Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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HOLLYWOOD
Hollywood & Highland A sure sign that this formerly seedy section of the city is on
the fast track to r ecovery is the massiv e $615-million “ entertainment complex” at the
corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Street (hence the name). S urrounded by
souvenir shops and tattoo parlors, the gleaming 8 3 / 4 -acre center contains all the top-end
merchants—Guess, Louis Vuitton, bebe—as w ell as studio br oadcast facilities and the
gorgeous Kodak Theatre, home of the A cademy Awards (really, you'll want to take a
peek at this theater). The mall's other centerpiece is B abylon Court; designed after a set
from the 1916 film Intolerance, the open-air space attempts to r e-create an over-the-top
golden-age movie set, complete with giant pillars topped with 13,500-pound elephants
and a colossal arch that frames the holl ywood sign in the distance. P arking isn't a prob-
lem, as the six-lev el underground lot can cram in 3,000 cars. 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hol-
lywood. & 323/817-0200. www.hollywoodandhighland.com.
PASADENA
Paseo Colorado This open-air mall in the heart of Pasadena is ground zero for local
shopaholics. Anchor ed b y M acy's, the two-lev el 3-block monolith houses about 140
retailers and r estaurants (but fe w men's fashions), a G elson's market, a fitness center , a
full-service day spa, and a 14-screen multiplex theater. What's unique about the Paseo is
the dozens of offices, apartments, and studios built atop the mall, which allows residents
easy access to all the daily necessities a city dw eller needs to survive. 280 E. Colorado Blvd.
(at Marengo Ave.), Pasadena. & 626/795-8891. www.paseocoloradopasadena.com.
THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
Americana at Brand The people behind The Grove opened this outdoor mall
in 2008, bringing some top-notch retailers—and a touch of Vegas—to the Valley. There's
a Barney's New York Co-Op, H&M, Kitson, Calvin Klein, Sur La Table, and Kate Spade
for shopping; an 18-screen movie theater; and restaurants like Katsuya and F rida Mexi-
can C uisine. D uring the summer , G ood H umor men sell ice cr eam tr eats fr om old-
fashioned trucks; during the winter holidays, there's a nightly fake snowfall to get people
in the spirit. It looks pretty much like soapy suds, but for those Angelenos who 've never
seen snow, it does the trick. 889 Americana Way (at Colorado Blvd. and Brand Ave.), Glendale.
& 818/637-8982. www.americanaatbrand.com.
Universal Citywalk Kids Designed to r esemble an almost-car toonish depiction of
an urban str eet, Universal CityWalk gets a mention because it 's unique. S ituated next
door to Universal Studios—you must walk thr ough it if y ou use Universal City's main
parking structure—CityWalk is dominated by brightly colored, oversize storefronts. The
heavily touristed faux str eet is home to a number of r estaurants, including Hard Rock
9
Tips A Hollywood Production Worth Checking Out
Every Sunday from 8am to 1pm, the Hollywood Farmers Market takes place on
Ivar Avenue between Hollywood and Sunset boulevards. Along with fresh Cali-
fornia-grown produce and flowers, there's plenty of live entertainment, an artisan
and crafts fair, and prepared foods from local restaurants. There's even free park-
ing off Vine Street. See “L.A.'s Top Attractions” in chapter 7 for more information.
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