Hollywood Attraction Discounts & Coupons

LAST UPDATE: 6/26/24

The good news about Hollywood is, everything you will want to see is located within about three city blocks, with the center being Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. (The famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine has nothing to offer.) The bad news is, there’s still a seedy side to Hollywood, even in the central tourist area. Be prepared for crowds. Watch for pickpockets. Also, be aware that there are many costumed individuals, particularly in the plaza in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, who will try to get you to have your picture taken with them, and then charge you money. These people are not official, licensed or authorized to do this, so proceed with caution.

Jump to:

Getting to Hollywood and Getting Around

Assuming you want to visit Hollywood in conjunction with a Disneyland vacation, there really are only two viable ways to get to there independently: driving and taking public transportation. (Taking an organized tour is another option.)

Jump to:

Rental Car from Disneyland

Renting a car is a good bet. Los Angeles is a town dominated by the automobile, so traveling by car is the quintessential way to experience it.

Alamo has a location at Downtown Disney where you can pick up a car. Disneyland and central Hollywood are about 34 miles apart. Driving time to Hollywood is about 45 minutes from Disneyland, if traffic is light. (In heavy traffic, it can take up to 2 hours. Avoid rush hours: 6:00 – 9:00 am and 3:00 – 7:00 pm.)

Once you’re in Hollywood, park at Ovation Hollywood.

Public Transportation from Disneyland

An easy option for getting to Hollywood from Disneyland by public transportation is:

Read more about train services from the Disneyland area.

Public Transportation from Other Areas

The Metro Red Line Hollywood and Highland station will put you right in the middle of everything described on this page. Check the LA Metro website for detailed public transportation routing and itinerary information.

Lyft

Taking a Lyft all the way from Disneyland to Hollywood will be pretty expensive; allow for $50-$70 each way, depending on traffic. Taking it within the greater Hollywood area is a very reasonable idea — there are a bunch of interesting things to do in the local region that might be a little too far to walk. For example, you can take a Lyft from the tourist area of Hollywood Boulevard to Warner Bros studios for less than $10.

Taxis

Taking taxis for long distances in Los Angeles is expensive. Distances are large and fares are high. For example, a cab from Disneyland to the El Capitan theater in Hollywood is going to be around $110-140 each way, depending on traffic. As with Lyft, fares are much more reasonable to go between sites in and around the greater Hollywood area, but unless you happen to see a waiting cab at a stand, we’d usually suggest trying Lyft first.

Organized Tours

Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney is a family tour program offered by Disney, in which guests travel in small groups limited to 40 participants, and are led by two Disney-trained Adventure Guides. Each adventure is filled with immersive, interactive experiences you might never have tried if you were traveling on your own.

One of the Adventures by Disney vacation packages, called “Disneyland Resort & Southern California Vacation”, includes a stay at Disneyland — with amazing backstage visits to Walt Disney’s Disneyland apartment and other areas most people never get to see — as well as visits to Disney’s El Capitan Theatre, The Jim Henson Company Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering and lots of other Southern California fun. This is a 5-night/6-day itinerary that focuses on Southern California, with 3 of those nights spent at the Disneyland Resort.

This package would be ideal for first-time visitors to California who want to see more than just Disneyland. It is especially suitable for those who are not comfortable with driving the California freeways, since all of the ground transportation from place to place is provided by Disney.

Thanks to Small World Vacations for info.

  • To book an Adventures by Disney “Disneyland Resort & Southern California Vacation,” please contact a Disney Specialist travel agent.

Multi-Attraction Passes

If you plan to explore other attractions in the Los Angeles/Orange County area in addition to Hollywood, the Go City Los Angeles Pass gives you access to more than 30 Southern California attractions, including Dolby Theatre Guided Tour, The Hollywood Museum and Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Universal Studios Hollywood is included with 3, 5, and 7-day cards. 

If you plan to explore other attractions in the Los Angeles/Orange County/San Diego area in addition to Hollywood, the Go City San Diego Pass gives you access to over 45 Southern California attractions, including Dolby Theatre Guided Tour and The Hollywood Museum.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame, created in 1960, consists of the famous bronze and terrazzo “stars” imbedded in the sidewalks along Hollywood Blvd. between Gower St. and La Brea Ave., and along Vine St. from Sunset Blvd. to Yucca St.

Bear in mind that in the central tourist area of Hollywood (around Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave.), many of the “stars” are difficult to see (much less photograph) due to the high volume of pedestrian traffic. Also, be aware that many major celebrities do not have a “star.”

Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland Center)

Ovation Hollywood, is the center of Hollywood’s revitalization. Ovation Hollywood is home to many restaurants, shops, a trendy bowling alley/restaurant/lounge called Lucky Strike, a multiplex movie theater ( TCL Chinese 6) and the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

For a reasonably-priced meal, Ovation Hollywood has quite a few options such as California Pizza Kitchen, Johnny Rocket’s and Hard Rock Cafe.

Ovation Hollywood is located on the north side of Hollywood Blvd., half a block west of Highland Ave.

There is a large parking structure in Ovation Hollywood and this is the best place to park for your explorations of Hollywood. Entrances are on Highland Ave. and Orange Court.

Dolby Theatre

Dolby Theatre, home to the Academy Awards, was formerly known as the Kodak Theater. Most concerts, shows and other events held at Dolby Theatre are open to the general public, so if you’re going to Hollywood, check to see what’s playing during your visit.

Even if you don’t choose to attend a live show, there are some aspects of the theater anyone can enjoy. Walk through the impressive multi-story portal from Hollywood Blvd. to approach the theater, which is set back from the street. Once inside the portal, you can wander along an Awards Walk of glass plaques featuring winners of the Best Picture Oscar.

Dolby Theatre is located at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard (north side, at Ovation Hollywood).

30-minute guided tours of Dolby Theatre are offered seven days a week, except when there are schedule conflicts due to rehearsals or productions. Check online for the current schedule and to purchase tickets. Please note: public restrooms are not available inside the theatre. 

  • Admission to the Dolby Theatre Guided Tour is included in the Go City Los Angeles Pass, which gives you access to over 35 Southern California attractions.
  • Admission to the Dolby Theatre Guided Tour is included in the Go City San Diego Pass, which gives you access to over 35 Southern California attractions.

Disney’s El Capitan Theatre

Disney's El Capitan Theatre and Disney's Soda Fountain & Studio Store

The fabulous El Capitan Theatre began life in 1926 as a live theater, hosting major plays of the day. In 1942 it was converted to a movie theater. Beginning in 1989, Disney undertook a phenomenal, “museum quality” restoration of the 1,040-seat theater and added a Dolby sound system. The theater reopened under Disney’s ownership in 1991.

The El Capitan usually hosts Disney’s movie premieres. If you want to watch the latest Disney movie in style, this is the place! You’ll get a kick out of the elaborately costumed ushers.

Be sure to arrive early so that you can enjoy the pre-show, which includes live organ music performed on a giant 1920s Wurlitzer. Some movies are preceded by a full-on live stage show with characters. During the run of certain movies, special exhibits about the making of the film, sets and props, etc., are displayed in the lobby and/or basement of the theater.

The El Capitan is located at 6838 Hollywood Blvd. (south side of Hollywood Blvd, west of Highland Ave., across the street from the Chinese Theatre).

There are two movie ticket options at the El Capitan: general admission and VIP. Tickets often sell out, especially for new releases and on weekends, so buy in advance. You can order tickets online or by calling (800) DISNEY6. There is a $2 per ticket processing fee for ordering online.

General admission tickets vary in price depending on the movie showing, but average $12 per person and include a reserved seat.

  • Park at Ovation Hollywood and get your parking ticket validated in the lobby of the El Capitan. With the validation parking is just $3 for up to 4 hours.
  • If you have a group of 20 or more, call (818) 845-3110 to get the group rate.

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop

Interior of Disney's Soda Fountain

Located next door to El Capitan Theatre, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop makes a nice addition to any outing to Hollywood. The atmosphere is fun and the menu is simple – ice cream cones, sundaes, shakes, malts, freezes, phosphates and old-time flavored sodas, plus a few basic food items like grilled cheese, hot dogs and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. 

Timing is everything here. We were fortunate enough to arrive midway through a movie showing at the El CapitanTheatre, and had no problems being seated immediately. As soon as the movie let out, however, the line to get into the Soda Fountain was halfway down the block. So if you just want ice cream, be sure to check the movie times and plan your visit accordingly.

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop is located at 6834 Hollywood Blvd. (southwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave., next to Disney’s El Capitan Theatre).

 

The Chinese Theatre

One of the most opulent of the city’s old movie palaces, TCL Chinese Theatre originally opened in 1927 as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Probably the most famous landmark in Hollywood, it still has the power to amaze. The forecourt in front of the theater is well-known for its handprints and footprints of movie stars, while the 90-foot tall theater itself is an wacky, “only in LA” architectural marvel. A replica of this theater houses The Great Movie Ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.

