First time in Hollywood? We’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide to the best Hollywood attractions: iconic sights, historic venues, and lesser-known corners that still carry cultural weight. You’ll find studios that launched careers, theaters that changed how movies are premiered, and restaurants that haven’t updated their signage—or their menus—in decades.
Sure, some of these spots are touristy, but they are popular for a reason. Together, these iconic Hollywood landmarks map out the Hollywood that actually matters: the places that shaped the industry, defined the neighborhood, and continue to draw millions of visitors each year.
Whether you’re planning the perfect Hollywood day or a longer stay, this list gives you a clear path through one of Los Angeles’s most layered and storied districts.
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Iconic Hollywood Landmarks for Any Itinerary
1. Hollywood Sign
Arguably the most recognizable landmark in Los Angeles, the iconic Hollywood Sign has stood in the hills since 1923. Originally created as a real estate advertisement, it evolved into a symbol of the film industry itself. Today, the famous Hollywood Sign is best viewed from Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood & Highland complex, or via a hike to the Hollywood Sign via Mount Lee. You can also see the iconic sign on our Celebrity Homes Tour!
2. Hollywood Walk of Fame
Stretching more than 15 blocks along the famous Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, the Walk of Fame honors over 2,700 figures across film, TV, music, radio, and theater. Stars are added regularly through a formal nomination process. The surrounding area includes access to major attractions and tour departures, making it an ideal starting point for first-time visitors.
3. TCL Chinese Theatre
This 1927 landmark is famous for its handprint- and footprint-filled forecourt, where stars have left their marks in cement for nearly a century. Designed with Chinese-inspired architecture, the theatre itself is as iconic as the films it has premiered. Inside, it features one of the largest IMAX screens in North America, and it continues to host major red-carpet events, connecting old Hollywood glamor with modern blockbusters.
4. Dolby Theatre
Built in 2001 and located at Ovation Hollywood, the Dolby Theatre is best known as the home of the Academy Awards. Visitors can take guided tours that reveal behind-the-scenes elements of the Oscars, including access to the actual stage. The theatre also hosts concerts, dance performances, and live television productions, making it a working venue that plays a vital role in ongoing Hollywood culture—and a great spot for Instagram photos in Hollywood.
5. Hollywood Bowl
An iconic amphitheater set against the backdrop of the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood Bowl has hosted everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Radiohead. With a capacity of over 17,000, it’s one of the largest natural outdoor venues in the U.S. Its museum showcases the venue’s rich history, and summer concerts under the stars remain a quintessential LA experience. It’s a landmark where music and landscape converge, and a must-see on any visit to Hollywood.
6. Griffith Observatory
Perched on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory has been offering public access to telescopes and space science exhibits since 1935. Its planetarium shows and free admission make it accessible for all visitors. Equally important are the views—from Griffith Park, you can see the downtown skyline, Pacific Ocean, and of course, the Hollywood Sign. Visit the Griffith Observatory on our Taste of L.A. Tour!
7. Universal Studios Hollywood
A fully operational film studio and theme park in one, Universal Studios Hollywood brings you behind the curtain with its Studio Tour, offering a glimpse of working sets and soundstages. Attractions include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World, and immersive 3D rides. For visitors wanting both thrill and insight into Hollywood’s mechanics, this landmark delivers both.
8. Madame Tussauds Hollywood
While it might not seem like a historic landmark, Madame Tussauds provides a hands-on experience with meticulously crafted figures of celebrities past and present. And it’s a popular spot for a reason! Designed for interactivity, visitors are encouraged to pose with the likenesses. The museum continually updates its roster, keeping pace with pop culture, and it’s centrally located for an easy stop on a broader sightseeing route.
9. Hollywood & Highland (Ovation Hollywood)
This entertainment complex is a modern hub surrounded by some of Hollywood’s oldest landmarks. It houses retail stores, restaurants, and provides a prime view of the Hollywood Sign from its upper levels. The complex also includes direct access to the Dolby Theatre. For visitors, it’s both a functional base and a visual focal point in the heart of Hollywood.
