LA Half-Day City Tour: Start from Hollywood or Santa Monica!
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LA Half-Day City Tour: Start from Hollywood or Santa Monica!

Active
(1916 reviews)
5h
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Check out the BEST Los Angeles has to offer on this half-day interactive sightseeing experience! Take a seat on one of our Climate-Controlled Buses as your fun and entertaining driver-guide gives you an insider look at LA culture, history, landmarks, and hot spots. This tour is an excellent mix of time spent on the bus sightseeing and exploring different stops yourself!

(NEW) You can now choose to begin your tour in Hollywood or Santa Monica! (Your first stop will either be Santa Monica or Hollywood, depending on where your tour begins)

1st Stop: Santa Monica Pier or Hollywood (45-Minutes)
2nd Stop: The Grove & Farmer's Market (75 Minutes - Lunch/Shopping)
3rd Stop: The Griffith Observatory (45 Minutes).

The ONLY Half-Day Tour in LA! Unlike competitor tours, which last 7-9 hours (or longer with hotel pick-ups), we're proud to offer a streamlined, half-day option that gives you all the highlights without taking up your entire day!

Available options

Tour begins from Santa Monica

This tour will begin and end in Santa Monica and include a 45-minute Stop in Hollywood (instead of a stop in Santa Monica). <br/>Starting point:<br/>Shore Hotel, 1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Tour Begins From Hollywood

Tour begins from Hollywood: Stops at Santa Monica Pier, Grove/Farmers Market, and Griffith Observatory—optional Audio Guide in 11 languages. <br/>Starting point:<br/>Hollywood Visitor Center, 7044 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA

What's included

Car seat for children under 8 years old or shorter than 4’9”
Air Conditioned Bus with Expert Driver Guide

Detailed itinerary

1
Stop 1 Pass by

The Tour begins/ends on The World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame so you will have ample time to explore Hollywood!

2
Stop 2 Pass by

The Sunset Strip extends from West Hollywood's eastern border with the city of Los Angeles near Marmont Lane to its western border with Beverly Hills at Phyllis Street. The Sunset Strip is known for its boutiques, restaurants, rock clubs, nightclubs, and its array of huge, colorful billboards.

3

West Hollywood is a trendy area known for its high-energy nightlife. The fabled Sunset Strip features the Chateau Marmont, a swanky celebrity hideaway, plus comedy clubs and live music venues like the legendary Whiskey a Go-Go. Santa Monica Boulevard, awash in rainbow flags, is home to a number of gay bars, dance clubs, and shops. WeHo also offers some of the city’s most buzzworthy restaurants.

4

Beverly Hills is a city in California's Los Angeles County. Home to many Hollywood stars, it features the upscale shopping street of Rodeo Drive. The expansive Beverly Gardens Park has fountains and rose gardens, plus an illuminated Beverly Hills sign.

5
Stop 5 Pass by

Rodeo Drive is one of the world's most exclusive luxury destinations, and an unparalleled hub at the intersection of luxury, fashion, and entertainment.

6

The Santa Monica Mountains is a coastal mountain range in Southern California, next to the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Transverse Ranges. Because of its proximity to densely populated regions, it is one of the most visited natural areas in California.

7
Stop 7

The Santa Monica Pier is a large double-jointed pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California, United States. It contains a small amusement park, concession stands, and areas for views and fishing

8

Santa Monica is a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles. Santa Monica Beach is fringed by Palisades Park, with views over the Pacific Ocean. Santa Monica Pier is home to the Pacific Park amusement park, historic Looff Hippodrome Carousel, and Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. Next to the pier is Muscle Beach, an outdoor gym established in the 1930s. In the city center, Bergamot Station houses several art galleries

9
Stop 9 Pass by

The Petersen Automotive Museum is located on Wilshire Boulevard along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles. One of the world's largest automotive museums, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a nonprofit organization specializing in automobile history and related educational programs.

10
Stop 10 Pass by

La Brea Tar Pits are a group of tar pits around which Hancock Park was formed in urban Los Angeles, US. Natural asphalt has seeped up from the ground in this area for tens of thousands of years. The tar is often covered over with dust, leaves, or water.

