Hollywood Area (continued)

The Hollywood Sign is a Hollywood landmark atop Mount Lee in Griffith Park. To get an up-close view of the sign, drive up Beachwood Drive. If you are lucky enough to have a clear day, the sign can also be seen from the Beverly Center Mall, the Hollywood (101) Freeway, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Griffith Park Observatory.

The Dolby (formerly Kodak) Theatre has the elegance of a European opera house with state-of-the-art capabilities. The theater opened in 2001 and is now the Home of the Academy Awards ceremonies. You can tour the theater seven days a week from 10:30 am to 4 pm. Tour prices are $20/adult; $16/kids under 12, seniors, and students with ID; and kids under 3 are free. Hours are subject to change, and there are no tours for one month prior to the Academy Awards. The Kodak Theatre is located at the Hollywood & Highland Center at 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. Phone: 323-308-6300. 

The Pantages Theatre was built in 1930 and was once owned by Howard Hughes. The theater has been the site of the Academy Awards ceremonies, the Emmy Awards, movie locations, and many live stage shows. Many touring shows stop here, with productions such as Book of Mormon, Chicago, 42nd Street, and Hamilton playing in 2016. The Pantages is located at 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. Phone: 323-468-1770. 

Rodeo Drive, the most famous shopping district in America, is only three blocks long. Most of Rodeo Drive is nondescript unless you venture inside the small shops. There is however, a newer portion, “Two Rodeo,” built at a cost of more than $200 million. Two Rodeo is two parallel streets with Spanish steps, sparkling fountains, old-world cobblestones, romantic archways, and charming balconies. Two Rodeo even has a posh underground parking garage. Every Father’s Day, Rodeo Drive is carpeted for the “Concours on Rodeo,” a vintage car show free to the public. Rodeo Drive runs between Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard.

Red Line Tours offers several guided tours that visit some of the most popular Hollywood attractions. We tried the Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes tour, which provided an excellent overview of several famous Tinseltown spots such as the TCL Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Egyptian Theater, Roosevelt Hotel, and an old speakeasy. We really liked the fact that it was a walking tour, and our guide spoke into a microphone, which allowed us to hear him on our own headsets. Tour prices range from $25 to $35/adults and $15 to $28/kids. For more information, call 323- 402-1074 or visit the Red Line Tours website.