California - Los Angeles

Hollywood

Los Angeles is the film and entertainment capital of the world and the name ' Hollywood ' is the embodiment of glamour, success and money; the place where films are made, television shows are recorded and stars take up residence. The famous Hollywood sign on the hills above the city has become the enduring symbol of the movie industry and of Los Angeles itself - the 50ft-high (15m) white letters can be seen from miles away. The historic heart of the movie industry is centred on Hollywood Boulevard where millions of visitors flock to see landmark attractions and museums. The impressive Mann's (Grauman's) Chinese Theatre is famous for its courtyard where over 200 stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood and Frank Sinatra have set their signatures and imprints of their hands or feet in cement. This tradition is said to have started at the opening of the theatre in 1927 when actress Norma Talmadge accidentally stepped in the wet cement. For many years the theatre has been the spot for movie premieres and is modelled on a Chinese temple with columns, dragons and an ornate interior. Passing in front of the theatre is the mile-long Walk of Fame, the world-famous sidewalk embedded with the names of legendary television, film, radio, theatre and recording greats engraved within pink granite stars. More than 2,500 celebrities are honoured, including Elvis Presley, Charlie Chapman, Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson. The cylindrical Capitol Records Tower is one of the most recognisable buildings in the city and is supposed to resemble a 12-storey stack of records with a needle on top that blinks out 'h-o-l-l-y-w-o-o-d' in Morse code. Other attractions include the Kodak Theatre designed to host the Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Entertainment Museum , as well as the Hollywood Guinness World Records Museum , the Hollywood Wax Museum and the Ripley's 'Believe It or Not!' Museum.

Telephone: Mann's Chinese Theatre (323) 461 3331, Walk of Fame (323) 469 8311, Hollywood Entertainment Museum (323) 465 7900, Guinness World Records Museum (323) 463 6433, Wax Museum (323) 462 8860, Ripley's 'Believe It or Not!' Museum (323) 466 6335;

Website: www.hollywoodmuseum.com

Opening time: Hollywood Entertainment Museum opens from Thursday to Tuesday 11am to 6pm . The Guinness World Records Museum and the Wax Museum opens from Sunday to Thursday 10am to midnight , and Friday and Saturday 10am to 1am . Ripley's 'Believe It or Not!' Museum open from Sunday to Thursday 10am to 10pm , and Friday and Saturday 10am to 11.30pm ;

Admission: Mann's Chinese Theatre movie tickets US$9. Hollywood Entertainment Museum US$8.75. Guinness World Records Museum , Wax Museum and Ripley's 'Believe It or Not!' Museum US$10.95 each. Concessions are available

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