Hollywood/Walk of Fame, Los Angeles

A must see is the Chinese Theatre. Not because of it's fake Chinese architecture, but because of the hand- and footprints of celebraties in the cement floor. Over 2 million tourists visit The Chinese Theatre in the hope to see a glimpse of a celebraty.

Something you won't miss in Hollywood is The Walk Of Fame. These are 2700 bronze stars in the pavement of Hollywood. About 2000 celebraties have their name written in the bronze star. It's nice to stray over the stars in order to find the famous person you are looking for. But don't stray off to much, because it might get naughty... All except one major filmstudio, all the studios have left Hollywood. They're working hard to clean up the neighbourhood and are building some prestigious projects and want the Oscar awards back in Hollywood.

This is perhaps the most well known part of Los Angeles, but it is a big disapointment. If you want to see it, go. It isn't horrble, just be ready for dirtiness.

Unique Suggestions: If you want New York style pizza in LA, this is the place to go. Well, a place to go.

Fun Alternatives: If what you are looking for is to see beautiful or rich people in LA, go to Beverly Hills or better yet, Brentwood. If you want to see the world of movies and TV, go on a studio tour.

Really... its not worth it. You go through all the traffic, and then go through the hassle of finding parking... and all you see are stars on pavements.

Unique Suggestions: If you have to go, make sure its on your "shopping day". The Hollywood walk of fame is near the Hollywood/Highland shopping center, so while taking a break from shopping, go check out the stars. Or, if you need to go watch a movie, go see a movie at the Mann Chinese theater and then see the stars. Best time to go is quite late actually. I went after midnight and the street was quite empty (weekday) and so you can look around without having to deal with the locals or other tourists. Of course, there's the issue of safety. Its late and it is LA after all.... so be careful.

Fun Alternatives: Go to Universal Studios if you haven't been before. You'll get a better experience of movie making and Hollywood there. Or take a tour of Warner Bros Studios.

Hollywood is NOT the Hollywood you're thinking of, it's actually the prime spot for run-away kids, drug addicts and street people. Unless you are really interested in the old movie houses and the Walk of Stars, you'll probably be disappointed, bored, annoyed, tired.

Fun Alternatives: If you're dead set on going, atleast do something worthwhile, like seeing a movie at the Egyptian or something and make the walk of fame etc. a sort of bonus!

Hollywood Blvd is the classic tourist dissapointment. Although it's cleaned up quite a bit, there are still lots of trash around (both human and regular garbage).Hollywood is best at night when the darkness covers its rough edges and the club scene heats up.
Another one- the sterile "Farmer's Market" is the last place an Angeleno would go to buy produce. And now they've built an ugly mall right next to it. Instead go to the market in Santa Monica or Hollywood on sundays (see my other tip)
The La Brea Tar pits- filthy fiberglass mastodons stuck in a pile of goo (an ancient tar pit is still an ugly one.) Leave the whole "Museum Mile" behind and go to the Getty Center instead. Both collections are mediocre anyway.

Unique Suggestions: Enjoy Hollywood Blvd for what it is- a sinful st full of lingerie shops, tatoo parlors, and sex shops. Or, better yet, come at night and bar-hop with locals.

Fun Alternatives: If you're looking for celebrities- try West Hollywood rather than Hollywood proper.

Hollywood. It is small and grimy. After you see Mann's Chinese Theatre and the footprints, go across the street to the Roosevelt Hotel and look at their free exhibit of old time Hollywood. Then beat a trail out and go somewhere else.

Hollywood Blvd! I should warn it is not what you think. Sure you will see the stars and prints the famous left behind. But they did just that left them behind. Hollywood blvd smells of urine and shops that sell the same useless tourist crap. Don't buy into it!

Hollywood Blvd. Unless you're totally desperate to see the Walk of Fame there's really nothing else to see. It's just lined with overpriced souvenir shops and generic (and overpriced) restaurants. But to each his own.

Hollywood Blvd. was the worst. Other than seeing the stars in the sidewalk, which we would have not done but kids were fascinated by it, there is nothing else there but tourist shops. A waste of time.

You can't leave Hollywood without a pic with your favourite Star!
Here's mine with Elvis!.....he IS alive!!