The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of those Los Angeles attractions that can be slightly underwhelming if you do it without a plan.
There are thousands of stars spread across Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, so simply arriving in Hollywood and wandering around can leave you wondering what you are actually supposed to see.
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If it is your first time, there is a much better way to do it.
The trick is to treat the Walk of Fame as part of a proper Hollywood walking route, rather than the entire attraction.
Start at Hollywood and Vine
A good place to begin is Hollywood and Vine, one of the most recognisable intersections in Hollywood.
This puts you towards the eastern end of the main Hollywood Boulevard stretch and means you can gradually work your way west towards the Chinese Theatre.
The Walk of Fame itself stretches much further than most first-time visitors realise, running along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.
You do not need to walk every single block to say you have done it.
Instead, start on Hollywood Boulevard and take your time looking at the stars as you head west.
Don't try to find every celebrity
This is where people can make the Walk of Fame harder than it needs to be.
There are now more than 2,800 stars, so unless you have a particular reason to track down a specific celebrity, there is no point trying to photograph every single one.
Pick out the names you recognise.
You will find stars belonging to actors, musicians, television personalities, directors, producers and other entertainment figures.
The official Walk of Fame website has a searchable directory, so if there are a few people you particularly want to see, check their locations before you set off.
Otherwise, just enjoy spotting familiar names as you walk.
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Take your time around Hollywood Boulevard
The best part of doing the Walk this way is that you get to experience Hollywood Boulevard as you go.
There are souvenir shops, restaurants, street performers and plenty of the slightly chaotic atmosphere that comes with being one of Los Angeles' biggest tourist areas.
It is not the polished version of Hollywood you might have seen in films.
And that is part of the experience.
Keep your phone and belongings secure, particularly when the pavement gets busy, and do not feel pressured to stop for every person offering a photo or tour.
Stop at Ovation Hollywood
As you continue west, you will reach Ovation Hollywood, formerly known as Hollywood & Highland.
This is where the Dolby Theatre is located, the home of the Academy Awards.
You do not need to buy a ticket to see the outside of the complex, and it is worth taking a few minutes to look around.
You can also get some good views towards the Hollywood Sign from the upper levels of the complex.
This is a good point to take a break before continuing along Hollywood Boulevard.
See the Dolby Theatre and Hollywood's movie history
The Dolby Theatre is one of the most important stops on the route if you are interested in Hollywood's film history.
The Oscars have been held here since 2002, and the theatre sits directly alongside the Walk of Fame.
Once you have had a look around, head back out onto Hollywood Boulevard and continue west.
The big finale is getting closer.
Make the TCL Chinese Theatre your final stop
Eventually you will reach the TCL Chinese Theatre at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard.
This is where I would finish the walk.
The theatre has been one of Hollywood's defining landmarks since opening in 1927, and the real reason to save it for last is the Forecourt of the Stars.
This is where more than 200 celebrities have left their handprints, footprints and signatures in cement.
You can see the prints of some of the biggest names in Hollywood history, including Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne and many others.
There are also some wonderfully unusual ones, including prints left by animals and other personal touches from celebrities.
Compare your hands and feet with the stars
This is the bit that makes the Chinese Theatre stop different from simply looking at another Hollywood landmark.
Walk around the forecourt and actually look at the individual slabs.
You can put your hands against the handprints, compare your shoes with famous footprints and read the messages celebrities left behind.
The tradition dates back to 1927, with Mary Pickford, Norma Talmadge and Douglas Fairbanks among the first stars to take part in an official imprint ceremony.
It is essentially a giant piece of Hollywood history that you can walk straight into.
Go inside the Chinese Theatre if you have time
If you have made it this far and still have time, consider going inside the theatre.
The TCL Chinese Theatre remains a working cinema and also offers a 30-minute guided tour covering the building's history, famous premieres and the celebrity imprint tradition.
You do not need to do the tour to enjoy the forecourt, though.
For a straightforward first visit to Hollywood, the exterior and handprints are the essential part.
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