9 Best Tours of Hollywood

Here in Hollywood, the stars are known to shine brighter on earth than in the sky, not for nothing is it known as the Mecca of cinema. Join me as I take you on a tour of the top 10 Hollywood tours.
9 Best Tours of Hollywood

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There is so much 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 films are made, Hollywood has always been a magnet for fans and dreamers around the world.

In this article, I'll tell you about the best tours you can take in this city of stars. But be prepared, because in Hollywood, anything is possible. Here we go!

1. Tour of the Warner Bros Hollywood Studios

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

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

A guided tour of Warner Bros Studios is the best way to get closer to the world of the small and big screen, with attractions you won't find on other studio tours and an immersive experience that will make you feel like a star.

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

This tour is definitely one of the 10 best things to do in Los Angeles with children, as they will be fascinated to see the film sets of their favourite films. With a bit of luck, they might even get to see a megastar up close!

Details of interest

  • Price: from €69 per person.
  • Duration: approximately 2 to 3 hours.
  • Transport: minibus and walking tour.

Book a tour of Warner Bros. Studios now

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

Starline Tourist Bus| ©EYBusman
Starline Tourist Bus| ©EYBusman

See the highlights of Hollywood, from Rodeo Drive and the TCL Chinese Theatre, with the Walk of Fame, where the handprints and signatures of the most important personalities in the entertainment world are imprinted in the cement, to the Hollywood sign on top of the hill, and Beverly Hills, with its luxury shops and a tour of the amazing mansions of your favourite stars.

This is an unrivalled tour aboard an open-top bus, from which, as there is no roof, you can see in all directions and not miss a single detail. In addition, thanks to your guide (an expert on the subject), you will learn many of the secrets hidden in the city.

On the Walk of Fame, you can take a photo with the star of your favourite artist. This incredible place continues to host the premieres of the biggest Hollywood productions, so you will be in a truly magical space that has been visited by the biggest names in cinema.

Details of interest

  • Price: from €32 per person.
  • Duration: approximately 90 to 120 minutes.
  • Transport: open-top bus.

Book a bus tour of celebrity homes

3. Tour of 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 visit the most famous sign of all, as well as Griffith Park and Observatory, one of the most iconic places in L.A., which you can enter on a priority basis, skipping all the queues.

This beautiful place is where some of the most famous scenes from films such as La La Land and Rebel Without a Cause were filmed, and you can enjoy the view from one of the most famous hills in the world. Griffith Observatory and Planetarium is a simply magical place that you cannot miss.

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

Interesting details

  • Price: approximately £35 per person.
  • Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Means of transport: on foot.

Book a tour of the Hollywood sign

4. 2-hour bus tour of Hollywood

Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles| ©Jack R
Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles| ©Jack R

Take a guided bus tour of Hollywood's most iconic landmarks. On this 2-hour adventure, your expert guide will take you to the places that have made Los Angeles what it is today, including Sunset Boulevard, the Sunset Strip, the Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theatre, where you can see the footprints of the most famous celebrities. You'll also take a stroll down Rodeo Drive, home to the most glamorous shops in the world.

This tour is one of the only ones that includes a drive along the entire length of the legendary Sunset Strip. Along its 2 kilometres, you'll see such iconic sites as Whisky a Go Go, Chateau Marmont, the Roxy and the Viper Room. Actors, actresses, and rock stars have passed through here (and partied, of course).

In West Hollywood, you can also see one of the most important places in the music world: the legendary Troubadour, one of the venues where figures who have left an indelible mark on the world of music have performed, such as Elton John, who gave his first concert in the United States here.

Enjoy the ride aboard a comfortable bus that will take you to the places you must see 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 per person.
  • Duration: 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: coach.

Book a bus tour of Los Angeles

5. 3-hour private tour of Los Angeles

Views of Los Angeles from Mulholland Drive| ©Gabe Shore
Views of Los Angeles from Mulholland Drive| ©Gabe Shore

Take a different kind of tour. With this completely private option, you can enjoy a tour of the most important places in Los Angeles, but with the convenience of choosing how long you stay at each place.

In addition to the most classic sites, your expert guide will take you to other places that may not be as obvious, but are equally full of charm and history.

You will get an inside look at Greystone Mansion and Park, one of the most frequently used film sets. You will probably recognise it from films such as Spiderman, X-Men or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

If you ask me, this is definitely one of the best guided tours of Hollywood, as you will travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with on-board Wi-Fi and bottled water at your disposal, managing the itinerary at your own pace and according to your own preferences.

Details of interest

  • Price: from £360 per person.
  • Duration: approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: minibus.

Book a bus tour of Beverly Hills and Santa Monica

6. Bicycle tour through the city of Los Angeles

Bicycle tour| ©john
Bicycle tour| ©john

If you enjoy cycling, you can't miss this tour. You'll see the main sights of Los Angeles, from the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, the golden neighbourhood 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'll also visit the famous Greystone Mansion on a walking tour, skipping the queues.

