- Hours: Forecourt open 24 hours, theatre open daily
- Reservations: Not required
- Cost: Fee for tours or just buy a movie ticket to see the interior
- Location: Northeast corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive, driving directions below
- How Long: Allow about half an hour to see the footprints
- Best Time to Visit: Any time but the facade is especially pretty at night
- See It Now: Photo Tour
Theatre creator Sid Grauman (the "Sid" to whom you see many inscriptions written) owned the property with partners Howard Schenck, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Mary Pickford. He sold his share in 1929 and was the Managing Director until he died in 1950. Today, the property is operated by Mann Theatres.
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
One of the most popular sights in Hollywood, Grauman's Chinese Theatre is best-known for the hand- and footprints in its forecourt. No matter how much tourists claim that they're not star-struck, within a few minutes, they're sticking hands and feet in the prints and snapping photos.This theatre is also one of the most beautiful and best-preserved of the movie palaces from Hollywood's golden era. With its Chinese theme and gold-and-red decor, the interior can upstage the films it screens.
Because Grauman's is such a popular spot for movie premieres, you may find the forecourt filled with cameras, light, carpets and technicians. Getting there in the morning will give you the best chance of avoiding this disruption.
You'll often find street performers on the sidewalk in front, dressed up as everything from Homer Simpson to Wonder Woman. If you take a picture with them, keep in mind that they're making a living posing with you and give them a small tip.
Grauman's Chinese Theatre Footprints
Since 1927, when Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks placed hands and feet in wet cement, over 200 prints have accumulated in the Grauman's Chinese Theatre forecourt.Besides the assortment of expected human hands and feet, three horses have imprinted their hooves here: Gene Autry's "Champion" Roy Rogers' "Trigger" and Tom Mix's "Tony." You'll also find prints of Groucho Marx's and George Burns' cigars, John Wayne's fist, Whoopi Goldberg's dreadlocks, Jimmy Durante and Bob Hope's noses, robot R2D2's tread marks, Al Jolson's knees, Roy Rogers' and William Hart's six-guns.
With limited space, Grauman's only adds new prints only once or twice a year. The ceremony is fun to watch and it's a good opportunity to see stars in person, so you may want to check if one is going on while you're visiting.
Grauman's Chinese Theatre Tour
Tours are offered 7 days a week, but it's just as easy to buy a ticket to see the film currently playing. It's worth the price to go in, sit down and enjoy the decor, even if you leave before the film starts.You may also enjoy reading Hollywood at Your Feet: The Story of the World-Famous Chinese Theatre. Its photos and informative captions depict every contributor to the forecourt masonry. Compare Prices
Review
We rate Grauman's Chinese Theatre 3 out of 4. It's a Hollywood icon and reading the inscriptions is fun.Others may disagree. You can see what other people just like you think about it, then bookmark this page and after you've been there, come back and tell us what you think.
What do you think of Grauman's Chinese Theatre as a tourist destination?
4 = Awesome! It's a must-see sight that I recommend to everyone
3 = Good. I really liked it, and I think you will, too
2 = OK. Some people find it interesting, but I didn't
1 = So-So. More fun than a night in jail, but you might enjoy a good nap more
Getting to Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Grauman's Chinese TheatreGrauman's Chinese Theatre is at the northeast corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive. From US 101, take the Highland Avenue exit and go south. The Hollywood and Highland parking lot is most convenient. The entrance is on the right about half a mile down the hill.
6925 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA
323-463-9576
Grauman's Chinese Theatre Website
The Los Angeles MTA (Metro Transit Authority) Red Line Hollywood and Highland stop is just steps away.
Other attractions near Grauman's Chinese Theatre include Walk of Fame, Hollywood and Highland, the Kodak Theatre and Hollywood Boulevard.
