Hollywood with Kids: What to Do on Hollywood Boulevard and Beyond
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Hollywood was one of the places my boys were most excited to visit during our Los Angeles trip.
Before we arrived, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
Would Hollywood Boulevard feel overly touristy? Would the kids be bored after a few minutes of looking at stars on the sidewalk?
As it turns out, Hollywood ended up being one of our favorite days in Los Angeles.
Between spotting celebrity stars on the Walk of Fame, seeing the famous handprints at TCL Chinese Theatre, taking a celebrity homes tour, exploring Funko Hollywood, and getting a view of the Hollywood Sign, there was plenty to keep everyone entertained.
If you’re planning a family trip to Los Angeles, here’s everything we did during our Hollywood day and what I’d recommend to other families visiting Hollywood with kids.
Is Hollywood Worth Visiting with Kids?
Yes, I think Hollywood is absolutely worth visiting with kids.
One of the things I liked most about Hollywood was the variety.
There were famous landmarks, fun photo opportunities, celebrity history, shopping, and plenty of people watching.
One thing to keep in mind is that Hollywood Boulevard is a busy tourist area.
While it didn’t feel nearly as overwhelming to me as the Las Vegas Strip, it is definitely more crowded and energetic than many family destinations.
We visited on a weekday during the first week of June and arrived around 9:30 a.m. for our 10:00 a.m. Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Celebrity Homes Tour.
Between the morning and early afternoon hours, the crowds felt very manageable and we had no issues exploring the area with our kids.
I suspect visiting earlier in the day made a big difference.
If you’re traveling with children, I would recommend starting your Hollywood day in the morning before the sidewalks become more crowded later in the day.
Start Your Day with a Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Celebrity Homes Tour
We started the morning with a two-hour Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Celebrity Homes Tour with Hollywood Bus Tours.
I wasn’t sure how the boys would feel about a bus tour, but it ended up being one of our favorite things we did in Los Angeles.
Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and interactive, which kept everyone engaged throughout the tour.
We drove by current and former homes of celebrities including Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, and many others.
While I can’t say the boys were impressed by every celebrity home, they definitely enjoyed seeing how some of the rich and famous live.
One of the funniest things they still talk about, though, is the platinum-colored fire hydrants we saw in Beverly Hills.
Apparently, standard fire hydrants aren’t fancy enough for Beverly Hills!
Now every time my boys see a fire hydrant, they compare it to the “platinum” ones we saw during our tour.
Personally, I was pretty excited to drive by the gates of the Bachelor Mansion!
The tour was also the perfect length for families. It was long enough to see a lot of the area but short enough that the kids never got bored.
We even made a stop at the Beverly Hills sign where everyone could stretch their legs, take pictures, and use the restroom.
If you’re looking for a fun way to see Hollywood and Beverly Hills without spending hours in the car, I thought this tour was a great option for families.
Want to Take the Same Tour We Did?
Our Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Celebrity Homes Tour was one of our favorite activities in Los Angeles. The two-hour length worked especially well for families and gave us a great overview of Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame
After the tour, we spent some time exploring Hollywood Boulevard.
The boys loved searching for celebrities they recognized along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
It almost felt like a scavenger hunt as we wandered down the sidewalk looking for familiar names.
Whether you’re a fan of movies, music, television, or sports, there’s a good chance you’ll find several stars you recognize.
The Walk of Fame is one of those iconic Los Angeles experiences that simply feels different when you see it in person.
Visit TCL Chinese Theatre
One of the most famous stops along Hollywood Boulevard is TCL Chinese Theatre.
The boys enjoyed comparing their hands and feet to those of celebrities who have left their prints in the concrete over the years.
Even if your kids don’t recognize every celebrity name, it’s still fun to see just how large or small some of the handprints are.
This was one of the most popular stops along Hollywood Boulevard during our visit, but because we arrived earlier in the day, it never felt overly crowded.
By this point, everyone was ready for lunch, so we kept things simple and grabbed Raising Cane’s on Hollywood Boulevard.
As much as I love trying local restaurants when we travel, sometimes familiar and easy wins when you’re traveling with kids. The location was convenient, the food came out quickly, and everyone left happy.
One thing I appreciated about this area of Hollywood was that there were plenty of family-friendly dining options nearby. We noticed a McDonald’s within walking distance, and Ovation Hollywood also has several restaurants and quick-service dining options.
One spot that caught my eye was The Win-Dow, a casual burger stand located next to the courtyard area at Ovation Hollywood.
We didn’t eat there, but it looked like a great option for families looking for a quick meal while exploring Hollywood Boulevard.
Explore Ovation Hollywood and Dolby Theatre
While exploring Hollywood Boulevard, we also spent some time checking out Ovation Hollywood and the Dolby Theatre.
The Dolby Theatre is home to the Academy Awards, making it another iconic Hollywood landmark.
Ovation Hollywood also has shops, restaurants, and plenty of places to sit and relax.
The boys enjoyed running around the courtyard while I took a peek at the Hollywood Sign in the distance.
One of my favorite things about Ovation Hollywood was the view of the Hollywood Sign.
