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Hollywood Bowl Overlook
Rating Details »
Categories: Local Flavor, Parks [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hollywood7036 Mulholland Drive
Hollywood, CA 90068
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
11 reviews for Hollywood Bowl Overlook
I'm a huge fan of scenic spots. I found an article about LA's best scenic drives and Mulholland Drive was on the list. As I'm driving on the 101 North, I ask my friend if she has been to Mulholland drive. She was absolutely flabbergasted that I have never been.
Mulholland Scenic Parkway and Corridor is approximately 55 miles long. In 1924, it was only 24 miles long! This winding street offers spectacular views of LA's finest mountains and beaches.
There are 8 overlook spots to stop and enjoy the view. We stopped at the Hollywood Bowl overlook. The Hollywood Bowl overlook captures the view of Downtown LA, the Hollywood sign, West Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, and Runyon Canyon Park.
We arrive to this teeny tiny parking lot. Two large starline tour buses were hogging the lot. Only 6-8 spots and trying to maneuver around the large buses were challenging. I didn't know the park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. No wonder everyone was rushing!
Our visit was a pleasant one. Lots of random action: there were tourists, small dogs, girls with heels, and a man from Colorado. The skies were smoggy gray. The view wasn't clear but it was so neat to be able to see the view of Los Angeles. (see photos: http://www.yelp.com/bi... )
JayChan took me here yesterday, Sunday.
I am afraid of heights.
So. He talked me into climbing the short flight of stairs for the optimum view. I used my cap as a blinder, like I was a horse in traffic.
All the while my knees were buckling & my heart was racing & I prayed I would not faint and slip over the edge.
When we got to the top, I started to get used to it all. Gotta admit, the views were spectacular. We could see the ocean and the Palos Verdes Hill. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
And downtown LA, of course. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
And snow-capped mountains in the distance, behind the Hollywood Sign.
We could even see as far as Signal Hill in Long Beach, it was such a spectacular clear day.
The Hollywood Sign was right there before us, in all its glory. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Jay pointed out the locations of a couple celeb's former residences (he is Mr. LA, and knows everything).
More importantly, he pointed to where the Blue Goose Lounge is, waaaaay down below. That reminded me that I needed a drink!
But sober as I was, the descent back down to the parking area did not freak me out. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
This is progress.
This overlook is a don't miss if you're in the area. Yes, there are telescopes so bring some coins. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Yes, there are tourists so bring some patience. Also bring sunscreen, shades, and your camera.
Don't be skirred.......if I can climb to the summit, anyone can........
3.5 Stars
This is a great place for a quick stop. You can see the Hollywood Sign, downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Bowl and more. If you are driving around in the Hollywood Hills, I say this is a must-stop. If you are in Hollywood and would have to rent a car to get this accomplished, save your time/money. There are tour buses that come up here from Hollywood Boulevard as part of the Movie Stars' Homes Tour. We couldn't miss them because they filled the parking lot and we had to park on the side of the road to gain access. Apart from a nice view, there isn't much to do. There are a few plaques that talk about the history and a coin-operated pair of binoculars. That's it.
The view here is gorgeous, *if* you can find parking and aren't eclipsed by a giant tour bus that is there 80 percent of the time. A rare peaceful spot in the city. Fond memories of hopping over the fence (well...not exactly "hopping", more like struggling and nearly ripping my pants while bruising my thigh) after dark to get a view of the city lights with some friends from out of town.
This is a special place- 5 stars.
Don't bring a girl up here unless you want here to fall in love with you because you brought here there! I know, it's happened to me!
This is one, if not the best view of Los Angeles that you can get.
On a clear day you can gaze off into the distance for hours, looking at all the buildings and saying "hey is that..."!
Try to sneak over the fence at night and you'll see the city lit up like Christmas! Careful though!
Be fore-warned Park Rangers do patrol around Mulhuland Dr. all night so read the no parking signs
This overlook is up Mulholland a mile or two off Cahuenga. I love taking people here (as do Hollywood tour buses, meh), and out-of-towners will enjoy it. You're right above the Hollywood Bowl, and off in the distance you can see downtown. On a clear day, you can see out to LAX. Down in Hollywood, once you find the CNN building, you'll see the Arclight and Amoeba. Dusk, as the lights in the city go on, is beautiful. To the north is a great view of the Hollywood sign. Even looking down on the 101 is kinda nice.
