The glamorous “City of Angels” attracts visitors from across the world interested in connecting with American show business.
The warm climate and relaxed atmosphere have also resulted in many beautiful and vibrant beaches being within easy traveling distance of the city.
This way of life – combined with the way it epitomizes the American dream – makes Los Angeles an excellent city to visit time and time again.
A great way to experience the different influences on Los Angeles culture is by taking a series of tours throughout the city.
There is a great variety available and with the huge cultural influences in the city, there is sure to be a tour to please every visitor.
Here are the 15 best tours in Los Angeles.
1. Universal Studios Hollywood: 1 or 2 Day Ticket
Source: Alkhutov Dmitry / shutterstockUniversal Studios Hollywood is a famous theme park dedicated to the movies and showbiz that many tourists come to Los Angeles to experience.
From thrill rides and studio tours to themed restaurants and boutique gifts stores, you can easily spend days at a time enjoying the park and the City Walk area.
This ticket gives you discounted entry into the park for either one or two days. You will have full access to all the entertainment, shopping and dining options.
2. Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket
Source: getyourguide.comThe City Sightseeing hop-on-hop-off buses are a great way to become acquainted with a new city when you first arrive; they take you around all the most famous sights of the city.
You can opt for a 24, 48 or 72-hour pass, depending on how long you are in the city and how much time you want to dedicate to each stop.
On board are audio guides available in nine languages, detailing the important information about each spot.
3. Private Mustang Tour
Source: getyourguide.comGet your own VIP Hollywood experience with this private tour in an authentic Mustang through the city. As this tour is private, you will get the opportunity to tailor it to what you want to see whilst in the city.
You will be taken to the most luxurious neighborhoods and told the deepest secrets of the city in this two-hour tour. A cold beverage is provided on board the convertible Mustang.
4. Hollywood Studio Tour: Warner Bros
Source: pablopicasso / shutterstockIf you are in Los Angeles to get close to the movie industry, you absolutely cannot miss this classic tour.
You will be taken behind the scenes of a real working movie studio owned by Warner Bros and learn all about the history of movies made at the studio, as well as the stories of the actors, directors, and crews behind them.
You can also check out famous film sets from movies and shows such as Friends, Harry Potter and Batman.
5. OUE Skyspace LA Skyslide Combo Entry Tickets
Source: Kit Leong / shutterstockEnjoy beautiful, panoramic views over Los Angeles from this fantastic attraction in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
Your ticket will allow you to head up to the observation deck of the OUE Skyspace building, as well as give you access to the skyslide – giving you an extra thrill on the way down.
The Skyspace itself is filled with fun, interactive features, giving you an outlook on the fascinating history of the tower and the downtown Los Angeles area.
6. Newport Beach: 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour
Source: getyourguide.comGet up close with Southern California’s native marine life in a much more humane way with this excellent tour departing from Newport Beach.
You will be taken on a boat out into the coastal waters to try and spot some whales for yourself, including the humpback whales and finback whales that are native to the area.
The two-hour tour includes an onboard guide to help you know how to spot the whales and tell you all about the marine life in the area. Newport Beach is only a short journey from central LA by both car and public transport.
7. The Original Hollywood Tour
Source: Checubus / shutterstockThis classic tour around the homes of Los Angeles’ rich and famous has been popular with visitors from around the world for decades.
The open top bus guides you through Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills in two hours. You will also be shown the filming locations from some of the most well-known and loved movies to come out of the city, as well as taken to the Hollywood sign for a great view over the area.
Pick-up from hotels nearby is included as part of the price.
8. Hollywood Sign Small Group Tour in a Luxury Van
Source: logoboom / shutterstockThe iconic Hollywood sign has become an enduring symbol for the United States film industry.
This tour takes you right up to the sign, giving you an iconic view not just of the monument, but across the city of Los Angeles. You will be shown the TCL Chinese Theatres and the Hollywood Walk of Fame before departing on your adventure uphill to the sign.
Tours are limited to small groups for a more intimate experience and the luxury van is fully air-conditioned for your comfort. A live guide is provided.
9. 1-Hour Flight for 2 Persons
Source: TierneyMJ / shutterstockGet an even more luxurious vantage point over the Hollywood Sign with this one-hour private flight over the city of Los Angeles.
You will be shown some of the most iconic sights in the city – including the dodger stadium, Beverly Hills and the extensive beaches – from the sky in this excellent experience.
It is limited to two people, so you have your own private flight which can be adapted to your wishes. One person will even have the opportunity to try flying the plane themselves.
10. Champagne Brunch Cruise from Marina Del Rey
Source: itor / shutterstockNothing is more West Coast than brunch, and this cruise takes the late morning meal to the next level.
The cruise departs from the famous Marina Del Rey and will give you fantastic views over the Southern Californian coast. The champagne is unlimited – as is the brunch buffet – so feel free to eat and drink as much as you like.
There is atmospheric music setting a calm mood throughout your experience. All gratuities are included and you will be returned to the Marina at the end of the two hours.
11. The Queen Mary Tour
Source: GagliardiImages / shutterstockThis tour takes you on board the iconic Queen Mary ocean liner. The now-retired ship was once synonymous with luxury cruises and has become an iconic attraction in Los Angeles.
This five-hour tour will take you around the most impressive parts of the ship and explain the vibrant history.
You are provided with an audio headset allowing you to tour the ship at your own pace. There are three different restaurants aboard for you to have your own sampling of luxury.
12. Palm Springs Day Tour and Outlet Shopping from Los Angeles
Source: Andrew F. Kazmierski / shutterstockHead deep into the Southern Californian desert where the oasis town of Palm Springs lies. Palm Springs is a popular resort with Hollywood’s rich and famous; this tour will let you sample the high-life of SoCal’s wealthiest residents.
You will ride the iconic cable car after to see the iconic views over Palm Springs. You will then finish up your tour at the Premium Outlets, where you can search for bargain prices on some of America’s most iconic designer brands.
You will also have the opportunity to learn about the unique desert ecosystem, as well as check out some of the homes of the rich and famous in the area.
13. Downtown Los Angeles: Arts and Culture 2-Hour Walking Tour
Source: getyourguide.comExperience some of Los Angeles’ best cultural delights outside of the film industry in this tour through the museums, galleries and architectural highlights of the downtown area.
Your expert guide is local to the area and can provide you expert commentary on the history and culture of central Los Angeles.
You will also receive fantastic information on the arts movements that have shaped the city, and how artistic subcultures are still thriving in the central city.
14. Los Angeles: Downtown Food Tour
Source: getyourguide.comAs with most major American cities, Los Angeles has a thriving food culture, with a vibrant selection of cuisines available across the city.
This three-hour tour is with a local guide who will talk to you about the history of cuisine in the City of Angels, as well as the cultures that have influenced it.
You will visit eight different restaurants in the city, allowing you to sample cuisine influenced by Germans, Mexican and Lebanese migrants – as well as a host of other national and international cuisines.
15. Hollywood Cannabis Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThe recent legalization of recreational marijuana in the State of California has opened up a thriving cannabis industry across Los Angeles.
This tour takes you around all the main spots associated with cannabis in Hollywood and teaches you how the industry is growing across the country thanks to recent legalization movements. This tour is two and a half hours long and will take you to a real-life grow room, a cannabis dispensary, and on a short tour around some of the major sights in Hollywood.
You can also check out the thriving art community associated with the cannabis industry and enjoy a small discount on retail products.