Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a historic and culturally rich spot in Los Angeles, which was founded in 1899. It is the graveyard of numerous Hollywood legends, such as Judy Garland and Cecil B. DeMille. It is not just a cemetery, but a mixture of history, art and memory, which brings people worldwide. Hollywood Forever is a peaceful retreat in the middle of the city; it has serene gardens, palm-lined pathways, and beautiful architecture.
What Can You See and Do at Hollywood Forever Cemetery?
The following are the six best attractions and activities at Hollywood Forever Cemetery:
- Celebrity Graves: Hollywood Forever is the burial place of some of the popular names in film, music, and art. Visitors commonly go to the graves of Judy Garland, Rudolph Valentino, Chris Cornell, Johnny Ramone, and Douglas Fairbanks. Each site has customised texts and visual statues that honour their role in the golden age of Hollywood.
- Art and Architecture: The cemetery’s mausoleums, marble statues, stained glass, and old chapels feature a combination of Gothic, Art Deco, and Classical styles. Photographs are often taken at the Fairbanks Memorial and Cathedral Mausoleum. The building not only pays honour to the dead but also reflects the artistic and cultural heritage of Hollywood in its quality of workmanship.
- Cinespia Screenings: Hollywood Forever also becomes an outdoor movie theatre each summer, with the renowned Cinespia film screenings. It presents classic films like Casablanca, Clueless and The Shining on a huge outdoor screen with palm trees and lights of the city. Picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs are brought by the guests, and they spend a memorable evening under the stars.
- Cultural Events: The cemetery is an active entertainment centre where they have Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, live concerts, and neighbourhood watch. The events bring thousands of locals and tourists and provide live performances, art exhibits and traditional altars. Their purpose is to memorialise Los Angeles’ cultural diversity and creativity.
- Photography: Hollywood Forever is a place that photographers love because of its serene gardens, reflecting ponds and grand memorials. The location has beautiful scenery, particularly at sunrise and sunset. It is perfect for both specialists and casual tourists in terms of artistic or reflective photography.
- Self-Guided Tours: Tourists can also have self-guided walking tours in the cemetery on printed maps, or they can access the site by downloading the guides. The attractions on the routes are the Cathedral Mausoleum, Fairbanks Memorial, and Judy Garland Pavilion, where the guests get to learn the historical and cultural backgrounds of each attraction.
How to Get to Hollywood Forever Cemetery?
The following are the five most convenient methods to access Hollywood Forever Cemetery to have an easy-going visit:
- By Car: The cemetery is situated at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038, beside Paramount Studios. It can be easily accessed by visitors through US-101 or Sunset Boulevard. Parking facilities are offered on-site at a fee, with limited parking facilities in the nearby streets that are free of charge for short periods.
- Limo & Car Service: Limo and car services are a convenient way of transport for tourists. Services such as limousine service Los Angeles, or Blacklane, directly transfer to the cemetery out of major hotels in Downtown LA, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood.
- By Metro: The Metro Red Line provides the best access to public transportation. Customers can get out at Hollywood/Vine Station and get a 10-minute rideshare or bus to the cemetery. It is one of the cheap and time-saving methods when one wants to avoid traffic.
- By Bus: The cemetery is served by a number of Metro Buses (4, 180, 217, and 704) that run near the entrance of the cemetery on Santa Monica Boulevard. Buses operate about 15-20 minutes all day long, which is a cheap method to ride in and out of Downtown Los Angeles or Hollywood Boulevard.
- By Foot: Walking is also possible for visitors staying overnight. The cemetery is within a 15-20 minute distance of the Hollywood Walk of Fame location. The path through the Santa Monica Boulevard is also walkable with visible indicators to the primary entrance.
Are There Guided Tours Available?
The following are the guided tour options that facilitate visitors to experience the history and stories of Hollywood Forever Cemetery:
- Walking Tours: Local historians walk around and tell tales about the celebrities, historical figures, and cultural personalities buried here. There are usually tours to the graves of celebrities such as Judy Garland and Douglas Fairbanks. Tours take approximately 2 hours and cost around 25-30 per person.
- Themed Tours: Themed tours are based on a particular theme, like classic film legends, music icons, architecture and art monuments. They are held on special weekends and give visitors a closer insight into the history of Hollywood. It is best to make a reservation in advance at the official Hollywood Forever Cemetery site, as there are only a few places.
What Are the Entry Fees and Timings?
General Entry: There is no charge to enter the cemetery grounds, whether you want to explore, pay your respects, or enjoy the peaceful gardens. The public can visit during our regular hours.
Tour Tickets: The guided walking tour tickets are about $25 to $30 USD per person. These themed tours change in price because of the duration and the type of event. The tickets can be purchased online at their website and in the main office.
Cinespia Events: Cinespia organises outdoor film screenings that are very famous among both citizens and tourists. Prices of tickets vary between $20 and $30 per head, depending on the film and the seat location. There are food booths, entertainment, and picnic areas.
Opening Hours: The cemetery is open all day long (8.00 AM-5.00 PM). Tours and Cinespia viewings have their own schedules, and they usually take place on weekends or evenings.
