Summary
What Is Hollywood and Highland?
The simple answer is that it’s where two streets intersect: Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. At that location, you’ll find an active, three-story shopping and dining entertainment complex—a twenty-first-century landmark that constantly tips its hat to the past.
From references to D. W. Griffith’s 1916 film Intolerance in the multi-story “gate” at the end of the courtyard to the elephant statues surrounding it, this place celebrates the film industry’s illustrious history. Consequently, visiting is quite enjoyable. You could easily spend nearly an hour just reading all the stories and guessing whose they are.
Hollywood and Highland is also an excellent base to start a walking tour of Hollywood Boulevard and the best place to park while doing so. Nearby, you can also see the Dolby Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Here’s a tip to save money: Parking is cheaper with validation. Even if you didn’t make a significant purchase, grabbing a coffee or a bottle of water at Starbucks can help you save money. Some shops will validate your parking if you kindly ask, but always be polite about it.
You’ll often find street performers on the sidewalk in front of Hollywood and Highland, dressed up as everything from Batman to Shrek. If you take pictures with them, remember that they rely on tips for their living.
Road to Hollywood and the Babylon Courtyard
The Road to Hollywood begins at street level and ascends the steps. It serves as a tribute to Hollywood’s ability to transform even the most ordinary individuals. Follow it up and across the courtyard.
Upon reaching the courtyard, the Road transforms into something reminiscent of the Yellow Brick Road, only this one is adorned in red and black. Along its length, stories of Hollywood aspirants are embedded in mosaic tile—from a performing lion to a welfare mother turned superstar. The only credits provided are “Actress” or “Director.” You may recognize some names, while others may be new to you. They’re all entertaining to read and serve as a poignant reminder of why Hollywood occupies such a significant place in numerous people’s American Dream narratives.
The Road interweaves across the courtyard multiple times before leading toward the rear of the complex, where you can capture a good view of the iconic Hollywood Sign.
A Movie Star’s Story on the Road to Hollywood
This represents just one of the many narratives along the Road to Hollywood, epitomizing the excitement of early Hollywood. Other notable stories include:
- “I realized that if I didn’t do something pretty soon, I was going to be digging ditches in Chicago for another twenty years. So I came out here. I got work as a security guard for movie stars, and they helped me find an agent. I was just about to give up when I got my first part. Now I’ve got an Oscar nomination.” – Actor
- “I bought a camera in a pawnshop and eventually managed to become a Life magazine photographer. At age fifty-seven, I broke into films, becoming the first African American to produce and direct at major studio movies.” – Director
- “You’ve got to come to Hollywood,” they said. “Movies is the biggest business in the world. Safety razors is first, corn plaster second, and movies third. So I went.” – Cowboy star
Casting Couch
This oversized piece of furniture serves as the most popular spot for photographs at Hollywood and Highland.
The term “casting couch” originated with unscrupulous casting agents, who could use their office furniture for inappropriate activities with aspiring actresses. The “cast” on this couch is now more likely to be a group of friends snapping selfies that hit social media shortly afterward.
This spot marks the end of the Road to Hollywood. Beyond the casting couch, you will catch a glimpse of the Hollywood Sign—another icon of Hollywood’s enduring allure.
Babylon Gate
The arch frames a magnificent view of the Hollywood Sign.
Emblazoned on its facade are Assyrian gods Ashur and Nisroch (the one with the eagle’s head). Walkways crisscross the center of the arch, and if you look very carefully, you can spot the Hollywood sign just above the top walkway.
The Babylonian set for which the original gate was designed featured thousands of scantily clad extras—a scandal at the time. While their costumes might have been deemed “scanty” then, today’s tourists sometimes wear far less.
Red Carpet Stairway
On Oscars night, stars arrive right out front and walk up a genuine red carpet to the awards ceremony, while the rest of us must content ourselves with this red-tiled tribute. Flanking the Grand Staircase are illuminated columns bearing the names and years of every Academy Award-winning Best Picture since 1927. Spaces remain to accommodate future winners well into the 21st Century.
If you’ve seen the ceremony on television and think it doesn’t look the same, you’re not mistaken. Before awards night, draperies are hung to disguise the storefronts, and extensive lighting is set up to enhance the atmosphere. Rumor suggests that the steps were specifically designed to facilitate comfortable walking for celebrities in ultra-high-heeled shoes.
Dolby Theatre
Established as the permanent home for the Academy Awards in 2001 and formerly known as the Kodak Theatre, the Dolby Theatre is among the largest entertainment halls in the nation, purpose-built for the annual televised awards extravaganza. The first Oscars ceremony at this venue took place in 2002, just a short distance from the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which hosted the first-ever Academy Awards in 1929.
It also hosts other awards ceremonies besides the Oscars. In the offseason, it accommodates concerts and traveling shows like Shen Yun. When not occupied, tours of the Dolby Theatre are available.
In case you were wondering, it is rumored that the Kodak Company paid a staggering $75 million for naming rights, which they subsequently sold in 2012. Hence, it is now referred to as the Dolby Theatre. News reports were vague, but it is said that Dolby paid “substantially above” Kodak’s annual rate.
What You Need to Know About Hollywood and Highland
Hollywood and Highland is open daily, but its business hours may vary. There is no entrance fee; however, parking incurs a charge. The parking lot accepts validations and offers very low rates for the initial hours.
If you plan to tour the Dolby Theatre or the Chinese Theater, be aware that these attractions require an additional fee. Browsers should allocate about half an hour, while shoppers could spend several hours.
The optimal time to visit is in the afternoon or evening, especially in summer.
Before and during the Academy Awards, streets across the Hollywood and Highland area are closed. Therefore, trying to drive there during this time is not advisable. If you must visit, consider taking the LA Metro subway to the Hollywood/Highland or Hollywood/Vine stop. You can check the Academy’s website for this year’s Oscar date.
Getting to Hollywood and Highland
Hollywood and Highland’s location is evident: it’s situated at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. Its official address is 6801 Hollywood Boulevard. You can find additional information on the Hollywood and Highland Website.
You have the option to drive and park in the underground structure or utilize public transit. Just steps from the entrance to the complex is the Los Angeles MTA (Metro Transit Authority) Red Line.
