Let's get one thing straight: the Hollywood that locals live in has almost nothing to do with the Hollywood tourists experience. While visitors crowd the Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theatre, industry professionals are grabbing coffee before their call time at Netflix, catching live music at Hotel Cafe, or discovering the next big playwright at Theatre Row.
Hollywood isn't just where entertainment gets made—it's where entertainment people live. And if you're working at one of the major studios, there's no better place to call home. Here's what 13+ years of housing entertainment professionals has taught us about the real Hollywood.
Hollywood at a Glance
| Metric | Hollywood |
|---|---|
| Walk Score | 87 — Very Walkable |
| Transit Score | 78 — Excellent (B Line Red) |
| Netflix HQ (Sunset) | 5-8 minutes |
| Paramount Studios | 8-12 minutes via Melrose |
| Sunset Gower Studios | 5 minutes |
| Warner Bros (Burbank) | 15-20 minutes via Cahuenga |
| Disney (Burbank) | 18-22 minutes via 101 |
| LAX Airport | 40-50 minutes (35 via La Cienega) |
🚗 The Local's Shortcuts
Cahuenga Pass — The 101 backs up, but Cahuenga Boulevard runs parallel through the pass. It's how locals get to Burbank studios without sitting in freeway traffic. Leave by 6:30 AM and you're at Warner Bros in 15 minutes flat.
Fountain Avenue — The legendary east-west shortcut. When Sunset or Santa Monica Blvd backs up, Fountain moves. Takes you from Hollywood to Silver Lake, Echo Park, or WeHo without the gridlock. If someone tells you to "take Fountain," you've been initiated.
Gower to Melrose — Skip Hollywood Blvd entirely when heading to Paramount. Cut down Gower, turn on Melrose, and you're at the studio gate in 8 minutes while everyone else sits at Highland.
The Studio Proximity Advantage
Hollywood puts you equidistant from the major studio lots—a strategic advantage when you're juggling meetings across town or working on multiple productions.
🎬 Netflix HQ
Netflix's massive Sunset Bronson and Sunset Las Palmas campuses are right in the heart of Hollywood. Many of our Hollywood furnished apartments put you within biking distance. Skip the commute entirely and walk to work.
🎬 Paramount Studios
The only major studio still actually in Hollywood (technically). The Melrose gate is a straight shot from central Hollywood. Pro tip: avoid the Gower gate during lunch—everyone from the lot hits the nearby restaurants.
🎬 Sunset Gower Studios
The workhorse studio where countless TV shows and indie films get made. If you're on a production here, living in Hollywood means you can be on set in the time it takes to finish your coffee.
🎬 Burbank Studios (Warner Bros, Disney)
Not in Hollywood, but Hollywood is the closest LA neighborhood with real nightlife. Many Burbank lot workers live in Hollywood for the lifestyle and deal with a 20-minute reverse commute. Via Cahuenga (not the 101), it's painless.
Where Industry People Actually Go
Live Music & Nightlife
Hollywood's music scene isn't just for tourists. These are the spots where industry people unwind, discover new talent, and occasionally get discovered themselves:
🎤 Hotel Cafe
The intimate singer-songwriter venue where Sara Bareilles, Katy Perry, and John Mayer were discovered before they were famous. Industry A&R reps still scout here. Two stages, great sound, and a crowd that actually listens. This is where you go when you want to feel something.
🎷 Catalina Jazz Club
Real jazz in Hollywood. Not a theme bar—an actual jazz club with world-class performers. Dinner and show packages available. When you need a sophisticated night out that isn't about being seen, Catalina delivers.
🍸 Bar Lis
The rooftop bar at Thompson Hollywood with panoramic views from Downtown to the ocean. Craft cocktails, stylish crowd, perfect for impressing out-of-town clients or celebrating a project wrap. Reservations recommended for weekends.
🏨 The Roosevelt
Yes, it's on Hollywood Blvd, but The Roosevelt is where old Hollywood glamour meets modern LA. The Tropicana Pool Bar, The Spare Room (bowling + cocktails), and the lobby bar are all industry favorites. Where deals happen over drinks.
