Planning a sightseeing day in Los Angeles? A guided Hollywood bus tour gives you a front-row seat to the neighborhoods, landmarks, and stories that shaped the city—and a whole lot more context than your GPS. At Hollywood Bus Tours, our small-group tours offer a more personal way to explore it all.
There’s a rhythm to LA that’s easy to miss without a guide. From the palm-lined streets of Beverly Hills to hillside views of the Hollywood Sign, our routes are designed to bring you closer to the stories, icons, and neighborhoods that define the city.
In this guide, we’re walking you through our most popular Hollywood bus tour routes—including where they go, what you’ll see, and how to make the most of each stop. You’ll also find local tips and our most-loved city sightseeing routes to help you plan the perfect tour.
Overview of Hollywood Bus Tour Routes
Hollywood bus tours are designed to showcase iconic LA in a way that’s easy, informative, and photo-worthy—without the crowds or hassle. While some companies offer big bus tours with hop-on, hop-off double-decker buses, we focus on smaller, open-air vehicles that give you a more personalized experience.
Each of our curated routes highlights the best of Los Angeles, blending star-studded neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and scenic cityscapes into one seamless ride. From the Hollywood Sign to famous movie & T.V filming locations every loop is built to give you a well-rounded look at LA’s most iconic sights.
Our Celebrity Homes Tour and Taste of LA Tour are perfect for first-time visitors or anyone looking for a fresh perspective on the city. For those who want to see it all, our Perfect Day in LA experience combines both routes for a full day of discovery—designed to feel relaxed, immersive, and unforgettable.
What to Expect on a Hollywood Bus Tour
LA wasn’t built for buses—but it was built for looking. From tucked-away mansions to street corners with movie history, the city starts to feel different when you’ve got a local guide calling out the good stuff: the house with the wild celebrity rumor, the view you never would’ve found on your own, or the marquee you’ve seen a hundred times in movies but never in real life.
With Hollywood Bus Tours, you won’t be on a double-decker with headphones and a script. These tours are led by locals—guides who know the city and have their own running commentary: where someone filmed a scene you forgot you loved, which neighborhood still gets daily TMZ vans, why one house on Mulholland has been empty for years.
The Perfect Day in LA Tour combines two major routes, so you’ll see all of this in one day—though many travelers choose to split it up, using the second day to slow down, revisit favorite spots, or just avoid information overload.
Planning Your Hollywood Bus Tour Route
Bus tour providers aim to avoid peak traffic and give guests free time to explore top attractions—and we’re no different. All tours with Hollywood Bus Tours depart from Hollywood or Santa Monica.
We also offer customized private tours and hop-on hop-off Hollywood alternatives for travelers looking for a more exclusive or flexible experience. Whether you’re planning a day LA tour, a group outing, or a sightseeing trip with friends, we’ve got options to match your schedule and interests.
Our open-air buses follow different routes depending on the type of tour you choose and your starting location, with a steady pace that gives each stop its moment—without ever feeling rushed. You can explore our general timetable and route details on the website to help plan your day.
Most Popular Stops on Hollywood Bus Tours
Some streets in LA feel instantly familiar—not because you’ve been there before, but because they’ve shown up in movies, TV shows, or headlines. As the tour moves through places like Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, and the Sunset Strip, those connections start to click. A house, a view, a block you’ve seen somewhere before—now with the full story behind it.
Our routes are designed to offer an inside look at the city’s most photographed streets and addresses, with stops and drive-bys that highlight the neighborhoods, landmarks, and homes people ask about most. That includes a photo stop at destinations like the Hollywood Sign, views of real homes in celebrity neighborhoods, and well-known spots like the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Some LA tours head west toward the beach, following scenic roads near Santa Monica Pier. Others loop through central LA, passing by the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, The Original Farmers Market, and Griffith Observatory.
