Hollywood Forever Cemetery

The basics

For an in-depth experience, take a Hollywood Forever Cemetery tour with a film-historian guide, or join a city walking tour or bus tour that passes through (or near) the cemetery. Many such tours take in other Los Angeles sights such as Paramount Pictures Studio and Hollywood Boulevard.

The cemetery doubles as a cultural event center, with programming ranging from film screenings to concerts. On many summer Saturday nights, the Cinespia movie series screens classic films such as Sunset Boulevard on the Fairbanks Lawn for large crowds, and throughout the year, various musical acts perform at the on-site Masonic Lodge.

The cemetery's original owners, San Fernando Valley developers Isaac Lankershim and son-in-law Isaac Van Nuys (a major boulevard in north Hollywood and a town in the northwest valley bear their names), sold much of it in 1920 to Paramount Pictures, RKO Studios, and the Beth Olam Synagogue. As a result, many Hollywood figures—such as Cecil B. DeMille and Peter Lorre—are buried here. It's also the final resting place of as prominent residents of Jewish descent, including gangster Bugsy Siegel.

Things to know before you go

• Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a must-visit for those interested in Tinseltown history.

• While it's free to visit the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, tickets are required for some special events. 

• You can bring blankets, pillows, low-profile chairs, and alcohol to summer movie screenings.

• The Fairbanks Lawn has a designated wheelchair area with easy access to restrooms.

• Hollywood Forever is a fully functioning cemetery, so tour routes are subject to change if a funeral is taking place.

How to get there

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery is located right off US 101 (the Hollywood Freeway) on Santa Monica Boulevard, near Paramount Studios. The surrounding neighborhood is a preferential parking district, which prohibits street parking by nonresidents, but on-site parking is available. Ride-hailing services are a good option.

When to get there

Hollywood Forever Cemetery is open daily from morning until late afternoon. The popular Cinespia series takes place on summer Saturday nights. You'll need tickets and should arrive early, as seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The cemetery's annual daylong Dia de los Muertos festival occurs around the end of October.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Located on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, this iteration of the world-famous Madame Tussauds Hollywood features lifelike wax figures of movie stars and television actors, movie characters such as E.T. and the X-Men, pop stars, athletes, and more. Madame Tussauds also includes a team-based virtual reality experience.

Can you take a tour of Hollywood Forever Cemetery?

Yes, you can take a tour of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. A local historian offers a Cemetery of the Stars guided tour, usually on Saturdays at 10am. History, walking, biking, and bus tours often pass through the cemetery on their way to Paramount Studios, Hollywood Boulevard, and other top attractions nearby.

Is it free to walk around Hollywood Forever Cemetery?

Yes, you can walk around Hollywood Forever Cemetery for free. The cemetery grounds are open to the public from 8:30am to 5pm daily, and until 5:30pm in the summer. Visitors can enter for free, pick up a map and walking guidebook from the cemetery flower shop, and explore independently.

Are there bathrooms at Hollywood Forever Cemetery?

Yes, there are restrooms at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in the parking lot behind the Cathedral Mausoleum in the cemetery's southeast corner. The nearest public toilets outside the cemetery are about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away via Santa Monica Boulevard in the Poinsettia Recreation Center on Willoughby Avenue.

Can you take pictures at Hollywood Forever Cemetery?

Yes, you can take pictures at Hollywood Forever Cemetery for personal or private use. Remember that all visitors are expected to respect the privacy of the people buried in the cemetery and their families. Photography, filming, and documentation for commercial purposes require approval from the cemetery.

Can I bring my dog to Hollywood Forever Cemetery?

No, you can't bring your dog to Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Dogs and pets are prohibited on cemetery grounds unless they're emotional support or service animals. To take your pup for a walk, try the Gordon Street Dog Park less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) north of the cemetery.

Where can I park at Hollywood Forever Cemetery?

You can park at the lot behind the Cathedral Mausoleum in the cemetery's southeast corner. You can also try street parking off Santa Monica Boulevard on North Van Ness Avenue and North Gower Streets. Nearby there are paid parking lots on North Gower Street and Melrose Avenue.