Discover Old Hollywood With This Walking Tour

Kristie Hang|May 27, 2018 3:38 am EST

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As the epicenter of entertainment business, Hollywood attracts tourists from all over the world. But whereas most people have the Pantages Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or newly opened hot spots on their must-visit list, many forget to visit true Old Hollywood history. Hollywood has many unique preserved independent restaurants and venues that are still thriving after more than 60+ years. To see remnants of classic Old Hollywood history, don't miss these landmarks on your next visit! [[{"fid":"4968691","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"center","field_image_alt[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_title[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_has_syndication_rights[und]":"1","field_licensor[und]":"","field_license_id[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","alignment":"center","field_image_alt[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_title[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_has_syndication_rights[und]":"1","field_licensor[und]":"","field_license_id[und][0][value]":""}},"attributes":{"style":"height: 600px; width: 800px;","class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"2"}}]]

Hollywood in Miniature

During the 1930s, Hollywood Cabinet COmpany owner Joe Pellkofer had his craftsmen recreate detailed miniature replicas of Hollywood and its landmarks.The miniatures were all handmade and constructed of paper, word, plastics, and plaster. They were in storage for more than two decades before sculpture/architectural materials conservator Donna Williams began working to clean and restore the miniatures to their original condition. Detached and loose fragments were collected. Dirt and fingerprints have been removed so that as much as the original work could be preserved as possible. Entrance to the miniatures is not open to the public. It can only be viewed exclusively as part of the Old Hollywood Walking Tour, the last Friday of each month at 10 a.m.

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Snow White Cafe

Take one step inside Snow White Cafe and you'll see Snow White drawings all over. Opened in 1946, Snow White Cafe serves classic American food and beer. The restaurant, lounge, and bar did indeed get its name from the Disney movie. The main mural was made by the original animators of the film. According to Old Hollywood Tour Guide April Brooks Clemmer, the animators, along with Walt Disney, often frequented the café, discussing ideas for the film.

6769 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, http://snowwhitecafe.com[[{"fid":"4968694","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"center","field_image_alt[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_title[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_has_syndication_rights[und]":"1","field_licensor[und]":"","field_license_id[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"default","alignment":"center","field_image_alt[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_title[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_has_syndication_rights[und]":"1","field_licensor[und]":"","field_license_id[und][0][value]":""}},"attributes":{"style":"height: 1067px; width: 800px;","class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"4"}}]]Frolic Room

If you've ever been to see a musical at the Pantages Theatre, you've walked by the Frolic Room. The Frolic Room has been part of Hollywood since 1934 and has been irs share of celebrities come through its famous doors. Photos of old Hollywood stars line the walls at this historic bar. There's many hand written notes, photographs, and autographs of past celebrities who have visited. According to many, the Frolic Room has the best neon sign in of Los Angeles.

6245 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028.

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Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

In its early years, the hotel played host to countless icons: Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, among others. Both the hotel and the pool were designated Historic-Cultural Monuments by the City's Cultural Heritage Commission.

The moment you walk into the hotel, it oozes glamour and history. The first Academy Awards were presented in the hotel's Ballroom, which lasted only 15 minutes! Clark Gable and Carole Lombard carried on their infamous affair in the Penthouse. Marilyn Monroe lived at the hotel for two years as her modeling career took off. One of her first magazine shoots actually took place at the Hollywood Roosevelt pool. In addition to all the fun Hollywood history, the Roosevelt also has eight restaurants and bars for eat and drink at as well as their famous The Spare Room, which is a vintage cocktail lounge and gaming parlor that features vintage bowling lanes.

7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, https://www.thehollywoodroosevelt.com/

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Built in 1942, this dimly lit bar is an old school bar, dance floor, and patio. Filled with Hollywood pictures throughout the establishment, Boardners was the secret meeting place of men's societies and one of the the city's hot spots for celebrities in its heyday. If the walls could talk, Boardners would have some of the most interesting stories of Old Hollywood. Some believe that the women's restroom is haunted, which only adds to its allure. Boardners' also has a dance club next door as well, which is also owned by Tricia La Belle. The club and the bar share a Spanish-style courtyard in the back where bands play live music on Tuesday nights. There's also a Moroccan-tiled fountain in center of the courtyard.

1652 N Cherokee Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, boardners.com/

Miceli's

Miceli's is the oldest Italian restaurant in Hollywood. It opened in 1949 when Carmen and Silvia Miceli, came to Los Angeles shortly after fighting in World War II. Miceli used family recipes brought from Sicily by way of and opened what would be Hollywood's first pizzeria. Its' prime location attracted many stars like Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Dean Martin, The Beatles, Richard Burton, John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, among many others. Miceli's is most known for their singing waiters and waitresses that will serenade the entire restaurant with musical classics while you dine.

Musso and Franks

Opened in 1919, Musso and Franks is Hollywood's oldest restaurant. To put that in perspective, it was open even before the Hollywood sign was built. Visiting Musso and Franks is like going through a time machine. Every Hollywood star has dined here. Much of the original menu has remained unchanged. Many of the servers have worked there for decades. The restaurant still looks the same it did when Charlie Chaplin dined there. The restaurant specializes in classic American cuisine and martinis.

6667 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, www.mussoandfrank.com

The Old Hollywood Walking Tour

For those that want a proper guided tour of Hollywood to truly appreciate its history and architecture, The Old Hollywood Walking Tour is a must. On the tour, guests will learn the history of Hollywood from 1886-1960 and have a chance to take a look inside some of those vintage and historic businesses and venues that define Old Hollywood's identity. You'll visit sites not open to the public, including the interior of a 1930s Art Deco building, a theater that hosted star-studded premieres during Hollywood's golden age. See where the founders of Hollywood and icons of Hollywood's golden age lived, worked, and played.

Some of the Old Hollywood destinations on the tour include:

-Hollywood's first and most famous movie theaters

-The oldest remaining residence on the Boulevard

-The longest continuously-operating restaurant in Hollywood

-Architecturally iconic buildings

-Hollywood's premiere shopping district during its Golden Age

Along the way you'll see how the story of Hollywood is still unfolding as the modern-day artists and creatives continue to reinvent their neighborhood while honoring its storied past.

April Brooks Clemmer leads the Old Hollywood Walking Tours. She is a member of the Hollywood Heritage Preservation Committee and also puts on custom private tours of historic Hollywood. Check out the website to learn more.

http://onlyinhollywood.org/oldhollywoodwalkingtour/