Each tour varies slightly depending on timing, traffic, and route—but all are built to give you an epic day in Los Angeles. Here are a few stops you can expect depending on the tour you choose:
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Hollywood Sign (photo stop)
- Celebrity homes in Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills
- Sunset Strip
- Laurel Canyon
- Santa Monica Pier
- TCL Chinese Theatre
- Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
- Beverly Hills
- Rodeo Drive
- Griffith Observatory
- The Original Farmers Market
- Downtown Los Angeles
- Dolby Theatre and famous boulevard photo ops
Tips for Navigating Your Tour
No matter which Hollywood bus tour you’re taking, a few simple tips can help you make the most of the experience. From when to arrive to where to sit, here’s what to know before you hop on board:
- Arrive 15 minutes before the tour starts
- Morning rides often offer better lighting and fewer crowds
- Dress for the weather and bring water/snacks
- Ask your guide about LA spots off the beaten path
Day vs. Night Sightseeing Tours
While most Hollywood bus tours run during the day, some private or VIP options offer evening departures. Night tours let you experience the past and present of LA with a new lens:
- See Beverly Hills lit up
- Catch neon signs and nightlife on Sunset Strip
- Capture dramatic night time shots of iconic landmarks
Some visitors even plan a private LA tour to experience both day and night sightseeing in one go.
Top-Selling Tours Offered by Hollywood Bus Tours
Celebrity Homes Tour: The Real Hollywood Experience
Duration:
2 hours (Hollywood) or
3.5 hours (Santa Monica)
Price:
Ages 0-2: $5 USD, Ages 3-11: $34 USD, Ages 12+: $44 USD (Hollywood) or
Ages 0-2: $5 USD, Ages 3-11: $49 USD, Ages 12+: $59 USD (Santa Monica)
Highlights
- Drive by celebrity homes
- See landmarks like the Hollywood Sign and Rodeo Drive
- Expert driver-guides with live commentary
Get a behind-the-scenes look at where the stars live, work, and play. This tour offers a unique glimpse into the glamorous world of Hollywood’s elite.
Taste of LA Tour: Iconic Sights, Local Flavor
Duration:
5 hours
Price:
Ages 0-2: $5 USD, Ages 3-11: $70 USD, Ages 12+: $84 USD
Highlights
From ocean views to city streets, this tour ties together LA’s coastline, culture, and classics—all in one relaxed, half-day loop.
Perfect Day in LA: The Ultimate City Combo
Duration:
7.5 hours
Price:
Ages 0-2: $10 USD, Ages 3-11: $94 USD, Ages 12+: $118 USD
Highlights
- Combines Taste of LA and Celebrity Homes Tour in one day
- Enjoy a deep dive into LA’s most iconic neighborhoods and celebrity hotspots
- Includes beach time in Santa Monica, lunch at the Original Farmers Market, and skyline views from Griffith Observatory
- Option to split the tour across two days for a more relaxed experience
Private LA Tours: Your Day, Your Way
Price: 13-passenger open air van: $499 (first 2 hrs), $199/hr after
22-seat minibus: $790 (first 2 hrs), $290/hr after
Departure: All of our tours depart from – 7046 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 – we do offer pick-up/drop-off at other locations but we do charge for drive time.
Highlights
- Custom itinerary for your group
- Family, corporate, or VIP groups
- See top landmarks at your pace
A private tour means no fixed schedule, no rushed stops—just your perfect LA day, exactly how you want it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do tours depart from?
Depending on the tour you choose, departures are flexible. Please check your individual tour details to confirm tour departures. Private tours can include pick-up/drop-off at other locations but we do charge for drive time.
Do tours operate rain or shine?
Yes. Ponchos are provided if it rains. Severe weather may cause cancellations with refunds.
Do buses have restrooms?
Restrooms are available at departure points and key stops—not onboard.
Are kids welcome?
Yes. Kids under 8 or shorter than 4’9” need car seats. You can bring your own or reserve one in advance.
Are snacks allowed?
Yes. We only ask that you help keep the bus clean by packing out any trash.
Can I take pictures?
Absolutely. Celebrity homes, Hollywood Sign, and Santa Monica Pier are prime photo spots.
Conclusion: Explore the City Like a Star
Whether you’re looking to go to Hollywood for the first time or revisit La La Land from a new perspective, a Hollywood bus tour is still the best way to get around and experience the city’s greatest hits.
With flexible schedules, engaging guides, and memorable storytelling, Hollywood Bus Tours makes it easy to explore the city, uncover iconic sights of LA, and enjoy a true LA experience—without the crowds, rigid routes, or canned audio of larger bus tours.
🎟 Book your tour today at HollywoodBusToursLA.com — home of the #1 sightseeing experience in LA. With public and private tours departing daily from Hollywood and Santa Monica, it’s the easiest way to explore iconic landmarks, spot celebrity homes, and see the city like never before.
