Best tours of Hollywood

Here in Hollywood, it is known that the stars shine brighter on earth than in the sky, not for nothing is it known as the Mecca of cinema. Join me on this tour of the 10 best Hollywood tours.

Nicolas Reffray

Nicolas Reffray

12 min read

Best tours of Hollywood

Venice Beach, Los Angeles | ©Pedro Szekely

There's a lot to see and do in Los Angeles, but no trip to L.A. is complete without a tour of Hollywood. From tours to see the mansions of the stars, visits to the most famous sign of all, to a walk through the studios where the movies are made, Hollywood has always been a magnet for fans and dreamers around the world.

In this article I will tell you which are the best tours you can take in this, the city of stars. But be prepared, because in Hollywood everything is possible. Here we go!

1. Warner Bros Hollywood Studio Tour

Warner Bros Hollywood| ©Pedro Szekely
Warner Bros Hollywood| ©Pedro Szekely

Tour the Warner Bros. studios and explore the most emblematic film sets in this unparalleled adventure. A must-see if you are a fan of film and television, you can have a cup of coffee at the legendary Central Perk, from the TV series Friends, as it has been recreated to perfection here.

A guided tour of Warner Bros. Studios is the best way to get closer to the universe of the small and big screen, with attractions that you will not find in other studio visits and an immersive walk, you will feel like a star for moments.

The tour will allow you to learn how movies and series are made, and thanks to your specialized guide you will learn some of the most interesting anecdotes of actors and actresses.

This tour is definitely one of the top 10 things to do in Los Angeles with kids, as the little ones will be fascinated to see the film sets of their favorite movies. With a little luck, maybe they will get to see a mega star up close!

Details of interest

  • Price: from 69 euros per person.
  • Duration: between 2 and 3 hours approximately.
  • Means of transport: minibus and walking tour.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to see some of the most emblematic scenes of the world of cinema.
  • Disadvantages of this option: you may be left wanting a little more after 3 hours.

Book a Warner Bros. Studios tour now!

2. Hollywood Tour: Sightseeing and celebrity homes (open-top bus)

Starline Sightseeing Bus| ©EYBusman
Starline Sightseeing Bus| ©EYBusman

Take in the highlights of Hollywood, from Rodeo Drive and the TCL Chinese Theater, to the Walk of Fame, where the hands and signatures of the world's biggest showbiz personalities are imprinted in cement, the Hollywood sign at the top of the hill, and Beverly Hills, with its luxurious stores and a tour of the amazing mansions of your favorite stars.

This is a tour without comparison aboard a convertible bus, from which, since it has no roof, you will be able to see in all directions and not miss a single detail. In addition, thanks to your guide (a specialist in the subject), you can learn many of the details that hides the city.

On the walk of fame you can take a picture with the star of your favorite artist. In this incredible place the premieres of the biggest Hollywood productions are still being made, so you will be in a truly magical place, which has been visited by the most important names of the big screen.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 32 euros per person.
  • Duration: between 90 and 120 minutes approximately.
  • Means of transport: convertible bus.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to see up close how your favorite stars live and with luck you might even see one of them.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the itinerary is closed, you cannot manage the visiting times.

Book a bus tour of celebrity homes

3. Walk through the Hollywood Hills: Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park

Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles| ©Benoit Debaix
Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles| ©Benoit Debaix

Join one of the most interesting and comprehensive tours of the Hollywood Hills. On this walking tour you will be able to visit the most famous sign of all, as well as Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory, one of the most iconic places in L.A., to which you will be able to enter in a preferential way, skipping all the lines.

This beautiful place is where some of the most famous scenes of movies like La La Land or Rebel Without a Cause have been filmed, and enjoy the view on one of the most famous hills in the world. The Griffith Observatory and Planetarium is a simply magical place that you can't miss.

On the walking tour you can see the beauty of the city from the top, take a selfie with the Hollywood sign in the background, see the Warner Bros. and Walt Disney Hollywood Studios, the magnificent Greek Theater and many other points of interest.

Details of interest

  • Price: approximately 35 euros per person.
  • Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Means of transportation: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to visit the most iconic places in the Hollywood Hills.
  • Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for people with motor disabilities.

Book a Hollywood sign tour

4. 2-hour Hollywood bus tour

Los Angeles Chinese Theater| ©Jack R
Los Angeles Chinese Theater| ©Jack R

Take a guided bus tour of Hollywood's most iconic landmarks. In this 2-hour adventure you will go hand in hand with your expert guide through the places that have made Los Angeles what it is, places like Sunset Boulevard, the Sunset Strip, the Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theater, where you can see the footprints of the most famous personalities. You will also take a stroll along Rodeo Drive, where you will find the most glamorous stores in the world.

