Self-guided walk; transport; Walk of Fame

Hi folks - hoping you can help a Brit out. We're a family with two teenagers. We're flying into LAX next week and staying two nights in North Hollywood before carrying on with a longer trip round California (next stop: Anaheim). After our first night we visit Universal. We need to plan what to do after our second night. We won't have a car at this point in our trip. The teenagers want to see the walk of fame; they've seen it on YT etc. And it will also be just our second day in the US. My husband and I have been before but for our kids it will be their first trip out of Europe. I've read about the walk of fame, and I'm not bothered about visiting it myself but I want to keep everyone happy. We have a few options and some questions.

Option (1) - get out of North Hollywood ASAP and go direct to Anaheim, might it be cheaper to get an Uber in the morning? And no hassle about luggage. But then our kids might feel like they've missed out.

Option (2) - Go to walk of fame, plan a walking route that takes in some interesting things nearby (i.e. off-walk of fame), then go to Anaheim. If we did this we'd try like to try to incorporate a meal or snack at Tartine Sycamore.

Option (3) - join some kind of tour for a couple of hours to tick off the things the kids might be interested in. But this would be the most expensive option.

Option (4) - something else entirely that I haven't thought of.

Questions: Which of the above is preferable? For anything other than Option (1) is there an way to bring luggage with us and stash it (safely!) somewhere? Or are we committing to back and forth to the hotel? For transport to walk of fame area and back I'm assuming Uber is best? Looks like Red line is an option but I'm concerned perhaps not the best for two teenage girls for their first non-themepark experience of the country. For Option (2) does anyone know of any self-guided routes we could use and fit to our interests? Option (4) grateful for any creative suggestions!! I know I'm over-thinking, but I also know I'll be tired so want to minimise stress and have a plan for this day. Thanks in advance.

Visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame with teenagers for the first time in Los Angeles can be a fun and memorable experience, but planning around luggage, transport, and timing is important. Here’s a detailed breakdown of your options and considerations.

Option 1 – Go straight to Anaheim:

  • Pros: Minimizes stress and avoids handling luggage in LA. Likely cheaper and simpler if you arrange an Uber or shuttle directly from North Hollywood to Anaheim. You can start your Disney trip early.
  • Cons: Your kids may feel like they’ve missed a quintessential LA experience. There’s no Walk of Fame or Hollywood sightseeing.

Option 2 – Self-guided Walk of Fame visit:

  • Pros: Lets your teenagers see Hollywood and the Walk of Fame. You can add nearby attractions for a richer experience, such as TCL Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, or Hollywood & Highland Center. Including a meal or snack at Tartine Sycamore adds a local flavor.
  • Cons: You’ll need to handle your luggage. Options include:
    • Check if the Hollywood Celebrity Hotel will allow you to leave luggage in storage after checkout. Many hotels do this for guests even after checkout time.
    • Use luggage storage services like LuggageHero, Bounce, or Vertoe near Hollywood or major transit hubs. Fees are typically per bag, per day or hour.
  • Transport: Uber or Lyft is easiest and safest, especially with two teenage girls on their first US trip. The Red Line subway is cheaper but can feel less secure and slower with luggage, so probably not ideal for this situation.
  • Self-guided routes: A simple plan could be:
    • Start at Hollywood & Highland Center – take photos, see the Dolby Theatre.
    • Walk along the Walk of Fame, spotting stars of your choice.
    • Visit TCL Chinese Theatre for the handprints and celebrity footprints.
    • Optional: Quick detour to the Hollywood Museum or El Capitan Theatre for a short visit.
    • End with lunch/snack at Tartine Sycamore.

Option 3 – Join a guided tour:

  • Pros: Fast, curated experience with someone who knows the area. Can maximize time and ensure your teenagers see key highlights.
  • Cons: More expensive. You’ll still need to handle luggage unless the tour allows pick-up from your hotel. Less flexibility for stops like Tartine Sycamore.

Option 4 – Alternative creative options:

  • Half-day Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour from Hollywood – allows flexible sightseeing without worrying about walking long distances with luggage. Some tours include baggage storage at ticket offices.
  • Combine a short visit to Hollywood with a mid-morning or early lunch, then travel to Anaheim in early afternoon to avoid peak traffic.
  • Consider sending luggage ahead to Anaheim via hotel delivery or luggage courier service (some hotels can help with this), so you can explore LA unencumbered for a few hours.

Recommendation:

Option 2 is probably the best balance for your family. It allows your teenagers to experience the Walk of Fame, and a well-planned self-guided route can be accomplished in 2–3 hours. Use hotel luggage storage or a nearby service to make the day easier. Uber/Lyft is the most practical transport, safe, and convenient for this short trip before heading to Anaheim.

Plan to start mid-morning, give yourselves about 2–3 hours in Hollywood, grab a snack at Tartine Sycamore, and then head to Anaheim in the early afternoon. This minimizes stress while ensuring your kids get a memorable LA experience.


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