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Lights, Camera, Action: An Insider’s Guide to L.A.’s Historic Hollywood Neighborhood

From swanky speakeasies to Michelin-starred restaurants, we’re covering the very best of dining, drinking and doing in Hollywood.

Beyond the flashy neon signs, touristy attractions and worn-down Walk of Fame, Hollywood remains a vital organ of Los Angeles. It is the birthplace of show business, and in many ways, continues to act as the (albeit dwindling) heartbeat of the city. No matter how much the industry struggles, whether due to lingering issues from the COVID-19 shutdown, SAG-AFTRA strikes or the ever-evolving consequences of artificial intelligence, Hollywood stands strong, rooted in an iconic history that keeps us hopeful for its future. 

While locals have a tendency to avoid this part of town, I reject this notion—there are still plenty of hidden gems, noteworthy restaurants and swanky hotels worth exploring in Hollywood. Though the boundaries of Hollywood are often debated, we’re choosing to focus on the central part of the city, rather than extending all the way down to Melrose Avenue (which is, in many ways, its own neighborhood entirely). 

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime local who has never given this storied neighborhood a real chance, this guide has been designed to help you fall in love with a historic part of town that once served as the flashy playground for the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Clark Gable. From swanky speakeasies to Michelin-starred restaurants, this guide covers the very best of dining, drinking and doing in Hollywood. 

The Insider's Guide to Hollywood

The Prospect Hollywood

A Few More of Hollywood’s Leading Stays…

Good Times at Davey Wayne’s

Lights, Camera, Cocktails…

See a Concert at the Hollywood Bowl

Stroll the Hollywood Reservoir

Rent a Car and Drive Through the Hills

Buy Tickets to a Show at Hollywood Pantages Theatre

Beyond the Red Carpet…

8221 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Sunset Boulevard’s Chateau Marmont is one of L.A.’s most famous (or perhaps infamous) stays. Just outside the city limits of West Hollywood, the Chateau remains a popular celebrity hideaway, but back in the day, it was famous for its wild parties and over-the-top clientele—notable happenings include John Belushi’s tragic overdose, Led Zeppelin’s motorcycle ride through the hallways and Jim Morrison’s infamous balcony fall. Today, the reputation for chaos has simmered down a bit, and the 63 rooms, cottages and bungalows now serve as creative havens for travelers looking to experience a salacious piece of Hollywood history. 

The Prospect Hollywood

1850 N Cherokee Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Prospect is a 24-room boutique oasis that blends maximalist charm with timeless Hollywood glitz and glamour. A 1939 Hollywood Regency-style building served as the blank canvas for designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, who brought this historic property back to life with lush, bright green landscaping, custom furnishings, busy wallpaper and vintage decor. Each room is completely unique, maintaining its own personality across bright color palettes, glistening chandeliers and elegant crown moldings.

717 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Golden Age of Hollywood was,........

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