Discover 1981 tours and activities in Los Angeles
If Los Angeles is known for one thing, it's Hollywood. Home of the movies and world-famous celebrities, it's the place to go for film fans of all ages. These Los Angeles tours take in the most iconic sights associated with Hollywood, to put you in the heart of the picture.
Guided hikes up to the Hollywood Sign are popular excursions, where the views across the city are breathtaking. You can also walk through the Hollywood Hills to the Griffith Observatory. Here, you'll discover thought-provoking exhibits on space and science.
Other trips whisk you off to the star-studded Beverley Hills, before swinging by the Sunset Strip, Venice Beach and Santa Monica. Stroll along the pier or paddle in the Pacific Ocean while soaking up those sunny rays. Rodeo Drive is another popular stop – you'll see where Julia Roberts shopped in "Pretty Woman"!
Why not elevate your Hollywood experience with a helicopter tour and see the landmarks and neighborhoods from above? Private Hollywood trips are also available for an extra-special VIP day out.
Beverley Hills city tours are among the most coveted excursions in Los Angeles. Home to the rich and famous, this lavish neighborhood is known for its wealthy residents and glamorous streets. There are lush rose gardens and parks too, with palm trees lining the extravagant avenues.
On these Los Angeles tours, you'll drive by all the recognizable sites, including Rodeo Drive and the mansions belonging to several movie stars. You can even stop for photos by the Beverley Hills sign if you like!
Many excursions also take in other popular locations across Los Angeles. The Venice Beach Boardwalk, Santa Monica Pier and Griffith Observatory are often included on the itinerary. You'll pass by places like the Sunset Strip, the Viper Room and the Hollywood Walk of Fame too.
Both group and private trips are available, depending on your travel preference and budget. Tours last between 2 hours and a full day, with Los Angeles hop-on hop-off bus tours being a fun choice.
There's no better way to explore this sunny city than on one of the Los Angeles bike tours. These trips operate on a small group or private basis, so the experience will be personal and relaxed. Some providers offer electric bikes, so you won't have to do all the hard work.
Many excursions focus on the Santa Monica and Venice Beach areas. You'll cycle through the picturesque neighborhoods with your trusty guide, enjoying the gentle sea breezes along the coastal stretches.
The highlight of the tour is pedaling along the beach and beneath the Santa Monica Pier. It certainly gives you a unique perspective of this legendary icon. You'll also visit Muscle Beach before heading inland to see the Venice Canals.
Quaint bridges and sleepy waterways set the scene, and your guide will regale you with tales of local lore and history during your ride. Intrepid explorers can visit the Venice Boardwalk to cycle on the Marvin Braude bike path. Look out for the street art as you cruise by.
Want to see how the other half live? On these quirky Los Angeles tours, you'll be driven through the streets in style, checking out several of the city's most luxurious mansions. These are the homes of some of the world's most famous celebrities, and this is your chance to have a peek into this glitzy life.
As you cruise around the Hollywood Hills, see if you can guess which A-Listers own the opulent gated residences. Onboard commentary will fill you in on who lives where, but it's fun to engage in a bit of speculation first. Keep your eyes peeled for the stars themselves!
These excursions also pass by popular filming locations. Beverley Hills and Bel Air are among the most recognized destinations. You'll also see the Dolby Theater, Rodeo Drive and the iconic Hollywood Sign.
On some bus tours, you can hop off and wander along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Have your photo taken beside the star of your favorite celebrity as a memento.
If you're a movie buff, you can't visit Los Angeles without taking in Universal Studios. A common focus of many Los Angeles tours, the film studios offer you the chance to see behind the scenes. Theme park rides and family-friendly entertainment make this one of the city's best days out.
At The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you'll be enchanted by mystical rides and shows. Try the famous foods featured in the films and discover some of the mysteries behind the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Meanwhile, in Jurassic World, you'll ride through jungles where dinosaurs roam, getting up close and personal with these prehistoric residents. Meeting a baby raptor and a triceratops are highlights for younger visitors. There's a Water World too, packed with stunts and explosions just like in the movies.
Don't miss the Studio Tour, where plane wreckages and King Kong all feature. This is a fun way to see what goes on behind the scenes as you explore 13 city blocks spread out across the studio.
Discover industry secrets and follow in the footsteps of your favorite stars on these fun-filled Warner Bros Studio tours. This is where shows and films have been made for over 95 years, so they certainly know what they're doing!
You'll get to see behind the scenes of your top shows and uncover a few mysteries along the way. Highlights of these visits include seeing Central Perk, the famous café from "Friends", and posing on a sofa by the iconic fountain.
There are also exhibits on Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts, where magic and fantasy are expertly brought to life. You can take in the Batmobile collection too and explore the sets of The Big Bang Theory.
If you're interested in the history of film, there are some tours that focus on the legacy of the movie genre. You'll learn about how the trade evolved, with insight into the Hollywood "Golden Age" as well as plenty of little-known insider stories. Classic costumes and storytelling are at the heart of these experiences.
Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city on these thrilling Los Angeles tours by helicopter. You'll be treated to a different perspective of the metropolis with memorable panoramas made famous by countless movies.
From your lofty vantage point, you'll see towering skyscrapers and undulating hills stretching out below. See if you can spot the golden beaches and the Hollywood Sign as you fly overhead. The Griffith Observatory looks tiny from up here, surrounded by the lush greenery of the park.
