Some of the most popular streets in Los Angeles are also among the city's icons, such as Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Like some of the people who drive along them, a few of these city streets have lent their evocative names to films, the likes of David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive (2001) and Billy Wilder’s classic Sunset Boulevard (1950).

The most famous streets in Los Angeles are often places that just about everyone around the world has seen or heard about, usually in movies, on TV, in songs, and even in video games. Whether you plan to stroll, bike, or drive along these Los Angeles streets, they should be on your must-experience list while you're in town.

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    Rodeo Drive

    For celebrity spotting and window shopping

    Rodeo Drive
    • Luxury
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is one of Los Angeles’ most famous shopping streets. It’s all about luxury here, with most coming to window-shop and do some celebrity spotting along the way. Of course, if you’ve got the cash for some extravagant retail therapy, you can do that too.

    Rodeo Drive runs between Santa Monica Boulevard and Dayton Way, bringing many outstanding photo-ops, like the Via Rodeo and Rodeo Drive sign that’s been featured in countless films. Take a stroll along the gorgeous European-style cobbled walkway to Two Rodeo. Pop into designer boutiques like Armani, Coco Chanel, and Gucci where everyone from Brittney Spears to Leonardo DiCaprio has been spotted shopping.

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    Location: Beverly Hills, CA, 90212, USA

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  • 2

    Hollywood Boulevard

    Home to the Hollywood Walk of Fame

    Hollywood Boulevard
    • Families
    • History
    • Photo

    Hollywood Boulevard stretches for 15 blocks, home to the Hollywood Walk of Fame with nearly 2,700 personalities each immortalised in a pavement star. You'll also find the famous TCL Chinese Theatre, considered one of the world’s greatest of its kind as the premier venue for red carpet events.

    After checking out the “stars”, you can visit the Hollywood Museum to check out over 10,000 artefacts and props from both contemporary and classic films. At Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, you’ll observe all things strange, bizarre, and even shocking. Be sure to take a selfie with your favourite celebs (the waxed version anyway) at The Hollywood Wax Museum.

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    Location: Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90028, USA

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  • 3

    Sunset Boulevard

    A palm-lined strip with a rich history

    Sunset Boulevard
    • Budget
    • History
    • Photo

    Sunset Boulevard has been featured in nearly an endless list of song lyrics, TV shows and films, including the one it lent its name to, 1950’s Sunset Boulevard. While the area conjures up images of traditional Hollywood glamour with swaying palms and plentiful sunshine, it's almost synonymous with music, filled with famous venues like the Whisky a Go Go, a launching pad for Led Zeppelin, The Doors, and many more.

    Sunset Boulevard runs about 22 miles between Hollywood and the Pacific Coast Highway. As the sun splashes its electric oranges and fiery reds across the sky, head to Chateau Marmont for cocktails at its bar, which frequently attracts celebrities – you might just be sipping next to your favourite Hollywood star.

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    Location: Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90028, USA

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  • 4

    Mulholland Drive

    A magnificent thoroughfare with grand celebrity homes

    Mulholland Drive
    • Photo

    Mulholland Drive is one of the most popular streets in Los Angeles, providing spectacular views of Downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. It was further put into the spotlight by David Lynch's 2001 film  Mulholland Drive starring Naomi Watts. Besides offering a scenic drive, it offers celebrity spotting as many lavish mansions owned by Hollywood stars line it. Just a few of the household names who've lived here include Jack Nicholson, Madonna, Warren Beatty, John Lennon, and Marlon Brando.

    You can check out the Canyon Country Store, where many counterculture creatives once lived, including bands like The Doors and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Mulholland Drive still looks as if it's stuck in the era of Summer of Love, making it an excellent pit stop for coffee and reminiscing.

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    Location: Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90046, USA

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  • 5

    Melrose Avenue

    One of Los Angeles’ most Instagrammable spots

    Melrose Avenue
    • Budget
    • History
    • Photo

    Melrose Avenue is one of the most popular streets in Los Angeles, famous even before the 1990s TV series Melrose Place. It’s home to the prominent Paramount Pictures Studio, along with a wide range of shopping and entertainment. Plus, the street murals and art are impressive, making for some very worthy Instagram shots – you’ll want to have your camera ready.

    This is also where you’ll find the landmark Pink’s Hot Dogs, founded in 1939 as a pushcart near the corner of Melrose and La Brea. While it may look like a dive, many a celebrity has dropped in late at night for a 10-inch chilli dog. Kiefer Sutherland is a regular customer, who even had some of the dogs flown to him while shooting in Europe.

    Location: Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90038, USA

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    photo by InSapphoWeTrust (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

K.C. Dermody | Contributing Writer