Over the years, Culver City Studios in Los Angeles has been home to numerous film companies: Triangle Film Corporation, MGM, Columbia Pictures, and since 1990, it has been the location of Sony Pictures. Countless successful films and TV series were made here, such as Ben-Hur, The Mutiny of the Bounty, Grand Hotel, The Wizard of Oz, Singin‘ in the Rain, and, more recently, Men in Black, Spider-Man, and The Goldbergs.
The large rainbow almost 95 ft tall and 187 ft from end to end welcomes visitors and reminds them that Dorothy and her little dog Toto met the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow right here and made history. Rainbow, the installation by artist Tony Tasset, is perhaps the most representative icon of these film studios. In fact, the rainbow is visible from miles away.
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Location and Directions
Sony Pictures Studios is located at 10202 West Washington Boulevard in Culver City, California. As is often the case in Los Angeles, the easiest way to get to the movie studios is by car. You can park at the Overland Parking Garage, located just after the entrance to the Overland Gate on Overland Avenue.
Coming from the 405 Freeway heading south, exit at Washington/Culver Boulevard, turn left onto Sawtelle Boulevard, left onto Culver Boulevard, and left again onto Overland Avenue. Turn right to enter Overland Gate. Coming from the 405 Freeway heading north, exit at Culver Boulevard and turn right onto Culver Boulevard, then left onto Overland Avenue, and finally right at the Overland Gate. If you are coming from Santa Monica on I-10, exit and turn left onto Overland Avenue, drive south on Overland and pass Washington Boulevard. Turn left and enter the Overland Gate.
You can also take public transportation:
- From Santa Monica and Venice, you can use Bus 733 or 33 and get off at the Venice/Overland stop. You will be only a 10-minute walk from Sony Pictures Studios. You can also use the Metro Expo Line getting off at the Palms Station. Please note that you will have to walk for at least 25 minutes.
- From Downtown Los Angeles, you can use the Metro Expo Line to get off at Palms Station.
The History of Sony Pictures Studios
The history of Sony Pictures began in 1913 with Harry Culver’s dream to create a community in one of his countless properties and to concretely promote his interest in the film industry. He managed to convince director and producer Thomas Ince to move his Inceville Studios from Pacific Palisades to Culver City. As a result, the Triangle Film Corporation was founded and Triangle Studios opened in Culver City with a row of emblematic Greek columns at its main entrance, which still stands today on Washington Boulevard. In 1918, Triangle Studios was sold to Samuel Goldwyn who expanded the film studio.
In 1924, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was born from the union of three film companies and the studios in Culver City became MGM Studios. These were golden years for Hollywood and American cinema. After MGM Studios grew and was renovated, it produced 52 films a year and among them, there are successes such as Ben-Hur, Anna Karenina, and the innovative musicals in Technicolor The Wizard of Oz of 1939 and Singin’ in the Rain of 1952. The Wizard of Oz was nominated for 6 Academy Awards, including Best Film (but Gone with the Wind won Best Film that year), and won the Oscar for Best Original Song, Over the Rainbow, and Best Soundtrack.
Despite the many film successes, due to legal and financial crises, MGM Studios was sold in 1969 to Kirk Kerkorian who began dismantling them, auctioning off the most valuable pieces and several movie sets such as Lotto 2, where Singin’ in the Rain, National Velvet, and Gigi were produced.
In the 1990s, Sony Corporation acquired Columbia Pictures Entertainment and MGM’s studios, investing a considerable amount of money in the renovation and restoration of the film studios in Culver City. Thus Sony Pictures Studios was born and today it is open to the public and can be visited daily on tours.
Sony Pictures Studios Tour: Schedule and Tickets
Sony Pictures Studios’ Daily Tour lasts two hours and takes place every day from Monday to Friday. They start at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and at 2:30 pm, and there are some extra tours in high season. Reservations are required and can be made through the website. You must be at least 12 years old to participate in the tour. The cost of the tour is $50 and includes a guide tour and parking in the Overland Parking Garage.
VIP Lunch Tours last three hours and are organized every day from Monday to Friday at 11:00 am. The maximum number of visitors per group is 5 people. The tour costs $175 and includes access to the Sony Museum, a Virtual Reality experience inside the museum, a 3-course lunch with the guide who will talk to you about interesting facts and anecdotes about the film studios, actors, and films produced. Parking in the Overland Parking Garage, a souvenir photo, and a discount at the Sony Studios store are also included.
If you want to save some money, keep in mind that the Daily Tour of Sony Pictures is included in the price of the Go Los Angeles Pass.
Sony Pictures Studios or Universal Studios? How to Choose
Saying what are the best movie studios in Los Angeles is not easy, also because it is not cheap and time often does not allow you to choose more than one during your vacation in California. Which film studios should you visit? Universal Studios, Warner Bros. Studios, or Paramount Pictures? What about Sony Pictures Studios?
A visit to Sony Pictures Studios is less glamorous than a visit to Universal Studios and or even Warner Bros. Studios. The standard tour is entirely on foot (remember this if you book a tour in the summer because it could get pretty hot, especially if you choose the afternoon tours).
On the plus side, on a tour at Sony Pictures, you have the opportunity to interact with a guide, be in a small group, and go behind the scenes of one of the longest-lived movie studios in the United States. You’ll have the chance to visit the sets where films such as The Wizard of Oz, Men in Black, and Spider-Man were shot, as well as the house and van of The Goldbergs, and the rooms of historic American quiz shows such as Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. Since the sets are still in operation today, you might even run into some famous people while on the tour, so keep your eyes open!
Where to Stay in the Area
Culver City area doesn’t offer a great selection of hotels, so I invite you to read our tips on where to stay in Los Angeles to figure out how to find strategic accommodations to visit the city’s best attractions. Also read our Los Angeles Trip Planner page to get a better idea.
