One Great Day in One Great Neighborhood!

Hooray for Hollywood! Aptly, Make-Believe's glamorous capital city is neither glamorous nor a city.  Its limits are those of the imagination.  And Twilight Zone-like, we've all seen or been the disillusioned tourist who arrives to discover that, upon closer inspection, the glamorous beauty we've dreamed about is a tarted-up harpy with BO.  There's John Wayne's footprints; there's Ryan Seacrest's star; there's souvenirs; there's a homeless guy.

And while historical references reduce readership by 40%, we're not afraid to confirm that a Renaissance is underway to clean up Hollywood Blvd. and environs.  Fortunately, it's just begun so a good deal of grody Hollywood Dark Ages squalor coexists with the palaces of the redevelopment Doges.  Baby Gap. The Hollywood Wax Museum.  Victoria's Secret.  Musso & Frank's.  What's not to love?

So next time Uncle Dave and Aunt Wendy are in town, bring ‘em to Hollywood.  Show them a good time and you might even have one yourself.  Go Metro Red Line to Hollywood & Vine or Hollywood & Highland.  (Toby Muller)

1)    RI'm Rungry!: Skooby's (6654 Hollywood Blvd )

Who wants a Skooby Snack? I do! I do!!! Then follow these clues: The White Stripes at play, all through the day. A guitar you hear, the first bite, you cheer. Garlic fries, fresh as a daisy. Turkey or soy dog, both are amazing. Hot dog quesadilla you question, your dubious is beyond mention. Do you know where we're going? Rock music pours out of this tiny street-side hot dog stand as does the best lemonade in the city. The garlic fries are miraculous, cut fresh as you watch. The dogs (pork, turkey, or soy) are perfect and made to order. Don't be snooty, Skooby's kicks out some of the best grub in the city! Beware one ghoul...They're cash-only, so come prepared. M-Th, Sun: 11am-midnight; F-Sa: 11am-3am.  (Sasha Perl-Raver)

2)    Cecille B. DeMall: Hollywood & Highland Center (6801 Hollywood Blvd.)

Hollywood and Highland is no longer just a place where two major streets simply intersect. The brand new Center is a zip code short of being its only city. With the luxurious Renaissance Hotel, the gargantuan Kodak Theater, a plethora of couture shops, a wide selection of eateries  (Koji's Sushi, Shabu Shabu and Twist to name a few), as well as not one but two night clubs; Level 3 and The Highlands, The Center single-handedly makes Hollywood a reputable and desirable destination.

It doesn't have an airport (yet), but it does have its very own cluster of duty-free designer shops to cater exclusively to the waves of camera-happy tourists.  (Dollars are like dimes to these foreigners anyway, the least they could do is pay our taxes.)  Hey, you've still got Louis V., Lucky, Le Sportsac, Neighborhoodies, Ninewest and a bazillion other stores to max your plastic out at. (323) 817-0200 http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com (Lucky Clover)

3)    Escape to New York: Bowery (6268 Sunset Blvd)

You'd think you were a subway stop away from Canal Street sitting in a booth at Bowery, the New York-inspired, Franco-California bistro on Sunset. But rather than rubbing shoulders with stockbrokers and loft dwellers, you're smack in the middle of Hollywood enjoying one of the delectable offerings from their ingenious chalkboard menu. The crispy eggplant chips or the Beer-Braised Short Ribs will send your stomach rumbles right down the tracks. On a recent trip, the Moulle Frites (wine and leek steamed mussels and hand cut shoestring fries) stared at me for so long I caved and ordered, much to my delight! It's a little French and a little Soho, a little LA and a little rock n' roll.  But it's all around delicious, homey, and habit forming.  M-F Noon-2am; Weekends 6 pm-2am.  (Sasha Perl-Raver)

4)    Period Pieces: Jet Rag (825 No. La Brea at Willoughby)

Are you a cool cat with a smooth style? Do you waft from designer shops to vintage shops looking to fill your closet with unique pieces that define you and make a statement to the world?  Then take a detour from Hollywood Blivid to the funky, psychedelic little shop known as Jet Rag, which carries quirky iconic vintage pieces you can't find anywhere else.  From faux to fur to pleather to leather, from scarves to hats, it's a one-stop shop for the eccentric, ostentatious but always stylish fashionista and fashionisto.  So when you feel the sudden urge to satisfy your inner James, Marilyn, Beatle or Betty or any other old-school trendsetter, sift through the racks of Jet Rag.  Sundays, you can park at the toll-free meter on any nearby street and browse the sidewalk sale where most things can be purchased for no more than a dollar.  Phone: (323) 939-0528  M-Sa: 11am-7:30pm, Su 9am-7pm  (Lucky Clover)

5)    Mood (6623 Hollywood Blvd @ Cherokee)

If you spent the day in Hollywood, you may as well spend the night. Mood is the typical Hollywood social scene, made popular by LAX and Nation. Nestled quaintly along Hollywood Blvd., it almost looks like a spa outside.  David Judaken opened this venue in 2005 around the time he reopened The Garden Of Eden in Vegas. Here you won't find paradise, but you will find scantily clad dancers shaking their tails to luscious beats on their very polished dance floor. The lounge is sexy with exotic wood accents, bamboo, and batik playing against warm colors which are totally hip.  The drinks ain't cheap but I did feel somewhat like a diva amongst the starlet wannabes and Vin Diesel types. You can chow down on eclectic mix of finger foods like sliders and sushi, and the bartender knows how to make a good Mojohito. After a mini burger and a $15martini, I danced until closing to old 90's favorites I haven't heard since prom. For better or worse, Mood is the kind of place outsiders think of when they think of LA nightlife.  (Nikki Wantz)

Also visit other Editions of LA2DAY COORDINATES: SILVER LAKE, DOWNTOWN and OLD TOWN PASADENA