Hollywood Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Hollywood

Hollywood and Hollywood Boulevard are the well known communities within the city of Los Angeles and the film making centre of the universe.

Whilst this area is definitely film central, most major film and television studios have moved to nearby areas and suburbs. Although many films are shot on location in cities and countries throughout the world, Hollywood remains the symbolic centre of the U.S. motion-picture industry. Since the first film was made there, the community has come to signify the film industry in general-its morals, manners, and characteristics. Hollywood attracts a large numbers of tourists and wannabe actors looking for a break.

Points of interest include Hollywood Blvd, Sunset Strip, Mann's (formerly Grauman's) Chinese Theatre, and the Kodak Theater (site of the Academy Awards). In surrounding hills are the Hollywood Bowl, Griffith Park (with an observatory and planetarium), and the homes of film celebrities.

Hollywood Boulevard is an avenue begins at Sunset Boulevard in the east and running northwest to Vermont Avenue, where it straightens out and runs due west to Laurel Canyon Boulevard .

Grauman's Chinese Theatre - The most famous motion picture theatre in the world. See the hand & footprints of the Stars immortalized in cement. Have your own hands or footprints immortalized.

Yamashiro Sky Room - Can be seen from in front of the Hotel Roosevelt high up on the hill behind Mann's Chinese. This Japanese restaurant is a replica of an Oriental Palace containing some 12 acres of landscaped gardens, waterfalls and pagoda's. Has spectacular views of the city below and was used for the premiere party of "Lethal Weapon 4."

Hollywood & Highland - Shopping & Entertainment Center that includes shops, restaurants, four movie theatres, nightclub & broadcasting studios. A 640 room hotel, ballroom and the 175,000 sq. feet "Kodak" theatre which is home to the Academy Awards. Situated next to Grauman's Chinese and covers nearly two city blocks.

Hollywood Visitors Centre - Inside the Hollywood & Highland Complex on level two, next to the Kodak Theatre entrance. Open everyday from 10:00 AM
to 10:00 PM, except Sunday from 10:00 to 7:00 PM.

Hollywood Entertainment Museum - This museum was created to preserve and celebrate the entertainment industry. Visitors are given a behind the scenes tour of all facets of the entertainment industry, including television, film, radio, sound recording and the new media. Popular exhibits include the bridge of Star Trek's U.S.S. Enterprise; the bar from "Cheers", complete with signatures of cast members carved into the bar; a Max Factor make-up display, historical camera equipment and and a gift shop.

Hollywood Walk of Fame - A tribute to over 2000 artists who have made significant contributions to film, radio, television, theatre and the recording industries. The first star placed on February 9 1960, was for Joanne Woodward. One of Hollywood's most popular tourist attractions, the Walk of Fame lies on both sides of Hollywood Blvd. from Gower to La Brea and both sides of Vine Street, from Yucca to Sunset. The Silver Four Ladies of Hollywood Gazebo, at Lea Brea, should not be missed.

El Capitan Theatre - Marvelous old theatre purchased and restored by the Disney Corporation to its former splendor. Used by Disney for all their new film premieres in the United States. Now one of the highest grossing cinema's in the U.S.A. You can now watch the latest Disney films in a sumptuously restored theatre from a bygone age.

Hollywood Wax Museum - The museum displays over 220 unmistakably life-like replicas of renowned film and television personalities of past and present as well as famous sports, religious and political figures.

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Population: 295.734.100
Languages: English 82%, Spanish 11% (2000)
Currency: US dollar
Currency code: USD
Local Times:
U.S.A. - District of Columbia - Washington DC

U.S.A. - Florida - Orlando

U.S.A. - California - San Francisco

U.S.A. - New York - New York

U.S.A. - Nevada - Las Vegas

Country Dialling Code: +1
Voltage: 120V 60Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

2 Parallel flat prongs with an earth connector

The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself credit for and, arguably, some of the most approachable natives in the world.

America was 'discovered' by Columbus in 1492 and for 500 years people have travelled here seeking a better life in the 'land of opportunity'. The land was fought over by colonial powers for centuries and finally won its independence from Britain in 1783. Despite the near annihilation of the Native American population, one of the bloodiest civil wars the world had seen, and racism (Native Americans were not granted citizenship until 1924 and racial segregation was the norm until as late as the 1950s), the American people have succeeded in forging one of the worlds most united, democratic and tolerant nations, a fascinating melting-pot of cultures, and the undisputed military and economic heavyweight of the world.

The country is made up of 48 contiguous states of the continental USA, plus the huge state of Alaska, northwest of Canada, and the volcanic islands of Hawaii, 2,000 miles (3,219km) out into the Pacific. There are also the US territories, which include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Midway Islands and US Virgin Islands. Tourism is focused mainly in the great cities such as New York and Washington, as well as sunshine states such as Florida, California and Hawaii. However the mind-blowing landscapes, found in the wealth of magnificent National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Adirondacks, as well as spectacular sights like the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, are what make the USA so unique. With all this on their doorstep, it's easy to understand why a significant proportion of Americans have never bothered getting a passport.

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