LA Open Bus Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Griffith Observatory

Four LA landmarks in one day without driving or planning the route

You ride an open-air bus for seven hours hitting four major LA landmarks: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, the Original Farmers Market with lunch included, and Griffith Observatory. A live guide handles the commentary and timing, so you don't navigate, park, or plan. Each stop gives you a full hour to explore, and you return to Santa Monica in the late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Santa Monica Beach and Pier1h
2. Los Angeles Original Farmers Market1h
3. Griffith Observatory1h
4. Hollywood Walk of Fame1h

Explore LA landmarks and cultural spots

• Walk Santa Monica Pier and 3rd St Promenade
• Visit Original Farmers Market and shop at The Grove
• See Hollywood Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre
• View Hollywood Sign and Downtown LA from Griffith Observatory

The experience

The driver picks you up in Santa Monica and within twenty minutes you're standing on the Hollywood Walk of Fame watching people pose with their favorite celebrity stars. A woman next to us was trying to get the perfect angle for her Instagram, and our guide (who'd clearly seen this a thousand times) just smiled and pointed out where the Grauman's Chinese Theatre was, then mentioned the Dolby Theatre right there, home of the Oscars. It's the kind of detail that makes you realize how much you'd miss if you were just driving through on your own.

The bus itself is open-air, which means you get actual wind and light instead of staring through tinted windows, and the guide talks the whole way, not in that robotic way, but like someone who actually knows the city. You stop for a full hour at each place, so it's not a blur of photo stops. After Hollywood, you head to Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive, then down to the Original Farmers Market where lunch is included. That's the part that saves you time. You're not hunting for a restaurant or standing in line at some tourist trap. The market's been there since 1934, and there's actual food from different cultures, not just the same chain stuff. You eat, you walk around, you grab coffee if you want.

Griffith Observatory is the last major stop, and it's where the views hit different. You can see the Hollywood Sign from up there, and on a clear day the city spreads out below you in a way that makes the whole morning of traffic and crowds feel worth it. The guide gives you space to wander, points out the science exhibits if you're interested, and then you head back to Santa Monica. The whole thing takes seven hours door-to-door, which sounds long until you realize you've covered what would take you three separate car trips, parking fees, and a lot of second-guessing about where to go next.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Santa Monica, the open-air bus for the entire seven-hour journey, a live guide providing commentary at each stop, one-hour visits to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive, Griffith Observatory, and the Original Farmers Market, plus lunch at the Farmers Market. Return transport to Santa Monica is included.

Information

Lasts 7h, runs every day at 10:00, from US$ 95 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

GroupUp to 500

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hollywood City Tours

Is this one for you?Best for first-time visitors to LA who want to see the main landmarks without renting a car, planning a route, or figuring out parking: the fixed schedule and included transport mean you show up and the day unfolds without decisions.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

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 time does the tour start and end?

The tour runs for seven hours total. Pickup is from Santa Monica. Exact start time depends on your hotel location and the operator's schedule.

Is lunch really included?

Yes. Lunch is at the Original Farmers Market, where you choose from multiple food vendors and cuisines. The cost is included in the tour price.

Can I bring a stroller or infant seat?

Yes. Specialized infant seats are available on the bus, and strollers are fine for the walking portions at each stop.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Each stop involves walking at your own pace, and you have a full hour at each location.

What if the weather is bad?

The bus is open-air, so rain or extreme heat could affect comfort. Check the weather forecast and bring sunscreen or a light jacket depending on the season.

Is the Hollywood Sign visible from Griffith Observatory?

Yes, you can see the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory on clear days, along with views of Downtown LA.

Can I get off the bus at any stop and stay longer?

Each stop is scheduled for one hour. If you want to stay longer at a particular location, you'd need to arrange separate transportation back.

Is there parking at the pickup location?

Parking depends on your hotel. Public transportation options are available nearby if you prefer not to drive to the meeting point.