The Chinese Theatre is located at 6925 Hollywood Blvd. (north side, just west of Highland, across from Disney’s El Capitan Theatre).

  • Backstage tours of the Chinese Theatre are offered 7 days a week. Visit the Chinese Theatre website or call (323) 463-9576 for tour times and prices.
  • If you just want to see the interior, you can attend a movie at regular movie theater prices. However, be careful to pick whatever movie is playing in the actual Chinese Theatre itself. It has only one screen. There is an adjacent theater called the Chinese 6, which is a different multiplex — nothing special to see there. Visit the Chinese Theatre website or call (323) 461-3331 for showtimes.

Egyptian Theatre

One of the most amazing movie palaces in Los Angeles, the Egyptian Theatre (built in 1922) has been nicely renovated to its old glory. It is operated by a non-profit organization, the American Cinematheque, which shows art films, documentaries and classics on its giant screen.

The Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Blvd. (south side of Hollywood Blvd. about a block and a half east of the Chinese Theatre). Check their website for showtimes.

Musso & Frank Grill

For a true “Old Hollywood” dining experience, the only choice is Musso & Frank Grill, which opened in 1919 and moved to its current location in 1937. Musso & Frank is an expensive chop house with a décor seemingly unchanged since its original opening: red leather booths and lots of dark wood.

Tourists come here, but so do locals who have been eating here for 60 years or more, and occasionally movie stars. The waiters are a trip. Some of them seem to have been working here since the place opened, and while they are super-professional, they tend to be cranky.

Everything, including side dishes, is sold a la carte at Musso & Frank. Order old-fashioned things like martinis, shrimp cocktail, steak and potatoes – this place does not deal in “California cuisine.” They’ve been serving the same stuff since 1919 and if it was good enough for Orson Welles, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Faulkner, Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, it’s darn well good enough for you. (We can’t say for certain whether Walt Disney ever ate here, but it’s extremely likely.)

Expect to pay $60-$100 for dinner for two. Paid parking is behind the restaurant, and you enter through the back.

Musso & Frank is located at 6667 Hollywood Blvd. (northwest corner of Hollywood & Cherokee, about 3 blocks east of Highland Ave.). Open for dinner only on Sunday. Closed Monday.

The Hollywood Museum

Located in the renovated Max Factor Building (a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture), The Hollywood Museum features four floors of Hollywood exhibits, including displays on Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe and Mae West, as well as costumes and props from a few films including Moulin Rouge and Silence of the Lambs.

Naturally there is a significant focus on makeup impresario Max Factor and the way he invented the “look” of many famous stars of yesteryear: there’s a whole floor devoted to his color theories. A photo gallery gives you a chance to enjoy “Old Hollywood,” with pictures of long-lost movie-star hangouts like The Brown Derby and the Trocadero Ballroom. Special exhibitions are sometimes offered.

No photography is allowed in the museum and they will hold your camera at the entrance.

The Hollywood Museum is located at 1660 N. Highland Ave. (just south of Hollywood Blvd.).

  • Admission to The Hollywood Museum is included in the Go City Los Angeles Pass, which gives you access to over 35 Southern California attractions.
  • Admission to The Hollywood Museum is included in the Go City San Diego Pass, which gives you access to over 35 Southern California attractions.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

At Madame Tussauds Hollywood, you can see life-sized wax figures of movie stars, Hollywood icons, movie characters, pop stars, sports stars, movie directors and TV stars.

Madame Tussauds is located right next to the Chinese Theatre, at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard.

  • Admission to Madame Tussauds is included in the Go City Los Angeles Pass, which gives you access to over 35 Southern California attractions.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers you an up close and personal visit to the sets and sound stages where major motion pictures and television series have been produced. It’s an excellent in-depth tour for anyone interested in how television and movie production happens. There are several tours to choose from including the Studio Tour, Classics Tour and Deluxe Tour. Check their website for details about each tour, as well as the length and cost. Parking is $15 per vehicle. 

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is located at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank (near the northwest area of Griffith Park, a relatively short drive from Hollywood). Dress in comfortable shoes as there can be some walking. 

Please note: tours are open to ages 5 and up only; everyone age 18 and up must show valid ID to enter. You must pass through a metal detector and large bags are not allowed.