This tour is one of the only ones that includes a walk along the mythical Sunset Strip. In its 2 kilometers you will be able to see iconic sites such as the Whisky a Go Go, the Chateau Marmont, the Roxy or the Viper Room. Actors, actresses and rock stars have been here (and have partied, of course).

In West Hollywood you can also see one of the most important places in the world of music: the legendary The Troubadour, one of the places where figures that have marked the world of music forever, such as Elton John, who performed here his first concert in the United States.

Enjoy the ride aboard a comfortable bus that will take you to the places that you must visit on your trip through the beautiful city of Los Angeles. The tour includes an expert guide who will explain everything about each of the places you pass by.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 36 euros per person.
  • Duration: 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: bus.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to tour Hollywood from end to end.
  • Disadvantages of this option: due to the large number of places to be visited in 2 hours, you do not enter the places you visit, but only visit them from the outside.

Book a bus tour in Los Angeles

5. 3-hour private tour of Los Angeles

Los Angeles views from Mulholland Drive| ©Gabe Shore
Los Angeles views from Mulholland Drive| ©Gabe Shore

Take a tour with a difference. In this absolutely private option you will enjoy a walk through the most important places in Los Angeles, but with the comfort that you choose the time you stay in each place.

Also, in addition to the most classic places, your expert guide will take you to other places, perhaps not so obvious, but equally full of charm and history.

You will see the inside of the Greystone Mansion and Park, one of the places most used as a film set. You will surely recognize it from having seen it in movies like Spiderman, X men or the Ninja Turtles.

If you ask me, this is definitely one of the best guided tours in Hollywood, since you will be in a comfortable vehicle, with air conditioning, wifi connection on board, bottled water at your disposal, driving the itinerary at your own pace and desire.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 422 euros per person.
  • Duration: 3 hours approximately.
  • Means of transport: minibus.
  • Advantages of this option: you can decide the itinerary to your liking.
  • Disadvantages of this option: with only 3 hours you may be left wanting more.

Book a bus tour through Beverly Hills and Santa Monica

6. Bicycle tour through the city of Los Angeles

Bicycle Tour| ©john
Bicycle Tour| ©john

If you are one of those who like to ride a bike, you can't miss this tour. You will see the main points of Los Angeles, from the Hollywood sign, the Griffith Observatory, the golden neighborhood of Beverly Hills and the luxurious and stunning Rodeo Drive, to Bel-Air and West Hollywood, passing by the beautiful beaches of Venice Beach, Marina del Rey and Santa Monica. You will also see the famous Greystone Mansion on a skip-the-line walking tour.

This is one of the best ways to get in touch with L.A. and Hollywood. You'll be able to pedal past the entrance of your favorite stars' homes, and with a little luck you might even see them.

The tour includes a lunch stop on the canals of Venice and a complimentary beer. While lunch is not included, you can opt for a menu for about 10 euros per person.

If you are not too sporty, but would like to join this amazing tour, you can ask for an electric bike, so you won't miss anything. This bike tour is one of the best things to do in Los Angeles in summer, you will enjoy the nice weather of L.A. while you get to know all its magic.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 150 euros per person.
  • Duration: 5 hours with lunch stop.
  • Means of transportation: bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to visit all the essential places of the city while you do some exercise.
  • Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for people with mobility problems.

Book a bus tour of Beverly Hills and Santa Monica

7. VIP tour to Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios| ©Justin Lai
Universal Studios| ©Justin Lai

Immerse yourself in a magical world with this VIP tour of Universal Studios Hollywood. You will have access to all the attractions of the park, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, skipping all the lines.

This VIP pass is unlimited, meaning you can enjoy everything without having to wait, and you will also have access to areas of the studios that are not open to the general public, where you can witness how the sound effects of the movies are added. And of course you will also have prime seating at all the shows and spectacles.

Of course, this VIP tour also includes a delicious light buffet breakfast and a first class gourmet lunch. There is no doubt that this visit to Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the things you can't miss on your trip to LA.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 350 euros per person.
  • Duration: all day.
  • Means of transportation: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: You will have the chance to have a VIP pass to one of the most magical places on the planet, skipping the lines and enjoying it in style.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Does not include transportation to the studios.

Book tickets for Universal Studios

8. Afternoon Los Angeles Sightseeing Tour: Hollywood Sign and Celebrity Homes

Beverly Hills Mansion| ©Alan Light
Beverly Hills Mansion| ©Alan Light

On this almost 4-hour tour you will enjoy some of the highlights of the city of Los Angeles, from Beverly Hills with its glamorous halo, the exclusive stores of Rodeo Drive, the largest Koreatown in the United States, the Griffith Observatory with its unbeatable views of the city and the Hollywood sign, or all the charm of the Sunset.

