When your tourist ventures take you to Hollywood Boulevard, you’ll enjoy all the attractions, including the Walk of Fame, vintage movie theaters, souvenir shops, tours of star homes, costumed characters and all the rest. You may encounter other, less attractive sights.

The street is also a tragic location for many homeless wanderers. When your travel4seniors.com editor worked there in the late 1950s, my one-bedroom apartment rent was $80 a month. In same building it now costs $1,800. With housing grossly expensive and getting worse, the homeless situation throughout the Los Angeles area continues to grow.

The area is still enjoyable to visit, and if a costumed Hollywood character poses with you for a photo, offer a couple of dollars. However, if you don’t want to give money directly to homeless people there, who may be drug and alcohol addicts, you can still help them. Donate to authorized charities, such as Red Cross, Salvation Army and others specializing in offering shelter, rehab and other professional aid to them.