Historic California Burial Ground

Hollywood Forever Cemetery: A Star-Studded Sanctuary for Cinema Lovers

Los Angeles, California, United States

By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published Wed, Mar 18, 2026 · Updated Thu, Jul 23, 2026

Why it’s cool

This legendary burial ground blends Tinseltown history with vibrant community life, hosting outdoor film screenings where classic movies are projected onto the very mausoleums housing the industry's pioneers.

West Coast Historic

Walking through the gates of this -founded landmark feels less like entering a graveyard and more like stepping onto a sprawling movie set. Originally envisioned by Isaac Van Nuys as a lush, park-inspired sanctuary, the grounds serve as a permanent home for some of the biggest names in entertainment history.

A similar park-like atmosphere can be found at Forest Hills Cemetery. From the punk rock legacy of Johnny Ramone to the silent film era's Rudolph Valentino, the residents here represent over a century of cultural impact.

Why It Stands Out

While many cemeteries are places of quiet reflection, this site is a living piece of Los Angeles culture. One of its most striking features is the Greek Revival mausoleum of William A.

Clark Jr., which occupies its own private island reached by a massive granite bridge. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels also houses a notable mausoleum in the city.

The cemetery also serves as a place of historical redemption; in , a monument was finally erected for Hattie McDaniel, the first Black Oscar winner, who was denied burial here during her lifetime due to discriminatory policies. The grounds underwent a massive revival in the late s after decades of decline and earthquake damage.

Other historic sites like Mount Moriah Cemetery have also faced periods of decline. Today, the restored mausoleums, some featuring hidden stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings, provide the backdrop for the famous Cinespia summer screenings.

During these events, thousands of locals spread picnic blankets on the grass to watch classic films projected directly onto the marble walls of the Cathedral Mausoleum.

Before You Go

The cemetery is located on Santa Monica Boulevard. If you are attending a screening or event, purchasing tickets online in advance is highly recommended, as they frequently sell out.

Parking inside the lot is limited and carries a small fee for cars, though bicycles and motorcycles can often park for free. Arrive early to secure a spot, especially during holiday events like the Fourth of July, which typically concludes with a fireworks display.

Questions worth answering

Is it possible to watch movies among the graves?

Cinespia hosts outdoor screenings during the summer months. You'll find crowds on the grass watching films projected against the Cathedral Mausoleum walls.

What's the best way to handle parking and arrival?

The lot on Santa Monica Boulevard fills quickly and costs ten dollars for cars. We suggest bringing a bike or motorcycle to park for free and arriving well before the gates open.

Does the site have any notable architectural features?

The Greek Revival mausoleum for William A. Clark Jr. sits on a private island. You have to cross a large bridge made of granite to reach it.

How did this guide come together?

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery provided the initial details for this piece. Our own editorial from there focused on the 1899 origins and the site's transition into a local cultural hub.

Visit Snapshot

Purchase tickets online to avoid long lines and potential sell-outs. Parking is limited; arrive early for the $ onsite lot or look for nearby street parking.

Cyclists and motorcyclists can park for free. The th of July event is particularly popular and includes fireworks.

Location

Los Angeles, California

Know before you go

Parking is free for bikes or motorcycles and a nominal $ fee for cars. Parking is also limited and fills fast.

Get there early to ensure you're able to get a spot in the lot. There is additional street parking near the cemetery as well but that too gets nonexistent close to showings.

While you can buy tickets at the gate, the line to actually gain access and purchase tickets gets very long very fast. Tickets at the gate tend to sell out before the showings especially on holidays such as the th of July which includes a fireworks display as well.

Buy online to skip the headaches.

Editorial source

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Hollywood Forever cemetery was founded in by farmer and businessman Isaac Van Nuys. Originally called Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, the site was one of the first "park-like" cemeteries on the West Coast.

It features a lush green landscape, classical architecture, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Hollywood Forever is the final resting place for more Hollywood bigwigs and celebrities than any other cemetery in the world.

Stars such as Cecil B. DeMille, Johnny Ramone, and Estelle Getty have all been laid to rest here.

During the movie industry's growth in the s, visitors would flock to Los Angeles in search of celebrity homes and tombstones. Among the tombs was industrialist William A.

Clark Jr.'s Greek Revival-style catacomb. Visitors must walk over a -foot granite bridge in order to reach Clark's resting place, which sits on its own island in a lake and cost $K to complete.

Though the cemetery flourished as an attraction through the s, it became increasingly downtrodden over the next few decades. By the s, the site suffered from mismanagement, neglect, and an earthquake that left potholes and open crypts in its wake.

In late , -year old Tyler Cassity purchased the lot for a mere $, and has since worked to restore the estimated $ million worth of damages from the decades of neglect. In the restoration process, Cassity has uncovered long-forgotten mausoleums and elaborate rooms filled with stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings.

In October of , Cassity erected a granite monument to Hattie McDaniel, an Oscar-winning African-American actress who died in . Though McDaniel wished to be buried in the cemetery along with her Hollywood contemporaries, the bigotry of the time prevented her wish from being fulfilled.

"They made a horrible decision and it is in our power to correct it," Cassity said. Since , Hollywood Forever has teamed up with film organization Cinespia to feature "cemetery screenings" each summer.

Thousands of people gather at the site with lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets, where they lie out under the stars and watch classic Hollywood films projected onto the side of a mausoleum. In true Los Angeles form, this mausoleum contains the remains of silent film actor Rudolph Valentino–his grave often decorated with the red kiss marks of admirers–actor Peter Finch, and dancer Eleanor Powell.

The screenings were meant to encourage a different interaction between cemeteries and the public, and have become a "must-do" event for local Angelenos. Though Cinespia mostly sticks to screening Hollywood classics such as It Happened One Night or Rebel Without a Cause , movies such as The Muppet Movie and Pee Wee's Big Adventure have also made the cut.

For brave souls, horror films such as Bride of Frankenstein and The Shining are shown, and of course, Halloween plays on October st.

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