Hollywood walk of fame/Hollywood and Vine?

[Danauk]

I have read reports that a lot of the walk of fame is in run down, less desirable areas. How bad or unsafe is it really. We were planning to have dinner at Hollywood and Vine which is only a few blocks from our hotel (the Rennaisance Hollywood) so would that be safe to walk after dinner? Or should I forget about eating there and choose somewhere to eat in the Hollywood and Highlands centre instead? Then instead walk that area during the day to look at the stars (there are a few down there that I would like to see.)
Thanks in advance.

 

[StageTek]

For about 15 years (from early 1980's) Hollywood was getting more and more run down. It's going to be nearly impossible for that reputation to wane. Since about 1998 Hollywood has been getting better and better. One thing to keep in mind: it's a city - a big city with lots of people. I know that sounds like a "Duh!", but people from outside of this area tend to think of Hollywood as an amusement park. It's no less safe than any big city - it's also not a controlled as, say, Disneyland.

I'm not sure where you're planning to eat. "Hollywood and Vine" is an intersection with high rise office buildings now being converted to condos - only a few restaurants near by. There is a major theatre near that intersection so early evening is still very populated with theater goers. I walk home from work (at that theater) every night and have never had a problem. I'd say that the area between Hollywood and Vine and Hollywood and Highland is about as safe as any major city.

 

[pigletliz]

The Hollywood and Vine restaurant is near the Pantages Theater. Since the curren play is Wicked, it is a usually filled with pre-and post theater patrons and is very nice. If you are walking fairly early, like 6, it should be fine to walk. If you are going to look at the stars on the sidewalks, that would be best during the day. Have fun!

 

[Danauk]

Thanks for the info. I am used to waking round a big city as I grew up in one and visit London to go see shows fairly frequently. Now that I have done some more reserch though I'm still trying to decide where to go for dinner!! At least I know it is safe to walk along there though.

 

[tracys2cents]

The neighborhood is on the "icky" side but there are always a lot of people out walking that sidewalk. You'd have to be careful of pickpocket-types just like in any other big city. Consider taking the 317 bus from Hollywood & Highland down to the GROVE shopping center near the Farmer's Market. Lots of funky dining choices in the Farmer's Market and upscale choices in the GROVE. Also, consider taking the metro up to Universal, even if you don't go for the tour you can still enter CITYWALK to roam the shops and choose from a few places to eat.
BUS to the Grove takes about 15 min, Metro to Universal takes about 7 minutes (plus a two blocks uphill walk aftewards).

 

[Danauk]

Thanks for the advice. We are going to do the Universal VIP tour so were planning to take the Metro there when we go. We will have a hire car but figured the metro would be easier. We were also going to do the other studio tours, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros (can you tell we are interested in film and theatre stuff!) I take it we will need to use our hire car to get to these? We will have our sat nav with us so hopefully we wont get lost!!

 

[tlovesdis]

We just went to Hollywood Blvd in June and I couldn;t beleive how run down, dirty, smelly, and nasty it was, even right infront of the new Kodak Theater. It was just gross. We were so disappointed. The mall that the theater is in is all fancy and then you walk outside and it's just horrible. I wouldn't walk around there at night! We had planned to spend the whole day in the area, but after just a short time, we left. It is not worth is to see the stars. Besides most of them were covered in dirt (at least I hope it was dirt!!). YUCK!

 

[Amber15]

I stayed with a friend at the Holiday Inn on Highland, just a couple of blocks up from Hollywood Blvd, in 2005. We had a blast, took several tours of the city, did Warner Bros Studios. Had no problems whatsoever. We would walk back to our hotel alone at midnight, and the streets were filled with tourists. Never felt unsafe. Just watched our stuff, watched out for each other, and all was well.

On a side note, I just got back from my vacation, and I did the Universal VIP tour. So very worth it! We had a great tour guide, the front of the line perk was awesome, and being able to get off the tram and walk around the backlot was amazing. A total must for the entertainment buff you seem to be Have a great time!

 

[tracys2cents]

I don't like the drive up to Warner Brothers, so I'd take the city bus. It's bus number 163 and it runs about every 30 minutes. Across from the Renaissance hotel on Hollywood Blvd (and one block east) there's a McDonald's Restaurant and the bus picks up right there. $1.25 correct change. Get off at Hollywood Way which is just around the corner from Warner Brothers after the bus comes DOWN the big hill. About a 20 min ride from Hollywood Boulevard.

 

[Danauk]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I guess I was just getting panicky about our choices. Like I have said before, I am used to city life so am not expecting Hollywood to be realy glamerous!
Tracys2cents, we were planning to drive straight to Las Vegas after out Warner Bros tour (we are spending a week at the Bellagio then). I was thinking to drive to the studio then straight on to Vegas. Why is the drive so bad? Would it be better to catch the bus to do the tour then get our car as soon as we get back to the hotel to drive to Vegas. We have our sat nav with us so shouldn't get lost. Just wondering what was bad about the drive? I am so greatful for all the advice, thank you all so much.

