Rooftops, live music & late-night neighborhoods
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Los Angeles After Dark
Downtown LA to Hollywood
Downtown LA and Hollywood sit about 10 km (6.2 mi) apart in a straight line, with Hollywood to the north-west. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Los Angeles After Dark itinerary, a 3-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 10 km · 6.2 mi
- Est. road distance
- 12–14 km
- Est. drive time
- 15–35 min
- Direction
- Heading north-west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 25–45 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Los Angeles After Dark itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 12–14 km (7.5–8.7 mi) of road and 15–35 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
Rideshares are the standard way to move between neighborhoods, especially late at night. Downtown, West Hollywood and Hollywood each work on foot once you arrive. Some groups use the Metro for part of the trip, but late evenings are simpler by car.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends, plus 1 place near the straight-line path.
When you arrive in Hollywood
Spend late afternoon through night: observatory sunset, film history, then music rooms along Hollywood and Cahuenga.
Griffith Observatory
Free observatory with planetarium shows and views of the Hollywood Sign and city lights.
Lake Hollywood Park
Grassy park with one of the closest street-level views of the Hollywood Sign.
Amoeba Music
Enormous independent record store for vinyl, CDs and films.
Hollywood Bowl
Open-air amphitheater under the hills; picnicking before shows is a tradition.
Musso & Frank Grill
Hollywood's oldest restaurant (1919), with red booths and famously strong martinis.
The Hotel Cafe
Intimate singer-songwriter venue that launched many acoustic careers.
Near the way
These places from our other itineraries sit within about 1.5 km of the straight line between Downtown LA and Hollywood. The road may not pass them directly, so check how far off your route they are.
Before you leave Downtown LA
Spend an afternoon and evening here: historic core and Grand Avenue museums by day, rooftops and whiskey bars after dark.
On this curated route
Where Downtown LA → Hollywood sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Hollywood to Downtown LA is the same 10 km in a straight line, heading south-east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Downtown LA to Hollywood: questions travelers ask
How far is Downtown LA from Hollywood?
Downtown LA is about 10 km (6.2 mi) from Hollywood in a straight line, with Hollywood to the north-west. By road, we estimate 12–14 km (7.5–8.7 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Downtown LA to Hollywood?
An estimated 15–35 min, assuming 12–14 km of road at average speeds of 25–45 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
What is there to see between Downtown LA and Hollywood?
Near the straight-line path we have 1 place from our curated guides, including Langer's Delicatessen (Los Angeles). The road may not pass them directly, so check the detour.
Which itineraries include the trip from Downtown LA to Hollywood?
Our Los Angeles After Dark itinerary includes this leg. Los Angeles After Dark runs about 3 days across 3 stops, best in Mar – Nov.
Guides for both ends
- Downtown LA travel guide
- Los Angeles weather covers Downtown LA
- Hollywood travel guide
- Hollywood weather best time to visit
Hollywood by month
Plan Downtown LA → Hollywood with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.