Few places capture the spirit of California like Hollywood. It is filled with stars, dreams and lots and lots of cameras.It is also filled with clubs, trash, costumed characters and unpleasant odors. There’s something for everyone, and that means family fun!
The sidewalks along Hollywood Boulevard are themselves a destination, and make an interesting stop on any vacation. The walkways are lined with the engraved stars of Hollywood’s biggest names. However, unless there is a premiere, dedication or award show you’re unlikely to see anyone very famous.
The Kodak Theater, the current home of the Oscars, sits right next to the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater (which has also hosted the Oscars). The Chinese Theater is known for its collection of cement impressions which permanently display signatures and foot/hand prints of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Most tours of Hollywood sites and homes of the stars start here.It is also the area where you will find a collection of costumed “movie icons” ranging from Yoda to Jack Sparrow and three or four Spidermen. These street performers will engage you for photo opportunities and they work for tips.
Across the street are the El Capitan Theatre and the home of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel. The El Capitan is a restored theater operated by Disney and is in itself worth a family trip to Hollywood. Adjacent to the theater is the Disney Soda Fountain, with an array of tasty ice cream creations (and full menu).
Other venues of interest include the Hollywood Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and the Guinness World Record Attraction.
The streets in the Hollywood and Highland area tend to be very crowded and in addition to the costumed characters and street performers there are the proverbial prophets of doom and the occasional film crew. It’s the kind of scene that can make parents, especially those with small children, a bit uncomfortable. It’s loud and it’s overwhelming, but it is Hollywood and everyone needs that stamp in their passport.
Dining: There are plenty of places to eat. The shopping area at Hollywood and Highland is the cleanest and has typical food court fare and a few sit down establishments. The Disney soda fountain mentioned above is good and a blast for the kids, but be warned that it doubles as a store.
The Snow White Cafe (not Disney) is perhaps the worst restaurant I’ve ever been in. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s not charming or magical.
Parking: Parking is available in lots accessible from the street. I recommend the garage under the H & H (Hollywood and Highland) shopping area, especially at night, as it is well-lit, clean, busy and accepts validation from most establishments within walking distance.
Photos: Hollywood Sign /Disney Soda Fountain by Whit Honea
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14 Responses
I think we need to take the kids to Hollywood> It is time to begin grooming them to be stars, I think.
From what I’ve seen ‘grooming’ isn’t necessary, but appreciated!
I took my 82-year-old mother to Disneyland and she had a ball. Even though the rides made her dizzy, she couldn’t get enough!
[...] to say our journey into the heart of Hollywood, which is spooky in its own right, was nearly on par with a trip to one of the parks. I hung it [...]
I haven’t been to Hollyweird in ages. Z-Dub would love to see Spiderman walking the street or climbing walls (I wonder if the street performer could pull it off?).
If your kids are into prehistoric creatures and fossils, I highly recommend a trip to the La Brea Tar Pits. It is a very interesting park and museum near Hollywood at 5801 Wilshire Blvd.
I’ve never been to Hollywood. It hasn’t been high on my list of places to visit. I’m so disappointed the Snow White Cafe isn’t magical or any good at all. It sounds delightful. Of course, I have two boys, so they probably wouldn’t set foot inside such a place with a girly name like that…
Any Star Wars Sandwich shops or Lego Lunch Spots restaurants?
Hollywood is one of those places worth visiting once in your life just to experience it. Take in a studio tour, and farmers market and Hollywood Bowl tour, and see Beverly Hills. Then catch the bus to Santa Monica and chill out. – with the family.
Ripley’s is brilliant whether you’re a kid or not! One of the good things about Hollywood is that it’s decently safe, so you can send older kids off hunting down stars of specific celebrities, like a treasure hunt.
[...] people come to Southern California, they think Disney, the beach, Universal Studios, and Hollywood. That’s four good solid days or more of stuff to do, but you’ll be exhausted and [...]
[...] wife and I took the boys (ages 3 and 5, respectively) to an advanced screening at the beautiful El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA, which begs the question why did it take this long to write a review? Eh, it’s a long story [...]
[...] has two Los Angeles area hotels – The Sheraton Universal Hotel next to Universal Studios in Hollywood, and the new Terranea Resort which recently opened along the Palos Verdes Peninsula just 20 miles [...]
I think going to the Kodak theatre was one of the best times ever. I took my daughter to see a taping of one of the final nights of the season of American Idol. What a great time and very entertaining, I recommend it highlt!
Having lived in Hollywood for over 10 years I have to admit it would be one of the last places on earth I would go out of my way to take my kids. Even after a multi-million dollar clean-up campaign the few blocks of Hollywood Boulevard that are safe to walk lack even a hint of the glitz and the glamour of their heyday. Adults will enjoy 30 minutes there if only for the nostalgia, but do your kids a favor and take them to Disney instead!