Table of Contents

• Introduction
• History of the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Safety on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Where to Stay on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Hotels
  • Room Rentals
  • Motels
  • Hostels
• Arrival, Parking, and Transportation Within the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Things to Do on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Search For Your Favorite Celebrity’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Hollywood Wax Musuem
  • Madame Tussauds Hollywood
  • Medieval Torture Museum
  • The Hollywood Museum
  • The Musuem of Death
  • Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
  • Guinness World Record Museum
  • Visit the TCL Chinese Theater
  • Visit the Capitol Records Building
  • Visit the Ghirardelli Store
  • Visit the Dolby Theater
  • Visit One of the Many Stores
  • Tour the Celebrity Homes
  • Starline Tours
  • See the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show
• What and Where to Eat on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• General Tips About Visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Traffic
  • Tourist Scams/Rip-Offs
  • The Homeless
  • Tourist Traps
  • Smells
• Conclusion
• Los Angeles Blogs

Introduction

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the trifecta landmarks of Los Angeles (With the other two being the Hollywood Sign and the Santa Monica Pier). The Hollywood Walk of Fame is adorned with over 2,500 stars that recognize various people in music, cinema, and entertainment. 

Millions of people come to this part of L.A. to take a picture with their favorite celebrity’s star and see some of the famous sights on the walkway. This blog post will cover the history of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, safety, accommodation, arrival, parking, transportation, things to do, general tips, and what and where to eat.

History of the Hollywood Walk of Fame

E. M. Stuart is credited with the original idea of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stuart was the volunteer president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Stuart proposed the idea to “maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world.” The original idea was proposed in 1953, but it took until 1955 for the logistics to begin on the plan. The plans were polished and submitted in January of 1956 and approved in February of the same year.

As the project continued, four committees were created to assist in choosing the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s first honorees. The four committees consisted of representatives from the four major entertainment industries at the time: radio, television, recording, and motion picture. Soon after, over 150 names were submitted every week. Stanley Kramer would be the first person to ever receive a star in 1960. It then evolved into what it is today, one of the most recognized landmarks on Earth.

Safety on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame does not have a reputation for being safe. You would think that an area as popular as this, it would be a safe area to visit. Unfortunately throughout the years that record has gone down. The encroachment of drug addicts and homeless people has given the Hollywood Walk of Fame a record for being unpredictable and not as safe as it should be. Truthfully, the whole of Los Angeles should be a lot safer, but more so for such a high-traffic area like the Walk of Fame. Although your trip to the Hollywood Walk of Fame should go on without any issues, there are some things to keep in mind.

If you see an individual who is using drugs or seems mentally unstable, it’s best to steer clear of them and keep a distance. You will probably see homeless tents and people while walking on the strip, however, the city has relocated a lot of them so the last time I went to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it was relatively clean and seemed to have improved. Just be aware of pickpockets and some of the scams (discussed later) that can occur on the Walk of Fame.

Where to Stay on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Although the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a single 2.5-mile / 4-kilometer strip, there are some accommodation options for those wanting to stay on the Walk of Fame. Since all these accommodations are within a block of the Walk of Fame, they will be pricey. There are plenty of other accommodation options in the entirety of Hollywood which will be covered in a separate blog post. There are hotels, motels, hostels, and room rentals in this small strip of Los Angeles. All of which will be discussed in detail below, and specific recommendations below. In no particular order, here are the accommodation options on or right next to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Hotels

Hotels are abundant in Los Angeles and that includes the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are over 1,000 registered hotels in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, however, the Walk of Fame has less than 10. Almost all hotels have parking spots, so if you have a car or rent a vehicle, it should not be a problem. However, some hotels charge an additional fee to park your car, so be sure to ask at the front desk, and they will give you a parking hanging tag or sticker for your vehicle.

Most hotels have a check-in time of around 3 p.m. / 15:00 and a check-out time of around 11 a.m. / 11:00, but this can vary depending on the location. If you want an early check-in or late check-out you can call ahead and see if they can do anything, but in most cases, it will cost extra, usually not worth it. Prices can change depending on the time you are going and for how long. Average rates that I’ve seen range from $70.00 to $120.00+ / €64.65 to €110.83+ per night.

Room Rentals

Airbnb is a popular rental company that offers guests the opportunity to rent private and/or shared spaces for a few days to a few weeks. It is up to you to make sure you stay in a safe location and check to see where it’s located. All rooms offered usually have many reviews, so you can look at them and see how their experience was. I’ve also noticed that ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, Airbnb has charged a very high cleaning fee. Sometimes close to $200.00 / €185.54!

