Oscar Season is coming and Hollywood, California awaits movie pilgrims with its old Kodachrome charms and new Hollywood glam.

While Los Angeles has many tourist attractions, it is perhaps the allure of Hollywood that most intrigues traveling families. Hollywood, which was named after the California holly tree by the wife of an early developer, is no longer the epicenter of the motion picture business. However, the word still evokes all that is the movies.  Paramount Pictures maintains its classic lot in eastern Hollywood and many support companies (labs, smaller stages, equipment rental houses, etc.) call it home.

Other major studios and many independent film companies are also spread all over the Los Angeles area, from the San Fernando Valley to Santa Monica.

The following must-see attractions will give movie pilgrims the opportunity to taste the elements of the old and new in the current Hollywood.

HOLLYWOODLAND

For many visitors to Los Angeles, there is no more coveted photo than a shot of the world-famous 1924 Hollywood sign. The Sign’s 50-foot letters originally read “Hollywoodland” as advertisement for the real estate development of the same name in Beachwood Canyon. 

By 1949 the sign was in disrepair and survived only when a plan to demolish it was defeated by public protests.  Instead, it was renovated and the “land” dropped from the name.  The development was a great success and remains today a highly regarded residential area. Though it is visible from all over the city on its lofty perch on Mount Lee, it can be difficult to get a well-angled shot. It is actually illegal to hike to or get anywhere near the sign, which sits behind restricting gates and is monitored by security cameras and Park Rangers. Visit the Hollywood sign website link above for an insiders photo guide to the sign.

The movie business landed in Hollywood around 1911, with the construction of Nestor Studios, followed by the Lasky-DeMille Barn, which survives today as the Hollywood Heritage Museum (323/874-2276). The museum features archival photographs from the silent movie days of motion picture production, movie props, historic documents and other movie related memorabilia. Also featured are historic photos and postcards of the streets, buildings and residences of Hollywood during its heyday. Adult tickets are $7, seniors and students $5, and children under 12 are free.

Stars for the Stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Hollywood Boulevard was always the Main Street of Hollywood, anchored by its classic icons -- Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (323/464-8111) and the Walk of Fame (323/469-8311). Grauman’s opened in May, 1927, in the most spectacular theatre opening ever. Thousands of people lined the Boulevard, with riots breaking out as the stars of “King of Kings” arrived.  It remains one of the favored venues for movie openings today, and tourists love to show up on nights of big movie premiers and watch celebrities walk down the red carpet.

Its dramatic forecourt holds a number of hand and footprints of the stars, and leads on to the Walk of Fame, which runs both directions on Hollywood Boulevard from La Brea Avenue to Gower Street, and on Vine Street from Yucca Street to Sunset Boulevard.  More than 2,000 stars have been given to outstanding artists in film, television, music, radio, and theater. If you're really into it, be sure to download The Los Angeles Times Star Walk app from iTunes, because it delivers the precise location of every star along with photos and a comprehensive biography of the recipient. Visit the Walk of Fame Calendar for premiers and other events and plan to be there -- a great photo opp!

In the Footsteps of Movie Legends

The Kodak Theatre (323/308-6333) is part of the lively Hollywood & Highland Center and is the new venue of the yearly Oscar show. Thirty-minute guided tours are available Monday to Sunday from 10:30am to 4pm.  This is the way to go for viewing an Oscar statuette, visiting the George Eastman VIP Room and other exclusive celebrity hot spots, and viewing images from previous Academy Awards ceremonies. Adult admission costs $15, seniors (65 & over) and Youth (17 & under) cost $10, and children under 3 get in free.

Tours are also available weekdays at Paramount Studios where you can walk in the footsteps of legends and get an intimate, behind-the-scenes sneak-peek of your favorite movies and TV shows. During 2010, tour times of the classic early 20’s venue are 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm at $35 a person. To reserve a ticket for a daily VIP tour call 323/956-1777.

Just a few minutes North on US-101 is the exciting Universal Studios Hollywood. On June 1, 2008, a three alarm fire broke out at Universal Studios Hollywood, destroying New York Street, the King Kong theme park attraction and a video vault.  In response, the entertainment community rallied together and assembled a world-renowned creative team to rebuild what had been lost. The theme park now be offers guests a more compelling behind-the-scenes experience than ever before with the completion of the New York Street backlot, and their newest attraction: King Kong 360-3D. With a high tech upgraded studio tour, guests will enjoy high-definition TV monitors in each tram car, new video content, and high-grade digital audio systems.

While we respect the privacy of actors, it’s hard not to recommend The Starline Movie Star’s Homes Tour. Buses leave regularly from Grauman’s, though almost every hotel can also arrange one. Don’t expect to be invited in for coffee with Brad and Angelina, but the tours provide an interesting journey through the wealthier residential areas, with lots of gossip about the stars, and the occasional drive-by of a real star’s home or former home. Their new partnership with TMZ guarantees that guides are up-to-the-minute on the latest Hollywood buzz!

In addition to the stars' homes tours, there is also a “Behind-the-Scenes” Tour which will take you by bus to some of the big hits listed above, plus a fun, hop-on hop-off, double-decker Starline CitySightseeing bus running on routes including Hollywood, Santa Monica and downtown LA.

There are also opportunities to be part of the audience for taping of TV shows and game shows. Tickets for these are best arranged in advance through commercial vendors, such as Audiences Unlimited or hollywoodtickets.com, both of which feature sitcoms and talk shows. TV Tix is also a good resource for talk shows, and On Camera Audiences specializes in reality TV shows. If you can’t find tickets through any online vendors, check the show’s website. Some talk shows such as the “Jay Leno Show” or the “Ellen Show” offer tickets directly through their sites. Peak production season runs August through March, so plan to come during this time frame.

Sleep with the Stars in Hollywood's Family Friendly Hotels

Hotels in Hollywood can be very pricey, but you don’t have to spend big cash in order to experience one of the world’s most popular destinations. The Best Western Hollywood Hills Hotel (323/464-5181) is just 2 blocks away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 10 blocks away from Grauman’s Chinese Theater, 2.5 miles away from Universal Studios, and sits in the foothills below the Hollywood sign. For families planning on taking in all of the Hollywood sites while under a budget, this Best Western is a safe bet. It has an outdoor pool and a central courtyard, free internet access, cable TV with HBO, and pets are permitted for a fee.

Also set in a central location for tourists is the Hollywood Heights Hotel (323/876-8600). Its location allows a short walk to the Kodak and Chinese Theaters, the Hollywood Bowl, the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Sign, and many other attractions. The hotel includes an outdoor pool, spa tub, business center, free internet access, restaurant and bar/lounge, and is smoke-free.

For more hotel suggestions, see Hollywood Places to Stay.