Hollywood represents the glorious goddesses and gods of cinema. It's also a real neighbourhood in Los Angeles with a grit and greatness all its own. Scout out the hidden secrets and learn the surprising stories that give this fabled area its unique and wonderful character.

Explore the places where Hollywood legends have left their traces, and also visit an abandoned zoo, a clown-themed, feminist strip club, and a century-old monastery that bakes mythical treats. Go on a romantic ride on horseback through the Hollywood Hills, and visit a natural oasis with an unsolved murder. Get a tattoo where A-listers get inked, and sip cocktails near the oldest structure in California.

Meet the artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, chefs, and neighbours along the way as this book guides you through the places of cultural significance and also the unsung spots that make up this living, breathing neighbourhood with deep roots in the entertainment industry and far beyond.