Costs can vary depending on the time you go and for how long, but the prices range from $50.00 to $100.00+ / €46.38 to €92.77+ per night. It is also possible that many options do not have any parking spots, so if you rent a car or have a personal vehicle, check to make sure it has a parking spot. Generally speaking, most places have a check-in time around 3 p.m. / 15:00 and a check-out time around 11 a.m. / 11:00, but it can vary depending on the location.

Normally if you want an early check-in and/or late check-out they can accommodate you without an extra fee. Air conditioning does not come in all the units (sometimes at an extra fee), so if you come during summer, I’d recommend finding a place with air conditioning since it can get very hot. To check out Airbnb’s official website, click here.

Motels

Motels are very common in Canada and the United States. For my readers outside the U.S. and Canada, motels may seem like a weird concept, but let me explain. Motels are very similar to hotels but offer fewer amenities. They are very basic, they have a room with a bed, a desk, and a private bathroom, and sometimes the campus will have a pool that can be closed seasonally. 

Sometimes they will have air conditioning and will always have a parking spot but sometimes with limited spaces. Some motels are offered around the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but they can be a little sketchy at night, so keep that in mind. If you want more information about safety in Los Angeles, click here to go to the “Safety in Los Angeles” blog post.

Motels tend to be a little cheaper than hotels but do not offer flexible check-in and check-out and tend to have virtually no security. Just like hotels, most motels have a check-in time of around 3 p.m. / 15:00 and a check-out time of around 11 a.m. / 11:00, but this can vary depending on the location. 

Average prices for motels are $40.00 to $80.00+ / €36.94 to €73.88+ per night. Of course, the prices can depend on the time you are going and for how long, but they are very affordable. Many motels do not have a website, so in this scenario, it is best to utilize sites like Booking.com. Keep in mind that Motels can also be a little run-down and dirty, but not all of them.

Hostels

Hostels are relatively new to the United States. They have been very popular around Europe, Asia, and Latin America for years, but are starting to become more popular in the U.S. Hostels have dorms and sometimes private options. Dorms are a shared space where they can have four to eight beds in one room. The price of this lack of privacy is the cheapest accommodation in Los Angeles. I’ve seen beds as low as $28.00 up to $39.00+ / €25.86 to €36.02+ per night. It’s possible that a hostel can have a parking spot, but do not count on it. There is one hostel on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Samesun Hostel.

The Samesun hostel has a check-in time of around 3 p.m. / 15:00 and a check-out time of around 11 a.m. / 11:00. Private rooms in this hostel cost about double that of a bed and also have a flexible check-in time. I would compare private rooms at hostels and rooms at hotels to see which prices are better. 

Hostels also offer unique tours and activities aimed at increasing guest morale and collaboration. All hostels offered usually have many reviews, so you can look at them and see how their experience was. Hostels are made for cheap, shared living situations and are aimed towards solo and/or budget travelers. Hostelworld is a very popular website that can look up hostels in your target area, and you can compare prices. To go to their website, click here. Many hostels do not have websites, so be sure to utilize sites like Hostelworld to find these accommodations.

Recommendations:

1. The Hollywood Roosevelt ($$$)
2. Motel 6 Los Angeles Hollywood ($)
3. Samesun Hostel ($)

Keep in mind that since the Hollywood Walk of Fame is such a popular area, most accommodation options are going to be more expensive. Los Angeles does not run out of options when it comes to places to stay, so check around Hollywood and other parts of Los Angeles to ensure you are getting the best price. 

Always research and call before you book any rooms, as many resorts and hotels do not offer free cancelations. If you want more information about accommodation in Los Angeles, click here to go to the “Where to Stay in Los Angeles Guide” blog post.

Arrival, Parking, and Transportation Within the Hollywood Walk of Fame

• Arrival

Arriving at the Hollywood Walk of Fame can be done by three means. You can drive/take a ride-share app, take the L.A. Metro, or one of the city buses. The best way to get to the Walk of Fame is by the L.A. Metro. The metro has two stations right on the Walk of Fame. The stations are the Hollywood / Vine Station and the Hollywood / Highland Station. Both stations are part of the B Line which goes from North Hollywood to Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. The Hollywood / Highland Station is located right next to the Chinese Theater and Dolby Theater. The Hollywood / Vine Station is located on the opposite end of the Walk of Fame. Parking can be expensive and stressful around the Walk of Fame, so utilizing the Los Angeles Metro can save you a lot of trouble.