You will go aboard a comfortable minibus from which you can take a look at the houses of celebrities, see Downtown L.A. with its towering skyscrapers and art galleries, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by architect Frank Gehry, one of the jewels of the city, and of course the Walk of Fame, next to the TCL Chinese Theater, one of the landmarks of Hollywood.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 80 euros per person.
  • Duration: 4 hours approximately.
  • Means of transport: minibus.
  • Advantages of this option: the tour is very complete for the time in which it is carried out.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it does not include tickets to any attraction.

9. 30-minute private tour by Ferrari car to the Hollywood sign

Ferrari around Los Angeles| ©Alexander Migl
Ferrari around Los Angeles| ©Alexander Migl

Realize every car lover's dream, drive a Ferrari down Sunset Boulevard, Mulholland Drive and Beverly Hills like a movie star. This is a top-notch, completely private guided tour.

You can choose to drive yourself or have your guide do it for you. You will briefly tour all the most important places in Hollywood at full speed. An adventure like no other, because here everything is possible. You can take a selfie at the top of Mulholland Drive with the famous sign behind, next to a Ferrari. Ideal to show off on your Instagram.

Your guide will tell you about the places you pass by, movie studios, celebrity homes, the Dolby Theater, the Hall of Fame, and much more. You can't miss this incredible tour!

Details of interest

  • Price: from 131 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 30 minutes.
  • Means of transportation: Ferrari sports car.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to tour Hollywood in style aboard a Ferrari.
  • Disadvantages of this option: does not include tickets to any attractions and is very short.

How to book a Hollywood tour

Booking online| ©Porapak Apichodilok
Booking online| ©Porapak Apichodilok

Nowadays it is always a good idea to book this kind of tours online. You can evaluate all the available options and you also have the possibility to read the comments of travelers who have already taken the tour, to know how it went.

Booking through the internet guarantees you to be hiring a serious and first quality company, since it is very easy to see which are the most reliable ones.

Book a tour of Warner Bros Studios

Duration of the tours to Hollywood

Views of Griffith Observatory with Los Angeles in the background| ©Cameron Venti
Views of Griffith Observatory with Los Angeles in the background| ©Cameron Venti

These types of tours usually cover a lot of places and must-see spots, so you won't find tours for less than 2 hours. There are also 4 and 5 hour tours or, like the Universal Studios tours, all day tours.

If you are thinking about when is the best time to visit Los Angeles, let me tell you that here you will always have sunshine and pleasant temperatures, so don't worry.

What will I see on these types of tours?

Universal Studios Hollywood| ©Mathieu Marquer
Universal Studios Hollywood| ©Mathieu Marquer

Hollywood is the most famous part of Los Angeles, and one of the most visited by fans and curious people who want to feel close to their favorite stars and all that magical world of the big screen. In general this type of excursions include a visit to Beverly Hills, to see the incredible mansions of celebrities, a tour of the Chinese Theater and the Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and its luxury stores, the hill with the Hollywood sign, the Griffith Observatory, Sunset Boulevard and Sunset Strip, with its mythical establishments, such as Whisky a Go Go or The Viper.

Book a tour of downtown Los Angeles

How much does a tour of Hollywood cost?

Money in Dollars| ©Karolina Grabowska
Money in Dollars| ©Karolina Grabowska

There are tours of all values, from approximately 30 euros to 400 euros per person. It will depend on the number of hours, the means of transportation you will be taken to tour the city and whether or not it includes entrance fees to any place. I recommend that you research and evaluate all the tour options available, so you can choose the one that best suits you and your interests.

Why is it advisable to take a tour to Hollywood?

Strolling along Venice Beach| ©Martin Péchy
Strolling along Venice Beach| ©Martin Péchy

Any visit to the city of Los Angeles is not complete without a tour of Hollywood. With all its attractions, this is one of the most famous and important areas of L.A., so you can't miss it. Plus, you'll have the unique experience of being part of this magical world. Whether you visit the studios where the movies are filmed or simply stroll in front of the stars' mansions, there is no other place in the world that can offer you a similar adventure.

What are the advantages of taking a guided tour vs. visiting Hollywood on my own?

Santa Monica Pier| ©Paul Martins
Santa Monica Pier| ©Paul Martins

It is always preferable to take a guided tour, and even more so in a place like Hollywood, which has so many things to see, visit and enjoy. With a whole century of history behind it, the city of stars requires a good guide, so as not to miss any detail. You will be able to know the best kept secrets of some actors and actresses, and maybe even see them. If, on the other hand, you tour the city on your own, it will be very difficult to optimize your time, since there are so many things to see in Hollywood.