Hollywood North (4.9 km)

The Toronto International Film Festival is in full swing, so we're doing a film-themed hike. Toronto is a movie-making powerhouse. Few people realize how many recording studios, sound stages, costume shops, visual effects and post-production facilities there are, lying in plain sight. This hike goes to where there's the highest concentration of studios, in the Port Lands and Leslieville.

Note: we'll not enter any film production facilities, we're only passing by from the outside.

The Port Lands portion is sprawling and featureless, except for a sliver of greenery at the edge of Biidaasige Park. Half of the park is still under construction but the completed portions are very impressive. For food, we turn to Leslieville. There's no common thread linking the restaurants here, other than they reflect a gentrified neighbourhood. We'll end at a modern Canadian wine bar with inventive dishes.

Highlights

1. Amber Kitchen and Coffee (depart 6:30pm)
2. McCleary Playground
3. Transportation buildings A and B
4. Shaftesbury / Cinespace
5. Former Unilever soap factory
6. Lower Don Recreation Trail
7. Don Roadway and Commissioners St (depart 7:08pm)
8. Commissioner Street Bridge
9. Pinewood Studios
10. Studio City
11. Revival Film Studios
12. Slowhand Sourdough Pizza
13. Ocha's / Leslie’s Sandwich Room
14. Restaurant Ricky+Olivia (arrive 7:50pm)

Neighbourhoods
Riverside > Port Lands > Leslieville

Map
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1bcx2f7LNwVFj1HmptYraiVtTAk0lasg&usp=sharing

How it works
Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints.

We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. Grab ready-made food, or see the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way.

See our homepage for more info.