Los Angeles: Griffith Park, Hollywood & Beaches Day Tour

Summary

Hollywood icons, beach walks and city stories from Anaheim

You’ll start your LA day trip from Anaheim with city views at Griffith Observatory before tracing Hollywood’s energy along the Walk of Fame and Chinese Theatre. Lunch brings you to the bustling Farmers Market, then on to Rodeo Drive’s glitz and finally out to Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach for sun, street art and sea air. It’s a rush—the kind you’ll remember when you see LA on screen again.

What’s the experience like?

I was halfway through my coffee when our driver, Marcus, pointed out the first glimpse of downtown Los Angeles through the van window—just this hazy outline at first. We’d barely left Anaheim and already the city felt like a movie set. First stop was Griffith Observatory. The air smelled faintly of eucalyptus and sunscreen (someone nearby had clearly overdone it). Standing up there with the city stretched out below, I tried to spot the Hollywood sign through the morning haze—everyone else did too. Marcus told us how locals use this spot for night hikes and dates. I kind of wanted to come back in the evening just for that.

Hollywood Boulevard was louder than I expected. There’s music everywhere—buskers playing Prince covers, someone yelling about star maps. I got distracted counting handprints outside the Chinese Theatre (my hands are almost as big as Tom Hanks’s, apparently). Our guide joked that you can always tell tourists by how long they stare at the ground here. The Walk of Fame is longer than it looks in photos; after a while I stopped trying to read every name. We passed Dorothy Chandler Pavilion too—Marcus mentioned it used to host the Oscars before they moved to Dolby Theater.

Lunch was at the Los Angeles Original Farmers Market, which honestly surprised me—I thought it’d be all chain restaurants but there’s this jumble of taco stands and bakeries with real Angelenos grabbing lunch. The smell of grilled onions sort of clings to your clothes after a while (not complaining). Rodeo Drive came next; we didn’t shop but just seeing those window displays felt like peeking into another world. Someone in our group tried to re-enact that scene from Pretty Woman outside Beverly Wilshire Hotel—didn’t quite nail it but we laughed anyway.

Santa Monica Pier is as chaotic as you’ve heard: street performers, kids chasing pigeons, salty wind off the ocean. By Venice Beach I’d lost track of time; Muscle Beach guys doing pull-ups like it’s nothing, skateboarders weaving between tourists and locals who don’t even look up anymore. There’s something about standing barefoot in the sand with all that noise behind you—it makes LA feel both huge and weirdly personal at once. I still think about that light over the water as we headed back toward Anaheim, tired but not really wanting it to end yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Hollywood, Beaches, and Shopping

• Visit Rodeo Drive and Beverly Wilshire Hotel
• See Dolby Theater and Chinese Theatre
• Walk Hollywood Walk of Fame
• View Hollywood sign from Griffith Observatory
• Explore Los Angeles Original Farmers Market
• Visit Santa Monica Pier and beach
• Watch street performances at Venice Beach

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Anaheim to Los Angeles?

The tour lasts a full day including travel time between Anaheim and Los Angeles attractions.

Does this LA tour include hotel pickup from Anaheim?

Yes, hotel pickup from Anaheim is included in your booking.

What are some main stops on this LA day tour?

You’ll visit Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Boulevard, Farmers Market, Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach.

Is lunch included during this Los Angeles tour?

No set lunch is included but there’s free time at Los Angeles Original Farmers Market where you can buy your own meal.

Can children join this Los Angeles sightseeing tour?

Yes, children are welcome if accompanied by an adult; infants can ride in strollers or sit on laps.

Are service animals allowed on this LA tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted during the tour.

Is public transportation available near pickup/drop-off points?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby.

Do we get close views of the Hollywood sign?

You’ll have good photo opportunities for the Hollywood sign from Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Boulevard stops.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in Anaheim and comfortable transport between all major sights: Griffith Park Observatory for sweeping city views; guided stops at Hollywood Boulevard landmarks like Dolby Theater and Chinese Theatre; time at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; shopping or lunch break at Los Angeles Original Farmers Market; glimpses of Rodeo Drive glitz; plus free time at Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach before returning in the evening.