Hollywood tour Los Angeles: Open-top bus, 5 hours

See the Hollywood Sign, celebrity homes and Santa Monica Pier from an open-top bus

A 5-hour open-top bus tour of Los Angeles with a live guide, starting in Hollywood and ending at Santa Monica Beach. You'll see the Hollywood Sign from Mulholland Drive, walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Dolby Theatre, cruise Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive past celebrity homes, stop for an hour at the Farmers Market and The Grove, and finish with an hour at Santa Monica Pier where you can walk the boardwalk and watch surfers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hollywood Sign20m
2. Hollywood Walk of Famepassing by
3. Dolby Theatrepassing by
4. Laugh Factory Hollywoodpassing by
5. Sunset Strippassing by
6. Rodeo Drive30m
7. TCL Chinese Theatrepassing by
8. Mulholland Drive20m
9. Santa Monica Beach and Pier1h

Explore Hollywood and Santa Monica highlights

• See the Hollywood Sign and studios
• Visit Grauman's Chinese Theater and Dolby Theater
• Cruise along the Walk of Fame
• Drive through Rodeo Drive and see celebrity homes
• Stop for lunch at Farmers Market and shop at The Grove
• See Beverly Hills Hotel and Beverly Hills Sign
• Pass by Laugh Factory and Sunset Strip
• Drive through West Hollywood filming locations
• View Hollywood Hills and Mulholland Drive
• Visit Santa Monica Beach and Pier

The experience

The bus leaves with an open top (a few seats have a canopy for shade if you need it), and the guide talks through the whole route, sharing stories about L.A. history, celebrity culture, the music scene and what Hollywood actually is beyond the postcards. You'll pass the Chinese Theatre and its handprints, see the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars happen, and cruise past the homes where celebrities live in the Hollywood Hills. The route takes you through West Hollywood, where reality TV shows film, and along the Sunset Strip, the legendary stretch of rock clubs and nightlife.

The Farmers Market and The Grove mall are a one-hour stop where you can grab lunch or browse shops. From there the bus heads west to Santa Monica, where you get a full hour at the pier: time to walk the boardwalk, watch surfers, and wade into the Pacific if you want. The whole tour runs 5 hours with multiple photo stops, including a 10-minute break at the Beverly Hills sign.

What’s included

• A live English-speaking guide provides live commentary throughout the tour.
• the driver guides you to each stop.
• specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with a baby.
• service animals are allowed on board.

Before you book

Days and timesSundayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 64 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by openbustourscom,llc

Is this one for you?This is a shared bus tour, so you travel with other visitors and follow a fixed route and schedule. It's the way to see all the major Hollywood and L.A. landmarks in one morning or afternoon without driving yourself or arranging separate stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Hollywood Sign like when you see it from the bus?

The Hollywood Sign is visible from Mulholland Drive, which offers views across the city and down to Downtown L.A. The bus stops there so you can get photos and take in the vista.

How much time do you actually spend at Santa Monica Pier?

You get a full hour at Santa Monica Pier, enough to walk the boardwalk, enjoy the views and dip your feet in the ocean if you want. The pier is where parts of the TV show Baywatch were filmed.

What happens at the Farmers Market stop?

The Farmers Market and The Grove shopping mall are a one-hour stop where you can buy lunch, browse shops or just rest before the final leg to the beach.

Does the open-top bus have shade?

Most seats are open to the air, but a few seats have a canopy for some shade on sunny days.

Can you see actual movie studios on this tour?

Yes. The route passes Paramount Studios, CBS Television City, Gower Studios and other filming locations, and you'll see the Hollywood Bowl and Capitol Records building as well.