Los Angeles Tours: The Best Way to Discover LA

The legendary Studio Tour is one of the must-see attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood. Narrated by Jimmy Fallon, the Studio Tour offers guests the chance to explore the working backlot of a real Hollywood movie studio. The tram ride takes visitors past sets from films like "War of the Worlds," "Psycho," "Jaws" and others, with some fiery special effects thrown in for good measure. The tour also includes filmmaker Peter Jackson’s heart-pounding King Kong 360 3-D, the world’s largest 3-D experience. The grand finale of the Studio Tour, Fast & Furious - Supercharged is housed in a 50,000 square-foot building and tells an original Fast & Furious story with hyper-realistic special effects that immerse guests in the adrenaline-fueled Fast & Furious universe.

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Plus offers a rare and intimate glimpse into Hollywood at work. Groups of 12 guests experience a fascinating two-hour tour that travels through backlot streets, soundstages, sets and craft shops. No two tours are alike. Visitors can walk through the set of a hit television show, watch Foley artists create sound effects for movies, see how sets are constructed, browse millions of items in the prop department, and much more. 

Art Muse Los Angeles is a community of art historians, artists and educators who offer private tours of museums throughout L.A. These scholars and enthusiasts share their art knowledge with small groups that range from novices to connoisseurs and collectors, tailoring their presentations to every type of visitor. Art Muse offers tours at many of L.A.’s major museums, including the Getty Center, Hammer Museum, Norton Simon Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Museum of Contemporary Art. Art Muse also curates tours of seasonal art fairs and select Los Angeles galleries specializing in contemporary art. The gallery tours are organized by districts, including Downtown Los Angeles, Wilshire Corridor, Culver City and Bergamot Station.

For an eco-friendly, healthy way to experience Los Angeles, book a Bikes and Hikes LA tour, designed for everyone from avid cyclists and hikers to beginners and the occasional biker/hiker. The most popular tour is "LA In a Day," a 32-mile, 5-hour trek. The tours starts on legendary Route 66 in West Hollywood and takes you through luxurious Beverly Hills and Bel-Air; L.A.’s world-famous beach cities, Santa Monica, Venice and Marina Del Rey; and the historic movie studios of Culver City. Specializing in day tours for individuals, Bikes and Hikes LA also offers group tour options for families and friends, corporate clients, social organizations, incentive travel, school and university groups.

Angelenos and visitors have made Catalina Island, located about 22 miles southwest of L.A., a popular day trip destination for generations. One of the best ways to visit the island is Catalina Express, which has a fleet of eight high-speed vessels that make up to 30 daily roundtrips. Board the boat at Berth 95 in San Pedro, then enjoy comfortable seating and cocktail service during an exhilarating one-hour ride to either Avalon or Two Harbors. On Catalina Island, you can experience land and sea sightseeing adventures, charming shops, fine restaurants, waterfront cafes and scenic vistas.

Founded by an L.A. teacher, Handlebar Bike Tours specializes in Downtown L.A. bicycle tours packed with history, architecture and pop culture. The "Historic Core and More Tour" begins at the landmark Grand Central Market and takes in all the Downtown L.A. highlights, including the Broadway Theatre District, Grand Park, museums, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Chinatown, Union Station, Olvera Street and City Hall. The "Pretty Gritty Arts District Tour" includes Hauser & Wirth Gallery, SCI-Arc, Bloom Square, Warner Brothers Music, some of L.A.’s best restaurants, and many more surprising locations. Priced at $45, the tours include a bike, helmet and guided tour.

For nearly 30 years, Orbic Air has been one of Southern California's premier helicopter companies, offering helicopter charters of Los Angeles, helicopter tours of Hollywood, helicopter training, aerial photography, production and helicopter leasing. Based at Hollywood Burbank Airport, Orbic Air offers numerous aerial tour options, including the Hollywood Sign, California Coastline, and Private Romantic Sunset, as well as landing tours such as Downtown Rooftop and Malibu Mountaintop.

The landmark Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena is home to the UCLA Bruins football team and the annual Rose Bowl game, aka “The Granddaddy of Them All," held every New Year’s Day. Rose Bowl Stadium has hosted Super Bowls, Olympic events and numerous landmark concerts. The Rose Bowl is one of two stadiums in the world to host the FIFA World Cup Finals for both men and women. The monthly Rose Bowl Flea Market features more than 2,500 vendors and welcomes 15,000 to 20,000 buyers. In 1987, Rose Bowl Stadium was added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark.

Available the last Friday of every month, the Rose Bowl Stadium Tour offers exclusive access to the playing field, press box, UCLA locker room and more. Tours are offered at 10:30am and 12:30pm. VIP and Private Group Tours are also available.

Opened in September 2020, SoFi Stadium is the newest addition to LA's world-class collection of sports and events venues. Located in Inglewood, the state-of-the-art stadium is the home of the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers. The 3.1 million square-foot stadium is the largest in the NFL, as well as the first indoor-outdoor stadium to be constructed.

Book a SoFi Stadium Tour and you'll feel like you've stepped into the cleats of an NFL player on game day. The immersive, behind-the-scenes experience takes guests through the creation of SoFi Stadium, private luxury suites, Rams and Chargers locker rooms, and a Tunnel Run onto the field, where they'll put their football skills to the test. Inspired by the NFL Scouting Combine, the on-field challenges include running the 40-yard dash, attempting a field goal kick, and passing tests. After they finish their challenges, attendees can compare their stats to those of the pros.

Since pioneering the Movie Stars Homes Tour in 1935, Starline Tours continues to offer the best of L.A. to visitors from around the world. Starline offers a wide range of sightseeing tours, including the famed Celebrity Homes Tour; the Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour; Private Tours, Group Charters and more.

For a unique tour of Griffith Park, get in the saddle with Sunset Ranch Hollywood, the only horse ranch located in greater Los Angeles. Sunset Ranch offers a variety of services and activities, including guided trail rides, boarding and lessons. A one-hour trail ride into Griffith Park includes a great view of the Hollywood Sign. A two-hour ride to the top of Griffith Park features spectacular 360-degree views of Los Angeles.