It’s no mystery that Los Angeles is a huge city and it is not exactly easy to get around. Despite having good infrastructure, the distances are so great that driving proves to be a major feat for tourists who want to see all the attractions that this great city on the West Coast has to offer in a single visit, especially if it is limited to 1 or 2 days.
Disneyland, Hollywood, Universal Studios, Beverly Hills, the great beaches… we’ve already talked about the things to do in Los Angeles in other articles, so rather than repeat ourselves here, we want to indicate a different and more convenient approach in order to fully experience the City of Angels, from the most representative attractions to the most remote areas.
What are we talking about? Guided tours, itineraries modeled to meet various needs to guide you during your visit to one of the most important American cities in the world. The selection, as you will see, is incredibly wide (have a look at the list below) and includes not only city tours but also tours departing from Los Angeles of 1 or more days to destinations outside the city, which are very practical if you want to avoid using or renting a car to travel.
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Los Angeles Tours: Pros and Cons of a Guided Tour
If you are the kind of tourist who scoffs when presented with the choice of going on a guided tour because you love to do everything on your own and feel like your freedom would be hindered somehow, I understand. However, it is good to keep in mind that many types of tours have considerable flexibility and that often they will be able to take you where even your most careful and well-intended planning cannot.
In the case of Los Angeles, you can choose to be accompanied in the most characteristic and representative destinations, but also to explore with thematic tours more hidden places, lesser-known attractions, and typical local treasures that would be very difficult to find unless you know an expert of Los Angeles.
Of course, the other main advantages of a guided tour in Los Angeles or a trip out of town are the convenience and ease of travel, which will help you to see many attractions.
Where to Look for a Tour of Los Angeles
As I have said, there are many tours available in Los Angeles, but where do you find them? You just need to do a simple Google search to see a myriad of choices pop up. However, the most reliable resources are the following:
But if you don’t want to spend hours on the internet desperately looking for a guided tour, we’ve put together a fairly comprehensive list of the most interesting tours of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles City Tours
Explore the City of Angels by choosing one of these tours. Click on the title for more information.
Hollywood Star Houses Tours
These tours will introduce you to the homes of Hollywood celebrities, including the ones of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and many others. You will also visit some symbolic places, such as the Walk of Fame and Chateau Marmont, as well as the exclusive neighborhoods of Beverly Hills and Bel-Air.
Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
The open-top bus tour has now become popular in every major tourist city. You will have the opportunity to visit the main attractions of the city comfortably while also customizing your route by stopping at the places that interest you most.
Helicopter Flight over Hollywood
These tours will allow you to explore Hollywood and the Los Angeles skyline from a different perspective. You will admire the Hollywood Sign and the other main attractions of Los Angeles from above: wow!
- Bevery Hills and Hollywood Helicopter tour
- Los Angeles Helicopter Tour with Romantic Mountaintop Landing
- Los Angeles at Night 30 Minutes Helicopter tour
The VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood
If you have visited Universal Studios and can’t get enough of it, this guided tour of one of America’s most beautiful theme parks can be an interesting bonus. You’ll have access to areas and attractions not accessible to the public with a regular ticket. On the tour, you’ll also be accompanied and introduced, you’ll have a front row seat at all rides and attractions, a nice private lounge, and enjoy a gourmet lunch. You need to book well in advance.
Warner Brothers Studios and VIP Star Houses
If you are a movie lover, this is perfect for you. You will visit the “behind the scenes” of films and TV shows, famous movie studios, more than 40 homes of Hollywood celebrities, and at the same time, you will learn secrets and anecdotes about the construction of sets, scenery, and costumes.
Tour of the Paul Getty Museum
Do you love art and you don’t mind Hollywood’s worldliness? This tour is a special blend of culture and entertainment and allows you to admire the wonderful contemporary art collection of the Paul Getty Museum, with its beautiful architecture and charming gardens.
Los Angeles City Pass
These are not real tours. Rather, they are passes that will allow you to enter an impressive number of city attractions at a discounted price. Given the convenience, we thought it would be a good idea to put it on the list. If you want more information, check out our article about Los Angeles Passes.
Los Angeles Segway Tours
Relaxing and effortless Segway tours along Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Rodeo Drive and the most typical streets of Beverly Hills. You’ll enjoy some of the most iconic views of the city without the stress of traffic and parking.
