North Venice Tour Co. is located on Sunset Boulevard between North Fuller Avenue and Poinsettia Avenue in Hollywood. North Venice Tour Co. specializes in designing and creating luxury vacations for individuals, honeymooners and families. Corporate and group travel prepartion is also available. Other services include airline tickets and hotel reservations. Friendly, worldly travel consultants are ready to help plan your next dream vacation. Ample parking is available
Formerly Grauman's Chinese Theatre, this landmark was renamed the TCL Chinese Theatre in 2011 after an acquisition by Chinese Theatre, LLC. In 2013 the main auditorium underwent extensive renovations to create the first IMAX theatre in Hollywood, and one of the largest worldwide with more than 900 seats, making it a top choice for Hollywood movie premieres. Also onsite are six other auditoriums showing first-run movies, along with the world-famous hand and footprints. It was honored as a Los Angeles Historical Landmark in 1968 and is THE place to see a movie in L.A.
Parking and public transportation at the TCL Chinese Theatre
Underground parking is available at the adjacent Hollywood & Highland complex. Validation is provided for participating shops, restaurants and the theatre, so take your ticket with you. A flat rate is charged after 10pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Check the Hollywood & Highland website for current rates. Meters are available along Hollywood Blvd. and side streets, but check signs for restrictions. Parking enforcement is strong and tickets will be given. The Metro Red Line has a stop at Hollywood & Highland.
Best and worst time go to the TCL Chinese Theatre
Nights and weekends are the most crowded, although as a top tourist attraction, there are always people out front looking at the hand and footprints. Premieres and special events will make the theatre inaccessible, although you might get a peek at the red carpet.
Admission to the TCL Chinese Theatre
Movie prices vary, with an upcharge for IMAX. 20-minute tours of the theatre are also offered. Call 323-463-9576 for availability and pricing. Walking around the hand and footprints is free.
Must see/do at the TCL Chinese Theatre
Watch an IMAX movie in the main theatre, then put your hands in the cement where Marilyn Monroe's, Steven Spielberg's and George Clooney's were!
Other places to visit near the TCL Chinese Theatre
Hollywood & Highland offers a bunch of shopping and dining options, or walk across the street to another famous theatre: the Disney-owned El Capitan. Right nearby is the 1920s Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel where you can have a cocktail at the poolside Tropicana bar or grab a burger at 25 Degrees, the hotel's diner. And of course the Walk of Fame runs all along Hollywood Blvd.
Insider tip for visitors to the TCL Chinese Theatre
Costumed characters hang out on the sidewalk outside the theatre and Hollywood & Highland complex. They're fun to take pictures with, but be prepared to pay a fee. They don't pose out of the goodness of their heart.
Author's bio: Shelley Graner is a Los Angeles native, food lover and travel writer who has visited 36 countries. She writes for various travel blogs, including her own.
As the largest natural amphitheater in the US and seasonal home of the L.A. Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl has been a Los Angeles Institution since the 20s. Tucked into the Hollywood Hills, the bowl refers to the landscape around it, not to its iconic ringed stage. The shell structure was rebuilt in 2003 and the acoustics are stunning — even with nearly 18,000 seats. It's only open from June to September, but sitting outside among the hills makes you forget you're in a city of four million people.
Parking and public transportation at The Hollywood Bowl
Parking at the Bowl itself is quite limited and prices are steep. Most spots are tandem, so you don't leave until the person in front of you does. There are also public city buses and a few nearby lots with shuttles, but one of the best options is the Park & Ride. 14 parking lots cover the L.A. metropolitan area where you can catch a bus to and from the venue. Pre-purchase tickets for a lower rate, or pay cash onsite. Check all parking options and prices.
Getting tickets at The Hollywood Bowl
Even if you go through the Hollywood Bowl website, your ticket purchase will be directed to Ticketmaster which levies a service fee. Tickets purchased at the box office are sold at face value, but popular concerts sell out quickly. Best to arrive before the box office opens on the day tickets go on sale if you want to avoid fees, but the safest bet is to purchase online.
Types of concerts at The Hollywood Bowl
The Playboy Jazz Festival is a two-day event that's been running for more than 30 years, and is one of the Bowl's most popular shows. Prefer indie world music? Local radio station KCRW puts on a great World Festival series that includes eclectic artists spanning different genres. For a more traditional experience, the Los Angeles Philharmonic graces the stage for several performances throughout the season, as do top music acts from yesterday and today (think Journey and Carrie Underwood). There are even sing-alongs to popular musicals, proving there really is something for everyone.
Other places to visit near The Hollywood Bowl
There aren't many restaurants or attractions nearby because the Bowl is kind of tucked away, but Yamashiro is worth a trip for its sweeping views and Japanese setting. Their sushi and Asian-fusion menu is pricey, but they've been in business for more than 100 years so they're doing something right. The Bowl also has several food options onsite. Choose from sit-down restaurants like The Wine Bar and Rooftop Grill or have food delivered to your box seat- if you're lucky enough to sit in one. The best option, however, is to eat at one of the picnic areas. Bring your own food or pick up provisions onsite. Picnic tables surround the parking lot and are first come, first served. Meet up with friends and don't forget the wine! Alcohol is permitted in the picnic areas and inside the amphitheater.
