By Sally Tippett Rains

The Cardinals play a three-game series against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium from September 1 to September 3 and every year there are Cardinals fans who choose this as a destination to see a new ballpark. With the stadium  so close to Hollywood,  mixing baseball and Hollywood can make for a great trip.

The last time we both did this was 1989—when Whitey Herzog was manager and players included Ozzie Smith, Vince Coleman, Terry Pendleton, Willie McGee, and Pedro Guerrera (at first base).

That year,  the well-known St. Louis Chef David Slay had just moved to the Los Angeles area to open his first restaurant on the West Coast. He came to  a Cardinals-Dodgers game with us, and now after years of building a restaurant empire in California, we asked him if he is still a Cardinals fan.

“I’ve always been a die-hard, loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan—and I always will be,” he told us. “Even living in deep Dodgers territory, everyone knows my true colors. I’ll always be proud to follow them from California.”

That’s one thing about a game at Dodgers Stadium,  celebrities are spotted everywhere, so it’s fairly easy to mix baseball with Hollywood.

When the games are televised, fans enjoy seeing former Entertainment Tonight host, Mary Hart and the other television and movie stars who love going to the Dodgers games. Other notable Dodgers fans include Rob Lowe, Will Ferrell, Bryan Cranson and Mila Kunis. And former Lakers star Magic Johnson is a part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

One well-known “non-Dodgers fan” is Jon Hamm, who is from St. Louis. Hamm has always been a visible Cardinals fan and they even had a Jon Hamm bobblehead night once. If Hamm is at the games, he will definitely be rooting for the Cardinals.

Another Dodgers fan is Kathy Garver, who played “Cissy” on “Family Affair.”

It got us thinking about baseball and Hollywood, and how they intertwine through a shared history of American culture. We asked Mathers and Garver to give us suggestions on adding the “Hollywood” part to the trip.

Fans planning to make the trip, (or anyone visiting the Los Angeles area) should take into consideration several aspects such as travel time, whether you will rent a car, use ride share, or public transportation,and what exactly your goals as a tourist are when you have limited time if you want to get in a Cardinals game or two.

Many of the tours require tickets and the famous restaurants may be closed, so hopefully our suggestions at the end of this article will be helpful. If you have any “must-sees” to add to our list, feel free to email us.

Hollywood celebrities and baseball go together well. Nobody loves awards more than baseball players and movie stars. Most of the show business awards are given out in Los Angeles.

Over the years, baseball and Hollywood blend movie-making, celebrity ownership and storytelling on and off the screen.

Many of the most iconic and beloved baseball movies were produced in Hollywood, including The Pride of the Yankees (1942), A League of Their Own (1992), The Sandlot (1993), The Natural (1984)  and many more.

And one of the most famous TV and music stars Gene Autry who was known as the “singing cowboy”  once owned the Los Angeles Angels (from its start in 1961 until 1997,) so Hollywood has been mixing with baseball for a while.

Baseball fans can go in search of memories from some of the movies.  Original memorabilia from “A League of Their Own,” they are featured in the prop and artifact displays on the guided studio tour at Sony Pictures Studios in nearby Culver City, California.

And as far as other sports movie memorabilia, The Hollywood Museum, has a display from “The Sandlot.” Did you know that along with a real dog, they used  mechanical dog to play  Hercules, also known as “The Beast.”

Other sports memorabilia at the Hollywood Museum include costumes from “Rocky” and Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves.

We wondered where the “Wonderboy” bat from the 1984 movie, “The Natural” is, and found out it on permanent display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York

We decided to ask our Hollywood Celebrity Insiders—Jerry Mathers and Kathy Garver– to give us their favorite places to visit when going in search of “Hollywood.”  Mathers’ wife, Teresa was a big help in her suggestions, too.

Many of the early movie stars  and directors are gone but their history is preserved by the former child actors like Mathers and Garver—they acted alongside them or were directed by them. Their first-hand memories help Old Hollywood live on.

The Hollywood Museum came highly recommended by Jerry Mathers  and his wife Teresa, who know Donnell Dadigan, the president and founder of the museum.

“We think it’s a wonderful museum,” said Jerry Mathers.

