City Page Type: Destination

A visit to Tinseltown would not feel complete without a stop by the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One of the city’s most beloved attractions, it is a popular boulevard made up of brass star-plaques embedded in pink and charcoal terrazzo squares to honour big Hollywood celebrities. Made to immortalize their achievements, the stars bear the names of musicians, actors, directors, producers, musical and theatrical groups, and even fictional characters. For die-hard Hollywood fans, you can even attend an upcoming Walk of Fame ceremony (all for free and open to the public!) to bear witness to the unveiling of a new star, and catch a glimpse of the celebrities themselves! Each star costs $40,000 to install and maintain, and applicants have to go through a solid selection process. If nominated and declared as a recipient, celebrities must accept the honors. Some A-listers like Julia Roberts and Dustin Hoffman don’t have their names on the Walk of Fame simply because they are uninterested.

Did you know that the Hollywood sign once read “Hollywoodland?” In 1947, the H had toppled over and in order to secure funding for its restoration, a deal was made with the Recreations and Parks Commision to restore the H in exchange for the sacrifice of LAND. It now stands in full glory, modernized and catchier than ever. (Come on! Hollywoodland?) When the sign was first built in 1923, it was supposed to be a billboard for a real estate development. Its builders had no idea that it would become one of the world’s most sought-after selfie locations. But, few selfie-seekers are aware that it’s illegal to get close to the sign. There are, however, several hiking trails that will get you close enough for that epic photo op. Many hikes begin at Griffith Observatory or the Greek Theater. Have your Los Angeles charter bus rental drop you off and park elsewhere.

Hollywood’s history as the movie capital of the world dates back to 1911, when the first motion picture was made on the west coast of the United States. While few movie studios remain in the neighborhood today, it’s still bustling with plenty of activity, including tons of shopping and a plethora of nightlife options. The neighborhood boasts more than 840 shops, 460 restaurants, 280 nightlife options, 55 grocery stores, 20 banks, and 180 fitness options. The Hollywood neighborhood’s history and famous sites, such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, attract millions of visitors every year. The neighborhood is bordered on the west by West Hollywood and Fairfax. To the north, you’ll find Hollywood Hills and to the south it’s bordered by Hancock Park and Larchmont. As you might imagine, East Hollywood lies to the east of the Hollywood neighborhood.

Griffith Observatory was built in 1935 to encourage the public’s engagement with the cosmos. There are so many ways to enjoy this educational destination. Use any of the public telescopes, listen to a lecture in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, or step into the 290-seat Samuel Oschin Planetarium for a guided tour of the universe. If you’re traveling at the right time (during a solstice, equinox, eclipse, or meteor shower), organize a group trip to any of the observatory’s space celebrations. Looking to engage with a community of astronomers? Griffith Observatory hosts a monthly star party, inviting amateurs and professional stargazers to use the famous Zeiss telescope and several portable telescopes stationed around the grounds. Whatever brings you to Griffith Observatory’s mountaintop location, charter a Los Angeles bus rental for your class, team, company, or amateur astronomers club.

Until 2001, the film industry’s favorite awards show, the Oscars, floated from hotel to hotel, with no permanent venue to call home. To provide a location to match the glamor of the event, $94 million was spent on the construction of a new technologically advanced and star-worthy venue: The Dolby Theatre. It was designed with the red carpet in mind, featuring one of the most recognizable entrances in cinematic history. Tours of the theater are available, and discounts for groups can be obtained. Make sure you call Dolby Theatre in advance to reserve your tour and get the best rate. The theater can hold up to 3400 attendees and has packed its halls for everything from corporate events to all-star concerts. Their programming offers all types of live shows, and it’s available to rent for your own glamorous party. Host a corporate event and have your colleagues walk the same red carpet just like Hollywood A-listers.

When the president of the Dodgers, Walter O’Malley, moved the team from Brooklyn to LA, the city thanked him with a brand new ballpark. Dodger Stadium opened in 1962. It is now the third oldest continually operating park in Major League Baseball, and with seats for 56 000 baseball fans, it can get lively. To join the party, charter a Los Angeles coach bus or school bus for your own group trip to the next Dodgers game. While you’re there, be sure to indulge in a ballpark classic: the hotdog. Dodgers stadium has its own special dog, the 10-inch Dodger Dog, but there are dozens of other specialty hot dogs to try, from vegan sausage to bacon-wrapped bratwurst. Whether you’re a serious MLB fan who knows all the stats or a casual observer who’s just in it for hot dogs and beer, Dodger Stadium is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

Visit the magical realms of Disneyland – the happiest place on earth where dreams really do come true! Originally set to be constructed in Burbank, the park came to be just within one year, and opened on July 17, 1955. Directly supervised and built by the legend Walt Disney himself, the latter drew inspiration for the park from taking his daughters to the Griffith Park in the 30s and 40s. He then later continued his research for Disneyland by visiting the Tivoli Gardens in Denmark, Efteling in the Netherlands, and Children’s Fairyland in the U.S. Today, the 85-acre park welcomes as many as 44,000 people per day, and features more than 60 attractions that are organized by “lands.” With something to enjoy for both kids and adults alike, escape reality for a moment and exchange your usual routine for a memorable vacation with your loved ones. As you travel and trek through the different themed parks, see all the characters from your favorite Disney tales come to life. Who knows who you’ll run into next!

The wild stories of Hollywood stars getting into shenanigans at Chateau Marmont are almost endless. The hotel, which was designed by architect William Douglas Lee and opened in 1929. Its architecture is inspired by Chateau d’Ambroise, which is a royal retreat in France’s Loire Valley. But the architecture may not be as stunning to most as some of the stories of events that have taken place at the hotel. From rumors of Jean Harlow’s affair with Clark Gable to wild accounts of Led Zeppelin tearing through the lobby on motorcycles, it seems that all the biggest Hollywood stars have gotten into some sort of trouble at Chateau Marmont.The hotel has a hush-hush policy that has been kind to Hollywood stars for more than 90 years, and the seven-story castle is a magnificent sight in and of itself.

The California State University is made up of 23 campuses that are turning out high quality graduates like it’s going out of style! One in ten employees in California has attended a California State University, and half of the state’s bachelor’s degrees are issued from one of its schools. The Cal State, LA campus was founded in 1947 as the Los Angeles State College and is one of the oldest colleges in California. It’s also the first university in America to offer a Chicano Studies Department. The Golden Eagles represent Cal State in athletics. They’re known for women’s soccer and track and field, as well as men’s baseball and basketball. Charter a Los Angeles bus to any of the campuses sports facilities to see these champions in their element. Looking to reminisce about Golden Eagle history? Check out the Cal State, LA Athletics Hall of Fame.