Local Highlights

Five things to do in Hollywood, California

The Common Team
Posted on April 13, 2021
Updated on June 5, 2023

Spending time in LA? Learn all the fun things to do in Hollywood

There’s nothing like sunny California, the home of world-famous cities like Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. However, of all the places in The Golden State, Hollywood is the one that stands out the most. While the Home of the Stars is famous for the glitz, the glamour and the Hollywood Sign, it offers so much more to Los Angeles residents and visitors. With museums, restaurants and nightlife, you’re sure to find something to keep you entertained in Hollywood.

Beyond finding the best restaurants in Hollywood, you’ll also want to know all the best daytime activities and happening nightlife spots. To help you design your perfect day in Tinseltown, we’ve created a comprehensive list of all the fun things to do in Hollywood, California. Best of all, there are Hollywood attractions available at every price point, so you don’t have to spend tons to have fun here.

1. See how the rich and famous live by taking a Hollywood tour

Whether you’re hoping to see where your favorite Academy-award-winning movie star lives or you want to visit famous filming locations, there’s a Hollywood tour for you. Do you want to increase the chances of celebrity sightings? One of the most well-known options is the Celebrity Homes & Rodeo Drive Shopping Tour from Starline Tours. During a 4-hour trip to Beverly Hills, you’ll get to see dozens of movie star homes from the comfort of a double-decker bus. You’ll then leave Beverly Hills to hit Rodeo Drive and grab a souvenir from one of the high-end shops before enjoying a sightseeing tour with audio commentary.

If you want to see where the Hollywood magic gets made, you won’t want to miss going on a Hollywood studio tour. When it comes to tours, one of the best things to do in Hollywood is to take the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour. Spanning four acres and 13 city blocks, this tour will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how movies are made. Jimmy Fallon works as the video host of the tour, and he’ll guide you as you explore the largest movie and TV studio in the world.

While you’re at Universal Studios Hollywood, you might want to go to Universal CityWalk, located right next to Universal Studios, or stop by the Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park. If you love amusement theme park rides, you can hop on the Flight of the Hippogriff or Jurassic World – The Ride for a good time. You can also grab a picture with your favorite characters from shows like The Simpsons and movies like Shrek. On top of that, there are incredible shows to check out, like the Special Effects Show and Universal’s Animal Actors.

2. Take in the Hollywood nightlife and party like a celebrity when the sun sets

You can also take a walk down the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. This 1.6-mile strip of Sunset Boulevard is renowned for offering some of the best bars and clubs that Tinseltown has to offer. There are swanky West Hollywood rooftop bars like SkyBar and Tower Bar if enjoying a fancy cocktail and a great view is your idea of a good time. If a rock club is more your speed, you can’t go wrong with a Sunset Boulevard favorite like Whisky a Go Go.

The Sunset Strip is also home to world-famous comedy clubs, including The Laugh Factory, as well as The Roxy, the iconic venue where The Rocky Horror Picture Show first premiered. As you walk down the Strip, you’ll also discover a wealth of places to grab a drink, including cocktail lounges and Irish pubs.

Another place to check out for Hollywood nightlife is Santa Monica Boulevard. This area is a great place to go dancing, take in some live music, or just people watch. If you want to check out a world-famous gay bar that’s continually on the “Best Gay Bar” lists, you’ll want to visit The Abbey. Rage is another gay club, and it’s renowned for its high-energy dance floor. If you want to see the next big name in music, The Troubadour is the spot for you. This legendary club has been operating since 1957, and it’s where big names like Elton John and James Taylor performed when they were starting out. Maybe you’ll see one of tomorrow’s superstars get their big break.

3. Stopping by top tourist attractions is one of the best things to do in Hollywood

One of the reasons why there are so many fun things to do in Hollywood is because the area features so many tourist attractions. One of the most iconic is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Located on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, you’ll see more than 2,600 stars that honor celebrities. In addition to viewing the existing stars, you can attend an upcoming Walk of Fame admission ceremony for no charge. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Another one of the best things to do in Hollywood is to visit the TCL Chinese Theatre. This iconic Chinese theater hosts more than 50 events each year, including everything from movie premieres to film festivals. Since 1927, the TCL Chinese Theatre has been where Academy Award winners have come to watch their films. The space still retains its classic charm, but it now features the world’s largest IMAX auditorium. You can purchase tickets to watch a movie or take a tour of this iconic movie theater.

Speaking of theaters, the Dolby Theater is another great place to visit in Hollywood. Adjacent to the TCL Chinese Theatre, this space is one of the world’s top entertainment venues. The Dolby Theater regularly hosts performances from musicians, dancers, comedians, and Broadway performers. It’s also a common location for notable award ceremonies for celebrities. Attending a show here is a great way to get the Hollywood experience.

Enter the world of wax and visit iconic attractions like Madame Tussauds Hollywood and the Hollywood Wax Museum. Take pictures of celebrities and even your favorite fictional characters in one place.

4. Stop by one of the museums to get a taste of science

You might think that Hollywood is all about entertainment. However, this part of Los Angeles is also home to museum attractions and educational spaces. For example, the Griffith Observatory is one of the only Hollywood attractions that allows visitors to learn more about space and our universe – for free. You can go to the Griffith Observatory and attend a live presentation in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium or check out one of the 60 exhibits at the observatory.

For those who want to go back in time instead of to space, visiting the La Berea Tar Pits is one of the best things to do in Hollywood. Right in Downtown LA, you can find the world’s only active urban fossil dig site.

Each day, paleontologists excavate animals and plants from the last 50,000 years, and you can watch them work. You can also step into the George C. Page Museum to see the latest discoveries in the Fossil Lab. Who knew you could get a peek at the Ice Age by visiting Downtown Los Angeles?

If you’re an avid movie fan, then you must definitely visit the Hollywood Museum. It houses more than ten thousand memorabilia from more than 100 years of American motion pictures.

5. Enjoy some fun in the sun during your time in Southern California

Being in Southern California means that you can enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. If you drive just a few miles away from Tinsel Town, you can visit the world-famous Venice Beach. As the most-visited facility operated by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, this beach attracts tens of thousands of sun-lovers every day. People love visiting to play sports, watch the bodybuilders, go fishing, take a bike ride, and just enjoy the ocean.

The two-mile Venice Beach Boardwalk, or the Ocean Front Walk, is the second most-visited spot in So Cal. Along the boardwalk, you can find hundreds of street performers and vendors. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and it’s one you won’t want to miss.

While you’re spending time outside, you might want to stop by the Hollywood Farmers’ Market to grab fresh produce and handmade goods from local vendors. The market is open every Sunday morning between Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd near Vine Street, and it’s easily accessible by car, bus, and train.

There’s no shortage of offerings when you stop by the Hollywood Farmers’ Market. If you love fresh produce, you can snag California-grown fruits and veggies. There’s also a wide variety of meats, cheeses, jars of honey, jams and jellies, sauces, nuts, and bread. You can even grab delicious ethnic foods that are prepared at the market. As for non-food items, many vendors sell goods like jewelry, clothing, and gifts. Best of all, you can get a great view of the Hollywood Sign when you stand at Selma Avenue and Argyle Avenue.

Enjoy all the best things to do in Hollywood when you settle in LA

Still not sure where to live in Los Angeles? If Los Angeles is calling your name, we can help you find a great place to call home at Common Fountain and Common Paramount. You’ll experience city living made easy with a private bedroom in a fully-furnished and all-inclusive shared apartment. Get more for your rent and explore our units in Hollywood today!

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