This is one of the best ways to get to know L.A. and Hollywood. You'll cycle past the homes of your favourite stars, and with a bit of luck, you might even see them.

The tour includes a stop for lunch at the Venice Canals and a complimentary beer. Although lunch is not included, you can choose from a menu for approximately £8 per person.

If you're not particularly athletic but would like to join this incredible tour, you can ask for an electric bike so you don't miss a thing. This bike tour is one of the best things to do in Los Angeles in the summer. You'll enjoy the pleasant climate of L.A. while discovering all its magic.

Details of interest

  • Price: from €150 per person.
  • Duration: 5 hours with a stop for lunch.
  • Means of transport: bicycle.

Book a bike tour of Los Angeles

7. VIP tour of 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 park's attractions, including Harry Potter's Wizarding World, without having to queue.

This VIP pass is unlimited, which means you can enjoy everything without having to wait, and you'll also have access to areas of the studios that are not open to the general public, where you can see how sound effects are added to films. And of course, you'll also have front-row seats at all the shows and performances.

As you would expect, 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 cannot miss on your trip to L.A.

Details of interest

  • Price: from £350 per person.
  • Duration: all day.
  • Means of transport: on foot.

Book tickets for Universal Studios

8. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Los Angeles: Hollywood sign and celebrity homes

Beverly Hills mansion| ©Alan Light
Beverly Hills mansion| ©Alan Light

On this nearly 4-hour tour, you'll enjoy some of the most notable sights in Los Angeles, from glamorous Beverly Hills to the exclusive shops of Rodeo Drive, the largest Koreatown in the United States, Griffith Observatory with its unbeatable views of the city and the Hollywood sign, and all the charm of Sunset Boulevard.

You will travel in a comfortable minibus from which you can catch a glimpse of the homes of the famous, see downtown L.A. with its imposing skyscrapers and art galleries, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by architect Frank Gehry, one of the city's jewels, and, of course, the Walk of Fame, next to the TCL Chinese Theatre, one of Hollywood's landmarks.

Details of interest

  • Price: from €80 per person.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.
  • Transport: minibus.

9. 30-minute private tour in a Ferrari to the Hollywood sign

Ferrari in Los Angeles| ©Alexander Migl
Ferrari in Los Angeles| ©Alexander Migl

Fulfill every car lover's dream by driving a Ferrari along Sunset Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, and Beverly Hills like a movie star. This is a first-class, completely private guided tour.

You can choose between driving yourself or having your guide do it. You'll briefly tour all the most important places in Hollywood at full speed. An unparalleled adventure, because here, anything is possible. You can take a selfie at the top of Mulholland Drive with the famous sign behind you, next to a Ferrari. Ideal for showing off on your Instagram.

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

Details of interest

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

How to book a tour of Hollywood

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

Nowadays, it is always best to book these types of tours online. You can evaluate all the available options and read comments from travellers who have already taken the tour to find out how it went.

Booking online guarantees that you are hiring a reputable, top-quality company, as it is very easy to see which ones are the most reliable.

Book a tour of Warner Bros. Studios

Duration of Hollywood tours

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

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

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

What will I see on this type of tour?

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 visitors who want to feel close to their favourite stars and the magical world of the big screen. In general, these types of tours include a visit to Beverly Hills to see the incredible mansions of the famous, a tour of the Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and its luxury shops, the hill with the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, Sunset Boulevard and Sunset Strip, with its legendary establishments such as Whisky a Go Go and The Viper.

Book a tour of downtown Los Angeles

How much does a Hollywood tour cost?

Money in dollars| ©Karolina Grabowska
Money in dollars| ©Karolina Grabowska

There are tours of all prices, from approximately £30 to £400 per person. It will depend on the number of hours, the means of transport used to tour the city and whether or not it includes tickets to any attractions. I recommend that you research and evaluate all the available tour options so that you can choose the one that best suits you and your interests.

Book a bus tour of Hollywood and the homes of the famous

Why is it advisable to take a tour of Hollywood?

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

No visit to Los Angeles is 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. What's more, you'll enjoy a unique experience as you feel part of this magical world. Whether you visit the studios where films are made or simply stroll past the mansions of the stars, there's no other place in the world that can offer you a similar adventure.

Book a tour with a climb up the Hollywood sign

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, especially in a place like Hollywood, which has so much to see, visit and enjoy. With a century of history behind it, the city of stars requires a good guide so you don't miss a thing. You'll learn the best-kept secrets of some actors and actresses, and maybe even see them. If, on the other hand, you explore the city on your own, it will be very difficult to make the most of your time, as there are so many things to see in Hollywood.

Book a food tour of West Hollywood