Hollywood and the greater Los Angeles area are home to one of the largest and most active Gothic/industrial scenes in the US, giving us a wealth of bands, DJs, artists, and venues to draw from.
As the entertainment capital of the world and a top tourist destination, Hollywood boasts a host of attractions to keep you occupied day and night. There are restaurants to satisfy every palate and diet. The drinking establishments range from dive to top shelf. The shops do as well and are numerous. For you AGF peeps downtown LA has one of the most diverse and affordable fabric, flower, and garment districts around. Endless amusement opportunities practically insure that there will be something for everyone. The natural beauty of Southern California is breathtaking, warm, and sunny most of the year.
We’ll be providing you a complete guide to all that Hollywood and Los Angeles has to offer, here are a few highlights to whet your appetites:
Tourist/Fun
Hollywood Forever Cemetery - Originally called Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, is one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angeles. It is located in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, adjacent to Paramount Studios. Among those interred or entombed in the cemetery are a number of notable Dead Stars including Johnny and DeeDee Ramone and Rozz Williams.
Grauman's Chinese Theatre - The most famous movie theatre in the world. Featuring the hand and foot prints of many dead stars from Marilyn Monroe to Darth Vader.
Max Factor Musuem - Because Make Up.
Museum of Death - Because Death.
Universal Studios - Thrilling theme park rides and shows, a real working movie studio and Los Angeles' best shops, restaurants and cinemas. Including an awesome House of Horror, the Bates Motel, rides and attractions inspired by Terminator and Transformers.
La Brea Tar Pits - One of the world's most famous fossil localities, recognized for having an unusually diverse assemblage of extinct Ice Age plants and animals.
StarLine Tour - Be the ultimate tourist in Los Angeles on one of these double decker busses that drive around and point out famous and interesting things in the area.
Dearly Departed’s Hollywood Tragical History Tour - It looks like the Haunted Hollywood tours in the hearse are back to just Halloween if at all, but here’s another company who takes you on a tour of famous haunted and death locations. On the left menu, you can see a Helter Skelter Tour as well that tours the former location of the Tate mansion.
Venice Beach - The beach boardwalk is home to shops, bars restaurants, street performers roller bladers, cyclists, bodybuilders and skateboarders.
Hollyhock House - By Frank Lloyd Wright
Ennis House - Used in Bladerunner, By Frank Lloyd Wright
Bradbury Building - Used in Blade Runner as the home of JS Sebastian, and the scene of the final confrontation between Deckard (Harrison Ford) and Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) and Batty's “Tears in rain” soliloquy.
Gamble House - Used in Back to the Future
American Horror Story House - This old house is haunted and known as “Murder House” on the TV show. American Horror Story, but in real life it’s the stately Rosenheim Mansion in L.A. Architect Alfred Rosenheim built it in 1908 in Country Club Park as his own residence.
Magic Castle - The Magic Castle is the showplace for some of the greatest magicians from around the globe. Built in 1908, this storied mansion has watched Hollywood grow and change for over 100 years while never losing its original charm. It’s a private club, so you either have to be a magician or be invited by one. You can see it from the outside without a membership, however.
Art/Culture
Getty Museum - Houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European and American photographs, including Van Gogh's “Irises” Plus, it’s Starfleet HQ. Free!
Griffith Observatory - Sitting on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood, it commands a stunning view of the Los Angeles basin below, the Griffith Observatory features a planetarium and exhibits including a working Tesla Coil, and you may recognize it a from movies like Rebel Without a Cause.
LA MOCA - Home to almost 5,000 artworks created since 1940, including masterpieces by classic contemporary artists, and inspiring new works by emerging and mid-career artists from Southern California and around the world. The MOCA is the only museum in Los Angeles devoted exclusively to contemporary art. Admission to MOCA Grand Avenue is free every Thursday, 5–8pm, courtesy of Wells Fargo.
LACMA - The largest art museum in the western United States,devoted to collecting works of art that span both history and geography, in addition to representing Los Angeles's uniquely diverse population. It holds more than 120,000 works spanning the history of art from ancient times to the present. In addition to art exhibits, the museum features film and concert series.
La Luz de Jesus - If you only go to one art gallery, this should be it. You can purchase art if you like, and see classic styles along with taxidermied steampunk animals. Plus it’s connected to Wackos, an awesome shop with books, figurines, and awesome stuff.
Disney Concert Hall - Even if you only go there for a photoshoot.
Nature
Malibu Beaches - With 21 miles of coastline along PCH, Malibu has some of the most beautiful views and best beaches in LA some of which you may recognize from Baywatch.
Runyon Canyon - Runyon Canyon is a 160-acre park smack dab in the heart of everything - a stone's throw away from the historic Hollywood strip and other amazing landmarks that make this one of the greatest cities on the planet. Runyon Canyon not only offers the best hiking trails in Los Angeles, breathtaking views of the city, an amazing dog park for your four-legged friend but it also offers free daily yoga classes with professional instructors, your favorite celebrities and an atmosphere that anyone can enjoy.
Bronson Caves - A very easy walk in this section of Griffith Park brings you to the filming location for lots of movies and TV shows, especially westerns and science fiction, from the early days of motion pictures to the present. You may recognize it as the entrance to the Batcave in the TV series or from the original Planet of the Apes.
