Gower Street

Gower Street, Los Angeles: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Sites Guide

Date: 15/06/2025

Introduction: Gower Street’s Legacy in Hollywood

Gower Street, nestled in the heart of Hollywood, Los Angeles, stands as a living chronicle of the entertainment capital’s transformation. From its origins as farmland owned by the pioneering Gower family to its evolution into a hub of film studios and cultural landmarks, Gower Street offers visitors a captivating blend of history and modern vibrancy. Walking along its thoroughfare, you trace the footsteps of movie legends, encounter architectural icons, and experience the dynamic spirit that defines Hollywood.

This definitive guide delivers everything you need to plan your visit: comprehensive details on visiting hours, ticketing, accessibility, guided tours, and travel tips for exploring Gower Street’s historical and cultural sites. Whether you’re a film enthusiast, history buff, or a first-time tourist, Gower Street offers a unique intersection of heritage and contemporary culture (Hollywood Partnership; Sunset Gower Studios).

Early Origins and Naming of Gower Street
Gower Street’s Role in Hollywood’s Transformation
Hollywood’s Studio Era and “Poverty Row”
Gower Gulch: The Western Connection
Hollywood Walk of Fame and Gower Street
Notable Architectural and Cultural Landmarks
- Sunset Gower Studios
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Gower Mausoleum
Visitor Essentials: Hours, Tickets, Tours, Accessibility
Travel Tips, Transportation, and Parking
Nearby Attractions and Dining
Special Events, Photography, and FAQs
Plan Your Visit

Early Origins and Naming of Gower Street

Gower Street’s story begins in the late 19th century, when John Truman Gower, a Maine native, settled in Los Angeles after years in Hawaii. In 1871, the Gower family acquired 160 acres of farmland in the Cahuenga Valley, cultivating wheat, barley, almonds, and sugar beets (lastreetnames.com; hollywoodpartnership.com). The land stretched from present-day Sunset Boulevard to Melrose Avenue and from Gower Street to Tamarind Avenue. Over time, as the Gower family sold off parcels, the foundation was laid for Hollywood’s iconic sites, including studios and cemeteries.

Gower Street was officially named in 1893, marking the family’s former farm boundary and recognizing their role in the area’s development (lastreetnames.com).

Gower Street’s Role in Hollywood’s Transformation

By the early 20th century, Hollywood had shifted from rural farmland to a burgeoning urban center. The area’s incorporation as a city in 1903, and subsequent annexation by Los Angeles in 1910, sparked rapid growth. Gower Street’s ample land and central location made it a magnet for the nascent film industry, soon becoming a key artery in Hollywood’s transformation into a global entertainment hub (hollywoodpartnership.com).

Hollywood’s Studio Era and “Poverty Row”

Gower Street is intrinsically tied to the birth of Hollywood’s studio system. The stretch between Sunset Boulevard and Melrose Avenue became known as “Poverty Row,” a cluster of independent studios where filmmakers produced low-budget but influential movies (latimes.com; wikipedia.org). The boundaries of Poverty Row were generally Sunset Boulevard to the north, Fountain Avenue to the south, Gordon Street to the east, and Gower Street to the west.

Notable studios along or near Gower Street include:

Paramount Pictures: At Gower Street and Melrose Avenue, Paramount remains one of Hollywood’s oldest and most prominent studios (wikipedia.org).
Sunset Gower Studios: Originally Columbia Pictures’ lot, the 14-acre complex at Sunset and Gower hosted classics such as His Girl Friday and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (latimes.com).
RKO Studios: Located at 780 N. Gower Street, RKO contributed to the Golden Age of Hollywood with films like King Kong and Citizen Kane (A2Z Filming Location).

Gower Gulch: The Western Connection

The intersection of Gower Street and Sunset Boulevard, famously dubbed “Gower Gulch,” became legendary as a gathering spot for actors dressed as cowboys awaiting roles in the Westerns filmed at nearby studios. This tradition cemented Gower Gulch as a symbol of Hollywood’s golden era of filmmaking and remains a photogenic spot today (hollywoodpartnership.com; atlasobscura.com).

