Hollywood: Tours and Guided Visits

Hollywood is far more than just a district in Los Angeles, it is the epicenter of the American film industry and is synonymous with celebrity, glamor and fame.

On a Hollywood tour in Los Angeles, you can experience this unforgettable Californian destination that has had a profound influence on global culture, trends and styles for over 100 years.

As well as film lots and production studios, Hollywood is home to several iconic landmarks and attractions including the Hollywood sign, Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theater.

Movie locations, celebrity homes and historical sites are all popular inclusions in Hollywood tours. Natural areas such as Griffith Park offer visitors a chance to see more than just the glitzy side of the district known as the Home of Movie Magic.

Here's all you need to know about Hollywood tours, one of the most captivating sightseeing tours in Los Angeles.

What are the best Hollywood tours in Los Angeles?

Hollywood is an incredible destination and there are a multitude of ways in which to see it. These are just some of the most popular types of tour to Hollywood while visiting Los Angeles:

Hollywood: walking and hiking tours

Walking tours of all kinds are offered in Hollywood. You can book a place on a free walking tour where you pay no booking fee, but tip your guide when the tour ends. Guided small group and private walking tours that pass by or visit some of Hollywood’s most recognizable attractions and give you an immersive feel of the local lifestyle.

Hikes to the Hollywood sign and in and around Griffith Park are also a fun way to see the Hollywood Hills and enjoy the views from the vantage points along the way.

Guided half day Hollywood tour

Half day Hollywood tours often have a more focussed itinerary and are great if you have specific interests or are looking for a budget friendly excursion. Tours to the Hollywood sign, Griffith Park, celebrity homes and film locations and movie studios.

If you’re sightseeing on a budget, hop on board a bus and join a guided tour of Beverly Hills’ top landmarks and attractions.

This type of tour is offered in both closed and open-top mini-buses and includes drive bys past celebrity homes, on-board video footage of the interiors of some of Hollywood’s biggest star’s homes, and the city’s most exclusive shopping district.

These tours operate regardless of the weather and are a great introduction to the greater Los Angeles area.

Full day guided tours including Hollywood

Hollywood is jam-packed with things to do and see and can occupy a day or two of your time with no difficulty. Full day tours do however usually also include areas around Tinsel town such as Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.

These guided tours operate by coach or minibus and are ideal  for first-time visitors.

Along with an intimate knowledge of the area’s amazing history and the unique culture that surrounds this center of entertainment , your guide will also keep you entertained by stories of the people who have made Hollywood the place it is today.

Hotel pickups and drop offs are offered on some tours, or you may meet at an easy to find starting point in Hollywood. Full day tours typically include a lunch stop at a popular restaurant or local market where there is a variety of dishes to choose from.

Hollywood hop-on hop off bus tours

Hop-on hop-off bus tours are the perfect compromise between a guided tour and independent sightseeing. On this type of tour, you have the freedom to hop-on and then reboard the bus as often as you like along the scheduled route.

Busses pass each stop frequently and you can customize your sightseeing to make sure that you visit all the sites at the top of your wish list. Single and multi-day bus tickets ensure that even if there are many places you’d like to see, you can do so in the most cost effective way.

Audio commentary along the route adds further value to the trip and increases your knowledge about the culture and history of this premier tourist destination. Hop-on hop-off bus tickets are sometimes included in city passes and are an appealing and hassle free way of touring.

Hollywood by air: Helicopter and aircraft flight tours

How do you see it all if you only have a short time available? Get a birds eye view of Hollywood and the surrounding areas on a helicopter or light aircraft tour.

Passengers are guaranteed a window seat and the best aerial views of sights that include world famous film studios, movie locations, enormous mansions, and incredible views of the Pacific coastline.

Your pilot also acts as your tour guide and provides live commentary and interesting snippets of trivia and information during your flight.

Some flights can be booked on a private basis, and for an added touch of natural wonder, you can book a sunset flight when the weather conditions are conducive.

Hollywood guided electronic bike (e-bike) tour

You can visit many of Hollywood’s most well known attractions on a guided e-bike tour. Private and small group tours follow various routes and along with movie studios, filming locations and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, these tours also include rides to the Hollywood sign, Griffith Park and past celebrity homes.

If you prefer to power your bike yourself, manual city bikes are also available for cyclists. A certified professional guide will lead your tour and helmets and safety vests are part of the package.

These tours require some degree of fitness and an e-bike is recommended to ensure maximum enjoyment. If your bike tour is private, you will be able to set the pace and customize the route accordingly.

Themed tours such as haunted Hollywood, scavenger hunt, food, club and movie experience tours are also great fun and are offered by various tour and activity organizers.

Which places are visited?

On a Hollywood tour, you can expect to see a variety of iconic sites, landmarks, and attractions that are central to the entertainment industry and the history of Los Angeles.

Each tour might have its own unique itinerary and special features, but these are some of the most common and popular sights you can expect to see on a Hollywood tour.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

This famous sidewalk features over 2,600 brass stars embedded in the pavement. Each star honors a celebrity for their achievements in entertainment.