Griffith Park - With over 4,210 acres of both natural chapparal-covered terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park is the largest municipal park with urban wilderness area in the United States The parks 53 miles of hiking trails include the route to the Hollywood Sign.
Noms
Few places do food better than Los Angeles. Ask us for more recommendations based on your food preferences.
Canters Deli - Jewish-style delicatessen, opened in 1931,. It has been frequented by many notable movie stars and musicians. Features a full bar with live music. Open 24 hours.
Pinks - It's a Hollywood love story, starting with Paul & Betty Pink selling hot dogs from a cart in 1939. Then the city fell in love with the tasty chili dogs and friendly service, and 75 years later, Pink's has become a Hollywood landmark and internationally famous.
Berlin Currywurst - If you like Currywurst as much as voodoo does, you’ll love this place, serving the real deal in an outdoor beer garden.
Musso and Frank Grill - Fine steakhouse that the stars have frequented since its opening in 1919
Doomies Home Cookin’ - Vegan food. By Doomie, OK?
Kabuki Sushi - Decent reasonably priced sushi, especially during Happy Hour (Mondy thru Friday 3-6 and 9-close, Sunday 8-Close).
Wurstkuche - Exotic sausages (some vegan) , Belgian fries and imported beer.
El Coyote - For eighty years the El Coyote Cafe Mexican Restaurant in West Los Angeles has provided a history of patron caring, dining value and warm ambiance. Sharon Tate, eight months pregnant, and a group of friends came here for a quick meal on Aug. 8, 1969. It would be their final meal. Later that night would be their fateful, fatal encounter with the Manson family.
El Compadre - Located in the stretch of Sunset filled with musical instrument stores, El Compadre is known and loved for their giant margaritas as much as for the food.
Bulan - The exotic flavors of Thai cooking in exciting vegetarian food. Ingredients are premium select, fresh and aimed at good health as well as great taste. NO meat, NO m.s.g. and NO trans fats are used.
Vegan House - Thai vegan just a few blocks from A Walk of Fame in Hollywood, CA (and next door to Bills house).
M Cafe - Healthy macrobiotic menu including many vegan choices.
Hugos - Home of the original Hollywood “power breakfast”, Hugo also serves delicious healthy lunches and dinners, with many vegan choices.
Saddle Ranch - Old West-themed steak joints, complete with a mechanical bull.
Mels Drive In - 50s style diner open 24 hours, with patio seating right on the Strip
Evo Kitchen - Restaurant where vegan foodies, meat lovers and gluten-free peeps can feast together.
Veggie Grill - Vegan fast food.
The Bazaar by José Andrés - A must for the serious foodie or science geek, Bazaar features chef Jose Andres blend of traditional tapas and cutting edge molecular gastronomy culinary techniques. From smoking cocktails to spherified olive tapas, the Bazaar offers a magical culinary experience.
Drinkin
Rainbow - Legendary hangout of rockstars and those who love them in the heart of the Sunset Strip. The notorious Hollywood Vampires made their lair in the upstairs bar, and Lemmy is a regular when in town. And the pizza is arguably the best in Hollywood.
Frolic Room - Reputedly the oldest bar in Hollywood, this friendly dive was one of Charles Bukowskis haunts; they have Bukowski read offs on mondays, the winner gets free drinks. Cheap strong drinks.
Loaded - Hollywoods punk and metal living room. Strong Drinks. Food. Bloody Marys with bacon. Loud music
Burgundy Room - The third leg of the infamous voodoo triangle (along with Frolic and Loaded) the dark dive tends towards the punk/ska/rockabilly side. Strong drinks. Check out the tables in the booths, they're Ouija boards.
Trocadero - Hip Martini lounge with an old-Hollywood feel known for happy hour, & bar bites plus a patio.
Barneys Beanery - Iconic sports bar, but don’t let that scare you off. 200+ beers, 700+ menu items, Happy Hour4-7 and Late Night Happy Hour 10-2.
Crass Consumerism
Melrose Ave - Hollywood fashion district, the eastern end, has been called the birthplace of Southern California's New Wave and Punk cultures in the early 80s and is still home to shops such as Poser.
Hollywood and Highland - Multi level shopping restaurant and entertainment complex located next to Chinese Theatre.
Pan Pipes - The Oldest occult and Pagan store in the US with largest known magickal apothecary.
Trashy Lingerie - Trashy Lingerie is Hollywood’s best kept secret of custom lingerie. Trashy's designs have been seen in over 500 films, multiple television shows, commercials, concert tours, and hundreds of magazine features. All of the Trashy Lingerie designs are original, handmade and personally customizable.
Liquor & Grocery
Rock n Roll Ralphs - 24 Hour grocery and liquor (6AM-2AM) store with huge selection of beer and spirits, known for their clientele of rockstars and would be rockstars.
Bevmo - Giant wonderland of all things alcohol.
Trader Joes – Reasonably priced healthy/organic food and liquor. Known for cheap but good wine and beer.
Pink Dot – Liquor, food and stuff delivered right to your door.
Saucey - It could only happen in Hollywood. Uber for drinkers. Order booze from your iPhone. Beer wine & spirits delivery at the push of a button.
