Hollywood & Highland is an entertainment complex located at the starting point for touring Hollywood, the movie capital of Los Angeles. Within the same grounds are the Dolby Theatre, home to the Academy Awards ceremony, and the Chinese Theatre, famous for the handprints and footprints of stars in its forecourt. The complex is massive, housing more than 50 restaurants, numerous shops, hotels, and more. Using this facility as your base, you can kick off your Hollywood sightseeing. Here are some highlights of Hollywood & Highland that you won’t want to miss.
This is the hub of Hollywood sightseeing. The visitor center is also convenient
Hollywood & Highland is a facility with an enormous total retail floor space of about 60,000 square meters. It offers a wide variety of cosmetics and apparel shops, as well as diverse restaurant genres, ensuring you’ll never get bored. On the second floor, between Babylon Court and the Dolby Theatre, you’ll find the Hollywood Visitor Center, a very convenient tourist information center. Here, you can get not only information on Hollywood but also on all of Los Angeles — attractions, hotels, restaurants, and even museums.
Another plus is the long business hours. You can also purchase tickets for the LA Trolley here, making it an ideal base for sightseeing.
Name: Hollywood & Highland
Address: 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Official / Related Website URL: https://www.ovationhollywood.com/
Dolby Theatre Tour Guide
The Dolby Theatre is the venue for the Academy Awards ceremony and was formerly known as the Kodak Theatre. In addition to hosting various theater events such as musicals, the theatre is located within the Hollywood & Highland grounds.
On Academy Awards night, countless renowned film directors and actors have walked gracefully down the red carpet laid at this theatre. There is a tour that allows you to actually see the venue of the ceremony. The approximately 30-minute tour gives you access to views of the stage and seating from the VIP room, and if no show is scheduled that day, you may even get to step onto the stage. With a guide, you can explore places you wouldn’t see from the outside.
Name: Dolby Theatre
Address: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Official / Related Website URL: https://www.dolbytheatre.com/
Chinese Theatre VIP Tour
The Chinese Theatre is a cinema with an exterior reminiscent of a Chinese temple. It often hosts prestigious film events such as world premieres of new movies, and a red carpet is rolled out in front of the theatre. It’s also one of the first places in the world where you can see a newly released movie.
The theatre’s history dates back to 1927 when showman Sid Grauman had it built, and at the time, it was named “Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.” Its current official name is “TCL Chinese Theatre.” By joining the VIP tour, held every 45 minutes, you can explore the inside of the theatre while learning about its history. The 20–30 minute walking tour takes you through the auditorium and shows you the locations of the handprints and footprints in the courtyard. You’ll also get to see a short film in the theatre itself. Registration for tours is available daily until 4:00 PM, so don’t be late.
The lobby features displays of valuable costumes worn in actual films, making it a cinema full of attractions.
Name: TCL Chinese Theatre
Address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
Official / Related Website URL: https://www.tclchinesetheatres.com/
TCL’s Gift Shop is Great for Souvenirs
One of the most popular souvenirs at the TCL Chinese Theatre is the replica of the Oscar statue. This replica of the statue presented to Academy Award winners is highly sought after as a symbolic Hollywood souvenir. There are also plenty of classic souvenirs like T-shirts and keychains, making it easy to find small gifts to give. It’s a great place to pick something up for friends, a partner, or family.
Name: TCL Chinese Theatre
Address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
Official / Related Website URL: tclchinesetheatres.com
Convenient Dining
Hollywood & Highland is home to many restaurants. You’ll find a wide range of options, from fast food like burgers and light snacks such as sweets, to ramen shops and sushi bars, offering plenty of variety.
One of Hollywood & Highland’s strengths is that when you start craving a taste of home, you can quickly find and enjoy your favorite dishes. The food court style lets you choose what you like and enjoy your meal while taking in the Hollywood scenery — a casual and recommended experience.
View of the Hollywood Sign
Hollywood & Highland was designed so that the Hollywood sign can be seen straight ahead. You can see it from anywhere on the terraces from the second floor upward, but the third floor offers the best view.
The Hollywood sign, framed by the arched terrace, is said to look like a picture in a frame, making it a spot recommended even by local guides. While the sign appears somewhat small due to the distance, tours and sightseeing options that take you closer to it are also available at the Visitor Center. If you want to see it up close, be sure to ask.
◎ Lastly: Beware of costumed performers
The streets of Hollywood are filled with costumed performers. Many earn their income by taking photos with tourists in exchange for tips. However, some of them are so-called scam performers who demand unreasonably high tips. Be cautious of performers who approach overly familiarly or suddenly put an arm around you to take a photo. That said, there are certainly legitimate and courteous performers, too. If you get a chance to take a photo with one of these polite and professional performers who add color to your Hollywood trip, you’ll feel happy to give them a tip.