Two Walking Tours on the Walk of Fame

The Walk of Fame walking tour

Los Angeles: Hollywood Walk of Fame Walking Tour meets outside Musso & Frank Grill, 6667 Hollywood Boulevard. The restaurant opened in 1919, and the listing calls it “a 100-year-old staple of Hollywood Boulevard”. From there, according to the description, the tour heads down the Walk of Fame and covers:

• the El Capitan Theatre
• the story behind the “blank star”
• a murder-mystery story involving Hearst and Chaplin
• the Magic Castle, which the listing calls “the exclusive Magic Castle”; it is a private club for members and their guests, so the tour sees it from outside
• “one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most interesting homes”, which the listing does not name
• a return to Musso’s, with a view of the Hollywood Sign for photos

The listing says visitors “may even spot” a celebrity; that is a possibility, not part of the itinerary. The tour takes place rain or shine. The listing asks guests to bring a passport or ID and comfortable shoes, and does not allow smoking, alcohol, drugs or video recording. A guide is included; the listing does not state a group size. The walking tour close-up has more.

The Hollywood sunset walk

Hollywood Sunset Walk: Hidden Gems & Scenic Views of LA starts and finishes at Ovation Hollywood on Highland Avenue, near public transport. Its listed itinerary, in order:

• Ovation Hollywood: 20 minutes
• El Capitan Theatre, Dolby Theatre and TCL Chinese Theatre
• The Jimmy Kimmel Live! studio, from outside
• The Hollywood Roosevelt: 5 minutes
• Outpost Estates: 15 minutes
• Runyon Canyon Park: 40 minutes
• Hollywood Walk of Fame: 20 minutes
• La Popular Hollywood: optional, 5 minutes

The walk is timed for sunset, with views of the Hollywood Sign and the skyline. According to the description the guide doubles as a photographer and the guide’s dog comes along. The listing includes the live guide and photographer and parking validation at Ovation Hollywood shops and restaurants. It asks for comfortable shoes and does not allow drones. A private group is available. The sunset walk close-up covers the route in detail.

Time on the boulevard and time in the hills

The two tours share a length and a language but split their two hours differently. The walking tour’s description stays close to the boulevard and its side streets, from Musso’s past the El Capitan and back. The sunset walk’s itinerary gives about 20 minutes to the Walk of Fame and 20 minutes to Ovation Hollywood, where the Dolby Theatre, El Capitan and TCL Chinese Theatre stand, then climbs through Outpost Estates to Runyon Canyon Park, a city park in the hills north of the boulevard, for 40 minutes. A visitor who wants the stars themselves in focus has more of them on the first; the second leans towards views and the hills.

Access and fitness, per each listing

The walking tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. The same listing says it is not recommended for people who cannot walk more than a mile. The sunset walk’s listing does not state wheelchair access, and its itinerary includes a hike with uphill walking in a canyon park. Both listings ask for comfortable shoes.

Rain or shine, or timed for sunset

The walking tour’s listing states that it runs rain or shine. The sunset walk is built around the light at the end of the day, so its start time is likely to vary with the season; the calendar in the booking widget shows the times on offer for each date. The walking tour’s start times are in its own calendar.

What reviewers mention

On the walking tour, Annette from the UK mentions a knowledgeable guide, Helen from Australia the history she learned, Seema from the US the humour and the length, and Tracy from the UK the follow-up recommendations. On the sunset walk, Jennifer from the US describes the walk up into the hills, Katrin from Germany mentions the dog, and Andrea from the US the view and the sunset.

The two walks side by side

Check dates for the walking tour

Two hours on foot from Musso & Frank Grill, rain or shine.

Check dates for the sunset walk

Two hours from Ovation Hollywood, with 40 minutes in Runyon Canyon Park.

Frequently asked questions