If you want to use the L.A. Metro, the first thing you will need to get is a TAP Card. The TAP Card is required to ride the L.A. Metro. You can either download the TAP L.A. application here or purchase one at any of the metro stations. Once you have a physical or digital card, just put your card or phone on top of the device and “tap” to pay for the fare. The price is $1.75 / €1.61 for a two-hour ride. Reloading the TAP Card or the Tap LA app is very easy and can be done online.

Once you are on the metro, find your way to the B Line, as that one gets you to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Once you arrive at the Hollywood / Vine Station or the Hollywood / Highland Station, you will tap once more. The main hours of operation of the L.A. Metro are from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. / 05:00–00:00 but can differ.

If you don’t or can’t use the L.A. Metro, your next best option is to drive. If you drive expect more traffic especially around the Walk of Fame since there are so many pedestrians. Parking will be discussed in the next section, but driving is just annoying in this part of the city in my opinion. 

The last option is the city buses, and they should just be voided unless you are with a local. The buses are a bit rawer and unpredictable. Use the L.A. Metro or drive. To learn how to use the Los Angeles metro, click here to go to the “Arrival and Transportation Within Los Angeles” blog post.

• Parking

Parking can be a nightmare and expensive around the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If you are okay with walking to the main strip, you can try to find some free parking on the surrounding streets. If you are planning to be there at night, I would not recommend you park far, since the area can get a little more dangerous at night. There is a popular mall called the Ovation Hollywood that has parking and can cost only $3.00 / €2.79 for two or four hours with validation. 

What is parking validation? Parking validation is the process of getting your parking receipt stamped or marked, indicating you did something within that facility that made your parking valid. This can be visiting a museum, watching a movie, eating at an establishment, or purchasing something from a shop. If you need to double-check, just ask a worker if they validate parking. They will either say yes they will validate it once the requirement has been met. If they say no, they can direct you to the nearest location that validates.

• Transportation Within the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Since the Hollywood Walk of Fame is only a single 2.5-mile / 4-kilometer strip, there is no need for major methods of traversal in this part of Los Angeles. The best way is to walk and take in all the sights and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Walk of Fame.

Things to Do on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

There are a lot of things to do on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. From visiting museums to watching Jimmy Kimmel Live, there are things to keep you occupied for a couple of days. This is by no means a complete list but rather highlights I recommend. In no particular order, these are the top things I recommend you do on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Search For Your Favorite Celebrity’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Part of the reason you come to the Hollywood Walk of Fame is to look for your favorite celebrity’s star. With over 2,500 stars, finding the individual you want can seem impossible. Luckily the Walk of Fame created a dedicated Star Map to help you find your favorite celebrity’s star. Just look for their category (i.e. motion picture, television, radio, etc.) and search for their name. To be honest, it could be updated to be more user-friendly but better than nothing.

Hollywood Wax Musuem

Opened in 1965, the Hollywood Wax Museum is the longest-running wax museum in the United States. There are over 125 wax figures that feature an amazing list of A-list celebrities like Micheal Jackson and Sandra Bullock. You can walk around and take pictures with different celebrities as if you met them in real life. It is worth noting that if you want to visit the Guinness World Record Museum, they do offer joined tickets with The Hollywood Wax Museum at pretty decent prices (for both), so check that if it piques your interest. 

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Madame Tussauds Hollywood is the second wax museum in Los Angeles right next to the TCL Chinese Theater. Madame Tussauds is not unique to Los Angeles as they have six locations in the U.S. and locations in Beijing, Tokyo, and Sydney. Although Madame Tussauds has similarities to the Hollywood Wax Museum, this location gains the slight upper hand in my opinion due to the larger size, a wider range of wax figures, and other activities to do in the building. I felt as if the wax options were more diverse, and offered more past and present icons, such as Marilyn Monroe and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Alongside the main museum, there is also a Marvel Universe 4D, Robot Riot, and Wax Hand activity. Marvel Universe 4D is a show that has 3D glasses and special effects. Robot Riot is a 7D where you defend humanity and play against your friends and family. And lastly, the Wax Hand is a location where you can make and take your very own wax hand. It’s offered in different patterns and colors, and you get to chase the design.

The main ticket prices include the Marvel Universe 4D, and the other two activities have a separate charge. Madame Tussauds Hollywood does have discounted tickets that include either the Big Bus 1 Day Classic or Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum.

