitan
Theatre
The fabulous El Capitan Theatre began life in
1926 as a live theater, hosting major plays of the day. In
1942 it was converted to a movie theater. Beginning in 1989,
Disney undertook a phenomenal, "museum quality" restoration of
the 1,040-seat theater and added a Dolby sound system. The
theater reopened under Disney's ownership in 1991.
The El
Capitan usually hosts Disney's movie premieres. If you want to
watch the latest Disney movie in style, this is the place!
You'll get a kick out of the elaborately costumed ushers.
Be sure to arrive early so that you can enjoy the
pre-show, which includes live organ music performed on a giant
1920s Wurlitzer. Some movies are preceded by a full-on live
stage show with characters. During the run of certain movies,
special exhibits about the making of the film, sets and props,
etc., are displayed in the basement of the theater.
The El
Capitan is located at 6838 Hollywood Blvd. (south side of
Hollywood Blvd, west of Highland Ave., across the street from
Grauman's Chinese Theatre).
There are two movie ticket
options at the El Capitan: general admission and VIP. Tickets
usually sell out, so buy in advance. You can order online or
by calling (800) DISNEY6. There may be a processing fee for
ordering online.
. General admission tickets vary in price
depending on the movie showing, but average $9-$14 for adults,
$8-$11 for seniors and children. General admission tickets
provide open seating only (no reserved seats).
. VIP
tickets also vary in price depending on the movie showing --
typically $20-$23 per person (no discounts for kids or
seniors). VIP tickets entitle you to reserved seats in the
center section of the theater and include popcorn and a drink.
If you have VIP tickets, you do not have to wait in the long
general admission line to get into the theater. In my opinion,
the VIP tickets are worth the extra money.
Grauman's
Chinese Theatre
One of the most opulent of the city's
old movie palaces, Grauman's Chinese Theatre originally opened
in 1927. Probably the most famous landmark in Hollywood, it
still has the power to amaze. The forecourt in front of the
theater is well-known for its handprints and footprints of
movie stars, while the 90-foot tall theater itself is an
wacky, "only in LA" architectural marvel. It is operated by
Mann Theatres.
Grauman's Chinese Theatre is located at 6925
Hollywood Blvd. (north side, just west of Highland, across
from Disney's El Capitan Theatre). Call (323) 464-8111 for
showtimes.
Backstage tours of Grauman's Chinese Theatre are
offered 7 days a week. Call (323) 463-9576 for tour times and
prices.
If you just want to see the interior, you can
attend a movie at regular movie theater prices. However, be
careful to pick whatever movie is playing in the actual
Grauman's Chinese Theatre itself. It has only one screen.
There is an adjacent theater called the Mann Chinese 6, which
is a new multiplex -- nothing special to see
there.
Egyptian Theatre
One of the most
amazing movie palaces in Los Angeles, the Egyptian Theatre
(built in 1922) has been nicely renovated to its old glory. It
is operated by a non-profit organization, the American
Cinematheque, which shows art films, documentaries and
classics on its giant screen.
The Egyptian Theatre is
located at 6712 Hollywood Blvd. (south side of Hollywood Blvd.
about a block and a half east of Grauman's Chinese Theatre).
Recorded program information is available by calling (323)
466-3456.
Regular show admission is $9 for adults and $7
for students, seniors and children under 12.
On weekends at
the Egyptian Theatre there are two daily afternoon matinees of
Forever Hollywood, an excellent 55-minute film on the history
of movie-making. Tickets to Forever Hollywood are $7 for
adults and $5 for students, seniors and children under
12.
Private group tours of the Egyptian Theatre can be
scheduled by calling (323) 461-2020. Groups must be 10 or more
people, but sometimes individuals can join a scheduled group
tour, so if you don't have 10 people, call and ask if there is
a tour coming up. Tour prices are $7 for adults, $5 for
students, seniors and children under 12.
Musso &
Frank Grill
For a true "Old Hollywood" dining
experience, the only choice is Musso & Frank Grill, which
opened in 1919 and moved to its current location in 1937.
Musso & Frank is an expensive chop house with a décor
seemingly unchanged since its original opening: red leather
booths and lots of dark wood. It's so "old school" it doesn't
even have a web site.
Tourists come here, but so do locals
who have been eating here for 60 years or more, and
occasionally movie stars. The waiters are a trip. Some of them
seem to have been working here since the place opened, and
while they are super-professional, they tend to be
cranky.
Everything, including side dishes, is sold a la
carte at Musso & Frank. Expect to pay $60-$100 for dinner
for two. Paid parking is behind the restaurant, and you enter
through the back.
Musso & Frank is located at 6667
Hollywood Blvd. (northwest corner of Hollywood & Cherokee,
about 3 blocks east of Highland Ave.). Call (323) 467-7788 for
reservations.
The Hollywood Museum
Located in
the renovated Max Factor Building (a masterpiece of Art Deco
architecture), The Hollywood Museum features four floors of
Hollywood exhibits, including displays on Bob Hope, Lucille
Ball, Marilyn Monroe and Mae West, as well as costumes and
props from a few films including Moulin Rouge and Silence of
the Lambs. (As with the Hollywood Entertainment Museum,
selections are pretty random.)
Naturally there is a
significant focus on makeup impresario Max Factor and the way
he invented the "look" of many famous stars of yesteryear:
there's a whole floor devoted to his color theories. A photo
gallery gives you a chance to enjoy "Old Hollywood," with
pictures of long-lost movie-star hangouts like The Brown Derby
and the Trocadero Ballroom. Special exhibitions are sometimes
offered, such as an exhibit on "Egypt in Hollywood."
No
photography is allowed in the museum and they will hold your
camera at the entrance.
The Hollywood Museum is located at
1660 N. Highland Ave. (just south of Hollywood Blvd.). For
information call (323) 464-7776.
Hours are Thursday through
Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Admission is $15 for
adults, $12 for seniors and children under 12.
|
