Exploring Sunset Boulevard

Since the 1920's Sunset Boulevard has been associated with the movies. Present day Sunset Boulevard is filled with restaurants, luxury hotels and nightclubs. Sunset Boulevard is a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) stretch of road. It was once a magnet for gamblers and held famous nightclubs such as Ciro's and Mocambo. Half of Sunset Boulevard is now full of lively clubs and restaurants and hotels. The other half, which used to be the Old Studio District and home to the film industry, is now very run-down and decrepit. However Sunset Boulevard still remains home to most of L.A.'s nightlife.

The Roxy is a very trendy nightclub that sits on the site of the old Club Largo. This is a prestigious theater that many world famous bands played on before they were famous. Such acts include Nirvana, The Foo Fighters, and Guns N' Roses.

The Viper Room is a popular live music club that is actually partly owned by Johnny Depp. Back in 1993 the actor River Phoenix took a lethal cocktail of drug and collapsed and died on the sidewalk outside The Viper Room.

The Original Spago is Wolfgang Puck's first restaurant, hence the name. Of course this is one of the most famous restaurants in the world and is infamous for star watching.

Hyatt Hotel is a regular hotel for many rock stars and musicians.

The Comedy Store is world-famous for its stand-up comedy acts. Many famous comedians first appeared on the stage of The Comedy Store.

The Roxbury Club is located just west of the Chateau Marmont hotel and is a popular hotel for young Hollywood starlets.

The House of Blues is a tin roof bar that was actually transported from Clarksdale, Mississippi to California. It is partly owned by the actor Dan Ackroyd who was in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers.

Directors' Guild of America is located on Sunset Boulevard.

Chateau Marmont is a hotel modeled on a Loire Valley chateau. It opened in 1929 and has attracted many famous visitors.