Things to do in Hollywood, grouped by area
There are three kinds of places here: sights on the boulevard, views of the Sign from the hills and parks, and bigger trips to the studios and Beverly Hills. You can see a lot in a day if you pick one area at a time.
One rule shapes the whole list. There is no public way to the Hollywood Sign letters, and the area around them is closed and watched around the clock. You see the Sign from viewpoints and trails, and a booked guide does not change that. If you want a guided option, compare Hollywood Sign tours before you decide.
Prices below are 2026 figures where we give them. Hours and tour slots change, so check the day you plan to go.
Our picks: more in Hollywood
Our take: the horseback ride takes you into the hills; the hop-on bus links the main sights; the ghost walk is an evening on the boulevard.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
One-hour horseback ride in the Hollywood Hills
- Guide
- Horse
- Helmet
An hour on a guided trail ride, with horse and helmet.
Check availability →
Hop-on hop-off bus with Griffith shuttle
- Hollywood and beach routes
- Griffith shuttle
- Audio in nine languages
The Hollywood and beach routes plus a shuttle up to Griffith Observatory; attraction entry is extra.
Check availability →
Hollywood ghost walking tour
- Guide
- Walk of Fame stop
Two hours on foot with a guide, including a stop on the Walk of Fame.
Check availability →Hollywood tours and day trips
Sign tours, studio visits, celebrity homes tours and flights, with live prices and availability.
On Hollywood Boulevard
Stars, theatres and a good place to see the Sign from town.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The stars run along Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue and along Vine Street from Sunset to Yucca. There are more than 2,700 of them, and you do not need a ticket to look. See our Walk of Fame guide for the route and ceremonies.
TCL Chinese Theatre
The forecourt has the hand and foot prints. The theatre also runs a 30 minute tour, generally 7 days a week except on special event days.
Dolby Theatre
Guided tours cost $25 for adults, $19 for seniors 65 and over and for young people up to 17, and children under 3 are free (2026). Dates depend on the event calendar.
Ovation Hollywood
This complex at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, still called Hollywood & Highland by many, is a viewpoint for the Sign. The Metro B Line stops at Hollywood/Highland.
Views of the Hollywood Sign and the city
Parks and viewpoints in the hills.
Griffith Observatory
The building, the grounds and the public telescopes are free. The building is open Tuesday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Monday it is closed. The planetarium is separate: $12 for ages 13 to 54, $10 from age 55, $8 for ages 5 to 12, and children under 5 are free for the first show on a lap. Tickets are sold on site for the same day.
Parking at the lot and marked street spaces is paid during opening hours. A cheaper way up is the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus at $0.50 cash or $0.35 with TAP. Full details are in our Griffith Observatory guide.
Lake Hollywood Park
The park is open from sunrise to sunset and has a play area and a lawn where dogs on leashes are welcome. The streets around it are residential, and parking rules there have been extended. Read every sign, keep to the posted limits and do not block driveways.
More spots, including parking rules and trailheads, are in our viewpoints guide. If you prefer to walk, start with the Hollywood Sign hike page.
Studios, Beverly Hills and the air
Bigger trips that need a half day or more.
Universal Studios Hollywood
A theme park with rides and shows, open all year with changing hours. Prices vary by date, and Universal Express adds line access to admission. See Universal Studios Hollywood tickets.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
A guided visit to a working studio lot in Burbank. It costs $79 for ages 11 and over and $68 for ages 5 to 10, with a minimum age of 5. Plan about 3 hours. See the Warner Bros. Studio Tour guide.
Celebrity homes tour
A bus or van ride of about 2 hours through Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Hills, the Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive. The homes on the route vary, and you see them from the street only. Beverly Hills does not allow passengers to get on or off in residential areas. Read more in the celebrity homes tour guide.
Helicopter flights
Flights leave from Van Nuys, Long Beach and Santa Monica and last from about 30 to 50 minutes. The route can include the Sign, but a direct flyover is not guaranteed, because weather and airspace rules decide. See the helicopter tour guide.
Which area fits your day?
A quick comparison of how much time and money each option takes.
| Option | Cost (2026) | Time | Sign view |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk of Fame | Free | Your own pace | From around the Dolby Theatre |
| Griffith Observatory | Free entry, parking or bus extra | Tuesday to Friday from 12 p.m., weekends from 10 a.m., closed Monday | Yes, from the grounds |
| Lake Hollywood Park | Free | Sunrise to sunset | Yes, from the park |
| Warner Bros. Studio Tour | $79 / $68 | About 3 hours | No |
| Universal Studios Hollywood | Varies by date | Hours vary | No |
For most first-time visitors, a good mix is the Walk of Fame in the morning and Griffith Observatory at the end of the day. Add a studio trip only if you have a second day. Getting around is covered in our getting there guide, and the best time to visit page helps with timing.
Things to do in Hollywood: frequently asked questions
Which things to do in Hollywood are free?
The Walk of Fame, the Griffith Observatory building and grounds with its public telescopes, and the views from Lake Hollywood Park are all free. Parking and tours cost extra.
Can I walk up to the Hollywood Sign?
No. There is no public path to the letters, and the area around them is watched around the clock. You can see the Sign from viewpoints and trails above and behind it.
Where can I see the Sign?
The Griffith Observatory grounds and Lake Hollywood Park are two good choices, and Ovation Hollywood works from town. See the viewpoints guide for details.
Are Universal Studios and Warner Bros. in Hollywood?
Not on Hollywood Boulevard. Universal Studios Hollywood is its own theme park, and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is in Burbank. Both need a separate plan.
Is this an official tourism site?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the City of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign Trust or any attraction.