This Los Angeles walking tour combines a Hollywood-area start with a trip to Downtown Los Angeles. Begin with a nearby stop such as Barnsdall Art Park, then take the Metro toward Grand Central Market or The Broad for the afternoon.
- Starting point: a two-star motel in Hollywood.
- Nearest listed Metro stop: Hollywood/Western station, about a 3-minute walk from Hollywood City Inn.
- Downtown choices: Grand Central Market or The Broad, with Metro access described by each destination.
Start with a Hollywood morning
Hollywood/Western station is about a 3-minute walk from Hollywood City Inn, making it a practical starting point for a day that includes both the Hollywood area and Downtown. Hollywood/Vine station is another option.
For a morning walk close to Hollywood, Barnsdall Art Park is a useful first stop before continuing toward Downtown.
If you would rather start with a landmark outing, Griffith Observatory is at 2800 East Observatory Road. Admission is free, and the visit can include exhibits, telescope viewing, live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
The Observatory is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; it is closed Monday.
The Observatory building and grounds are accessible to all visitors. Its grounds and roads are generally open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Griffith Park access is free, while parking closest to the Observatory is paid.
The Observatory says it is busiest on weekends, during summer and holiday periods, and at sunset. Check the Griffith Observatory’s official site before you go for current hours and visit details.
Choose a nearby park or landmark stop
Barnsdall Art Park makes an outdoor stop in Hollywood, with Hollyhock House and the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery also in the area. The park and Hollyhock House are covered in this guide to visiting Barnsdall Art Park and Hollyhock House.
Flying a drone is prohibited in all City parks, including Griffith Park and the Observatory.
For a larger park outing, Griffith Observatory offers free grounds, city views, indoor exhibits, and shows. The Griffith Observatory visit guide covers route and visit planning.
How do you get from Hollywood to Downtown Los Angeles?
The Metro B Line runs between Union Station and North Hollywood. For Grand Central Market, take the A or E Line to Historic Broadway Station, or the B or D Line to Pershing Square Station. For The Broad, the A and E lines serve Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill Station; Civic Center/Grand Park Station is the closest B Line stop.
For a fuller breakdown of local transit and other ways to get around, read how to get around Los Angeles from Hollywood City Inn.
Pick a market or museum stop
Grand Central Market and The Broad make different Downtown stops: one is a food market, the other a contemporary art museum. Choose the market for a flexible meal stop, or plan around the museum’s opening hours and ticket arrangements.
Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market is at 317 South Broadway and is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. It opened in 1917 and has more than 40 vendors. Vendor hours vary, so contact a particular vendor directly if its schedule matters to your plans.
The market’s parking garage is at 308 South Hill Street. Rates are $5.50 for the first 90 minutes, $2 for each additional 15 minutes, and a $40 daily maximum.
The Broad
The Broad is at 221 S. Grand Avenue. General admission is free; the museum recommends reserving a timed ticket in advance and says walk-up tickets are available daily. Its Infinity Mirror Room, “The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away,” requires an advance reservation.
The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Return to Hollywood and check evening options
After your Downtown stop, the B Line runs between Union Station and North Hollywood. Check Metro’s current service information before setting out on the return trip.
If you finish the day near Hollywood, the Upright Citizens Brigade and Henry Fonda Theater are both in the area. Check the venues’ own schedules for what is on before making evening plans.
FAQs
Is Griffith Observatory free?
Yes. Admission to Griffith Observatory is free. Parking closest to the Observatory is paid.
Can you visit Grand Central Market every day?
Grand Central Market is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Vendor hours vary, so check directly with a vendor if you are planning around a particular stall.
Does The Broad charge admission?
General admission is free. The museum recommends reserving a timed ticket in advance, and its Infinity Mirror Room requires an advance reservation.
What can you combine with Barnsdall Art Park?
Hollyhock House and the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery are also in the area, making them possible additions to a park visit.