The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a free, open-air sidewalk of more than 2,800 brass-and-terrazzo stars along Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue and along Vine Street from Yucca Street to Sunset Boulevard. Together the two stretches run about 1.7 miles. You can walk it any time of day without a ticket. The trick is knowing where a particular star is, because stars are not grouped by fame or by date, and a name you want might be a mile from the one next to it in your memory.
How the Walk is laid out
The boulevard section is about 1.3 miles long and the Vine Street section about 0.4 miles. Stars sit at regular intervals of roughly six feet on both sides of the street. The busiest block is in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre between Highland and Orange, which is also where most first-time visitors start because the Metro station is right there. The quietest stretches are east of Vine and toward La Brea, where you can stop and read names without stepping into a crowd.
| Section | Approximate length | What you will find nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Blvd, La Brea to Highland | About 0.3 miles | Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, El Capitan Theatre across the street |
| Hollywood Blvd, Highland to Vine | About 0.6 miles | Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, Egyptian Theatre, the busiest crowds |
| Hollywood Blvd, Vine to Gower | About 0.3 miles | Pantages Theatre, quieter blocks |
| Vine St, Yucca to Sunset | About 0.4 miles | Capitol Records Building at the north end |
Reading a star
Each star carries the honoree's name and a small round emblem showing the category it was awarded in. There are six categories: motion pictures (a film camera), television (a TV set), recording (a phonograph record), radio (a microphone), live theater and performance (comedy and tragedy masks) and, most recently, sports entertainment. A seventh type, the Award of Excellence, honors organizations and does not use the usual emblems. Some performers have more than one star because they were honored in several categories.
How to find a specific star
- Use the official directory. The Walk of Fame's official website has a star directory and a map. Look up the name and note the street address listed for the star, such as a number on Hollywood Boulevard.
- Use the address, not a guess. Even numbers are on the south side of the boulevard and odd numbers on the north, as on most Los Angeles streets. Building numbers on shopfronts help you count down to the right block.
- Check both sides. If a star is not where you expect it, cross the street. Sidewalk repairs occasionally move or temporarily cover stars, and construction barriers can hide a few.
- Go early. Before about 10 a.m. the busiest block is calm enough to crouch for a photo without blocking a stream of people.
Who decides who gets a star
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce runs the Walk and owns its licensing rights, while the Hollywood Historic Trust maintains it. Anyone can nominate someone else, as long as the nominee agrees. A nominee needs at least five years of work in the category, and posthumous nominees must have died at least two years earlier, with the family's or estate's approval. A selection committee reviews a few hundred nominations and votes once a year, in June, on the next year's honorees. The city's Board of Public Works and City Council also sign off.
Honorees do not buy their stars, but a sponsor, typically a studio, label or fan group, pays a fee to the Chamber. The official FAQ lists a $275 nomination fee and an $85,000 sponsorship fee, payable on selection, which covers making and installing the star, the ceremony and upkeep of the Walk. Fees change, so check the official site for current numbers.
Seeing a star ceremony
Unveilings happen throughout the year, often in the late morning on a weekday. The official site lists upcoming ceremonies and posts them first. Space close to the stage is limited and reserved for guests and media, but the sidewalk around the barricades is public. If you want to watch, arrive at least an hour early, expect closed sidewalks and bring water and a hat, because there is little shade on the boulevard.
Practical tips for the boulevard
- Get there by Metro. The B Line stations at Hollywood/Highland and Hollywood/Vine sit on the Walk. Parking garages exist but fill up and cost more on event days. See getting around Hollywood without a car.
- Costumed characters. People dressed as film and cartoon characters pose for photos near the Chinese Theatre and expect a tip. If you want a picture, agree on the amount first. If you did not ask for a photo, you owe nothing and can simply walk on.
- Do not take things handed to you. A common sidewalk pitch involves handing a tourist a CD or wristband and then demanding money. Keep your hands in your pockets and keep moving.
- Watch your bag in dense crowds, especially around ceremonies and premieres.
- Bring sun protection. The terrazzo reflects heat, and summer afternoons are bright.
A short history
The idea came up in 1953 as a way to give the boulevard a lift and to honor the industry that made the neighborhood famous. Eight prototype stars were set in 1958, the first permanent star was installed on March 28, 1960, and the Walk was dedicated in November 1960. Since then, about two new stars have been added in a typical month. For the wider story of how a farming town became the film capital, read how Hollywood began.
Pairing the Walk with other stops
The Walk links many of the neighborhood's landmarks, so it works as the spine of a half-day outing. Look down at the stars and up at the movie palaces along the way; the guide to Hollywood's historic movie palaces explains what you are looking at, and the self-guided boulevard walk turns it into a route with timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hollywood Walk of Fame free?
Yes. It is a public sidewalk, open at all hours with no ticket or entry fee. You only pay for parking or transit to get there.
How long does it take to walk the whole Walk of Fame?
The full 1.7 miles takes about 45 minutes at a steady pace, but most people spend one to two hours because they stop to read names and take photos.
How do I find a particular celebrity's star?
Search the directory on the Walk of Fame's official website, note the street address listed for the star, then count building numbers on the boulevard or Vine Street. Odd numbers are on the north side of the boulevard.
Do celebrities pay for their own stars?
Usually not. A sponsor such as a studio, record label or fan club pays a fee to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce after the honoree is selected. Check the official site for current fee amounts.
Can the public attend star ceremonies?
You can watch from the public sidewalk around the barricades. Space closest to the stage is for invited guests and media, so arrive early and check the official ceremony listings first.