Hollywood

Hollywood, an eclectic neighborhood just northwest of Downtown Los Angeles, with a very urban feel, has long been known as home of the stars. Since the 1920s, movie stars, Tinseltown, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Christmas Parade traveling down Hollywood Boulevard, and the Academy Awards are all part of its historic identity. Movie producing still occurs in Hollywood, as does Paramount Pictures and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and the CINECON Classic Film Festival & Exposition is an annual event.

With at least 20 neighborhoods, Hollywood homes vary from palatial estates to smaller homes and lofts, apartments, and condominiums. The building of the Hollywood Highland Complex has re-vitalized the community and many commercial buildings have been converted into housing, as well. Downtown Hollywood has heavy tourist traffic and is a well-known shopping, dining, and entertaining district. Hollywood has long been a trend-setter as a community, and developed the Crossroads of the World, one of the first outdoor shopping malls.