Exploring Los Angeles on Foot: A Walking Tour of Hollywood and Los Feliz

Los Angeles is huge. With 12 million people in the greater LA area, it’s notorious for traffic and congestion. But on our recent trip to LA, we decided to take a completely different approach. Instead of trying to see everything, spending hours sitting in gridlock, and getting frustrated, we decided to explore just one or two neighborhoods on foot. And we are so glad we did. We had such a pleasant time discovering LA at a walking pace, and honestly, it completely changed how we think about visiting this massive city.

Most people come to LA for the big-ticket items: surfing Manhattan Beach, people watching at Venice Beach, shopping on Rodeo Drive, celebrity sightings in Malibu, concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, walking the Santa Monica Pier, touring world-class art museums like the Getty, getting that perfect Hollywood sign photo, or catching a taping of a TV show. And you should absolutely do all those things at least once! But there’s a different way to approach LA that we think more people should try: a walking vacation where you really get to know a neighborhood instead of just checking boxes from your car.

Where to Stay

We stayed right on the border of Los Feliz and Hollywood, and I definitely recommend this location if you want to explore both neighborhoods on foot. There are tons of accommodation options here ranging from classic old-style Hollywood hotels to newer boutique properties like the W Hollywood.

Browse hotels in Hollywood and Los Feliz on Booking.com to find the right fit for your budget and style. There are also loads of vacation rentals in this area if you prefer staying in a house over a hotel. Some of them are in gorgeous historic homes that give you a real feel of the neighborhood.

The key is staying somewhere walkable. Don’t pick a hotel based solely on price if it means you’ll be stuck driving everywhere. Being able to walk out your door and explore is what makes this approach to LA so special.

Los Feliz: The Neighborhood That Stole Our Hearts

Los Feliz is such a fun, vibrant neighborhood with character for days. The houses here are absolutely stunning. There is a mix of Spanish Revival, Craftsman, and mid-century modern architecture that makes every walk feel like an outdoor museum tour.

The main action happens on Hillhurst Avenue and Vermont Avenue, both running north-south through the neighborhood. These streets are packed with coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, vintage shops, and cute flower shops. We spent hours just wandering these streets, ducking into random shops, and grabbing coffee or snacks whenever we felt like it.

Where to Eat in Los Feliz

For Mexican food, we highly recommend Yucca’s. It’s been a neighborhood institution since 1976 and their burritos are legendary. Cash only, so come prepared!

For what might be the best smash burger in LA, hit up Goldburger. Their normal burger is out of this world but if you’re looking for a lighter or gluten free option, get it without a bun on their garlic dijon slaw. Trust me on this, you won’t regret it. The combination sounds weird but it’s absolutely delicious and way less heavy than a regular burger.

Hollywood Boulevard running east-west through the area is called Thai Town, so you really can’t go wrong with Thai food here. There are dozens of excellent spots!

Barnsdall Art Park: A Hidden Gem

Barnsdall Art Park is a lovely little escape from the hustle and bustle of traffic and city noise. Perched on a hill (yes, there are lots of stairs, so be ready for that), this park has a small grassy area where locals bring blankets and picnics to watch the sunset with friends. The vibe here is so chill and friendly. 

At the top of the hill sits the Hollyhock House, designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. You can tour the inside for a fee, but it has limited days and hours, so check the schedule before you go. There’s also an art gallery and event space that hosts various performances. There was a children’s theater production when we were there.

If Frank Lloyd Wright architecture interests you, there are actually 8 FLW houses in the greater Los Angeles area. Most aren’t open to the public, but you can still drive by to admire them from the outside. It makes for a fun architecture-focused road trip if you have extra time. Check out this link  for more information on all the houses. 

Griffith Observatory: The Walk That’s Worth Every Step

One thing you absolutely cannot skip is walking up to Griffith Observatory. There are multiple paths you can take, and fair warning, it’s straight uphill, so it’s definitely a workout. But you’re rewarded with absolutely incredible views of the entire city sprawling out below you.

Make sure you walk up the stairs inside the observatory to see the telescope on the roof. It’s genuinely impressive, and if you’re lucky, one of the curators will be there to share fascinating information about it. We learned so much just by asking a few questions!

Griffith Park itself is massive, over 4,300 acres, and you could honestly spend days exploring everything it has to offer. Here are a few highlights worth checking out:

The Hollywood Sign Up Close

The Hollywood sign is located in Griffith Park, and while you can see it from all over the city, getting up close is a different experience. For the best close-up views, find “The Last House on Mulholland Drive” and head there. Be warned though, the road is very narrow with limited parking, so be respectful of the neighbors who live there. Don’t block driveways or be loud.

If you want to hike to the Hollywood sign itself, there are several trails of varying difficulty. Book a guided Hollywood sign hike through GetYourGuide if you want a local guide to show you the best routes and share stories about the sign’s history.

The Old Los Angeles Zoo

This is one of the coolest hidden spots in Griffith Park. Founded in 1912 and abandoned in the 1960s, the Old LA Zoo is now this eerie, fascinating place where you can walk through old animal enclosures and see the original stone structures and cages.

