Hollywood

Understand

Hollywood can be divided into four different areas. The first would be Hollywood Beach along the Atlantic Ocean, where you will find most of the action. A short ways inland is Art Deco downtown Hollywood, filled with restaurants, shops, a park, and California essence housing. From here on out there is not much to see as residual housing and small business occupies the area. When you finally get to the edge of town by the Florida Turnpike, you will find a few hotels, casinos and other attractions here along an Indian Reservation owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida who have lived in the area since the 18th century.

History

Hollywood was founded in 1925.

Climate

Hollwood has a tropical climate, with very hot and humid summers and temperatures in the 80s and 90s (26-38 C). The city has warm winters, with temperatures in the mid-70s (about 23C). The summer is a rainy season with occasional tropical storms and hurricanes. The winter is drier and mostly sunny by comparison. Hollywood gets about 60 inches of rain annually.

Get in

Generally anything that will get you into Ft. Lauderdale or Miami will get you here as well, with just a tad bit more travel involved.

By plane

• The city is about 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport or 40 minutes from the Miami International Airport.

By car

• Interstate 95 that goes south from the Atlantic Coast of the eastern USA and through cities into West Palm Beach, and Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami runs through here.

By train

• AMTRAK offers daily train service on the Silver Star and Silver Meteor routes.
• Tri-Rail,1-800-TRI-RAIL. Tri-Rail is a commuter rail line linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, with Hollywood. It is run by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. The 72-mile system has 18 stations along the South Florida coast. The rail connects to the Metrorail in Miami at the Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer Station.

Get around

By car

The easiest way to get around Hollywood and South Florida is by car. If renting, it is substantially less money to rent a car from a location outside of the airport. The city is set up on grid system, and is fairly easy to navigate.

Broward County is served by three major Interstates (I-75, I-95, I-595) and some U.S. Highways including U.S. Highway 1, US 27 and US 441. It is also served by Florida's Turnpike and State Highway 869, also known as the Sawgrass Expressway.

Fort Lauderdale Airport is served by all national and regional rental car franchises.

By taxi

Taxis are generally expensive, but available at almost any time and place.

Larrys Limo +1-800-611-6631 www.larryslimo.com

By bus

By boat

Hollywood shares the Intracoastal Waterway with Fort Lauderdale; America's yachting capital. As such has numerous boat charter companies. It is a great way to see the area. There are many restaurants and bars along the intracoastal that cater to this clientèle.

Stay safe

Hollywood is a relatively safe city, especially near tourist areas along the ocean. Still use common sense. Don't walk at night alone, be wary of strangers, and do not draw too much attention to yourself. Also the beach in the area is prone to rip currents and man-o-war (jellyfish). Usually you will see a flag hanging at a nearby lifeguard stand telling how safe the water is. If the flag is colored green or yellow it should be safe to go in. if the flag is purple, red, or any other color you should stay out of the water. Only swim in sight of a lifeguard stand.

Remember if you are caught in a rip current don't try to fight it. Instead swim out diagonally with the current until you are safely out of the current's grasp.

As with the rest of the USA the emergency telephone number for fire, police and rescue emergencies is 911.

Go next

• Miami and Miami Beach
• Fort Lauderdale beach.