Medieval Torture Museum

The Medieval Torture Museum is the strangest museum in Los Angeles. This was the first Medieval Torture Museum in the United States and features over 100 different torture and execution methods used in Medieval times. The museum is not for the faint-hearted or children unless they are supervised by an adult. The museum also offers an exciting ghost-hunting experience, but I did not participate in that. There are also free audio guides that have 56 audio tracks (in English and Spanish) for you to get the full Medieval experience.

The Hollywood Museum

The Hollywood Museum is titled the “official museum of Hollywood.” This museum pays amazing homage to Old Hollywood and has so many artifacts from that era. There are vintage cars and fashion worn by celebrities like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. The museum is rather large, and I think the largest museum on the Walk of Fame. The ticket prices are also fair and some of the most affordable in the area.

The Musuem of Death

The Museum of Death is the most intense museum in L.A. Unlike other intense museums like the Holocaust Museum L.A. or The Tolerance Museum, this museum was created with the intent of being a shock. There are two Museums of Death with the other being located in New Orleans. This museum contains graphic images and detailed descriptions of death, murder, necrophilia, and cannibalism, just to name a few. There were also dedicated rooms to popular serial killers such as Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy. This museum was very graphic and caution is advised if you cannot handle such explicit material.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Overhauled in 2012, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is a museum based on the famous Ripley’s franchise that deals in bizarre claims. This museum is very interactive and not that big. The museum was aimed more toward children, but I did feel as if there was a lot for adults to enjoy as well. This is one of the very few museums in the city that encourages touching. My favorite exhibit was the section discussing the controversial Marilyn Monroe dress Kim Kardashian wore to the 2022 Met Gala. The Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum does have discounted tickets that include Madame Tussauds Hollywood.

Guinness World Record Museum

The Guinness World Record Museum displays many of the Guinness World Records that were broken. The museum itself is very interactive and allows you to interact with some of the exhibits, including the lowest-ever recorded limbo, and the chance to compete on the largest Pac-Man game. There are combo tickets that include both the Guinness World Record Museum and the Hollywood Wax Museum.

Visit the TCL Chinese Theater

The TCL Chinese Theater is one of the most popular landmarks in Hollywood. Since 1927, the Chinese Theater has been at the forefront of cinema. It now stands as a popular area for major movie debuts. The theater does offer VIP 30-minute tours of the theater that give guests insights into Hollywood as well as the TCL Chinese Theater’s history. More information on the tours can be found here. The TCL Chinese Theater also sits as a traditional movie theater arguably one of the best venues in all of Los Angeles to watch a movie.

Visit the Capitol Records Building

The Capitol Records Building is featured in so many movies and is so well known within Los Angeles that it is hard to miss. The architecture is unique within this southern California city with its iconic needle defining the building. Although it is wonderful to look at from the exterior you can go inside the main lobby where gold records or hung up highlighting some of the various artists that were once part of this studio. You can’t go up into the building, but it makes for an iconic picture on the outside.

Visit the Ghirardelli Store

The Ghirardelli Store is a unique one since there are only three in southern California. Ghirardelli Chocolate is a very popular chocolate founded in San Francisco, California in 1852. The brand has since been sold all over the United States and one of its shops sits on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is a great location to get some ice cream but is also a great spot to pick up some chocolate-based drinks. This was some of the best hot chocolate I’ve had in the United States.

Visit the Dolby Theater

The Dolby Theater is famous for one reason and one reason only, the Oscars. The Academy Awards or Oscars is one of Hollywood’s biggest nights. It is very popular for tourists to take pictures where famous actors like Sandra Bullock and Matthew  McConaughey once walked.

There are also theater tours available on certain dates and times in English. Click here to learn more about tours at Dolby Theater. In the back of the Dolby Theater, there is a shopping area called the Ovation which is a good place to sit down and rest, use the restroom, grab a quick bite, or park.

Visit One of the Many Stores

The Hollywood Walk of Stars is lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. It is fun to wander around in random shops and see what there is. You’ll find anything from an Academy Award with your name on it to props used on the famous show Stranger Things. As exciting as some of the stores are there is a lot of energy on the street itself. Food vendors, people dressed up in costumes (discussed later), and people writing your name on a star of your own, there is so much to see and experience.

Tour the Celebrity Homes

Throughout the strip, you will see signs displaying a tour of celebrity homes. This is indeed something to do, but I caution you. Many celebrities are people living life and don’t need hoards of tourists pointing a camera or phone in their faces. Many celebrity homes have 7ft / 2 m tall hedges, so you’d be lucky to see their full house, let alone the actual person. Also, many celebrities have more than one house what are the chances they will be in their L.A. house when you’re there? Save your money, and maybe do something else.