It’s got this weird charm, like a time capsule crossed with an abandoned movie set. There’s graffiti covering a lot of the structures now, which somehow adds to the atmosphere rather than detracting from it. It makes for a really unique adventure and great photos.

There are also picnic spots nearby and several hiking trails if you want to extend your visit. It’s free to explore and definitely one of those places that feels like a secret that not enough visitors know about.

Hollywood Boulevard: The Good, The Bad, and The Touristy

Let’s be real about Hollywood Boulevard. It’s iconic for sure, but parts of it can be overwhelming and a bit rough around the edges. That said, there are definitely highlights worth seeing.

The Dolby Theatre

You’ve probably seen the Oscars (officially the Academy Awards) hosted at the Dolby Theatre. While the event itself is grand and important, when shows aren’t happening, it’s really just a fancy door you walk past. The shopping mall attached to the theater (Hollywood & Highland Center) is actually quite nice though. Grab a coffee, sit on the benches, and enjoy the weather. There’s a good view of the Hollywood sign from the second floor.

You can book a Dolby Theatre tour through GetYourGuide to see the interior where the Oscars happen, walk the same stage where celebrities accept their awards, and learn about the history of the ceremony.

TCL Chinese Theatre

Right next door to the Dolby Theatre is the TCL Chinese Theatre, built in 1927. This is genuinely an iconic theater that still shows movies today! The forecourt has handprints and footprints of celebrities in concrete. It’s touristy but kind of fun to see in person.

Catch a movie here if you want the full experience, or book a tour of the opulent interior to really appreciate the historic architecture and design.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame

Starting at Gower Street, you can walk west down the entire length of Hollywood Boulevard to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame, those famous stars embedded in the sidewalk with celebrity names. It’s quite long, and honestly, it’s a bit sad seeing some super famous actors’ and musicians’ stars looking neglected or surrounded by trash. The area can feel pretty disheveled.

Our take? Walk a portion of it, get your photos, but don’t feel like you need to walk the entire thing. It gets repetitive and the novelty wears off pretty quickly.

Other Hollywood Boulevard Attractions

Hollywood Boulevard is home to several big-name attractions:

Hollywood Pantages Theatre – a stunning historic theater that hosts Broadway shows

Madame Tussauds Hollywood – wax figures of celebrities

Hollywood Wax Museum – another wax museum option

World of Illusions Los Angeles – interactive photo exhibits

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! – quirky oddities and exhibits

You can book combination tickets for multiple attractions through GetYourGuide to save money if you want to hit several in one day.

Live Music Scene

If you’re more into live music, Hollywood Boulevard and the surrounding area have tons of clubs and venues hosting live performances nightly. The music scene here ranges from small intimate venues to larger concert halls. Ask locals or check online for what’s happening during your visit.

Tours Worth Taking

There are so many tour options in LA, from open-air bus tours of the city to celebrity home tours to studio tours. We did the Paramount Pictures Studio Tour and absolutely loved it. It’s a two-hour tour through the working studio lot where you see where famous films and TV shows have been (and are still being) filmed.

Our tour guide was incredible. The fun facts, behind-the-scenes stories, and Hollywood history we learned made it totally worth the price. You genuinely feel like you’re getting insider access to how movies and TV shows are made.

Book the Paramount Pictures Studio Tour directly through their website.

Practical Tips for Walking LA

Wear Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be walking way more than you think, often on hills. Break in your shoes before the trip.

Bring Sunscreen and a Hat: LA sun is no joke. Even in winter, you’ll want sun protection.

Stay Hydrated: Carry a reusable water bottle. All those hills and sunshine mean you’ll need water.

Start Early or Late: Midday can be hot, especially in summer. Early morning or late afternoon walks are more pleasant.

Don’t Skip Breakfast: Fuel up before long walking days. Los Feliz has tons of great breakfast spots.

Plan Rest Stops: Build in coffee shop breaks or sit-down meals to rest your feet.

Check Parking if Driving Anywhere: Parking in LA can be challenging. Research options in advance.

Final Thoughts

Exploring LA on foot in just one or two neighborhoods completely changed our perspective on the city. Instead of feeling stressed about traffic and overwhelmed by trying to see everything, we actually relaxed and enjoyed ourselves. We got to know Los Feliz and Hollywood in a way we never would have from a car, discovering little shops, hidden parks, and local favorites that don’t show up in most guidebooks.

Yes, LA is sprawling and car-dependent by design. But picking a walkable neighborhood and really exploring it deeply is such a different (and dare I say better?) way to experience the city. You’ll walk more, but you’ll also connect more with the place and the people.

If you only have a few days in LA and want to see the major attractions across the whole city, then sure, rent a car and hit the highlights. But if you have a week or you’ve been to LA before and want a different experience, try this walking approach. Pick a neighborhood, book a centrally located hotel, and explore on foot.

We’re already planning our next LA trip where we’ll explore a completely different neighborhood the same way. Maybe Silver Lake next time? Or Santa Monica? The beauty of this approach is that LA has so many distinct neighborhoods, each with their own vibe and character, that you could visit multiple times and have a completely different experience each time.

Have you explored LA on foot? What neighborhoods do you recommend? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!