These days Jerry Mathers is still out in the public visiting with fans of “Leave it to Beaver” at fan events such as The Hollywood Show which usually happens in June and other fan gatherings around the country.

His Missouri connection is he has appeared at the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Missouri several times, as well as he was a guest of honor at a recent Rainbows for Kids Gala in St. Louis.

Though he is known mainly for playing the Beaver, many fans are surprised to know he made many movies, and when searching for  Hollywood legends, he is one, having  worked with Alfred Hitchcock, Bob Hope  Shirley MacLaine, and Alan Ladd to name a few.

Before “Leave it to Beaver” he played the young boy named Arnie Rogers, the son of Shirley MacLaine’s character, in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 “the Trouble With Harry.” (shown in photo.) That move was actually Shirley MacLaine’s first movie.

“His mom flew with him to Stowe, Vermont and Mr. Hitchcock was so kind to Jerry,” said Teresa Mathers. Jerry’s mother Marilyn is still going strong at the age of 99, and Teresa has heard the stories from both Jerry and Marilyn.

“The women in the town did all of the cooking and snacks for the crew and and actors,” said Teresa. “Hitchcock was always telling Jerry which blueberry muffins were the very best.”

Alfred Hitchcock was working at at Universal Studios during the time of the filming of “Leave it to Beaver.” Hitchcock had a long relationship with Universal, filming several of his classic movies and producing his iconic television show on their studio lot

He would see the young Mathers playing outside between scenes and have his chauffeur pull over. Down would come the window.

“Hello Mr. Mathers, how are you doing?” he would ask Jerry.

The Hollywood Museum has an entire area devoted to horror movies and displays from many of Alfred Hitchcock’ movies. And of course Universal Studios has a tour

The Universal Studios Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood drives past  one of the famous Cleaver Houses, on Colonial Street.  Fun fact: that area is now known as Wisteria Lane. The Leave It to Beaver House was located on the same backlot set that later became Wisteria Lane for “Desperate Housewives.”

Tour goers can see an exact replica of the Cleaver house that was actually used in the “Leave it to Beaver Movie” in 1997. For trivia buffs, their address the first couple of years was 487 Maple Drive and then seasons three to six it was 211 Pine Street, though now that house is on Colonial Street on the Universal Studios lot.

The Hollywood Museum’s area  known as the “dungeon of doom,”  has Hitchcock displays and that’s where the original screen-used animatronic prop of “The Beast” from  “The Sandlot” on the bottom level.

Another movie Jerry Mathers was in where he appeared alongside Bob Hope in “The Seven Little Foys.” He played  five-year-old Bryan Lincoln Foy, the eldest son of vaudeville star Eddie Foy, who was played by Bob Hope.

He first met Hope then,  and would also appear in another of Hope’s movie  “That Certain Feeling.”

During the time Mathers was in “The Seven Little Foys,”  he was quite young, and Bob Hope actually saved his life.

“He saved my life when a fire broke out on the stage,” said Jerry Mathers. “Everyone started running and Bob knew that I was on the catwalk and he threw on his jacket to get me down to safety.”

The Hollywood Museum has many exhibits about Bob Hope, especially when he was in his USO tours days.

“The Hollywood Museum is just full of exhibits about many movie stars,” said Teresa Mathers.

Museums tend to move their exhibits around so you never know what you will see, but the old Max Factor Building that houses the museum is a must-see.

For “Leave it to Beaver Fans,” you can buy Jerry Mathers merch on his website: CLICK HERE

This year they just introduced the Jerry Mathers bobblehead, which is a really nice collector’s item and looks like him.

You can also get a green baseball cap on the merch page. Another fun fact: “Leave it to Beaver” was filmed in black and white so you never knew what color the Beave’s baseball hat was, but Teresa told us it was green.

“The Mathers are friends of the Hollywood Museum,” said a museum spokesman. “We’ve had Jerry’s baseball cap that he wore on ‘Leave it to Beaver’ on display at the museum in the past.”

As far as other places the Mathers recommend:

“There are two very ‘Hollywood’ well known restaurants,” said Teresa. “One is called Musso & Franks Grill, and the other is the Yamashiro.”

Musso and Franks which opened in 1919 is famous for being the oldest continuously running restaurant in Hollywood. Silent film stars like Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks first hung out there and celebrities have been going there ever since.  Besides the movie stars, famous authors such as  F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and William Faulkner hung out there.

