It's not a cliché, it's historic: Inside Hollywood's Chinese Theatre
LOS ANGELES — A walk down Hollywood Boulevard is, to put it mildly, a raucous affair. Boomboxes blare Michael Jackson, crowds of eager fans pose amid the palm trees, and the California sun beats somehow hotter off the pink glittery stars that decorate the pavement. Printed on them are names of hitmakers from the silver screen to the songbook, Mana, Sonny & Cher, and Alfred Hitchcock, receiving tributes (to mention a few)
Standing stately over it all is the TLC Chinese Theatre, a near-100-year-old monument to the movie-making business. Just kitty-corner to the Hollywood Roosevelt, whose Tropicana pool and art deco lobby feel haunted – or blessed – by MGM ghosts, the Chinese Theatre is where those same stars once went to see their movies on the big screen.
Erected in 1927 by showman and developer Sid Grauman (once the theatre's namesake), the complex of auditoriums resembles a Chinese pagoda. Adorned with iron masks and grounded by thick red columns, it feels almost sacrilege to wander in for a pack of Sour Patch kids and a cold Diet Coke. But visitors can do exactly that, taking in any of the season's new releases at what is now a modernized, sprawling complex of theatres.
Inside, the theatre is a sort of Southern California Smithsonian. It houses historic costumes in glass boxes from films like "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," and its heavily patterned red carpets and bespoke auditoriums remind visitors that they're not just at any AMC.
For travelers to Tinsel Town, whether from a neighboring state or a nation oceans away, the Chinese Theater offers a glimpse of Hollywood's past with the option to take in a matinee of Hollywood's present.
What to see, do
- Forecourt of the Stars – Perhaps as famous as the theatre itself is its "forecourt of the stars," which features the hand and footprints of hundreds of movie stars. Like so much of good Hollywood lore, there are conflicting origin stories, though Grauman claims it was born of an errant step into wet concrete. His handprint from 1927 is still there – though those of Judy Garland, Eddie Murphy, or Bing Crosby may be of more interest.
Frank Sinatra, with his hands covered in cement, after making an imprint at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on July 27, 1965, in Hollywood, California.
- Travel west – West Hollywood, or WeHo, as it's popularly dubbed, is a charming neighborhood with a quaint daytime vibe and a healthy nightlife drawing on the rich history of the Sunset Strip.
- Grab a bite in K-town – At the Seoul Market Eatery in Los Angeles' storied Koreatown, the whole family can eat on the cheap. A heaping plate of sweet-and-tangy fried chicken or Ttoekbokki with ramen rings up under $10.
The Ttoekbokki with ramen at Seoul Market Eatery.
Local hidden gem or a trendy spot
COFAX coffee, just a few miles from the Chinese Theatre, serves up a mean, tater-tot-stuffed breakfast burrito. The airy shop on N Fairfax Ave. also serves up a selection of fresh donuts and plenty of Dodgers paraphernalia to feast your eyes on.
Best time to visit
Los Angeles is known for sunny weather year-round, but Spring is especially pleasant as temperatures warm up without being oppressive. Winter can sometimes be a good time to score a cheap flight.
Travel tips
- Parking is limited on Hollywood Boulevard – stay nearby and walk or park in one of the residential neighborhoods just West of the Theatre.
- Check tour/film times in advance; the theatre often hosts movie premieres, which can block off the entrance.
- You don't have to see a movie! Book a tour for a more history-forward experience that touches all corners of the theatre.
If you go
Getting there: The theatre is an hour drive from LAX, the largest travel hub, and a 30-minute drive from Burbank, a smaller nearby airport.
The Hollywood Roosevelt was greenlit by the same developer as Grauman's Chinese Theatre. It's tropicana pool evokes old Hollywood.
Where to stay:
- Hollywood Roosevelt – right across the street, from the same developer as the Chinese Theatre.
- Best Western Sunset Plaza – budget option, family-friendly.
- Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – higher-end, funky design features.
Nearby add-ons: Griffith Observatory, a 20-minute drive from the theatre, offers sweeping views of Los Angeles, a beautiful park, and, for "Rebel without a Cause" fans, a little more Hollywood History.
