Thread: Lights! Camera! Action! It's Hollywood!

For many first timers to Los Angeles, a trip wouldn't be complete without checking out Hollywood. Located just northeast of Beverly Hills, Hollywood will forever be associated with filmmaking. There's really only one major studio here: Paramount. Most likely one will not see movie stars walking around unless they're at Mann's Chinese Theatre, adding their footprints to the famous sidewalk there. Or checking out the selection of plays at Samuel French bookstore.

For fun, you can walk along Hollywood Boulevard and check out the names of those honored by a star. See how many names you recognize and write down the names of those who don't for researching on the Internet when you get home (imdb.com is a favorite website by many in the business).

If you're here during the summer, go up Highland Blvd. and catch a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. I suggest checking out bus transportation as parking is a drag.

For a fun shopping and sightseeing adventure, head on down Fairfax Avenue. At the corner of Fairfax and Third is the famous Farmers' Market. Get fresh food to take back to your hotel room or shop among the little shops for a "Hollywood" souvenir. A mega shopping center, The Grove recently opened on the market's grounds.

To the north is CBS Television City. Many famous shows such as Carol Burnett's have been taped there. Currently "The Young and the Restless" and "The Bold and The Beautiful" are taped there as well as "The Price is Right."

Go farther up the street and you're in the middle of a thriving Jewish district. Cantor's Deli is a must stop for a cup of Matzoh Ball Soup. Be aware that much of this area closes down Friday night for Shabbot which lasts until sundown on Saturday.

If you are a car buff, don't miss the Petersen Automotive Museum. If you brought along your little one, they'll love this place (I can attest to that). That's on Wilshire at Fairfax, just down the street from the LaBrea Tar Pits and the County Museum of Art.

Also if you're walking around Hollywood, be sure to stop at the Hollywood & Highland complex. Not only is there some good shop and restaurants, it is also home to the Kodak Theater, the home of the annual Academy Awards show.

You can also hit the hip clubs and maybe see a few stars. One of the new hot spots is across the street from Hollywood and Highland in the Roosevelt hotel. The pool bar has been redone and is the latest hot spot. Even the stars get in line to hang out at this club. The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel was also the original location for the Acadamy Awards. If you walk in the front door you may be able to go into the room that was used. It is to the right of the open lobby seating area. Other Hollywood tips to follow.

I've gone into the Roosevelt Hotel strictly to use the restroom...quite posh I must say...we were going to a taping of the View and we were in line. I needed to go to the bathroom (when you gotta go....) so I walked in as if I had a key...no one stopped me or asked any questions...

Anyone tried getting into one of those secret clubs? The ones that open for a very short time and then move to a new location.

If you go down the Sunset Strip, you can check out The Comedy Store for some laughs (I saw Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy the same night years ago). Or how about the Hollywood Improv.

And you could always drive down to Orange County and visit me and "A"!

Or, before visiting Ziggy, check out the Hollywood Entertainment Museum, on Hollywood Boulevard near Grauman's Chinese. The museum has the actual sets from Cheers, Star Trek, and other shows. There's a foley room where you can add sound effects (it's not as easy as it looks), and lots of other interesting things.

Although it's kind of pricey, Musso & Frank's is a Hollywood landmark, and a pretty good place to eat.

It was in the paper today that the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park is closing down after today...that's sad, but it goes to show what the tourists are looking for. I don't know if there is another Movieland in Hollywood...anyone know??

I don't beleive so. They said that most of the wax figures are being moved up to a wax museum in Northern California.