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Cinematic Icons & Studios to Visit
10. Paramount Pictures Studios
Established in 1912, Paramount remains the only major studio still operating in Hollywood proper. Its studio tours offer access to active production spaces, vintage soundstages, and a storied backlot used in countless films. Highlights include historic gates, props from classic movies, and glimpses into the day-to-day workings of an active lot.
11. Hollywood Heritage Museum
Located in the Lasky-DeMille Barn, one of Hollywood’s oldest surviving structures, this museum offers a window into the city’s earliest film history. It houses original artifacts, photographs, and equipment from the silent era, and it stands on the site of Cecil B. DeMille’s first studio. The barn itself predates most of Hollywood’s infrastructure, making it a key stop for understanding how the industry began.
12. Pantages Theatre
Opened in 1930, the Pantages Theatre is one of LA’s finest examples of Art Deco architecture. Originally a movie palace and vaudeville venue, it now hosts national Broadway tours and special performances. Its opulent interiors and acoustics continue to draw theatre lovers and tourists alike. The building’s legacy is woven into the city’s evolution from cinema to live stage culture.
13. Egyptian Theatre
This historic venue opened in 1922 and was the site of Hollywood’s first-ever movie premiere. Recently restored, the Egyptian now hosts repertory screenings and new film events curated by Netflix and American Cinematheque. Its ornate façade and courtyard evoke the grand spectacle of early Hollywood, while its programming reflects a commitment to both film heritage and contemporary relevance.
14. Hollywood Museum (Max Factor Building)
Housed in the original Max Factor building, this museum spans four floors of movie memorabilia. Exhibits include costumes, props, and makeup artifacts from classic and contemporary films. Visitors can also see the restored makeup rooms used by Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe, and Judy Garland. It’s a unique blend of Hollywood glamour and behind-the-scenes insight.
15. El Capitan Theatre
Operated by Disney, this 1926 movie theater has been meticulously restored to its original splendor. Known for hosting Disney film premieres, it offers themed preshow entertainment, vintage cartoons, and live performances. The interior features a working Wurlitzer organ and decorative plasterwork that transports guests to the golden age of moviegoing.
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On our tours, you’ll get to see all the famous landmarks in Hollywood, like the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame. Plus, our tours are fun and informative, so you’ll learn a lot about Hollywood while you’re on them—and maybe even see a celebrity or two!
Historic Sites & Architecture
16. Capitol Records Building
Visiting Hollywood isn’t complete without a stop at this beloved entertainment industry site. Built in 1956, the Capitol Records Building is one of Hollywood’s most architecturally distinctive landmarks. Designed to resemble a stack of vinyl records, the 13-story tower is a nod to the music industry it continues to serve. It was the world’s first circular office building and remains an active recording studio. Though not open to the public, visitors often stop to admire its structure and the spire that blinks “Hollywood” in Morse code.
17. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Opened in 1927, the Roosevelt was Hollywood’s first luxury hotel and the site of the inaugural Academy Awards. Its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and storied clientele—from Marilyn Monroe to Clark Gable—have made it a cultural institution. Today, it blends its glamorous past with a modern boutique atmosphere, featuring rooftop bars, a pool with underwater murals, and public spaces that still echo with Old Hollywood charm.
18. Hollywood & Vine
This famous intersection was once the epicenter of LA’s entertainment district during the Golden Age of Radio. Major broadcasters and record labels once filled the surrounding buildings. Today, its legacy lives on through preserved facades, historic signage, and proximity to major sights like the Capitol Records Building and the Walk of Fame, which crisscrosses at the corner.
19. Crossroads of the World
Opened in 1936, this open-air retail and office complex is considered America’s first modern shopping center. Its Streamline Moderne design mimics a cruise ship, with a central tower styled like a ship’s mast. Located off Sunset Boulevard, it remains a working property and often serves as a film location. While no longer a retail destination, it’s a design landmark worth a drive-by or short visit.