 

[tracys2cents]

It's just a hectic drive in the morning, but you can do it with no problem. The GPS will put you onto the freeway, but then you have to QUICKLY merge right over 5 lanes so that you can take the Barham exit. I'm always hearing from people who couldn't get over quick enough...but with GPS, even if you end up one exit beyond, you're not far from WB and can make it easily. I prefer the bus but because you're continuing on to Vegas, go ahead and drive it. It's not far and you might want to do a "trial run" the night before after traffic hours, would probably only take you ten minutes to get there and ten minutes to get back to Hollywood.

Hopefully you can leave Burbank around 1:30pm to avoid any big traffic rushes on the way to Las Vegas.

The Pig 'N Whistle is a fun place to eat before the Pantages, has a neat history, and is halfway to the theatre. Lucky Devil's is fun too but real casual. www.pignwhistle.com

 

[barbarabee]

Another good restaurant that is old time Italian is Micelis, just off of Hollywood Blvd a couple of blocks down from Hollywood & Highland.http://www.micelisrestaurant.com/ It is featured in the movie "Swingers."
We stayed on surface streets to get to Warner Bros and it wasn't bad at all, just keep those directions close at hand.

 

[biolabetty]

My daughter and I saw Wicked at the Pantages a few months ago. In the distance of crossing the street and walking to the theater (not very far), we encountered 4 different people asking for money.

 

[Danauk]

Thanks again for all the advice, I really appreciate it. How are the drives to the other studios? We were planning on doing the Paramount studio tour one morning then doing the Sony tour in the afternoon. Is this possible? I know it might be a bit rushed, but we don't mind that.
As for people asking for money, I can cope with that, like I said before I grew up near a big city and we go to London quite a lot so we can cope with that.

 

[tracys2cents]

You could do Paramount and Sony same day. Paramount is a short drive and even at rush hour won't take long. Allow an hour to get from Paramount to Sony mid-day.

Many people do WB and Universal same-day, it's a long expensive day but it can be done. Book the morning WB tour and by 1pm you can be at Universal and have quite a full day there into the evening. Not worth it on fall days when Universal park closes early , but certainly in the summer when the cool evening is the best time to be at Universal and Citywalk.

 

[Danauk]

Tracys2cents, thank you so much for your help. Our plan is as follows
1st day, approx 3pm arrive Hollywood from Six Flags Magic Mountian, (we love coasters too!!!), walk the walk of fame, look at the hand, foot (and recent want prints, love Harry Potter too!!). Gets some Disney pins from the soda fountain and relax. Day 2, Universal VIP tour, have dinner at City Walk (use Metro to and from here). Day 3 Paramount tour am then Sony PM, with evening meal somewhere near hotel (Renaissance Hollywood). Day 4am Warner bros tour, then drive on for week in Las Vegas.
This will be our only trip ever to the region. We do not expect it to be glamerous (we aren't doing the tours to see the stars homes) and we appreciate it is a city, heck we go to London a lot, we apprecate the steroetypical view of a glamerous city and know what is it really like lol! We are very interesed in the behind the scenes stuff of theatre (we help run one in our spare time) so are looking forward to seeing the behind the scenes, mundane stuff.
So does this plan sound OK for 2 UK folk who are interested in behind the scene theatre and movie stuff? This is a once only trip so we want to make the most of the time, yet at the same time appreciate that movies are just that, not real life!! lol
Again, thanks so much, any more help and advice is most welcome.

 

[fairycat]

I just want to add if you like shopping and get bored at Hollywood and Highland you can travel up Highland to Melrose which has many unique and fun shops. You can also have lunch at Johnny Rockets (burger place) and watch the crowds go by.

 

[tracys2cents]

you're talking leaving Six Flags at 2pm...that's pretty early for folks who love coasters. But of course later on means more traffic. Still, I think you can browse Hollywood on the morning before your trip up to Universal, and at other times during your stay. I wouldn't rush back from Magic Mountain just for an extra couple of hours around Hollywood.

Consider the Kodak Theatre tour if they're still doing it...sounds like something you'd enjoy especially if you are viewers of the annual "Oscars". About $15pp I think, right there by the entrance to the Renaissance.

Consider an extra night in the area, to drive Beverly Hills, see the homes, visit the fabulous Getty Center and even maybe have dinner at the Getty if you're there on a Fri or Sat night when the Getty stays open late. 7 days is a LONG time to stay in Las Vegas, unless you're planning on lots of outdoor excursions from Vegas such as Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead or the fabulous day trip to Zion National Park (or to the Grand Canyon.)

 

[Danauk]

Thanks for the help again. We are actually spending 2 nights at Six Flags so would have been in the park for 2 1/2 days before we leave for Hollywood. I'll definately have enough time there to ride all the coasters before we leave!!
As for Vegas we are meeting our best friends there so we have to arrive there on a certain date, otherwise I probably would choose to do one more night in Hollywood so we could see the homes etc like you have suggested. We would like to do the theatre tour, but are not sure what time to book it for. Or do you think we could just book it when we get there? I guess I have some time to think about that.

We have been to Vegas before, our plan whilst we are there is to just have a relax really as we will have spent the previous 2 weeks doing a lot of touring around. We do plan to do some tours whilst there (helicopter flight etc), look around all the casinos, do all the rides, indoor skydiving etc but we also intend just to have some laze around the pool time as well and use the spa. Last time we went we were there for 5 nights and still did not get around to doing everything that was on our list!