“I thought of a very fun amazing place your readers may want to visit ,” said Teresa, shown in the photo with Jerry. “It’s in Hollywood and is called The Magic Castle on Franklin Ave. It has many of fun things to see. Yamashiro is just up the hill from the Magic Castle. It’s all definitely Hollywood history!”

Kathy Garver, who played teenager Cissy Davis on “Family Affair” is busy these days as this year is the 60^th Anniversary of the show. She lives in the Hollywood Area and anyone who follows her on Facebook and other social media platforms sees that she is often out and about in Hollywood.  She signs her book, Surviving Cissy: My Family Affair of Life in Hollywood (Published by Rowman/Littlefield.)

As with Mathers, Garver has been in more movies and TV shows than the average fan might realize. She’s been in movies, but also made appearances on television show like Matlock.

She is still very active in Hollywood and as of 2026, she is a Grammy award nominee  for Best Audiobook Narration Storytelling. Google her to find out about the recent movies she has been making– there are a lot.

Her voice has gotten her far in her career as she is beloved for her portrayal of Firestar, one of Spider-Man’s amazing friends on the 1980s animated hit “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.”  This series ran for three seasons.

As far as tourist recommendations Garver also recommends The Hollywood Museum.

“There’s a museum on Highland  Street call the Hollywood Heritage Museum that’s worth a visit,” she said. “It is the original Cecil B. DeMille studio, which was on Western and they had the whole building moved over and it is situated across from the Hollywood Bowl.”

The Hollywood Heritage Museum, shown left, features items and tributes related to “The Rifleman”  which Kathy appeared in within its classic television and “Child Stars – Then & Now.” She was in other TV Westerns, including  “The Big Valley.”

Fans who want to go to that museum will have to check with the museum first as at the time we checked, it was closed for a scheduled installation of their upcoming fall exhibit, but it would be worth it to check and see if it’s open.

Probably the reason Kathy Garver likes the Hollywood Heritage Museum is that her acting career crossed paths with DeMille. .

When Garver was ten years old, Hollywood legendary director Cecil B. DeMille selected her to be in his 1956 epic film “The Ten Commandments.”

She is the little girl, upper right in the movie poster.

Just as Hitchcock took a liking to Mathers, DeMille favored Garver, and he wrote a special part in the movie to highlight her acting.

There is a replica of Cecil B. DeMille’s early production office in the museum, and she may have been in that office as an actor.

Garver continues acting and today, as she awaits her upcoming movie “The Thing About Pickles” which is due out this fall, she is involved in several projects.

“I taped a special for Catchy Comedy  for the 60th anniversary that I host and give commentary on my eight favorite episodes of “Family Affair,” she told us. “It will air on September 13, which is the day after “Family Affair” debuted on September12, 1966.”

Catchy Comedy is a network across many US cities  and can be seen  in St. Lous  over-the-Air: KNLC channel 24.5, Spectrum: Channel 252, Mediacom: Channel 133, DISH Network: Channel 375 (requires an internet connection and qualifying package) and Streaming  on Fubo. FrndlyTV and Philo.

She is putting together a cruise on the Mediterranean to celebrate the “Family Affair 60^th Anniversary” and anyone who liked the show is welcome to come along.

The cruise will take place in May of 2027.

“We’ll go from Rome down the beautiful romantic picturesque Amalfi Coast,” she said, “Stopping in Florence, Nice, Positano, Mallorca, and ending in Barcelona. It’s going to be fabulous, and we’ll be talking about “Family Affair.”

There are still a few spaces available. For information on the cruise email: epweber1@yahoo.com

She is also co-author of the book, “Romancing With the Stars” a fun book about famous Hollywood romances– but it has a twist. She and co-author, Doug Hartline,offer fun ideas on how fans can replicate some of the events the stars discuss in the book. A Hollywood book that might be a fun read on a trip to the West Coast.

And for Kathy Garver or “Family Affair” merch CLICK HERE.

Speaking of her trip to the Amalfi Coast and Florence in Italy – it makes us hungry for Italian food, and as we mentioned, Chef David Slay continues to be a very successful restauranteur  running six  popular establishments, three of them about 40 minutes from Hollywood. They are listed under the “Restaurant” section of this article, below.

