Hollywood & Highland, Los Angeles

The intersection of Hollywood & Highland is one of the top places to hang out in Los Angeles, as it offers a range of fun things to see and do. This is the crossroads of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, and it is where the Hollywood and Highland Center can be found. A large, mixed-use complex, this entertainment center is usually busy both day and night, and its location in the heart of Hollywood could hardly be better. There are lots of reasons why Hollywood & Highland is popular with tourists and locals alike. The views from the street alone warrant a visit.

The famed Hollywood Hotel once stood on the site of the Hollywood and Highland Center, and just across the street is the historic El Capitan Theatre. While taking in the views at Hollywood & Highland, visitors can also see the Hollywood Hills and the famous Hollywood Sign to the north. To the west are the Santa Monica Mountains, while the downtown skyscrapers are in plain view to the east. The Hollywood and Highland Center is home to a couple of sightseeing landmarks itself, and they include the Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theatre. Just outside the center is the Hollywood Walk of Fame, so it's easy to see why tourists flock to this part of town.

There are more than 75 restaurants and stores at Hollywood & Highland. Upscale clothing stores, brand name shops that you might expect at any given mall, and an array of specialty shops can all be found at the Hollywood and Highland Center, and visitors should have little trouble finding something good to eat. The restaurants offer an array of cuisines, including Californian, and the new Hard Rock Café can make for a fun place to break for a while. Finding something good to eat and hitting the stores at Hollywood & Highland can certainly be a highlight, but that's not all that there is to do at this eclectic complex.

The Hollywood and Highland Center is home to a bowling alley that is anything but your average bowling alley. Lucky Strike Lanes is essentially a bowling alley, a bar, and a nightclub mixed into one. While the hours vary according to the day, this bowling alley is open until 2 a.m. on the weekends, and it can be booked for special events. The fun doesn't have to stop once the sun sets over Hollywood & Highland, as the center is also home to two separate nightclubs, one of which boasts an exclusive restaurant. For fans of film and the performing arts, checking the evening schedules at the Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theatre is worth considering. Tours of these iconic theaters can be arranged for those who are interested in learning all about them.

To say that the Hollywood and Highland Center is complete would be an understatement. After all, the center is also home to the luxurious Renaissance Hollywood Hotel and its alluring spa as well. Should there be room in the budget, this hotel can make for a chic base in the heart of Hollywood, and the dynamic rooftop pool is reason enough to book a stay. Time will tell when it comes to what else might spring up at Hollywood & Highland, as the center is responsible for attracting new development to the immediate area. New stores have opened in the vicinity in recent years, so shopping enthusiasts can see what they have to offer after they hit the stores at Hollywood & Highland. Some good restaurants can be found close by as well, so you might find yourself returning to the area time and again during your LA getaway.