🌆 Hollywood Rooftop by Madame Tussauds
Locals know this rooftop has one of the best views in Hollywood, and tourists mostly miss it. Come for sunset, stay for the Hollywood Sign views, and enjoy surprisingly good food and drinks above the chaos below.
💎 Hidden Gem: Theatre Row
Forget Broadway—Hollywood's Theatre Row on Santa Monica Blvd is where LA's serious theatre happens. The Hudson Theatres, The Complex Theatres and Studios, and Sacred Fools Theater Company produce the kind of intimate, risk-taking work that launched countless careers. Many film and TV actors do theatre here between projects to stay sharp. Monday nights often have industry readings where you might see familiar faces workshopping new material. This is the Hollywood that tourists never see.
Eats: Beyond the Tourist Traps
🌮 Trejo's Cantina
Danny Trejo's flagship taco spot. Yes, he's actually there sometimes. The tacos are legitimately great, the margaritas are strong, and the vibe is fun without being cheesy. Perfect post-wrap dinner with the crew.
⚡ Tesla Diner
Located inside the Tesla charging station—which sounds gimmicky but is actually cool. Classic diner food elevated, open late, and the kind of only-in-LA experience that makes living here fun. Grab a booth while your EV charges.
Morning Coffee & Remote Work
- Alfred Coffee (Melrose) — The "But First, Coffee" wall is Instagram famous, but the espresso is genuinely excellent. Go early or late to avoid the influencer rush.
- Intelligentsia (Sunset) — Serious coffee for serious work. Strong WiFi, enough outlets, and nobody will bother you.
- Blue Bottle (Sunset) — The minimalist's choice. Clean space, perfect pour-over, good for focused work.
🎬 Entertainment Industry Pro Tip
Hollywood has more production offices, post houses, and casting facilities per square mile than anywhere else in LA. If you're freelance—editor, writer, producer—living here means you can take last-minute meetings without blocking out half your day for drive time. When a showrunner calls at 10 AM asking if you can swing by at 11, you can actually say yes.
The Transit Advantage
Hollywood has something most LA neighborhoods don't: real public transit.
- Hollywood/Vine Station — B Line (Red) connects you to Downtown LA, Universal City, and North Hollywood in minutes. No parking, no traffic.
- Hollywood/Highland Station — Same line, closer to the tourist zone (avoid during peak hours).
- Metro Bus Lines — The 2 and 302 run along Sunset, the 4 runs on Santa Monica. Surprisingly useful once you know the routes.
If you're working at Universal or taking meetings in DTLA, the Metro is often faster than driving—and you can work on the train.
Who Hollywood is Perfect For
- Netflix, Paramount, and Sunset Gower employees who want to walk or bike to work
- Freelance entertainment professionals who need to be central for last-minute meetings
- Burbank studio workers who want nightlife and culture (20-min reverse commute)
- Anyone in the industry who wants to live where things happen, not just where you sleep
- Theatre and music people who want access to Hotel Cafe, Theatre Row, and the creative scene
Explore Our Hollywood Collection
Furnished apartments near Netflix, Paramount, and Sunset Gower. Walk to work, bike to set, live where the industry lives.
View Hollywood ApartmentsNot Sure Hollywood is Right for You?
Hollywood has energy, but it's not for everyone. Consider these alternatives:
- West Hollywood — More upscale, walkable, great dining. See our WeHo Executive Guide.
- Silverlake — Creative neighborhood, less hectic, incredible coffee scene. Read our Silverlake Coffee Guide.
- Downtown LA — Urban living with the best transit. Check out Arts District vs Financial District.
- Santa Monica — Beach lifestyle, tech company proximity. Compare in Santa Monica vs Venice.
Questions about which neighborhood fits your production schedule? Contact our team—we've been housing entertainment professionals for over 13 years. Or browse all our Los Angeles neighborhoods to compare.