On weekends, there are a lot of tourists. On weekdays, it's not so bad, and you can pick up food from Vegan Express just down Cahuenga and have a meal up there. There are coin-operated telescopes if you want a closer view of the city, and a few signs explaining what you're looking at and the origin of the Hollywood sign. The parking lot is tiny, but there's a bit of street parking as well. It's kept fairly clean, and there's a bench to sit on at the bottom of the stairs if you'd rather not/can't climb them, which still provides an excellent view.
A Continuation of my Hollywood Bowl Review, "MY FIRST AND ONLY LOVE" (because I just discovered you can't write 2 reviews on the same place).
4. MY GRAND ROMANTIC PLAN, continued
I would buy ALL 4 seats of a Garden Box in the center section (that's harder than it sounds because you usually have to kick out or know a subscriber because they are bought years in advance). Then I would have them move out all the ugly chairs and put in a couch. A real plush couch and a blanket. Then I would have a small table set with real china to have a small picnic. There would be candlelight (good luck trying to figure out how to get that done, I already have) and a bottle of 2001 Silver Oak (I have my best memories with this vintage). It would , of course, either be a classical night with Rachmaninoff or Vivaldi or the Tchaikovsky Spectacular. Who wouldn't recognize the effort and sacrifice in this?
5. MY GRAND GOAL
One day, I want to be well known enough within the Bowl to be asked to watch the performance and dine at the Pool Circle. Truly, it's too close to the stage but it would be neat because only VIP's get to be there.
6. TRANSPORTATION / PARKING:
* Don't ever do that stupid bus ride thing. First of all, you always underestimate how long the line is to wait for the bus.. Then the ride is long. Then you don't know what bus to get back on. It's stupid. The only good thing is that you can sleep on the way home.
* If you go extra early, park at the lower lot by the freeway exit. Don't park at the bowl because it's stacked all the way to the top!
* Find an alternate route to get there. Almost every road and every freeway is packed. Leave early! I hate stressing out about getting there on time. Don't be on time, be early and have time to settle in!
7. THE SECRET BOWL CASTLE
I'm not sure why it's there or how it got there. It's not even especially pretty or big.
When you're leaving the bowl and walking down the hill, there's this covered cafeteria area where they entertain the kiddies. It's next to the Bowl Store. Behind the coffee machine or some scaffolding (it changes), there's this neat little colored clay castle in the bushes. I really like it. I've taken some really cool pictures of it but I can't seem to find it on my comp. It's cool to look at and people are always wondering why you're looking behind the coke machine...
8. GENERAL THEATER ETIQUETTE
People are surprised at how much the sound resonates in an open-air venue like the Bowl. Especially newbies...
***Only open food packages in between songs. We can all hear it; we all want to tell you to can it. Just don't do it.
***If you're sick or cough a lot, be nice and eat a cough drop or don't even go.
***If you bring your kids, make sure they know how to sit down for long periods of time. That's why I try not to sit by the families. You do your part and I'll do my preventative part.
***Don't smoke cigarettes or pot in the theater. Come on people!!!
***Don't get drunk and puke all over the stadium. We can all smell it!
***Don't get up for the bathroom in the middle of the songs... Plan accordingly.
***If they say no pictures, don't take pictures. The flashes "echo" all over the place. Seriously, do you really need a teeny tiny picture of John Williams?
Ready...cue the swooning. I won't go into details because you should just go and experience it for yourself. The view is magnificent! Perfect place to take a date! You can see all of LA in all its glory. Take a bottle of wine and a blanket and she'll be putty in your arms you lucky son of a gun! You're welcome!
This is one of my favorite places to grab a view of the city and the Hollywood sign!!! If your feeling risky you can use this trail as a way to sneak into the Hollywood Bowl or just hide out under some trees and listen to the shows from there but, be careful, sometimes they send helicopters over this area to patrol and bust people sneaking in!!!
The view is beautiful but there always seems to be someone else up here-mainly tourists, which makes it a little less romantic and enjoyable. Still, it's a peaceful stop to remind you what L.A. offers and to stop and appreciate it every once in a while in between cursing the traffic.