There is so much to see and do in the Hollywood area, but Dodger Stadium is also a historic destination. It opened in 1962 and is the third oldest active ballpark in the MLB.

You can take a tour of Dodger Stadium. There are various types, or if you want to save your time for other things, you can look around if you go to the game.  For information on the Dodger Stadium tours: CLICK HERE.

The bottom line about planning a “Baseball Meets Hollywood Trip” is decide what you want to see the most and ask about how long it will take to get there and how long it actually lasts once you get there.  Some people prefer to take a (bus or trolly)  tour so they can choose what they will see and know how long it will take.

To see Hollywood’s highlights on a guided 0pen-air bus tour through Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills. just for starters, check out the “Original Hollywood Tours.”

Tours start at their office on Sunset Boulevard, take photos of the Hollywood Sign, and pass iconic landmarks like the Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, and Capitol Records Building.  Hollywood and Vine before cruising down Sunset Boulevard past legendary spots such as the Viper Room, Whiskey A-Go-Go, and the Chateau Marmont.

There are other famous stops like the Beverly Hills Sign and Hotel and the upscale shops of Rodeo Drive plus much more. For information on the “Original two hour Hollywood Tour : CLICK HERE.

There are so many tours, including a TMZ tour of famous celebrity destinations that made news. Sometimes a bus tour can help you pack more of the famous sights into your short time.

Some people would rather go it on their own and for those people you can find maps which tell how to get to famous Hollywood locations including the homes of some of the stars.

When planning our trip we took two things into consideration, the love of baseball and the love of Old Hollywood, so we chose to stay in Hollywood in walking distance to some of the great iconic venues like the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theatre), famous for the celebrity handprints and footprints on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; the  Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards; and the Hollywood Museum.

Our list of Attractions for a “Hollywood Meets Baseball” Theme

Travel Logistics:

Dodger Stadium: 1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Cardinals vs. Dodgers September 1, 2,3, all are 7:10 (local L.A. time) games.

To buy tickets to the games: https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/tickets/single-game-tickets

Where to fly in: The Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is the closest airport to Hollywood. It sits about 11 miles north of Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley

Getting to Dodger Stadium from Hollywood Area: Dodger Stadium is about seven miles from the Hollywood Walk of Fame area and with a typical ride share or taxi the trip should take bout 15 minutes depending on traffic. Once you get your lodging accommodations, ask the concierge about the exact time it may take to ge to the venues you choose, as Los Angeles is known for traffic delays.

Restaurants

• David Slay’s Restaurants (Included as many St. Louisans know his food, and it’s always a great dining experience, but for planning purposes, his restaurants are not right in the heart of Hollywood): SLAY Steak + Fish House 1141 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266  (310) 504-0902; Slay Italian Kitchen  1001 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266  (424) 257-8301; Fête Bistro By Slay 1017 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266  (310) 376-1536 Traditional and Innovative French-Mediterranean cuisine; featuring ingredients fresh from their farm, Slay Estate & Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, CA.; Park Avenue 11200 Beach Blvd, Stanton, CA 90680  Steaks and Chops… creative renditions of classic American cuisine. Try their Rib Eye Steak Brushed with Herb Butter, served with Twice Baked Cheddar and Chive Potato. Enjoy a Granny Smith Apple Stuffed Pork Chop with Golden Raisins, Leeks, White Bread Stuffing and Maple Syrup Glaze.;  Il Garage 11200 Beach Blvd, Stanton, CA 90680  Enjoy fine al fresco dining at il garage located on the grounds of Park Ave Restaurant.
• Miceli’s Italian Restaurant: Located at 1646 N. Las Palmas Ave. Miceli’s is the oldest Italian restaurant in Hollywood, having survived since 1949. It’s famous for the piano players, singing waitstaff and dark, vintage atmosphere with stained glass. https://fooddiscoveryapp.com/los-angeles/micelis-italian-restaurant
• Musso & Frank Grill: Located on Hollywood Blvd (about a 10-minute walk west), this is Hollywood’s oldest restaurant (opened in 1919). It is famous for its classic martinis and old-school red booth seating that has hosted generations of celebrities, from Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor.
• Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles: Located at Gower St and Sunset Blvd (about a 10-minute walk south), this is a world-famous, beloved L.A. institution known for its legendary soul food.
• Jemma Hollywood: Located just up the street at Vine St and Selma Ave (a 3-minute walk north), this highly rated spot is famous for its classic Italian-American cuisine and exceptional garlic bread.
• Running Goose: Located on Cahuenga Blvd (an 8-minute walk west), this is a beloved, cozy neighborhood staple known for its hidden garden patio and fresh, farm-to-table globally inspired fare.
• Yamashiro: Located  in  the Hollywood Hills Hotel, 1999 N Sycamore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068, authentic Japanese restaurant with a stunning view of Los Angeles. Enjoy unique dishes in a historic, scenic setting

