I like what everyone has said so far because for the most part everything is true. I think 7 days is a lot of time to do SoCal, but it does sound like you are trying to get a lot done.
Warner Bros. is great, keep in mind they only do them on the weekdays, and I personally think the earlier tours are generally better than the afternoon ones. Also keep in mind there are no guarantees as to what you are going to be able to see at any of the studio tours. One tour may run into Conan O'brien, cast members from 2 & A Half Men, Big Bang Theory, and Mike & Molly, and another tour will just me wandering around aimlessly around an empty lot. Nonetheless the tour guides will try to be entertaining and informative.
As for Hollywood, I guess you really might have to ask yourself what you really want to see before you plan to get here. Some film buffs would like to visit the historical parts of Hollywood and find where certain things were filmed or where stars use to live. Are you into current pop-culture entertainment news such as TMZ? I know that the boring tourists tours are always there, but TMZ shows you the Hollywood of today, like where Lindsey Lohan likes to party (Disney tie-in
). The Grumman's Chinese Theatre is cool to look at. I once saw a movie and sat right next to Cameron Diaz, and we were sharing the same arm rest the entire movie. Seriously that happened.
I do recommend watching a movie at the El Cap, mainly because it is a movie going experience that you are probably not going to find at home. They usually have some kind of pre-show with an organist, the movie theatre is an old school one with a balcony, and it's right next door to the Soda Fountain place, which the theatre allows you to bring food there.
Stay late in Hollywood and travel to Anaheim in the late evening to avoid traffic.
Stay away from the 5, the 405, and 101 between the hours of 7AM-9AM, and 4PM-7PM. For whatever reason also, Tuesdays and Thursday are the heavier traffic days.
I am glad to have this information. I was not certain if there was so much to do in Hollywood that we would need to spend the night. Sounds like a stop off after a studio tour, catch some sights maybe get something to eat and then head out and not feel like we have missed anything.
Want to see El Capitan and Disney Soda Fountain but that shouldn't take too long!
I see it as a 1 day excursion, but not an overnight thing.
I found that hotels in Hollywood were pricier than Anaheim.
God only knows why Real Estate is at a premium in Hollywood.
WebmasterLeah was just out here with her family, and spent two days in the Hollywood area. We are going to be talking to her and her husband about their visit, and she does have ideas regarding staying in the Hollywood area versus Anaheim area when visiting Hollywood.
They visited the Burbank area, Walt's grave, Tam O'Shanter restaurant (Walt's favorite), Travel Town (outdoor train museum with Walt's Barn, though we didn't go in Walt's Barn), the carousel at Griffith Park (where Walt would take his daughters and came up with the idea for Disneyland), Hollywood and Highland, and some other places. They did end up running out of time, and this Thursday, you can listen to their experience on the podcast.
This is all great stuff. Can't wait to hear the podcast. Just so you know, I spend most of my drive time around LA and OC listening to the DisUnplugged, both coasts.
thymed -
For one-day trips without overnight stays and to maximize your time, Catalina Express is 100% better. The Express has many more departure and return times -- out of Long Beach and San Pedro, but Long Beach is the one I recommend.
I recommend leaving out of Long Beach too. I've done this twice, and also there are other cool things to do in Long Beach if you are so inclined. Beside the Queen Mary and the Aquarium, they have The Pike which has shops and restaurants, but they also have a Laugh Factory. If you wanted to go see comedians and not want to be in Hollywood, this is the place. (They have one of these in Hollywood, but why go to Hollywood for this one?)
I live reasonably close to Hollywood. Actually, I am extremely close to The Grove/Farmers Market, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Petersen Auto Museum, the La Brea Tar Pits, etc. (Those would all be great places to visit on your Hollywood day, if you have time.) Canter's Deli is just a quick dash up Fairfax. The famous Pink's Hot Dogs is a few minutes away, on La Brea. Melrose, Santa Monica Blvd. and Sunset Blvd. are all within minutes. Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive are a few minutes to the west.
My immediate area is good (with The Grove and LACMA and all of those places). I like it. As for Hollywood -- personally, I used to spend much more time on Hollywood Blvd. in my younger years (there were a lot of cool collectible shops for musicians and/or music fans). Now? Eh...not so much! Even though there are parts of Hollywood Blvd. and shops that are interesting and should be seen at some point (like the Chinese Theater), the overall area is often kind of on the 'sketchy' side and it scares people away, I think. There have been "clean up Hollywood" efforts in the past, and those work for a brief time, but then the area goes right back to being sketchy again!
I feel the same way too. I'm 36 now, but I'll say that 15 years ago, Hollywood means something to me different now than it did when I was chasing the dream of being in the entertainment industry. I do have a business in Hollywood (a local theare company, but that's a whole different topic.) Although Hollywood is being re-gentrified, it is a slow but sure process. As far as "sketchy", though there are parts that seem like it and feel like it, if you stay around the Hollywood and Highland area or west, you'll be fine.
Also, if you happen to like music stores, one of the last ones in the area still exists called Amoeba Music on Sunset and Ivar. This place can be dangerous in the sense that you'll walk in with money, and walk out with tons of CDs, Records, or DVDs.
For the most part, I think Hollywood is what you make of it. You have to know what you want to get out of it and do it. I would keep asking around from other people as to what they think. Check out some of the Podcasts that the DL Team have done. Nancy does a very good job covering a lot of great information. Heck, though you may just have your hotel stay in Anaheim the entire time, you might wind up heading up to Hollywood twice! Happy travels