HOLLYWOOD AND VINE IN CALIFORNIA FOR WALK OF FAME

HOLLYWOOD

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, where stars are born. You never know what to expect when visiting Hollywood. You may see a look-alike actor or the real thing. But one thing is for certain, on any day of the year, you can size yourself to the famous stars by placing your hands and feet in their sidewalk imprints, walk on their stars and enjoy standing where they have stood. Hollywood is distinguishable by the huge letters on the hillside to the north that spell out its name, but you can't miss Hollywood. It is an attraction that people all over the world flock to see, to experience and document for their own movies.

Hollywood offers the best vacation a tourist could want. It combines the nearby beaches where many of the shows and movies are filmed, and ties it to the interesting Hollywood tours that in something that is loosely called a Hollywood beach vacation.

Hollywood was founded in 1888 by Harvey Henderson Wilcox and his wife, Daeida, as part of a residential development. While some say it was Daeida who selected the name after she met a lady on a train whose summer home was called Hollywood, an expert on this subject has written a book about Hollywood called, "The Father of Hollywood". Author Gaelyn Whitley Keith states:

Hollywood was named by H J Whitley in 1886. Whitley Heights which is currently in Hollywood is on the National Registry. H J Whitley is buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

At an election held November 14, 1903, the residents of Hollywood voted to incorporate as an independent city. They changed their minds in 1910 when the community voted to annex to the growing city of Los Angeles in order to assure a reliable water supply.

Now known primarily for the film industry, there are many opportunities to tour studios and sit in on tapings of programs. Below is a list of some of those opportunities plus many more attractions you might want to check out.

Hollywood Points of Interest

Capitol Records, 1750 N. Vine, at the historic intersection of Hollywood and Vine. Landmark building is one of Hollywood's icons and built like a stack of records.

Mann's Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd., The most famous theatre in the world was build by Sid Grauman in 1927 and features the hand and footprints of legendary movie stars. manntheatres.com/chinese

The Original Farmers Market, 3rd and Fairfax Ave., 213-933-9211. A Los Angeles tradition for over 60 years, features shops, produce, and a wide variety of dining establishments. farmersmarketla.com

Frederick's of Hollywood, 6608 Hollywood Blvd. World famous lingerie shop also includes the Celebrity Lingerie Hall of Fame, featuring lingerie from Hollywood movie stars. fredericks.com

Griffith Park, Vermont Ave. at Los Feliz. The largest city park in the U.S. is home to the famous Hollywood Sign, the Griffith Observatory, Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Greek Theatre, and other attractions. Griffith Observatory site: griffithobs.org

Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. This 18,000-seat internationally-renowned natural amphitheater is the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. hollywoodbowl.org/

Hollywood Entertainment Museum, 7021 Hollywood Blvd. This long-awaited museum showcases Hollywood's entertainment industry, and features such attractions as sets from the television series "Star Trek" and "Cheers." hollywoodmuseum.com

Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-469-1181. Final resting lace of many Hollywood luminaries. Melrose Avenue, A unique collection of galleries, fashion boutiques, restaurants and antique shops with the newest and best of fashion, trendy design and art deco nostalgia items of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. hollywoodforever.com

Paramount Pictures, 5555 Melrose Ave. Longest continuously operating film studio in Hollywood. Considered by many to be the most beautiful of the major studios. Two-hour walking tours Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Start at Visitors Center. Children must be over 10. paramount.com

Rock Walk/Guitar Center, 7425 Sunset Blvd., 323-874-1060. Handprints, signatures, and memorabilia from Rock 'n Roll's greatest musical performers and innovators are featured at this unique Hollywood attraction. Television Show Tapings. Hollywood is the place to see the television industry in action.

Some of the best sources of tickets include:

TVTICKETS.com - Audiences Unlimited, (818) 506-0043. Write: 100 Universal City Plaza, Bldg. 153, Universal City, CA 91608 and include a return stamped envelope. Over 40 sitcoms, game and talk show tickets available.

CBS. 7800 Beverly Blvd. Tickets for game and talk shows, and sitcom tapings.

Paramount Pictures, 860 N. Gower St. Tickets available at Visitors Center up to five days in advance of tapings of Paramount's sitcoms and talk shows at the studio and other production facilities.

Universal Studios Hollywood, (818) 508-9600. Located off the Hollywood Fwy. at the Universal Center Drive and Lankershim exits. The world's only theme park that offers guests shows, rides and the authenticity of a working movie studio. Includes such popular attractions as "Jurassic Park: The Ride" and City Walk. Open daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Operating hours vary.

Walk of Fame, World-famous Hollywood attraction features more than 2,000 stars honoring celebrities in motion pictures, television, recording, radio and theatre. The Walk is located on Hollywood Blvd. between La Brea and Gower and on Vine Street between Yucca and Sunset Blvd. Approximately 20 new stars are added each year. If you want to see the Hollywood Experience in an entertaining way the entire family will enjoy, you really must go to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Where to stay? Our favorite hotel is always the Renaissance Hotel, which is connected to the Kodak Theater. It offers modern decor, location, and comfortable beds that are so important on business trips and vacations. I've had the pleasure of having rooms on both sides of the hotel --city views, or Hollywood hills with the Hollywood sign. Either way, the views are great. From the "hills" side you can look over to the Magic Castle Hotel. From the city lights side you can see Roosevelt Hotel Hollywood from some rooms. It is said have ghosts. It has a trendy night club for music and dancing.