Hollywood Venues:

• The Hollywood Museum: 
  Wednesday-Sunday 10:00AM – 5:00PM
  1660 N. Highland Ave. (at Hollywood Blvd)
  Hollywood, California 90028. (323) 464-7776
  So many amazing exhibits and Showbiz Treasures
• Hollywood Walk of Fame: The iconic brass stars embedded in the sidewalks span 15 blocks along Hollywood Blvd and Vine St. (Starts just a 10-minute walk from the hotel).
• Hollywood Forever Cemetery: A surprisingly popular cultural hub where famous celebrities are buried, famous for its summer movie nights under the stars. It’s only a 10-minute walk (0.6 miles) east on Santa Monica Blvd.
• Pantages Theatre: One of Los Angeles’ leading grand movie palaces and home to Broadway’s biggest touring shows. Located about a 15-minute walk (0.8 miles) away at Hollywood & Vine.
• TCL Chinese Theatre & Dolby Theatre: The heart of Hollywood movie premieres, celebrity handprints, and the home of the Academy Awards is a 20-minute walk (1.2 miles) west down the boulevard.
• Hollywood Heritage Museum: The Hollywood Museum is housed in the historic Lasky-DeMille Barn. Known as the birthplace of Hollywood motion picture production, and it preserves early cinema artifacts, silent-era photographs, and studio memorabilia from the golden age of film

Famous Shops in Hollywood

• Ovation Hollywood: Located at the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave, this major entertainment and retail complex sits right on the Walk of Fame. It features well-known stores like Sephora, along with gift shops, dining, and direct access to the TCL Chinese Theatre.
• La La Land: A massive souvenir and novelty store located at 7001 Hollywood Blvd, known for being one of the largest stops for Hollywood memorabilia and collectibles on the strip.
• Souvenirs of Hollywood: Located at 6800 Hollywood Blvd, this major corner store is a staple for massive amounts of Hollywood-themed apparel, gifts, and tourist items.
• Amoeba Music: Located at 6200 Argyle Ave, this iconic, legendary music store is a must-visit for vinyl and CD collectors. It is only about an 8-minute walk from your hotel.
• Melrose Avenue: Just a 12-minute walk south of Hollywood, this famous strip is renowned for its upscale designer boutiques, trendy streetwear, and unique vintage clothing stores.

Nearby Movie Studios

• Paramount Pictures Studio Tour is located about a 10-15 minute walk (0.6 miles) south of Hollywood. It is the last major, working studio still headquartered in Hollywood.
• The Lot Studios: Located at 1041 N Formosa Ave, this historic lot is about a 25-minute walk or 5-minute drive away.
• Universal Studios Hollywood: Located at 100 Universal City Plaza, this theme park and backlot is a 3.8-mile drive. You can also take a 6-minute Metro B Line (Red) subway ride from the nearby Hollywood/Vine Station to Universal/Studio City.
• Warner Bros. Studios (Burbank): Located at 3400 Warner Blvd, this working studio is about a 4-mile rideshare or drive over the Hollywood Hills.  The ultimate bus tour for movie fans in Los Angeles is the Studio Tour at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, located roughly. For a specialized cinema experience, they offer a TCM Classic Films Tour that dives deep into Hollywood’s golden age and features exclusive access to legendary soundstages.

• Sony Picture Studios: 10202 W. Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, Sony Picture Studios occupies the historic former MGM lot. The vibrant two-hour walking tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at a working production hub, showcasing famous soundstages from classics like The Wizard of Oz alongside active sets for shows like Jeopardy!

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