Hotel at a Glance: Sportsmen's Lodge

In Hollywood's heyday, stars like Bette Davis, John Wayne, and Clark Gable got away from the limelight by heading to a quiet trout lake in the city off Ventura Boulevard. That lake is where Sportsmen's Lodge stands today. The building's unique mountain-lodge feel in the middle of L.A. still makes it a popular gathering spot and filming location.

• Free shuttle service to Universal Studios, one of Hollywood's most famous attractions
• Room with a view: Look out on the city, gardens, or swimming pool from your guest room's private balcony
• Enjoy handcrafted mojitos by the pool, which has a poolside bar; it's open year-round
• 30 different craft beers and exotic cocktails complement the shareable appetizers at River Rock, the onsite restaurant
• *Mediterranean turkey burgers and vegetable paninis * are on the menu at Patio Cafe; for breakfast, you can try the challah french toast with sautéed apples and a bourbon maple-pecan sauce.

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Highlights of Studio City

• History: Studio City gained popularity in the 1920s, when it was a shooting location for many silent movies. Over time, it's become a popular place for celebrities to put down roots; George Clooney, William Shatner, and Alyssa Milano have all called Studio City home.
• See the stars: If you cruise through town, you can see many celeb-owned mansions as well as some famous TV sets, including the houses used in Big Brother and The Brady Bunch. In town, it's not uncommon to see celebs picking up designer threads at bohemian boutiques on Ventura Boulevard.
• See the Hollywood sign: Just take a scenic 15-minute drive south through the Hollywood Hills. The sign makes for a great photo op and a good jumping-off point to the rest of Tinseltown.
• Must-see attraction: Stroll down the star-studded Hollywood Walk of Fame or visit the TCL Chinese Theater, where cement slabs have been imprinted with Betty Grable's legs and Donald Duck's feet.
• Nearby theme park: Universal Studios Hollywood. This family-oriented theme park entertains with behind-the-scenes special effects stages, 3-D and 4-D rides inspired by Transformers and Shrek, along with a Simpsons themed roller coaster.

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