Famous Hollywood Tour Film Locations

Posted on June 12, 2023June 12, 2023 by StarTrackTours

Any tour of Hollywood worth its salt is going to point out some famous film locations while you’re sightseeing around the city. Without questions, Hollywood, California is known for its rich history in the film industry, and there are several famous film locations in and around the area. Here are some notable ones:

Hollywood Walk of Fame: This iconic stretch of sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street features more than 2,600 brass stars embedded in the pavement, honoring various celebrities from the entertainment industry.
TCL Chinese Theatre: Formerly known as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, it is a historic movie palace on Hollywood Boulevard. It has been a popular venue for film premieres and is known for its forecourt featuring celebrity handprints and footprints in cement.
Hollywood Sign: Located in the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood Sign is an iconic symbol of the film industry. It offers a stunning backdrop for photographs and has appeared in numerous movies.
Universal Studios Hollywood: This famous film studio and theme park offers visitors a chance to explore behind-the-scenes sets and experience various rides and attractions based on popular films and TV shows.
Griffith Observatory: Situated in Griffith Park, the Griffith Observatory has been featured in several movies and offers panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline. It is a popular spot for stargazing and has a rich history in the film industry.
The Sunset Strip: This stretch of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood has been a famous location for music and film. It is lined with legendary music venues, nightclubs, and restaurants that have been featured in various movies and TV shows.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel: Located on Hollywood Boulevard, this historic hotel has hosted numerous celebrities and has been a filming location for many films. It is known for its elegant architecture and glamorous atmosphere.
Paramount Pictures Studio: One of the oldest and most famous film studios in Hollywood, Paramount Pictures has a rich history in the industry. The studio offers guided tours that provide a glimpse into the world of filmmaking.

These are just a few examples of famous film locations around Hollywood, CA. The area is filled with countless other landmarks, studios, and venues that have played a significant role in the history of the film industry.

Griffith Observatory: A Star In Its Own Right

Hollywood tour, Rebel Without a Cause location

Hollywood tour, rebel without a cause location

The Griffith Observatory has been a popular filming location for many movies and TV shows over the years. Here are some notable examples:

Movies:

Rebel Without a Cause (1955) – This classic film starring James Dean features several scenes filmed at the Griffith Observatory, including the famous scene on the observatory steps.
The Terminator (1984) – The observatory appears in a scene where the Terminator, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, arrives from the future.
Transformers (2007) – The observatory is featured in a climactic battle scene between the Autobots and Decepticons.
Yes Man (2008) – The romantic comedy starring Jim Carrey includes a scene at the Griffith Observatory where Carrey’s character attends a jogging group.
La La Land (2016) – The observatory is prominently featured in several scenes, including the romantic dance sequence between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s characters.

TV Shows:

The Simpsons – The animated series has featured the observatory in several episodes, including “Bart on the Road” (season 7) and “Bart Gets an F” (season 2).
Criminal Minds – In season 6, episode 14 (“Sense Memory”), the Griffith Observatory is the site of a murder investigation.
NCIS: Los Angeles – The observatory appears in season 1, episode 19 (“Hand-to-Hand”) when the characters investigate a murder case.
Parks and Recreation – In season 2, episode 20 (“Summer Catalog”), the observatory is briefly mentioned as one of the stops on a fictional trip to California.
The Big Bang Theory – The observatory is featured in multiple episodes, including season 1, episode 15 (“The Pork Chop Indeterminacy”), where the characters visit the observatory.

These are just a few examples of movies and TV shows that have been filmed at the Griffith Observatory. Its stunning architecture and scenic location have made it a popular choice for filmmakers over the years.

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Famous Hollywood Sights: Griffith Observatory

Posted on March 3, 2023February 28, 2023 by StarTrackTours

Tinseltown Isn’t Just for Movie Stars

The Hollywood tours you take with Star Track Tours will take you in and around Hollywood as well as surrounding areas. All the while, standing guard over the city, perched on the aptly-named Mount Hollywood is the Griffith Observatory. The Griffith Observatory is an iconic observatory located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. The observatory is named after Griffith J. Griffith, a Welsh-American philanthropist and amateur astronomer who donated the funds to build the facility in the early 20th century.

Construction on the Griffith Observatory began in 1933, and the building was officially opened to the public in 1935. The observatory is situated on a 3,015-foot hill and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding city, the Pacific Ocean, and the Hollywood Hills. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Los Angeles, drawing over 1.5 million visitors each year.

Griffith Observatory on Mt. Holllywood

Griffith Observatory on Mt. Holllywood

The Griffith Observatory has a long and fascinating history, and its mission is to inspire curiosity about the cosmos and foster an understanding of science and astronomy. The observatory has several exhibits, displays, and programs that showcase the wonders of space and the universe.

One of the most impressive features of the Griffith Observatory is the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, which has a 290-seat theater that offers visitors a stunning visual experience of the night sky. The planetarium has a Zeiss star projector, which is capable of projecting over 9,000 stars and other celestial objects onto the dome-shaped screen. The planetarium also has a state-of-the-art digital projection system, which is used to show stunning visual presentations that simulate the universe.

Another popular attraction at the Griffith Observatory is the Foucault pendulum, which demonstrates the rotation of the Earth. The pendulum is a massive metal ball that swings back and forth, and as the Earth rotates underneath it, the pendulum’s path appears to shift. This exhibit is a fascinating way to observe one of the fundamental principles of astronomy in action.

The observatory also has a range of telescopes, including the Zeiss refracting telescope, which is one of the largest public telescopes in the world. Visitors can use the telescope to observe the moon, planets, and other celestial objects in the night sky. The observatory also has a solar telescope, which is used to observe the sun and sunspots.

In addition to its exhibits and telescopes, the Griffith Observatory hosts a range of programs and events throughout the year. The observatory offers regular public telescope viewing sessions, where visitors can observe the night sky with the help of knowledgeable staff members. The observatory also hosts lectures, workshops, and other events that focus on topics related to astronomy and space science.

The Griffith Observatory has played a significant role in astronomy research and education since its inception. During World War II, the observatory was used to help track satellites and other objects in space. In the 1960s, the observatory played a key role in the development of the Apollo program, which sent the first humans to the moon. Today, the observatory continues to be an important center for astronomy education and research, and it collaborates with scientists and educators around the world.

In recent years, the Griffith Observatory has undergone a significant renovation and expansion. The renovation included the installation of new exhibits and displays, as well as the addition of a new terrace that offers panoramic views of Los Angeles. The observatory also added a new exhibit on the life and work of Griffith J. Griffith, the philanthropist who funded its construction.

The Griffith Observatory has become an important cultural and educational institution in Los Angeles, and it continues to inspire and educate visitors from around the world. Its iconic architecture, stunning views, and fascinating exhibits make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in astronomy, space science, or just the wonders of the universe.

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