TCL Chinese Theatre

Known for its distinctive architecture, the historic TCL Chinese Theater is famous for the handprints, footprints, and signatures of movie stars in its forecourt.

The Hollywood Sign

Instantly recognizable and often viewed from a distance, the iconic Hollywood Sign is a staple of Hollywood tours. There are several viewpoints where you can take great photos of the sign and the surrounding views.

Sunset Strip

Sunset Strip is a stretch of Sunset Boulevard known for its vibrant nightlife, historic music venues, and billboards. It's a hub of entertainment and culture.

Celebrity Homes and neighborhoods

Many tours drive, ride or walk through neighborhoods where famous movie stars and celebrities live or have lived. Together with star spotting, this aspect of tours showcases the luxurious lifestyles and architecture of Hollywood.

Dolby Theatre

Home to the annual Academy Awards ceremony, this theater is a key landmark of the Hollywood film industry.

Paramount Pictures Studios

Some tours might include a visit or a drive-by of this famous studio, one of the oldest in Hollywood and one of the few studios that is still operational in Hollywood itself.

Griffith Observatory and Park

Griffith park offers panoramic views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign, this is a popular stop for its scenic beauty, its welcoming observatory and its significance in film history.

How much do Hollywood tours in Los Angeles cost?

Walking and hiking tours in Hollywood begin from around US$20 per person. Free walking tours do not charge an upfront fee, but you are expected to tip your guide at the end of the tour.

Hop-on hop-off bus tours offer more than one type of ticket, with the basic 1-day ticket starting from around US$50 per adult.

A full day guided sightseeing tour that includes or focusses on Hollywood starts from US$100 per person in larger groups and around US$150 per person in smaller groups.

Private half day tours including Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles cost around US$800 for groups of us to 12 people. Shorter experiences that include activities such as ghost tours, celebrity homes, film locations or adventure activities all vary in price depending on what is included in the cost.

Guided electronic bike tours cost from US$90 per person including bike hire and safety equipment. Small group tours are the norm, but private guided e-bike tours are also available.

Hollywood helicopter tours start from US$225 per person and light aircraft flights from US$320 per passenger on a per seat basis in a shared aircraft. Private flights can be booked, in which case, you will be charged a per aircraft rate. The aircraft size may change depending on your group size and this may affect the rate in the case of private experiences.

What is included in these tours?

Except for self-guided activities, all tours include a guide. Some tours also have a photographer accompanying the group and on a helicopter flight, the pilot fills the guiding role.

You may be offered a roundtrip hotel transfer depending on the tour you book. Transport such as e-bikes, coaches and minibusses are provided for the duration of the relevant tours.

Entrance fees are not normally included in these tours, unless the itinerary lists them specifically. There may be time to enter some attractions at an additional cost. Water is included for some tours, but meals are not.

E-bike tours include bike hire, helmets and safety vests. On flights, you will be issued with a headset to use during the flight.

Where do the tours start?

Each tour will have its own starting point depending on the itinerary and activity. Walking tours generally start at a central location or at the Griffith Park observatory. Helicopter tours depart from Burbank and light aircraft from Torrance Airport and e-bike tours start from the tour operator’s offices. You can start a hop-on hop-off bus tour from any of the stops along the circular route.

What is the duration of the tours?

Helicopter flights last around 20 minutes and light aircraft experiences last for up to 1 hour.

Walking tours range from 1 to 3 hours depending on the route and type of tour.

A half day tour is typically about 4 hours long and a full day tour lasts for up to 8 hours.

E-bike rides last between 2 and 3 hours, while other shorter tour experiences last less than 2 hours.

Are the tours wheelchair-friendly?

Not all tours are accessible. It is always best to check the specific tour operator’s information if you use a wheelchair or have another accessibility requirement.

Coach or minibus tours may be accessible for wheelchair users, but may not suit people who do not like a noisy or crowded environment. Many hop-on hop-off buses are adapted for wheelchair boarding.

Certain walking tours may be wheelchair accessible, but check the route to be sure. Private tours can often be customized, and may be the best option if you want maximum accessibility.

Cycling and hiking tours are not wheelchair friendly. Please always check with your tour operator before booking if you have a service animal.

When is the best time for a Hollywood tour in Los Angeles?

Consider to plan your Hollywood tour in Los Angeles during the delightful seasons of spring and fall. These periods offer perfect weather for exploring iconic attractions, touring celebrity homes, and immersing yourself in the lively culture of this entertainment hub.

Travel tips

• Consider guided tours for a deeper understanding of Hollywood's rich history and culture.
• Embark on your Hollywood tour during the pleasant seasons of spring and fall for optimal weather conditions.
• Ensure a comfortable experience by checking if the tours are wheelchair-friendly and accessible.
• Confirm the starting points and inquire about the duration of the tours for better planning.
• Don't forget to capture the glamour and iconic sights during your Hollywood adventure.