Hollywood Walk of Fame and Gower Street

Gower Street marks the eastern terminus of the world-renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Walk of Fame, which opened in 1960, features more than 2,700 brass stars honoring entertainment legends and stretches along Hollywood Boulevard for 15 blocks (citybop.com; wikipedia.org). The intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street is a popular starting point for visitors exploring this iconic sidewalk.

Notable Architectural and Cultural Landmarks

Sunset Gower Studios

Founded in 1918 as Columbia Pictures’ home, Sunset Gower Studios is Hollywood’s largest independent studio lot. The Spanish-style complex at Sunset and Gower played host to classics like It Happened One Night, The Three Stooges, and TV hits including Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, and Scandal (Wikipedia). Today, it remains a bustling production facility.

Visiting: Public tours are limited and must be booked in advance. Contact Sunset Gower Studios for availability. Studios are wheelchair accessible; notify staff ahead for accommodations.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery and the Gower Mausoleum

Bordering Gower Street at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the final resting place for icons like Judy Garland and Chris Cornell. The cemetery hosts outdoor film screenings, concerts, and the annual Día de los Muertos festival.

Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is free; special events require tickets.
Gower Mausoleum: Unveiled in 2024, the Gower Mausoleum is a 100-foot-tall vertical sanctuary providing panoramic views and over 50,000 resting spaces (archdaily.com; Studio-MLA). Accessibility features are available throughout.

Visitor Essentials: Hours, Tickets, Tours, Accessibility

Location: Gower Street runs north-south from 1st Street (Hancock Park) to Beachwood Drive (Beachwood Canyon) (wikipedia.org).

Public Access: Gower Street itself, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is accessible 24/7 at no cost.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Open daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; free general admission, ticketed events as posted on their official site.
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour: Guided tours Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; tickets ($60–$70) via Paramount Studios.
Gower Gulch: Themed plaza open daily, free entry (atlasobscura.com).
Sunset Gower Studios: Tours by appointment only; contact here.

Accessibility: Major attractions are wheelchair accessible. Contact venues in advance for specific needs.

Transportation/Parking: Served by Metro buses and near Hollywood/Vine Metro Red Line station (LA Metro). Parking is limited; rideshare and public transit are recommended (timeout.com).

Travel Tips, Transportation, and Parking

Metro Access: Hollywood/Vine Red Line station is a short walk from Gower Street’s northern end.
Street Parking: Limited, metered ($1–$2/hr). Paid lots near Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards offer alternatives.
Safety: Area is generally safe, especially during the day. Exercise normal urban precautions at night.

Nearby Attractions and Dining

Hollywood Walk of Fame: Free, open 24/7 (walkoffame.com).
Hollywood Palladium: Historic concert venue, tickets via Live Nation.
Dining: Options include Astro Burger, Paley, Bar Henry, and Mama Shelter Rooftop.
Street Art: Murals and public art celebrate Hollywood’s legacy.

Special Events, Photography, and FAQs

Events: Hollywood Forever hosts the Día de los Muertos festival (October), outdoor movie nights, and concerts (hollywoodforever.com). Check Time Out Los Angeles and Discover Los Angeles for citywide events.

Photography: Best at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street, studio gates, and the cemetery. Early morning/late afternoon light is ideal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the visiting hours for Hollywood Forever Cemetery?
A: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; events may have special hours.

Q: Are there studio tours on Gower Street?
A: Yes. Paramount Pictures and Sunset Gower Studios offer tours by advance reservation.

Q: Is the Hollywood Walk of Fame free?
A: Yes, it is a public sidewalk accessible 24/7.

Q: Is Gower Street accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A: Yes, most major sites offer accessibility accommodations.

Q: What’s the best way to reach Gower Street?
A: Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Vine, Metro buses, or rideshare.

Plan Your Visit

Gower Street is more than a street—it’s Hollywood’s living history. Enjoy the blend of cinematic heritage, architectural marvels, and vibrant local culture by planning ahead and leveraging resources like the Audiala app. For guided tours, event updates, and exclusive tips, download the app and follow us on social media.