Dolby Theatre

The basics

Located in the Hollywood & Highland shopping and entertainment center, the Dolby Theatre is in the heart of the Hollywood action, making it easy to visit during a day of sightseeing. Purchase your ticket online for the 30-minute Dolby Theatre tour to ensure your admission to the popular sight, or opt for a walking tour to see it among other Hollywood attractions with a guide. If you're short on time, many Los Angelessightseeing tours drive by the theater.

During the theater tour, you can see a real Oscar statuette and visit the lounge and other places where movie stars have stepped foot, and even stand on the stage if there is nothing going on that day. Along the way, a tour guide tells you stories about the A-list events that have taken place here.

Things to know before you go

• The Dolby Theatre is a must for movie buffs and pop culture enthusiasts.

• The theater walking tour includes several flights of stairs.

• The theater can accommodate people with disabilities with advanced notice.

• You can buy Dolby Theatre tickets online or at the box office.

How to get there

The Dolby Theatre is located on Hollywood Boulevard at the northwest corner of Highland Avenue. It's about a 10-minute drive from the base of Griffith Park and a 10-minute walk from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The nearest metro station is Hollywood / Highland on the Metro Red Line, about a 5-minute walk away. Tours start from the Level 2 entrance.

When to get there

Theater tours usually run from late morning until late afternoon, depending on the theater's events of the day. Tours do not operate during the weeks leading up to the Oscars. To visit the theater for a show or other performance, check the schedule on the theater website.

Chinese Theatre

A couple doors down from the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard is a much older Hollywood landmark: the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre). Opened in 1927, the theater has hosted movie premieres and past Academy Awards and is now home to an IMAX theater.

What type of tours can you take of the Dolby Theatre?

In addition to private walking and sightseeing tours that usually stop outside the theater, the Dolby organizes 30-minute walking tours of the interiors. These require admission tickets purchased online or at the box office. They're usually offered daily between 11am and 4pm, but the schedule can change depending on live performances.

Is seeing the Dolby Theatre worth it?

Yes, seeing the Dolby Theatre is worth it. The theater is the home of the Academy Awards and combines the grandeur of European opera houses with cutting-edge audio and visual technology. On tours, visitors can see an Oscar statuette, view images from Academy Award ceremonies, and visit the Dolby Lounge.

What do you see on a tour of the Dolby Theatre?

Tours of the Dolby Theatre offer the chance to explore the interiors inspired by grand European opera houses. Visitors will also see an official Oscar statuette, view images from past Academy Awards ceremonies, and visit the Dolby Lounge. Access to certain areas of the theatre is subject to performance schedules.

Are there restrooms at the Dolby Theatre?

Yes, accessible restrooms are available on every lobby level of the Dolby Theatre. Be mindful that most of these restrooms are made available to performance guests and that there are no public restrooms inside the theater—visitors on guided tours can use the restrooms outside the theatre on Level 2.

What is the best time to visit the Dolby Theatre?

If you're not visiting the Dolby Theater to attend a performance, the best time to visit is during a guided tour. These require admission tickets purchased online or at the box office. They're usually offered daily between 11am and 4pm, but the schedule can change depending on live performances.

Do you need reservations to visit the Dolby Theatre?

No, you do not need reservations to visit the Dolby Theatre. Visiting the theater on guided tours requires purchasing tickets online or at the theater box office, which is open from 1pm to 5pm on Tuesdays, 10am to 5pm Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.