Starline Tours

Starline Tours are the double-decker buses that you will undoubtedly see throughout your trip to Los Angeles. These double-decker buses are called the Starline Tours and offer different things. Some show you the highlights of Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, or even celebrity homes. If you do take one of these tours remember that it is very likely that you will be stuck in traffic, so please prepare for that. Other companies offer the same buses and tours, but this is one of the more popular ones.

See the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show

Seeing a live studio show in Los Angeles will tick off a lot of bucket lists for people. Not only do you get to see one of the most popular talk shows in history, but it’s free! You sign up for a certain date, explain why you would love to see the show on that particular day, and hope you get chosen. I would plan this one in advance as you don’t know if you will get the tickets. This is by far a very cool thing to do not only on the Hollywood Walk of Fame but all of Los Angeles.

What and Where to Eat on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

There are many restaurants in and around the Hollywood Walk of Fame, however, if I am being honest, there are better places to grab a bite than the Walk of Fame. So if you’re able to, I’d spend a half or full day at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and eat somewhere else. Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles have excellent places to eat. Nonetheless, here are some good places to eat on the Hollywood Walk of Fame if you so choose.

Street Food

Street food is becoming more popular in Los Angeles and the Walk of Fame is not an exception. There are hot dogs, tacos, and aguas frescas. The hot dogs can have grilled onion, bell pepper, and jalapeños with all the condiments of your choosing. The tacos in this area are usually carne asada (beef), or al pastor (pork with pineapple). Aguas frescas are drinks usually composed of fresh fruit juice and water making for a refreshing drink. These vendors are found all over but are commonly condensed in front of the TCL Chinese Theater. This is a great option for affordable and tasty food.

• Te’Kila (Mexican)
• Running Goose (American)
• Elbow Room (American)
• Trejo’s Cantina (Mexican)

General Tips About Visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is such a famous part of L.A. that it does come with its own set of tips. The strip is home to vibrant energy and so much to do, but unfortunately more unfun things about the Walk of Fame need to be addressed. In no particular order, here are some tips about the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Traffic

It has been said many times, but Los Angeles is known for having bad traffic. The area around the Walk of Fame has some of the worst traffic in the area. Since there are so many pedestrians, the area is always busy with cars. If you drive, immediately park and try to avoid Hollywood Boulevard at all costs.

Tourist Scams/Rip-Offs

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is ground zero for scams and rip-offs. The high volume of tourists makes it a prime destination for scammers. Organized from most to least common, here are the most popular scams and rip-offs on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

– Characters

Characters sound so ambiguous right? Well, let me explain. Around the main strip, you will see individuals dressed up as popular characters or celebrities. They will approach you and tell you very kindly and enthusiastically to take a picture with them as a memento. What they won’t tell you, is you have to pay them. And if you do not pay them, they will yell at you and make a big scene so you cough up cash. I’ve seen some people demand more than $40.00 / €37.08 for a couple of pictures! 

If you want to take a picture with a discount Mickey Mouse or Captain Jack Sparrow, discuss a price before the picture so they do not demand an insane amount of cash for the picture. These characters are also found in New York City and Las Vegas, but I feel as if they run a little more freely in Los Angeles.

– CD Guys

The CD Guys are not people looking for their big break, usually. They are individuals looking to again, scam you. The idea is that as you are walking, groups usually comprised of men, will approach you with a CD so you can listen to their good music. They will ask “Do you like rap or rock music?” or “Do you support local artists?” and give you a CD making you assume it’s free. Well, it’s not. They then start shouting and demanding you pay for their CD.

 They will try to raise the price of the CD, but if you find yourself in this scenario you can leave the CD either with the person harassing you or on the floor and walk away. DO NOT take the CD. You will be wasting your money as in some scenarios the CDs are blank or contain badly recorded songs on them.

– Discount Tickets

Groups of men will approach you saying they have “discounted tickets” for everything. Disneyland, The L.A. Zoo, Aquarium of the Pacific, and sporting games, you name it, they claim to have it. Please do not buy these tickets as they will be fake, and you will not be granted entry to your desired destination. Only get tickets on the official website or at the box office.