You'll also get to see the mansions of Beverley Hills, the Hollywood Bowl and Universal Studios. Some tours head out to the coast, often taking off from Long Beach and flying up to Malibu. Watch the surfers tackling the waves and take photos of Santa Monica Pier.
For something different, book an evening flight to see the city illuminated after dark. This is when Los Angeles comes into its own, with glittering buildings punctuating the night sky. You'll hover over the downtown skyline and watch as the city comes to life.
Did you know that Los Angeles is a hotspot for hiking? Despite what some people think, this diverse city isn't all about celebrities and shopping. Hiking tours to Griffith Park are some of the best things to do in the area and reward you with stunning panoramic views.
A popular route takes you up through Griffith Park on well-marked trails that are popular with both locals and visitors. The hike is less than 6 kilometers and finishes at the Griffith Observatory. Anyone with a decent level of fitness can enjoy the walk.
You'll get to stop for photos near the Hollywood Sign on Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains. Another highlight is seeing the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, a famous cemetery here in the Hollywood Hills.
Opt for a sunset hike to see the San Fernando Valley flooded with color at the end of the day. Watch as Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles come alight as dusk descends – it's one of the most romantic experiences in the city.
Leave the city behind and take to the sea on these fun Los Angeles boat tours. If you want to get up close and personal with some of the region's most loved wildlife, this is your chance.
These Los Angeles tours often depart from Newport Beach, taking you on a thrilling whale-watching adventure along the Californian coast. Several different types of vessels are available, but the RIB boats offer the most intimate experiences as you'll be nearer to the water.
From your comfortable seat onboard, you'll enjoy 360-degree views to increase your chance of a whale encounter. Admire the rugged coastline as you cruise along, keeping your eyes peeled for marine creatures. Dolphins sometimes come and swim alongside the boat, welcoming you to their ocean realm.
Private whale-watching tours are also available for an even more personal experience. This is a great choice if you're traveling in a group or with family. You'll have a certified naturalist guide on board to teach you about the ecosystem and its wild inhabitants.
There are lots of walking excursions available in the city, but Los Angeles food tours are among the most popular. The cuisine here is incredibly diverse, thanks to a huge range of cultural and international influences over the years.
You'll be exploring some of the city's tastiest eateries and food stalls with an expert local guide. Famous spots and hidden gems are all included on the itinerary, so you know you're getting a rounded experience.
The Downtown Los Angeles tours are a must if you want to discover the city's authentic underbelly. On these trips, you'll stroll by famous landmarks and learn a bit about the culinary history of the city. Highlights include visiting Central Market and a traditional French boulangerie, as well as tucking into street food and hearty Texan barbeque.
Some food tours take you to the bohemian Venice Beach district, where hip coffee shops and sunny sidewalk cafés rule the roost. Here, you'll try everything from tacos to crostini, with plenty of Italian favorites to whet your appetite.
Synonymous with the glitz and glamor of the celebrity world, Los Angeles is one of the most-visited cities in the United States. Also known as "La La Land" and the "City of Angels", Los Angeles is the place to see and be seen. It was originally home to indigenous tribes, before Spanish settlers, gold prospectors and eventually aspiring artists made the city their own.
Hollywood is one of the main attractions, drawing in movie fans from across the globe for a slice of the high life. Yet there's more to this star-studded city than mega-mansions and film stars, with hiking, biking and food tours all on the cards.
Sitting on the coast of sunny Southern California, Los Angeles is surrounded by mountain parks, lush forests and dreamy beaches. The climate makes it a popular spot for both domestic and foreign tourists, who come year all year round.
You can easily reach Los Angeles from across the world. There are direct daily flights from within the United States as well as Europe and further afield. The city is well connected with other key American destinations such as New York and San Francisco – good news for those planning a longer trip.
It's easy to travel around Los Angeles thanks to the impressive local transport network. There's a subway and light railway as well as local buses that connect the different districts of the city. Many people like to cycle too, and Los Angeles is a surprisingly bike-friendly city.
When it comes to accommodation in Los Angeles, you have a lot of choice. There's everything from lavish hotels to cheaper guest houses, so you'll find something to suit your budget. If you don't have a car, Hollywood is a good bet as you'll be close to all the top attractions. Or, to be by the beach, choose Santa Monica as your base.
The Go Los Angeles Pass gives you discounted access to many of the main attractions in the city. This can be a worthwhile investment if you're planning on visiting lots of places over a few days. Spots like Warner Bros Studios, Madame Tussauds and the TCL Chinese Theater are all covered by the pass.
Los Angeles is known for its sunny weather, so don't forget the sun protection, especially if you're going hiking in the hills. It can get cool at night though – pack something warm for the evenings.
Once you've ticked off the famous neighborhoods like Hollywood, Beverley Hills and Santa Monica, there's still plenty to see and do in the city. Los Angeles segway tours are heaps of fun, and the Arts District is the place to go for street art excursions.
Want to get active? Surf lessons in Los Angeles will help you burn off some energy while Ferrari driving experiences take the meaning of adrenaline to the next level. History buffs will love the Battleship USS Iowa Museum and families will enjoy meeting creatures of the deep at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
If you've exhausted the long list of Los Angeles tours, it's time to get out of town. Day trips to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles offer mountain sightseeing, colonial architecture and wine. You can also visit places like San Francisco and Yosemite National Park from here too.
Despite its wealthy aura, Los Angeles has plenty of things to do that won't cost a thing. Strolling along the beach, seeing the Venice Canals and hiking along Runyon Canyon are all free if you don't want to go with a guide. There's no charge to visit the Griffith Observatory either.