Ovation Hollywood

If you remember Hollywood and Highland, this is the same place after a three-year, $100 million renovation. The giant elephant statues and the Babylon theme, copied from D.W. Griffith's 1916 film Intolerance, came down, and the center reopened as Ovation Hollywood with an updated courtyard and room for public art. It's a shopping center first. What makes it useful is what's attached to it.

What's Worth Seeing

The Dolby Theatre has been the home of the Academy Awards since 2002. From the boulevard, the Awards Walk climbs a staircase past backlit glass plaques for each Best Picture winner. Tours go inside, including the Dolby Lounge.

Japan House Los Angeles has two floors here, with an exhibition gallery and shop on the second and a library and event hall on the fifth. It was conceived by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it has hubs in London and Sao Paulo too.

The complex looks north to the Hollywood Hills and the Hollywood Sign. The center's own site claims the best view of the sign, so judge that for yourself.

The courtyard also hosts free movie screenings under the arch in season, and you need to RSVP. Dave and Buster's and Lucky Strike are here too, along with the shops.

How to Get There

Metro's B Line stops directly underneath, at Hollywood/Highland.

To drive, take the 101 to the Highland Avenue exit. The city-owned garage has entrances on Highland Avenue at Johnny Grant Way and on Orange Drive between Hollywood Boulevard and Franklin Avenue. Shops and restaurants validate, but the Dolby Theatre doesn't. The visit page has the rates.

Going to the Hollywood Bowl or The Ford? A shuttle leaves from Orange Court on Level 2, just off Orange Drive. The Bowl's getting here page explains how it works for Metro riders.

Nearby

• The TCL Chinese Theatre is right next door, with stars' handprints and footprints in the concrete of its forecourt.
• The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs along the front of the center on Hollywood Boulevard.
• The Hollywood Museum is at 1660 N Highland Ave in the historic Max Factor Building, with original costumes and memorabilia.
• The Hollywood Bowl is up Highland, and the shuttle goes there.