– Monks

There will be individuals dressed up as monks handing out what appears to be hand-woven bracelets. They will kindly wrap a bracelet around your wrist, saying it resembles love, fertility, luck, etc. As you walk away, they will ask for some money as a donation for a fake temple. They can be a bit pushy, but I think they rely on their monk robes for sympathy. If a “monk” (not a monk) starts putting anything on you, kindly say no and walk away.

As intimidating as these scams may be, they are all avoidable if you pay attention and use your judgment. Do not assume anything is free. Hopefully, these tips decrease your chances of getting ripped off or scammed while on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Be aware and if anything seems a little off, just say no and walk away.

The Homeless

Unfortunately, Los Angeles is going through a homeless crisis at the current moment. I’m not going to discuss why, but I mention it because you will see it on your trip to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You may see many makeshift shelters and tents where the homeless sleep. These shelters are found throughout the strip and city and seem to be everywhere. They also panhandle a lot, and it is not uncommon for many homeless people to have dogs. I always advise if you want to give them something, give them something that is not straight money. Food, water, or even dog food are good options since you don’t know what that money will be used for.

Some people who live on the streets are addicts and/or mentally unstable individuals, and although they keep to themselves on most occasions, they can cause some trouble and discomfort. It is not uncommon to hear them yell into the sky, or move erratically, so just ignore their shouts and if they make you uncomfortable, walk to the other side of the street or turn around. It is worth noting that not all homeless are bad people. I have noticed an improvement in homelessness in the area. However, I think it is just preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games that will take place in Los Angeles. So hopefully, the improvement stays.

Tourist Traps

Didn’t we just cover this? Well, not really since there is a difference between a tourist trap and a scam. A scam is something that leaves the buyer with nothing. A tourist trap is an establishment that is intended to attract tourists normally with overpriced and/or misleading services. Almost every tourist destination on Earth has tourist traps. Some people would consider the Hollywood Walk of Fame one big tourist trap, but I still think it can be fun and worth going to. In no particular order, here is a list of tourist traps you should avoid on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

– Map of Stars

You will see these maps sold around Hollywood, but most commonly here on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. These maps claim they will give you “inside info” about where certain celebrities live. They will advertise fun titles like “Learn Where Taylor Swift Lives,” and they are only $10.00 / €9.27. There are a few problems with these maps. What they won’t tell you is that many celebrities have more than one house, decreasing the probability that they will be in their Beverly Hills or Bel Air house. Another factor is that many homes have 7ft / 2 m tall hedges so you can’t even see the house itself. The last point is that the maps are very outdated with whatever celebrity listed there no longer living there. Many of the homes are also very spread out so you will be ripped off if you buy one of these maps. Do not buy these maps. 

– Any Tour with Celebrities / Celebrity Homes

There are many tours on the Hollywood Walk of Fame highlighting celebrity house tours or even popular filming locations. Please, avoid these tours. Many celebrities are people living life and don’t need hoards of tourists pointing a camera or phone in their faces. As stated above, many celebrity homes have 7ft / 2 m tall hedges, so you’d be lucky to see their full house, let alone the actual person. Also, many celebrities have more than one house what are the chances they will be in their L.A. house when you’re there? Save your money, and do many of the other things to do in Los Angeles.

– Museums on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Even though I included all these museums in the “Things to Do” section, I do also consider these establishments to be tourist traps. The main reason being that Madam Tussaud’s Hollywood, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, Hollywood Wax Museum and the Guinness World Record Museums are very overpriced. You’d be paying more than $40.00 / €37.08 for a general admission ticket just to see a copy-paste museum that’s around many other places in the U.S. L.A. has DOZENS of museums that contain more memorable and important information and for a more affordable price. Unless you have money burning a hole through your pockets, there are better museums to see.

Smells

Los Angeles is not the cleanest city in the United States, so as you are walking around the Hollywood Walk of Fame, you will undoubtedly smell something not so pleasant. Some of the most common odors you will smell are garbage, vomit, urine, and feces. There are a lot of dogs in Los Angeles, but there are also a lot of homeless individuals, so you never know where the pee and poop are coming from. Watch your step and the smells shouldn’t last too long.

To get more broad tips about traveling to Los Angeles, click here to go to the “Traveling To Los Angeles General Tips” blog post.

Conclusion

This has been a comprehensive and detailed list of everything regarding the Hollywood Walk of Fame including where to stay, how to get around, what and where to eat, safety, general tips, and what to do. What has been your experience on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? If so, what was your favorite thing to do on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Would you return? If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, feel free to post them below. Also, please check out blog posts related to Los Angeles below, or go back to the Los Angeles page to learn more about traveling to L.A.