Hollywood Holidays

The neighbourhood that gave the world its film industry, and still puts on a show every single night. Star-studded pavements, studio backlots you can actually walk through, and a sunset over the Sunset Strip that makes you feel like you're in a movie yourself.

Highlights of your Holiday in Hollywood

• The Hollywood Walk of Fame stretches along Hollywood Boulevard with over 2,700 stars, the TCL Chinese Theatre with its celebrity handprints, and the best people-watching in Los Angeles

• Studio tours at Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, and Universal Studios take you behind the scenes of actual film and TV productions, from sound stages to prop departments

• The Sunset Strip runs through West Hollywood with legendary live music venues, rooftop bars, and some of the best nightlife in California

• Griffith Observatory sits in the hills above Hollywood with free admission, a planetarium, and the closest legal viewpoint of the Hollywood Sign, plus panoramic views across the whole LA basin

• A food scene that spans from the old-school glamour of Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood's oldest restaurant, going since 1919) to late-night taco trucks and everything in between

Good to Know

• ☀️ Weather - Hollywood is sunny practically year-round, with summer highs of 25-29°C and mild winters around 18-22°C. There is a "June Gloom" marine layer of grey morning cloud that hangs over the coast in early summer, but it burns off by lunchtime and the afternoons are gorgeous.

• 💶 Money - Hollywood is not a cheap night out. A sit-down dinner runs £18-£35 / €21-€40, cocktails start at £14-£20 / €16-€23, and even a coffee will set you back £4-£6 / €5-€7. Tipping 18-20% at restaurants is standard and genuinely expected, not optional.

• 🌴 Getting around - Hollywood is walkable along the main Boulevard, but to reach Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios, or West Hollywood you will need a rideshare or hire car. The Metro Red Line connects Hollywood to Downtown LA and Universal City if you prefer public transport.

Hollywood is perfect for you if...

• You have watched films your whole life and want to walk the actual streets where the industry lives, from studio backlots to the Walk of Fame

• You want a holiday with proper nightlife built in, where the bars and live music venues on the Sunset Strip are a five-minute walk from your hotel

• You want to combine city buzz with outdoor adventures, because Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon, and the Hollywood Hills hiking trails are right on your doorstep

• You like a neighbourhood with genuine character and history, not a resort that could be anywhere

🏨 Hotels in Hollywood

Hollywood's hotel scene ranges from historic icons to modern boutiques, most of them within walking distance of the Walk of Fame and the main Boulevard. The neighbourhood is compact enough that you can walk between the major attractions, and the Metro Red Line connects you to the rest of LA.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What are the best family hotels in Hollywood?

• Best Western Plus Hollywood Hills is a solid 3-star base in the Hollywood Hills with a pool, free parking, and easy access to Universal Studios just over the hill. Comfortable rooms and a quieter setting than the Boulevard hotels, which families with younger children will appreciate.

• Hollywood Hotel is a 4-star option right on Hollywood Boulevard with pools, spa facilities, and complimentary breakfast. The location means you can walk to the Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre in minutes, and the on-site amenities give you somewhere to retreat when the kids need a break from sightseeing.

💑 What are the best hotels in Hollywood for couples?

• Hollywood Roosevelt is the iconic 4-star hotel on Hollywood Boulevard where the first Academy Awards were held in 1929. The David Hockney-painted pool, rooftop bar, and art deco interiors make it properly special for a couples trip with some old Hollywood glamour.

• Kimpton Everly Hotel is a stylish 4-star boutique with a rooftop pool and panoramic views across Hollywood. The design is modern and considered, the bar programme is excellent, and the location near Capitol Records puts you in the thick of things without being on the Boulevard itself.

• The Hollywood Grande, Autograph Collection is a 4-star boutique steps from the Walk of Fame with a rooftop terrace and contemporary interiors. The Autograph Collection branding means independent character with Marriott reliability behind it.

🎉 What are the best hotels in Hollywood for groups?

• The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood is a contemporary 4-star near the Walk of Fame with an outdoor pool and on-site dining. The modern rooms and social spaces work well for groups, and the location puts the Sunset Strip nightlife within walking distance.