20. Storer House
One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s four textile block houses in Los Angeles, the Storer House was built in 1923 and showcases the architect’s early experiments with modular concrete forms. It’s privately owned and not open to the public, but architectural fans often stop by for a street view. Its hillside setting and unique geometry make it a standout in the Hollywood Hills.
21. Hollywood Professional Building
Completed in 1924, this 12-story tower once housed medical offices for Hollywood’s biggest stars and studios. Located at the corner of Hollywood and Vine, the building features Beaux-Arts detailing and a storied history in the business of showbiz. While now home to creative offices, its facade and lobby remain time capsules from Hollywood’s golden age.
22. Hollywood Cross
Perched on a hill overlooking Cahuenga Pass and the Hollywood Freeway, this 32-foot white steel cross has stood since 1923 as a memorial to Christine Wetherill Stevenson, founder of the Pilgrimage Theatre. Though less visited than other Hollywood landmarks, it offers a quiet, spiritual retreat with peaceful views above the city’s bustle. The cross was rebuilt in the early 1990s and remains a serene symbol of Hollywood’s early cultural history.
Best Views & Outdoor Attractions
23. Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon is a 160-acre park popular with hikers, dog walkers, and anyone looking for a view in the Los Angeles area. Located just two blocks from Hollywood Boulevard, it offers several loop hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty. At the top, expect panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign, and even the Pacific Ocean on a clear day. It’s one of the best ways to experience the landscape behind the legend.
24. Jerome C. Daniel Overlook
This designated scenic overlook sits along Mulholland Drive and provides unobstructed views of the Hollywood Bowl, downtown LA, and the Hollywood Sign. It’s an easy drive with nearby parking, making it accessible for all visitors. Interpretive plaques explain the significance of surrounding landmarks, and the overlook is a favored spot for sunrise or late afternoon photography.
Hollywood Icons and Pop Culture Curiosities
25. You Are The Star Mural
Located at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Wilcox Avenue, this mural (and another must on any list of Hollywood attractions) features a painted audience of classic film stars watching you from theater seats. Created in 1983, it remains one of Hollywood’s most iconic murals.
26. Chaplin Keaton Lloyd Alley
A quiet tribute tucked between buildings off Hollywood Boulevard, this alley honors silent film icons and Hollywood celebrities Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. It’s often overlooked, but for those who seek it out, it’s a reminder of Hollywood’s earliest innovators.
27. Sunset Strip
A 1.5-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard known for its vibrant nightlife and music history. Landmarks like Whisky a Go Go, The Viper Room, and The Roxy Theatre have hosted everyone from Jim Morrison to Lady Gaga. Neon signage, billboards, and historic hotels line the route, offering a gritty-glamorous window into rock ’n’ roll history.
Classic Spots to Dine & Soak Up Hollywood Vibes
28. Musso & Frank Grill
Opened in 1919, Musso & Frank is the oldest restaurant in Hollywood and a landmark of continuity. Its red leather booths and jacketed servers evoke an era of studio contracts and power lunches. Regulars have included everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Quentin Tarantino. It’s not just about nostalgia—the steaks and martinis still live up to their reputation.
29. Pink’s Hot Dogs
What started as a pushcart in 1939 has become one of LA’s most enduring food landmarks. Located on La Brea Avenue, Pink’s serves an array of loaded hot dogs named after celebrities and pop culture icons. Expect lines at all hours and a no-frills atmosphere that hasn’t changed in decades. It’s equal parts lunch stop and living artifact.
30. Yamashiro Hollywood
Set high in the Hollywood Hills, Yamashiro began as a private estate in the early 1900s and now operates as a restaurant and event space. Modeled after a Japanese palace, it features landscaped gardens, koi ponds, and one of the best sunset views in LA. Whether you’re dining or just stopping in for a drink, the setting makes this a memorable finale to any Hollywood visit.
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