11
Stop 11 Pass by

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is an art museum located on Wilshire Boulevard in the Miracle Mile vicinity of Los Angeles. LACMA is on Museum Row, adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits. LACMA was founded in 1961, splitting from the Los Angeles Museum of History, Science, and Art.

12

Retail and restaurants draw a diverse crowd to the lively Fairfax District. The Grove outdoor mall features upscale shops, a fountain, and a trolley car, while the historic Original Farmer’s Market offers casual eats. Along trendy Fairfax Avenue, long-standing Jewish businesses like Canter’s Deli share space with a number of cutting-edge streetwear designers. CBS Television City offers regular TV show tapings

13
Stop 13

The Grove & The Original Famers Market - The sprawling historic market features a range of trendy shops, restaurants & gourmet grocery purveyors. - Lunch Stop

14
Stop 14 Pass by

Melrose Avenue is a shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in Los Angeles that starts at Santa Monica Boulevard, at the border between Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. It ends at Lucile Avenue in Silver Lake. Melrose runs north of Beverly Boulevard and south of Santa Monica Boulevard.

15
Stop 15 Pass by

Griffith Park is a large municipal park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The park covers 4,310 acres of land, making it one of the largest urban parks in North America.

16
Stop 16 Pass by

Greek Theatre is an amphitheater located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. It is owned by the city of Los Angeles and is operated by ASM Global.

17
Stop 17

Griffith Observatory is a facility in Los Angeles, California, situated on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. It commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including Downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest.

18

The tour ends where it began on the World Famous Walk of Fame in Hollywood! - The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark that consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

What's not included

Gratuities
Available to purchase during tour
Parking Fees
Restroom on board

Available languages

Audio guide
DE RU KO PT CMN JA EN IT FR ES
Guide guide
EN

Reviews breakdown

Viator 4.7
403 reviews
5★
334
4★
47
3★
11
2★
8
1★
3
Tripadvisor 4.9
1,513 reviews
5★
1410
4★
84
3★
17
2★
0
1★
2

Important information

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
(ONLY AVAILABLE WHEN DEPARTING FROM HOLLYWOOD) We now offer this tour in 11 languages through a free multilingual app with pre-recorded audio commentary (not a live guide). You can follow along in your preferred language: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Russian, Italian, Catalan, Korean, Japanese, or Chinese. Our team will help you download the app to your smartphone and log in during check-in. For the best sound quality, we recommend bringing your headphones—or you can purchase a pair from us for $5.

Meeting point

If your tour begins in Santa Monica, please meet in front of The Shore Hotel @ 1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA, 90401.

Important notes

If your tour begins in Hollywood, please check-in inside The Hollywood Visitor Center on Hollywood Blvd @ the corner of Sycamore Ave. (7044 Hollywood Blvd)

If your tour begins in Santa Monica, please meet in front of The Shore Hotel (1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA, 90401)

***You must check in at the location you selected for your reservation. Please double-check your ticket to make sure you are at the right location!

On the day of your tour, we ask that your entire group check-in 15 minutes before departure time to ensure the tour can leave on time. All cancellations and rescheduling must be done 24 hours before your tour. If you miss your tour, you will be put on standby, and we will get you on the next available tour.

(ONLY AVAILABLE WHEN DEPARTING FROM HOLLYWOOD) We now offer this tour in 11 languages through a free multilingual app with pre-recorded audio commentary (not a live guide). You can follow along in your preferred language: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Russian, Italian, Catalan, Korean, Japanese, or Chinese. Our team will help you download the app to your smartphone and log in during check-in. For the best sound quality, we recommend bringing your headphones—or you can purchase a pair from us for $5.

About Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a vibrant, multicultural city known for its Hollywood glamour, sunny beaches, and diverse cultural attractions. From iconic landmarks to world-class dining and entertainment, LA offers a unique blend of urban excitement and natural beauty.

