Travel Guide

Johnny Park Indoor Parking Services and LAX Theatres

Rooted in its glamorous showbiz entertainment culture, there is never a shortage of theatres in LAX! Below are just a few of the many glitzy theatres that are adorned with exquisite architecture and boasts a number of great memories of the past. Parking in LAX can be very hectic, so come early and spend the day exploring these great wonders!

Grauman's Chinese Theatre

The Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in LAX is the most famous movie theatre in the world. Since its gala opening in May 1927, millions of movie patrons and visitors to Hollywood have been drawn to the theatre. They come to be entertained and enthralled by the legendary Chinese, home to the legendary forecourt with its footprints of the stars. Filled with exotic art from China, the theatre's jade-green bronze roof rises 90 feet into the air and is beautifully lit at night. This spectacular movie palace and true Hollywood landmark was built by legendary showman Sid Grauman – the man who came up with the idea of putting the stars’ footprints in wet cement! Starting from its 1927 debut of the original silent version of "King of Kings," produced by Cecil B. DeMille, the Chinese Theatre has been the site of more gala Hollywood movie premieres than any other theatre! Although the historical theatre may not be the best-preserved in Hollywood it’s certainly in fine condition for a 70 year old movie palace! Whether you are see a movie or not, drop your car off at the nearest parking lot and come explore the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre!

The El Capitan Theatre

With its debut on May 3rd, 1926, the grand El Captain Theatre was located in the heart of Hollywood Boulevard where it first began as a live theatre. Envisioning a thriving theatre district here, Charles Toberman, often called the "Father of Hollywood," developed this spectacular theatre along with the famous Egyptian Theatre as well as the Chinese theatre. With the interior auditorium designed by renowned architect G. Albert Lansburgh in an East Indian Revival style, El Capitan boasted a 120-foot stage, and featured plays on stage with stars that included Clark Gable and Buster Keaton. Recently restored to its former glory by the Walt Disney Company in 1989, this legendary palace reopened to the public in June 1991. Today, Pacific's El Capitan shows new, first-run movies from the Walt Disney / Touchstone studios. In fact, all of Disney's recent major animated classics, such as "The Lion King," "Aladdin," and "Beauty & the Beast" have had their world premieres at this theatre. The El Capitan Theatre also hosts live stage shows, world premieres, and other special events that have helped restore showmanship to Hollywood Boulevard. The El Capitan is one of the best things to happen to Hollywood in the last fifty years - a must-visit! Parking is available at the giant Hollywood & Highland parking garage is located almost directly across the street (north) from the El Capitan, the theatre will partially validate parking there. There are also paid parking lots directly behind (south of) the theatre, just east of Orange Drive.

The Egyptian Theatre

In 1922, Sid Grauman with the help of Charles E. Toberman helped shift the entertainment center from downtown to Hollywood Blvd, when they built the Egyptian Theatre - five years before Grauman built his famous Chinese Theatre down the street. Inspired by the discovery of King Tut's tomb in that very same year, visitors were in awe with the massive, four-feet wide Egyptian-style columns, hieroglyphics, murals, a tiled fountain, large pots filled with exotic plants, and the12-foot figure of a dog-headed Egyptian god that guarded the portico. Egyptian's grand opening was also the occasion for Hollywood's very first movie premiere in October of 1922. The movie is the famous "Robin Hood" (starring Douglas Fairbanks and Wallace Beery). However, reflecting the decline of Hollywood, the Egyptian also began a slow fall from grace. Suffering from severe earthquake damage in 1992, the Egyptian closed its doors - seemingly forever. Upon being neglected for the last six years on Hollywood Blvd, the empty theatre became a symbol of the decay of the surrounding neighbourhood. Out of everyone’s surprise, the historical Egyptian Theatre was restored to its original grandeur and re-opened in December 1998 with the re-premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments," resulting from the restoration effort by American Cinematheque. Today the theatre serves as a movie theatre and showcases the organizations’ celebrated public programming.

Other theatres to visit in LAX include the Cinemara Dome, the Silent Movie Theatre, and the Mann Village Theatre.