Hollywood experience, LA

Believing that filmmaking is itself a bona fide attraction, Universal Studios began offering tours to the public in 1964. Today, Universal is more than just one of the largest movie studios in the world &mdash it&rsquos also one of the largest theme parks. By integrating shows and rides with behind-the-scenes presentations on moviemaking, Universal gives those outside the biz a peak at Hollywood movie magic. The theme park&rsquos main attraction is the Studio Tour, a nearly one-hour guided tram ride around Universal&rsquos 420 acres. The tour makes its way to stars&rsquo dressing rooms and production offices before visiting the sets of some of Hollywood&rsquos biggest blockbusters including Back to the Future, Curse of the Mummy&rsquos Tomb, Jurassic Park III, The Grinch and War of the Worlds.

Additional attractions include a virtual roller coaster based on the popular animated series The Simpsons, fleeing from dinosaurs on Jurassic Park The Ride, and a high-tech cyberwar show inspired by Terminator 2.Avoid visiting the park on weekends and school vacations. It&rsquos also best to avoid the summer season if possible due to the soaring temperatures in the San Fernando Valley. One-day park admissions, which can be purchased either online or at the park&rsquos front gates, are priced at $68. Also available for sale both online and in-person are Front of the Line Passes for $95, which are highly recommended if you&rsquore visiting the park during the peak season why wait an hour in line for a five-minute ride Another fantastic option is the VIP Experience package priced at $200. This special package includes six hours of movie-making immersion, an exclusive guided tour of Universal Studios, and behind-the-scenes visits to closed television and movie sets. See www.universalstudioshollywood.com.

For those who still can&rsquot get enough of Hollywood&rsquos mystique, head to Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street &mdash site of the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Search for your favourite actor&rsquos star along 18 city blocks. (Psst, former Mr Universe, Terminator and current California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger&rsquos star can be found at 6764 Hollywood Boulevard.) While you&rsquore in the neighbourhood, another must-see attraction is Grauman&rsquos Chinese Theatre (www.manntheatres.com/chinese). Opened in 1927, the theatre&rsquos entrance boasts over 200 hand- and footprints belonging to the Hollywood elite. 

To cap off your Hollywood adventures, take a hike along the Brush Canyon Trail in Griffith Park to the iconic 50ft-high &lsquoHollywood&rsquo sign. Made of white sheet metal, the sign has come to symbolise the movie industry and the city itself. If a five-mile round-trip hike isn&rsquot your style, the best view from down below is at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Bronson Avenue.