Top Attractions

Hollywood Walk of Fame

A must-visit for film and entertainment enthusiasts, the Hollywood Walk of Fame features over 2,700 stars embedded in the sidewalk, honoring celebrities in the entertainment industry.

Historical 1-2 hours Free

Santa Monica Pier

An iconic beachfront amusement park with a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and numerous rides, the Santa Monica Pier offers fun for all ages.

Entertainment Half day Free entry, rides cost extra

Griffith Observatory

A public observatory offering stunning views of the Los Angeles skyline and the Hollywood Sign, as well as educational exhibits about space and astronomy.

Nature 2-3 hours Free (some exhibits and shows have fees)

The Getty Center

A world-renowned art museum featuring European paintings, drawings, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and photographs.

Museum Half day Free (parking fee applies)

Venice Beach

A vibrant beach community known for its boardwalk, street performers, and eclectic shops, as well as its beautiful sandy beaches.

Beach Half day Free

Must-Try Local Dishes

Fish Tacos

A popular street food item featuring grilled or fried fish in a tortilla, topped with salsa and crema.

Lunch/Dinner Can be made with various types of fish, vegetarian options available.

Korean BBQ

A staple of LA's Korean food scene, featuring marinated meats grilled at the table and served with side dishes.

Dinner Contains meat, vegetarian options available at some restaurants.

Avocado Toast

A trendy dish featuring toasted bread topped with mashed avocado, often garnished with eggs, tomatoes, or other toppings.

Breakfast/Brunch Vegetarian, vegan options available.

Tacos al Pastor

A traditional Mexican taco featuring marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit and served on corn tortillas with pineapple.

Lunch/Dinner Contains pork, vegetarian options available at some restaurants.

Popular Activities

Hiking in Griffith Park Rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park Surfing in Malibu Beach day in Santa Monica Spa day in Beverly Hills Yoga in Venice Beach Visiting museums in Downtown LA Exploring historic sites in Olvera Street

Best Time to Visit

April to May, September to November

The peak seasons offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and ideal conditions for outdoor activities. This is the best time to visit for comfortable sightseeing and exploring the city's attractions.

15-25°C 59-77°F

Practical Information

Language

  • Official: English
  • Widely spoken: Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog
  • English: Widely spoken

Currency

US Dollar (USD)

Time Zone

Pacific Time Zone (PT), GMT-8 (Standard Time), GMT-7 (Daylight Saving Time)

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

LA is generally safe for tourists, but some areas can be risky, especially at night. Stay aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect your belongings.

Important Precautions:
  • • Keep valuables secure
  • • Be cautious at night and in less touristy areas
  • • Use reputable tour operators and transportation services

Getting there

By air
  • Los Angeles International Airport • 20 km from city center
  • Bob Hope Airport • 30 km from city center
By train

Union Station

By bus

Union Station, Greyhound Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

The Metro Rail system includes several subway and light rail lines that cover most of the city. It's a convenient and affordable way to get around.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Lyft

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Hollywood Santa Monica Downtown LA Venice Beverly Hills

Day trips

Santa Barbara
150 km from LA • Full day

A charming coastal city known for its Spanish architecture, wineries, and beautiful beaches.

Disneyland Resort
50 km from LA • Full day

A world-famous theme park featuring Disney characters, rides, and attractions for all ages.

Joshua Tree National Park
200 km from LA • Full day or overnight

A unique desert landscape featuring iconic Joshua trees, rock formations, and hiking trails.

Festivals

Hollywood Bowl Summer Concert Series • June to September LA Pride • June LA County Fair • September to October

Pro tips

  • Use public transportation or walk whenever possible to avoid traffic and parking issues
  • Book tickets in advance for popular attractions and events
  • Explore beyond the tourist hotspots for a more local experience
  • Be prepared for traffic and congestion, especially during peak hours
  • Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun, as LA can be hot and sunny year-round
From $25 per person

Price varies by option

Adults
Age 12-99
1
Childs
Age 3-11
0
Infants
Age 0-2
0
Booking requirements:
  • Min travelers: 1
  • Max travelers: 14
Secure booking
Free cancellation available
Instant confirmation

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