• Hollywood Volume, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is a 4-star adults-only boutique right on the Walk of Fame with a design-forward feel and proper nightlife energy. Great for groups who want to be in the middle of the action from the moment they step outside.

• The Dixie Hollywood is a 3-star boutique in central Hollywood that keeps costs down without sacrificing location. Right on the Boulevard, walking distance to everything, and a good budget-friendly base for groups who plan to spend most of their time out exploring.

👉 Hollywood hotels

Local Lingo

• The Boulevard - Hollywood Boulevard. Locals never say the full name. "Meet me on the Boulevard" means Hollywood Boulevard, specifically the Walk of Fame stretch.

• WeHo (WEE-ho) - West Hollywood. The trendy neighbourhood next door with the Sunset Strip, the best restaurants, and a famously welcoming LGBTQ+ scene.

• The Industry - The entertainment industry. In Hollywood, "the industry" only ever means film and TV. "She works in the industry" needs no further explanation.

• The Sign - The Hollywood Sign. Locals just call it "the Sign" and will give you directions to the best viewpoints if you ask.

• Dude - Used for everyone, regardless of gender. "Dude, you have to try this place" is the highest compliment in LA.

• PCH - The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1). The iconic coastal road that runs from LA up through Malibu and beyond. Always abbreviated.

Hollywood Travel Guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What are the best things to do on a Hollywood family holiday?

• Universal Studios Hollywood is the big one. The studio tour takes you through actual working backlots and film sets, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is properly immersive, and the rides range from gentle enough for younger children to properly thrilling for teenagers. Budget a full day.

• The Hollywood Walk of Fame is free and entertaining for all ages. Over 2,700 stars on the pavement, the TCL Chinese Theatre with its celebrity handprints, and enough street performers and characters in costume to keep younger kids entertained while you soak up the atmosphere.

• Griffith Observatory is free to enter and has a planetarium with shows throughout the day. The views from the terrace across Hollywood to Downtown LA and the Pacific are spectacular, and the telescopes are open to the public on clear evenings. The hike up from the car park is manageable for most ages.

💑 What are the best things to do for couples on a Hollywood holiday?

• Take a guided studio tour at Warner Bros or Paramount Pictures for the proper behind-the-scenes experience. You walk actual sound stages, see the sets where current shows are filming, and the guides are genuinely entertaining. Smaller and more intimate than the Universal Studios theme park experience.

• Drive Mulholland Drive at sunset. The winding road along the top of the Hollywood Hills gives you views over the city on one side and the San Fernando Valley on the other. Finish at a rooftop bar in West Hollywood for dinner.

• Dinner at Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard. Hollywood's oldest restaurant has been serving since 1919, the red leather booths and martini trolley are unchanged, and it is one of those places that genuinely transports you to old Hollywood.

🎉 What are the top things to do for groups on a Hollywood holiday?

• Hit the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood for the legendary nightlife scene. The Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy, The Viper Room, and a string of rooftop bars make for a properly memorable group night out. Start with cocktails at a rooftop spot and work your way down the Strip.

• Catch a show at the Hollywood Bowl, the open-air amphitheatre in the Hollywood Hills where you can bring your own food and drink to the picnic tables. Summer concerts here are a properly LA experience, and the setting is spectacular at sunset.

• Book a group studio tour at Paramount Pictures. The smaller group sizes mean you get proper access, and the guides tailor the tour if someone in the group has a favourite film or show. Finishes with a walk through the studio gates that you have seen in a hundred films.

More Destinations

• Los Angeles is Hollywood's parent city, with beaches, Downtown, and the wider LA food and culture scene beyond the neighbourhood

• Anaheim is home to Disneyland Resort and sits about 35 miles south of Hollywood, making it an easy day trip or a destination in its own right

• Las Vegas is a four-hour drive through the desert or a short flight, and makes a brilliant twin-centre pairing with a Hollywood and LA trip

• California covers the whole state from San Francisco to San Diego, with coastal road trips, wine country, and national parks beyond the LA basin