The TCM Festival is almost here! For us classic film die-hards this time of year is like Christmas, but like all holidays, it can get a little overwhelming. I realize most folks coming to town spent a small fortune to take part in all the great things TCM has planned, but if you get the urge to veer off the beaten path or see some of our hidden treasures, here's a list of awesome (and for the most part, cheap) things to do if you need a breather from the throngs of people on the Blvd.
1. The Hollywood Heritage Museum
2100 N Highland Ave Los Angeles, CA 90068
(323) 874-4005
Just a few blocks north of the blvd on Highland, you don't get a better education from anyone
but the folks at the Heritage Museum. Inside Cecil B DeMille's first ever studio lies a fascinating collection of golden age goodies. They are even giving discounted admission with your TCM passes and tickets. 5 bucks!
2. DeLongpre Park
1350 N Cherokee Ave Los Angeles, CA 90028(323) 644-3599
Hit Mel's Diner or Skooby's, get your food to go, and walk a few blocks south on Cherokee to
DeLongpre Park. Inside sits a little known shrine to Valentino that was commissioned by the
city in the 30s, stolen, found, and eventually resurrected.
3. Tours, tours, tours!
There are so many great local tours, both walking and driving, that I hope if you partake in any
of them you steer clear of the corporate versions (*cough* Starline* cough*). A few of my faves:
http://www.felixinhollywoodtours.com/ Felix in Hollywood
http://www.hollywoodtours.us/?event=offer.detail&offerId=2728 Dearly Departed
http://lac.laconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walking_tours LA Conservatory
theater tours - locations vary.
4. Runyon Canyon
2000 N Fuller Ave Los Angeles, CA 90046(323) 666-5046
Errol Flynn's tennis court, Frank Lloyd Wright ruins, star gazing, and a beautiful nature preserve.
Not for the weak of heart (or weak of knees!) but a neat place to walk around if you feel like
getting closer to nature and 90210's finest.
5. The Red Line
Seriously, don't be afraid of our local transportation. it gets you where you want to go! From the
North Hollywood Arts District to Union Station, the Red Line is kind of it's own little tour. You
can take it from Hollywood straight into downtown (take the Pershing Square stop) and see our
stunning old theater district (Broadway), The old Angel's Flight railway on Hill, Union Station,
LaBrea Tar Pits, the LA Library, and so much more. Cheap, easy, and no damn highways. :)
6. The Lot and Jim Henson Studios
The Lot is on Santa Monica and Formosa, Jim Henson studios are on LaBrea and Sunset. The
Lot was the very first movie studio and production hub in Hollywood started by Mary Pickford
and Douglas Fairbanks. See it while you can, the city is fighting locals trying to tear it down.
Jim Henson studios were the studios Chaplin built in the late 30s and they've really kept it up.
7. Hollywood Forever Cemetery6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Peter Lorre, Cecil B DeMille, Valentino, Marion Davies, and on and on and on. Not to mention
it's a beautiful place. i always try to bring bread for the ducks...
8. Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Ave Los Angeles, CA 90027
(213) 473-0800
Trails, a great panoramic view of the whole city, the closest you can get to the
Hollywood sign without hiking,and one of the largest telescopes in the country.
What's not to love? Oh, and it's free!
9. Grauman's Theater Court before 8am6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California, 90028
If you are a morning person, grab some coffee and come sit here and watch the city wake up while having
the footsteps of the stars all to yourself. You can thank me later.
10. Chili Dogs.
Pinks (Walking distance from the Blvd at 709 LaBrea), Skooby's on the Blvd, and Carney's (8351 W Sunset Blvd ). You can't go wrong.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for our wonderful bookstores. Larry Edmunds on the Blvd deals almost specifically with classic-related
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No matter where you end up, I hope everyone here has a wonderful weekend!
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