2,700 Stars on the Pavement
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a series of over 2,700 five-pointed brass-and-terrazzo stars embedded in the pavements of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street — each bearing the name of a celebrity from the entertainment industry (film, television, music, radio, and live theatre/performance). The Walk stretches approximately 2.5 kilometres along Hollywood Boulevard (from Gower Street east to La Brea Avenue west) and three blocks along Vine Street. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Los Angeles, with approximately 10 million visitors annually.
A guided Walk of Fame tour navigates the most significant stars (the sheer number makes finding specific names difficult without a guide or the official star map), provides the stories behind the honourees, and explains the nomination and selection process (the stars are not free — the sponsoring entity pays approximately $75,000 for the ceremony and the star installation). The guide also covers the surrounding landmarks — the TCL Chinese Theatre (with its celebrity handprint and footprint forecourt), the Dolby Theatre (the permanent home of the Academy Awards ceremony), the El Capitan Theatre (Disney’s premiere venue), and the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to walk the Walk of Fame?
Free. The Walk of Fame is a public pavement. Guided tours have their own pricing. The official Walk of Fame star map is available online for locating specific names.
Where are the most famous stars?
The stars are not clustered by fame — they are placed chronologically as honourees are inducted. The most-visited stars tend to be near the TCL Chinese Theatre (Hollywood Boulevard at Highland Avenue). The guide locates specific names on request.
How long does a Walk of Fame tour take?
A guided tour covering the highlights (key stars, the Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre) runs approximately 1.5–2 hours. Walking the full 2.5-kilometre length independently takes approximately 1–1.5 hours without stops.