Where to stay near The Hollywood Bowl
There are a few hotels on Highland Ave. that are walking distance to the Bowl, but unless a concert is the only activity on your itinerary, best to stay down the hill (The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel or Loews Hollywood Hotel are good options). With a Metro Red line roundtrip ticket you can take a free shuttle from the Hollywood & Highland station, or just pay the shuttle fee if you aren't riding the Metro. It's a great way to stay in the heart of Hollywood with easy access to the Bowl. Alternatively you can pick a hotel near one of the Park & Ride locations.
Insider tip for visitors to The Hollywood Bowl
Morning rehearsals are FREE and open to the public! The Philharmonic is usually tuning up Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon during the summer season, but call 323.850.2000 for availability, including top acts. Parking is also free. Bring a pastry and a cup of coffee to enjoy the best freebie in town.
Author's bio: Shelley Graner is a Los Angeles native, food lover and travel writer who has visited more than 30 countries. She writes for various travel blogs, including her own.
Unlike most wax museums, where visitors are separated from the wax figures, the Hollywood Wax Museum actually encourages people to get up close to their favorite stars' likenesses. However, unlike the high-quality dopplegangers at hands-off museums (like nearby Madame Tussauds Hollywood), it's hard to figure out who some of the Hollywood Wax Museum's figures are supposed to be without reading the signs or recognizing the movie sets.
Best and worst time to go to the Hollywood Wax Museum
The best time to visit is during September, after most tourists have gone home. The worst time is August, since crowds may prevent you from getting close to your favorite celebrity.
Must see/do at the Hollywood Wax Museum
Visitors should be sure to bring their cameras or phones (and selfie sticks), because there are plenty of photo opportunities.
It will likely scare younger children, but the dimly lit Chamber of Horrors features some very realistic movie monsters.
Slightly less scary is the wax likeness of Hugh Hefner. Visitors can even climb into bed with him.
Admission to the Hollywood Wax Museum
Admission prices are around $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children (ages 5-12). Children under 5 are admitted free. The Hollywood Wax Museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to midnight.
Parking and public transportation to the Hollywood Wax Museum
Validated parking is available about a block away in the parking structure at the Hollywood & Highland Center. It's also easy to get here via public transportation by taking the Metro Rail Red Line to the Hollywood & Highland station.
Food at the Hollywood Wax Museum
Food isn't served at the museum, but there are several restaurants a short walk away, including Mel's Drive-In, where prices range from around $10 to $30, and the historic, pricier Musso and Frank Grill (about $30 and up).
Insider tip for visitors to the Hollywood Wax Museum
Visitors can save a dollar on the admission prices by ordering tickets online.
Author's bio: Laura Goldman is a freelance writer and lifelong Angeleno. Follow her on Twitter and visit her blog, i Still Love Dogs.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a historical structure that has stood in place for over nine decades. It is the home of the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans' football games, but it also hosts an array of other competitive events, like soccer matches, as well as non-athletic events, like concerts and religious gatherings.
Coliseum Parking
There are eight parking lots and one VIP parking area immediately next to the coliseum.
Six parking lots, within USC premises, are also available in the blocks north of the coliseum.
Additional parking can be found at the Shrine Auditorium just north of the university. Parking prices vary depending on the event.
Hotels near the Coliseum
The Radisson Hotel at USC is within walking distance of the coliseum. Less than a mile away is the Vagabond Inn at USC. Just a bit further is the Americas Best Value Inn & Suites, which is a reasonably priced stay. There are many small hotels and motels besides, but you will do well to research on specialized websites like Hotel.com.
Seating at the Coliseum
The coliseum has a football seating chart, a soccer seating chart, and one for non-athletic events. Check them out on this page.
Food at the Coliseum
The coliseum has about a dozen food stands within its premises, including a food court. No alcohol is served during football games. Security checks bags at the entrance. Outside food and drink are not allowed in.
Parking Alternatives at the Coliseum
The Jefferson/USC Station of the Metro Expo Line stops about half a mile away from the coliseum. There are also multiple buses that can take you there. Plan your trip on metro.net.
What to Bring to the Coliseum
You can bring sealed bottles of water, up to two per person, as long as they hold less than 17 ounces. No other food or drink, nor coolers, are allowed in the stadium.
Small cameras (no detachable lenses) are allowed in. No video cameras or tripods.
No baby strollers.
This is an outdoor venue, so keep an eye on the weather forecast. Bring sunscreen or jackets accordingly.
Insider Tip for the Coliseum
Food at the coliseum tends to be pricey. If you want to do as many locals do, bring cash and try the hot dogs that will be sold outside the gates by street vendors before and after the event.
The Figueroa Swap Meet has gained fame of its own and happens one Sunday per month in Parking Lot 6 (within coliseum grounds). Admission is $1. Visit their website and plan ahead.
Author's bio: Dena Burroughs has lived in Los Angeles for almost 30 years. She loves soccer, Shakespeare, and dancing Salsa. VidaSalsera.com is her own website.
