The Hollywood Basics: Tinseltown’s Top Attractions
Hotel photo courtesy of Dream Hotels. Other photos from Unsplash.
“Get Out There” is a column for itchy footed humans written by long-time Paste contributor Blake Snow. Today we explore LA’s most famous neighborhood: Hollywood.
I have visited, vacationed in, and sometimes written about Los Angeles since I was eight years old. But I’ve never pilgrimaged to the city’s most popular, if not iconic, neighborhood: Hollywood.
Until now—dah, dah, dah!
Here’s what I learned about La La Land from ground zero, after visiting five of its most beloved (and free) tourist traps: The Getty Center, Walk of Fame, Hollywood Sign (hiked it!), Venice Beach, and Griffith Observatory.
Soaring sunny hills
Like greater Los Angeles, sky high palms and sunny blue skies dominate Hollywood. But unlike the verdant valley, the latter is dominated by green soaring hills that make you feel nestled in.
On our first stop, we headed to The Getty Center, a world-class art museum and garden complex perched on those same hills with views of the ocean. To get there, you’ll drive the famous Sunset Strip, which is one of the most beautiful plots of land and collections of homes you’ll ever see. Then you’ll ride a Disney-like tram to the building complex and grounds, which are a masterpiece themselves. Highlights include Van Gogh’s Irises, Rembrandt Laughing, Manet’s Jeanne, and picnics on the immaculate lawns. It’s an incredible place—even better that it’s free.