Where to stay in Hollywood
The Hollywood Sign can be seen from many parts of Los Angeles, but no hotel sits at its foot, because the letters stand in a closed area of Griffith Park. So choose your base by what else you plan to do. A stay near Hollywood Boulevard puts the Walk of Fame and the Metro B Line on your doorstep. Los Feliz is the pick if you want Griffith Park and the Observatory close by. West Hollywood is a separate city with its own nightlife districts.
If your trip is built around a group outing, such as a celebrity homes tour or a Hollywood Sign tour, check the meeting point first and choose the area that makes it easy to reach.
Hollywood areas compared
What each base is good for, and how you get around.
| Area | Good for | Getting around |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Boulevard | Walk of Fame, the theatres and the Ovation Hollywood viewpoint | Metro B Line at Hollywood/Highland and Hollywood/Vine |
| Los Feliz | Griffith Park to the north, the Observatory and Hollywood to the west | DASH Observatory bus from Vermont/Sunset, the Metro B Line stop |
| West Hollywood | Sunset Strip, Design District, Rainbow District and Route 66 stretch | Own city, so check transit links for your hotel |
| Universal City | Universal Studios Hollywood | Metro B Line at Universal/Studio City, check shuttle and walking links |
| Hollywood Hills | Close to trails and viewpoints | Hillside parking rules apply, check the signs |
For most first visits, stay near Hollywood Boulevard. It is the easiest base without a car and close to the Walk of Fame. Choose Los Feliz if the park and Observatory matter more than the boulevard.
Our pick: start on the boulevard
Our take: a walk from the Pantages Theatre, close to the Hollywood hotels.
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.
Hollywood Sign tours and Los Angeles day trips
Guided hikes, bus and van tours, and flights with views of the sign, with live prices and availability.
The areas in detail
What to expect in each location.
Hollywood Boulevard
The boulevard is the centre of visitor Hollywood, with the Walk of Fame stars, the theatres and Ovation Hollywood, which gives a view of the sign. Two Metro B Line stops serve it: Hollywood/Highland in the west and Hollywood/Vine in the east. Neither is at the sign itself.
Walk of Fame guide →Los Feliz
Griffith Park lies to the north and Hollywood to the west. The Observatory DASH runs from Vermont/Sunset to the Observatory, with a regular fare of $0.50 cash or $0.35 with TAP. It is a plausible base for park visits, but check the walk to the sign before you plan on it.
Griffith Observatory guide →West Hollywood
West Hollywood is its own city, not part of the Hollywood Boulevard area. Its districts include the Sunset Strip, the Design District and the Rainbow District, plus a stretch of Route 66. Compare it with Hollywood, not equate it.
Universal City
Choose this area if Universal Studios Hollywood is the main reason for your trip. The Metro B Line serves Universal/Studio City. Shuttle service and walking times depend on the hotel, so check them before you book.
Universal Studios Hollywood guide →Hotel taxes and extra costs
Hotels in the City of Los Angeles add a 14 percent occupancy tax for stays up to 30 days. Hotels with 50 rooms or more may add 2 percent for the tourism marketing district. Other fees can add to the bill, so the final cost can be higher than the nightly rate.
Do not assume the city rate applies everywhere. West Hollywood and Beverly Hills are separate cities, and a Universal City address may fall under different rules. Ask for the total with taxes and fees before you confirm. Rates can change, so confirm the total before you book.
Keep valuables out of sight, especially in a parked car. The police advise securing valuables when you travel.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go next.
Where to stay in Hollywood: frequently asked questions
Which area should I stay in for the Hollywood Sign?
No area sits next to the letters, so pick by what else you plan. Hollywood Boulevard is the easiest base for first visits. Los Feliz suits park and Observatory trips.
Is West Hollywood the same as Hollywood?
No. West Hollywood is its own city with its own districts, such as the Sunset Strip, the Design District and the Rainbow District. Compare it with Hollywood Boulevard, do not treat it as the same place.
How much tax is added to a Los Angeles hotel bill?
The City of Los Angeles charges 14 percent on stays up to 30 days. Large hotels may add 2 percent for tourism marketing. Rates differ in neighbouring cities, so ask for the full total.
Can I get from LAX to Hollywood by bus?
The FlyAway bus runs from LAX to Union Station and Van Nuys, not directly to Hollywood. The fare is $12.75 one way in 2026. From Union Station you continue by Metro.
Do I need a car if I stay in Hollywood?
Not for the boulevard and the Metro B Line. For trailheads and viewpoints in the hills, check parking rules, since permit rules in the Lake Hollywood area changed in 2025.
Is this the official Hollywood Sign website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by or connected with the Hollywood Sign Trust, the City of Los Angeles, any hotel or any attraction mentioned here.