Michael Jackson Landmarks in Los Angeles [2026]
Los Angeles is where the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, spent much of his life, and the city is still dotted with landmarks that fans visit today. This article summarizes the locations, addresses, and highlights of the major spots you can actually visit — from his grave (a tribute spot) to his final home and his Walk of Fame star — along with tips for touring them efficiently. With the biopic “Michael” released in 2026, interest is surging again. Trace Michael's footsteps as part of your Los Angeles trip.
* Information in this article is current as of 2026. Private residences and gravesites can change, and many can only be viewed from the outside. We recommend checking the latest status before visiting.
Michael Jackson and Los Angeles
Michael Jackson moved to the Los Angeles area with his family as a child and rose to global stardom as a solo artist. From filming countless music videos and legendary performances to his passing in 2009, much of his story is woven into this city. For fans, these are special places to feel his life and music firsthand.
Major Landmarks
1. Forest Lawn, Glendale (Grave / Tribute Spot)
- Address
- 1712 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91205 (Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale)
- Highlights
- Michael rests in the Holly Terrace Mausoleum. The interior is closed to the public, but the area in front of the building has become a place where fans leave flowers and messages. On June 25 (his passing) and August 29 (his birthday), fans gather from around the world.
- Access
- About a 30-minute drive from Downtown. The grounds are vast and offer a quiet place for remembrance.
2. Carolwood Estate (His Final Home)
- Location
- 100 N Carolwood Drive, Los Angeles (Holmby Hills)
- Highlights
- Known as the home Michael rented while rehearsing for “THIS IS IT,” and where he passed away on June 25, 2009. Fans visit, but as it is private property you can only view it from the street.
- Note
- The original mansion has been rebuilt in recent years. The area is a quiet, upscale residential neighborhood, so please be considerate of local residents.
3. Hollywood Walk of Fame (Star)
- Address
- Near 6927 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
- Highlights
- Michael's star (Recording category), awarded in 1984 during the height of “Thriller.” A classic Hollywood sightseeing spot, close to the TCL Chinese Theatre and Dolby Theatre.
4. Hayvenhurst (The Jackson Family Home)
- Location
- Hayvenhurst Ave, Encino
- Highlights
- The estate where the Jackson family lived for many years, and where Michael spent his childhood and early stardom. Known as a Jackson family landmark. As a private residence, it can only be viewed from the outside.
5. Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center)
- Address
- 1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Highlights
- The venue of the official memorial service broadcast worldwide on July 7, 2009. It is also where Michael rehearsed for his final tour, “THIS IS IT.” Centrally located in Downtown, it fits easily into a sightseeing route.
6. Music Video Locations & Michael's Murals (MV Pilgrimage)
- “Thriller”
- Visit the area around Union Pacific Ave where the zombie dance was filmed, the Victorian house in Angelino Heights that appears at the end (the “Thriller house”), and Downtown's historic Broadway theater district (the Orpheum Theatre and more).
- Michael's murals
- Highlights include the giant “Eye on LA” eyes mural and other Michael street art around the city.
- A themed cafe
- You can also stop by a fan-favorite cafe (Monte Carlo Cafe) decorated with a “Beat It” mural and memorabilia such as record sleeves.
- Note
- These are mainly music-video locations and related spots. Since they are spread out, touring them with a guide is the efficient way to visit.
7. Neverland Ranch (Bonus / Far Away)
- Location
- Los Olivos (Santa Barbara County; about 2–2.5 hours one-way from central LA)
- Note
- The vast private property where Michael once lived. It is now private and cannot be entered — you can only look from outside the gate. It is far from central LA and demanding as a day trip, so plan carefully.
Tour Photo Gallery (Landmarks & MV Locations)
A selection of photos from Michael Jackson landmarks actually visited on our tours.
Etiquette When Visiting
The grave (Forest Lawn) and private residences (Carolwood, Hayvenhurst) are places of remembrance and people's homes. Please visit quietly and respectfully, do not enter private property, and avoid disturbing residents or other visitors. Good manners help preserve these places for the long term.
Tips for Touring Efficiently
The spots are spread across a wide area — Glendale (grave), Holmby Hills (home), Hollywood, Encino, and Downtown. It is difficult to visit several in a single day by public transportation alone, so getting around by car is realistic.
If you want to visit multiple spots efficiently, feel uneasy about English or driving, or want to learn the stories behind each place, a private tour with a Japanese-speaking guide is reassuring. You can efficiently visit music-video locations and related landmarks with commentary.
Tour with a Japanese-Speaking Guide
Dreams Come Tours offers a tour where a Japanese-speaking guide takes you around Michael Jackson's landmarks. We efficiently guide you through the grave (tribute spot), residences, music-video locations, and more, with stories along the way. It can be flexibly customized to the places and times you want, and with round-trip hotel transfers included, it is reassuring even for a first visit to Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I enter Michael Jackson's grave?
A. The interior of the mausoleum at Forest Lawn, Glendale is closed to the public. Fans may pay tribute by leaving flowers and messages in front of the building.
Q. Can I tour the Carolwood residence?
A. As it is private property, you can only view it from the street. Please be considerate of local residents.
Q. Can I visit Neverland as a day trip from LA?
A. Neverland is in Santa Barbara County, about 2–2.5 hours one-way from central LA. It is private and cannot be entered, so plan carefully.
Q. Can I visit several landmarks in one day?
A. Since the spots are spread over a wide area, getting around by car is realistic. If you want to tour efficiently, a private tour with a Japanese-speaking guide is convenient.
Q. What is the 2026 biopic “Michael”?
A. It is a biographical film depicting Michael Jackson's life, released in 2026. Interest in visiting his landmarks is rising again around the release.