You can catch views of it from the outdoor areas on all levels of the complex toward the back. While it isn’t the closest view you’ll find in Los Angeles, I loved catching glimpses of it throughout our visit.
We also enjoyed finding a replica Hollywood Sign inside Ovation Hollywood.
It makes for a fun photo opportunity, especially if you’re still planning to visit the real Hollywood Sign later in the day.
Don’t Miss Funko Hollywood
Next, we drove to Funko Hollywood.
This was easily one of the boys’ favorite stops of the trip.
The store is packed with themed displays, photo opportunities, and collectibles.
Even if you’re not a huge Funko collector, it’s worth visiting just to see the incredible displays.
We took so many fun photos of the boys throughout the store. The best way I can describe it is that it’s a little like a Hollywood Wax Museum, but with Funko Pops, and it’s completely free to visit.
Of course, each of our boys ended up choosing a Funko Pop to bring home.
See the Hollywood Sign from Lake Hollywood Park
After Funko Hollywood, we headed to Lake Hollywood Park.
This ended up being one of my favorite places to see the Hollywood Sign.
The boys loved the playground and wide-open grassy field, while I simply enjoyed taking in the incredible view.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to see the Hollywood Sign up close, I highly recommend adding Lake Hollywood Park to your itinerary.
One thing to know before you go is that parking is free along the surrounding streets, but it can be very busy.
We visited later in the afternoon and were still able to find a spot, although it took a little patience.
The combination of a great playground, open space for kids to run around, and one of the best views of the Hollywood Sign made this a stop our entire family enjoyed.
Where We Parked
One thing I worried about before visiting Hollywood Boulevard was parking, but it ended up being easier than I expected.
We parked in the garage behind Target near Hollywood Boulevard. To access the garage, we turned off Hollywood Boulevard onto Sycamore Avenue and followed the signs into the parking structure.
Because we arrived around 9:30 a.m., there were plenty of available spaces and getting in and out was easy.
If you’re visiting Hollywood with kids, I would recommend arriving in the morning if possible.
Not only was parking easier, but the crowds on Hollywood Boulevard were also very manageable during the morning and early afternoon hours.
Tips for Visiting Hollywood with Kids
Arrive Early
Arriving around 9:30 a.m. worked well for us. Parking was easier and the crowds were much lighter than I expected.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You’ll do quite a bit of walking between the Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Ovation Hollywood, and nearby attractions.
Don’t Expect Everything to Be Close Together
While Hollywood Boulevard attractions are walkable, Funko Hollywood and Lake Hollywood Park require a short drive.
Bring Money for Souvenirs
Between souvenir shops and Funko Hollywood, your kids will likely find something they want to bring home.
Planning Your Hollywood Day?
Many of Hollywood’s top attractions are located within walking distance of each other, making it easy to explore the area in a single day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hollywood with Kids
Is Hollywood Boulevard worth visiting with kids?
Yes. Hollywood Boulevard was one of our boys’ favorite parts of Los Angeles.
Between the Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, celebrity handprints and footprints, souvenir shops, and nearby attractions, there was plenty to keep everyone entertained.
While Hollywood Boulevard is definitely a tourist area, we found the crowds very manageable during our weekday morning and early afternoon visit. I
f you’re visiting with kids, I recommend arriving earlier in the day to make the experience more enjoyable.
How much time do you need in Hollywood?
I would plan at least half a day. If you add a celebrity homes tour, Funko Hollywood, and Lake Hollywood Park, it’s easy to fill an entire day.
If you’re planning a longer Los Angeles vacation, see how we incorporated Hollywood into our 5-Day Los Angeles with Kids Itinerary.
What attractions are near the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Many of Hollywood’s most popular attractions are located within walking distance of each other, making it easy to see several highlights in one visit.
In addition to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, you’ll find TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, Ovation Hollywood, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and the Hollywood Wax Museum nearby.
Because so many attractions are concentrated in the same area, Hollywood Boulevard is a great place to spend a half day or even a full day with kids.
Is Funko Hollywood free?
Yes. Funko Hollywood is completely free to visit, making it one of the best free attractions for families in Hollywood.
Even if you don’t purchase anything, the themed displays and photo opportunities are worth seeing.
Where is the best place to see the Hollywood Sign?
Lake Hollywood Park was our favorite Hollywood Sign viewpoint because it combines a great view with a playground and open space for kids.
Is Hollywood safe for families?
During our weekday morning and early afternoon visit, we felt comfortable exploring Hollywood as a family.
Like any major tourist destination, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on children in crowded areas.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Hollywood with Kids
Hollywood may be one of the most touristy parts of Los Angeles, but we still had a lot of fun exploring it as a family.
Between the Walk of Fame, celebrity homes, Funko Hollywood, and the Hollywood Sign, there was enough variety to keep all four of our boys entertained.
What I appreciated most was simply being there. Hollywood is one of those places you’ve seen in movies and on television for years, and it was fun to finally experience it in person with my family.
If you’re visiting Los Angeles with kids, I think Hollywood is well worth adding to your itinerary.
✔ 5-Day Los Angeles with Kids Itinerary
✔ Universal Studios Hollywood with Kids
May you love your adventure. KW
