Why visit
Amoeba Music delivers an immersive, hands-on music experience that streaming can't match, from rare vinyl finds to spontaneous free concerts. It is a must for collectors, casual fans, and anyone wanting a taste of LA's living music culture.
Amoeba Music is a pilgrimage site for music lovers visiting Los Angeles. Its expansive Hollywood location overflows with new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, and Blu-rays spanning every genre imaginable, from mainstream hits to deep underground crates. Listening stations, posters, T-shirts, and curated staff recommendations make browsing an experience in itself, and crate-diggers can easily lose hours among the bins.
The store is also a cultural venue, hosting free in-store performances and signings by both emerging and well-known artists. After years at its iconic Sunset Boulevard building, Amoeba relocated to a modern Hollywood space near Hollywood and Vine, continuing its tradition as a community gathering spot for fans, collectors, and curious newcomers alike.
History
Amoeba Music began in Berkeley in the 1990s and grew into an iconic chain of independent record stores in California. Its Hollywood store opened on Sunset Boulevard in 2001 and became a beloved landmark before moving to a new location near Hollywood and Vine in 2021, carrying forward its reputation as one of the world's great record stores.
Insider Tips
- ✦Check the in-store performance calendar before visiting
- ✦Take Metro to avoid Hollywood parking and traffic
- ✦Budget extra time, because browsing always takes longer than expected
Photo Tips
- 📸Capture the colorful rows of record bins stretching across the store
- 📸Photograph the marquee and signage out front for a classic Hollywood shot
- 📸Get candid shots of crate-diggers flipping through vinyl for atmosphere
Before You Go
- ✓A common mistake is missing the free in-store shows; check the events calendar before you go
- ✓Confirm current hours and parking validation details on the official website
- ✓Bring a list or genres in mind, since the selection is huge and easy to get lost in
Visiting with family
Kids and teens into music enjoy exploring genres and the movie section, and the listening stations keep them engaged. Keep an eye on younger children, as the store can get busy and is large.
Where to Eat Nearby
Want this turned into a day-by-day plan?
Tell our free AI planner you want to visit Amoeba Music Hollywood and it will build the rest of your day around it.
Amoeba Music Hollywood FAQ
Is Amoeba Music still on Sunset Boulevard?
No, the Hollywood store moved from its longtime Sunset Boulevard home to a newer location near Hollywood and Vine in 2021.
Does Amoeba host free concerts?
Yes, it is known for free in-store performances and signings; check the official events calendar for the current lineup.
Does Amoeba sell used records?
Yes, it carries an enormous selection of both new and used vinyl, CDs, and movies, and also buys media; confirm current buying policies online.
Nearby Neighborhoods
HollywoodHollywood
Hollywood is the world-famous center of American film and entertainment, home to the Walk of Fame, historic movie palaces, and the iconic hillside sign. It's a bucket-list stop for first-time visitors chasing movie history and bright lights. Expect crowds, glitz, and a mix of polished landmarks and gritty boulevard energy.
CentralLos Feliz
Los Feliz is a leafy, hilly neighborhood on the eastern edge of the Hollywood Hills, beloved for its mix of historic architecture, indie shops, and gateway access to Griffith Park. It blends bohemian creativity with old-Hollywood elegance.
More Shopping in LA
ShoppingThe Last Bookstore
The Last Bookstore is California's largest used and new bookstore, set inside a grand former bank building in Downtown LA. Its labyrinth of shelves, book tunnels, and art installations has made it one of the city's most photographed indie shops.
ShoppingRodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive is the world-famous luxury shopping street in the heart of Beverly Hills, lined with flagship boutiques of the planet's most prestigious fashion houses. Even window-shopping here is an iconic Los Angeles experience.
ShoppingAbbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney Boulevard is Venice's stylish shopping and dining street, lined with independent boutiques, design shops, coffee bars, and acclaimed restaurants. Once dubbed one of the coolest streets in America, it is the go-to spot for a walkable Westside afternoon away from the boardwalk crowds.
ShoppingMelrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue is one of LA's most iconic shopping streets, blending vintage boutiques, streetwear, and bold graffiti-art walls. The stretch is as much a free outdoor gallery and people-watching scene as it is a place to shop.
Helpful Guides
Amoeba Music Hollywood on the map
See Amoeba Music Hollywood and what's nearby in hollywood.
Map pins are approximate and for visitor planning only — they may not mark the exact entrance or parking. Please check official directions before visiting.
Places shown on this map (9)
- Amoeba Music Hollywood — Shopping
- Hollywood Sign — Landmarks
- Hollywood Walk of Fame — Landmarks
- Runyon Canyon — Hiking
- TCL Chinese Theatre — Landmarks
- Hollywood Bowl — Landmarks
- Lake Hollywood Park — Parks
- Hollywood — Neighborhood
- Los Feliz — Neighborhood