Los Angeles Walking Tours
For those who want to enjoy the main attractions of the city calmly and without rushing, opting for a walking tour might be a recommended choice.
- Los Angeles Downtown and Hollywood Walking Tour on Viator
- Griffith Observatory Walking Private Tour on Getyourguide
- Hollywood tour with a Filmmaker on Viator
Los Angeles Bike Tours
If you don’t want to walk or use motorized vehicles, you can consider opting to use a standard or electric bicycle. Here are some of the best solutions:
- 5-hours Los Angeles Bike Tour on Viator
- Hollywood Sign Electric Bike Tour on Viator
- Hollywood Bike Tour on Viator
Los Angeles Gastronomic Tours
Among the many activities that can be undertaken, a Los Angeles Food Tour is perfect for those who want to go beyond the classic menu one would expect from a vacation in California.
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour
- West Hollywood Food Tour
- Santa Catalina Island Food and Walking Tour
- Malibu Wine Safari
Los Angeles Movie Locations Tours
In the countless movies produced in Los Angeles, the city has not only represented itself, but also of other famous cities such as New York, Miami, Tokyo and many other settings. These tours will show you a lot of movie locations and cover the entire history of Hollywood cinema.
Private Limousine Tour of Los Angeles
If you’ve always thought that driving a limousine through Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills would cost you an arm and a leg, think again! For an affordable price, you can enjoy the luxury of a private tour in the most luxurious car in the world. A driver will take you to visit Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and many other attractions.
Tours Departing from Los Angeles: Excursions in the Surrounding Area
Here is a selection of excursions of one-day and multi-day to see attractions beyond the city limits of Los Angeles.
Santa Barbara, Solvang and Hearst Castle: Day Trip from Los Angeles
A one-day tour from Los Angeles along the scenic California coast on one of the world’s beautiful coastal roads. You can visit Santa Barbara and its quaint marina, beautiful beaches, and historic Spanish mission; explore Solvang, a picturesque Danish city, and behold the extravagance of Hearst Castle.
Independent Trip to Tijuana from Los Angeles
On this full-day tour that starts in Los Angeles, you will spend the day in Tijuana, Mexico, where you can shop, eat at restaurants, and discover the local culture.
Tour of San Diego and La Jolla
Take a day trip to explore the exclusive La Jolla in San Diego, Old Town San Diego, and some must-see gems.
Day Trip to Santa Catalina Island
On this tour, you can visit the beautiful and quiet Santa Catalina Island, which is located off the coast of Los Angeles. After about an hour on the ferry, you will arrive on the island. You can choose to visit the island on your own or join one of the many tours that will enrich your vacation.
Day Trip and Shopping in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert oasis and it is certainly one of the most charming cities in California. This is a great opportunity to explore it on a tour that begins in Los Angeles.
3-day Tour of Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon
Take a 3-day tour to visit one of the West Coast‘s iconic cities and the Grand Canyon, the world’s most famous national park. What more do you want?
8-day Tour of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the Best Attractions on the West Coast
Over the course of eight days, you will travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco and stop at the main attractions of the West Coast, including Joshua Tree National Park, Las Vegas, Sedona, Monument Valley, and Yosemite National Park.
3-Day Tour: San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Yosemite
In 3 days, you can enjoy the beauty of the coast and also visit Yosemite National Park, one of the natural wonders of California.
3-Day Tour: Grand Canyon South Rim and Las Vegas Tour
The Grand Canyon and Las Vegas are quite remote and inconvenient destinations to reach from Los Angeles by car. With this 3-day tour, visiting the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas will be effortless.
2-Day Tour: Las Vegas Tour and Air Tour of the Grand Canyon West Rim
This is similar to the previous tour, but with one major difference. Instead of visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, you will fly over the West Rim, which is known for the Skywalk.
8-Day Tour: Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Teton from Los Angeles
Who said that if you’re on the West Coast you have to skip visiting wonders like Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore? There is another interesting variation of this tour, which also includes Arches National Park.
Have you ever gone on one of these tours? Leave a comment below!
I think Knots Berry Farm in Buena Park, Mid Evil Times, and La Brea tar pits would be a great addition to your wonderful publishing.