Sights · Our pick in Los Angeles
Hollywood’s historic cemeteries: the back story
The back story
About Hollywood’s historic cemeteries: the back story
Several of Los Angeles’ cemeteries are the resting places of famous figures from film and music, and they welcome respectful visitors. Hollywood Forever also hosts film screenings and a celebrated Día de los Muertos festival.
Hollywood Forever
Hollywood Forever, on Santa Monica Boulevard beside the Paramount lot, was founded in 1899. Its own website names Judy Garland, Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino, Mickey Rooney, Tyrone Power, Douglas Fairbanks, Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone, Valerie Harper and Chris Cornell among those buried there.
Westwood Village Memorial Park
A small, walled cemetery tucked behind the office towers of Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood.
Hollywood Forever, founded in 1899, names Judy Garland, Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino and Douglas Fairbanks among those buried there.
Forest Lawn
Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills lies on the hillside next to Griffith Park, close to the Warner Bros. and Disney studios.
Visiting respectfully
These are working cemeteries where families visit and services take place. Keep to the paths, keep voices low, don’t touch or leave items on graves, and check each cemetery’s visiting hours and rules before you go.
Our advice: visit Hollywood Forever on a weekday morning, then walk to the Paramount gate on Melrose Avenue.
Why it's on our list
- Hollywood Forever
- Westwood Village Memorial Park
- Forest Lawn
- Visiting respectfully
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Hollywood’s historic cemeteries: the back story before you go.
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to Hollywood’s historic cemeteries: the back story, as the crow flies.
- The Hollywood Roosevelt0.7 mi15 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from Hollywood’s historic cemeteries: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- TCL Chinese Theatre0.7 miWalk 14 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Hollywood Bowl1.0 miWalk 21 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Griffith Observatory2.2 miWalk 44 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 12 min
- The Grove2.4 miCycle 15 minCar or taxi 13 min
- LACMA2.9 miCycle 19 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Rodeo Drive4.6 miCycle 30 minCar or taxi 20 min
- Walt Disney Concert Hall5.4 miCycle 35 minCar or taxi 22 min
- Getty Center8.5 miCar or taxi 32 min
- Venice Beach Boardwalk11 miCar or taxi 41 min
- Santa Monica Pier11 miCar or taxi 41 min