Los Angeles: Open Bus Tour Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Griffith

Summary

Hollywood stars Rodeo Drive farmers market Griffith views LA

You’ll ride an open-air bus through Los Angeles with a local guide, stopping to wander Santa Monica Pier, snap photos on Hollywood Walk of Fame, eat lunch at the Original Farmers Market and gaze out over LA from Griffith Observatory. Expect unexpected moments—maybe laughter over lunch or a view you can’t quite shake even after you’re home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 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

Top questions

How long does the Grand LA Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours from start to finish.

What are the main stops on this Los Angeles bus tour?

The main stops are Santa Monica Beach & Pier, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive area, Original Farmers Market/The Grove, and Griffith Observatory.

Is lunch included during the tour?

Lunch is included at the Original Farmers Market during one of the stops.

Does this LA day trip include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at a designated location in Santa Monica.

Are guides live or recorded on this tour?

A live expert guide accompanies you throughout the journey.

Can infants or small children join this open bus tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; specialized seats and stroller access are available.

How much time do we spend at each attraction?

You get about one hour at each main stop for exploration.

What’s included

Your day includes travel by open-air bus between Santa Monica Beach & Pier, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Griffith Observatory and time to enjoy lunch at LA’s Original Farmers Market—with a live local guide sharing stories along every mile.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure about spending seven hours on an open bus in Los Angeles — I pictured sunburn and traffic jams. But starting out from Santa Monica with the ocean still clinging to my skin from a quick walk on the pier, I felt more awake than expected. The salty breeze tangled my hair while our guide, Carlos, pointed out the old carousel and told us about movie scenes filmed right there. Some kids were fishing off the pier and a street musician was playing something that sounded like surf rock but slower. It’s weird how you can feel both touristy and local at once.

Our first real stop was the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I thought it’d be cheesy but honestly, there’s something about seeing people crouched down tracing their fingers over names — like they’re meeting old friends. Carlos made us laugh by guessing which star each of us would pick for a selfie (I went with Rita Moreno; no regrets). The sidewalk glittered in the sun but smelled faintly of hot dogs and sunscreen. And then suddenly you’re standing in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and it hits you how many shoes have stood here before yours.

Lunch at the Original Farmers Market was way better than I expected — so many smells fighting for attention: grilled meat, fresh tortillas, coffee roasting somewhere close. I ended up sharing a table with two sisters from Texas who’d never tried Korean BBQ before (the look on their faces when they tasted kimchi — priceless). There’s just this constant hum of people eating, shopping at The Grove next door, or arguing over which stall has the best doughnuts. I could’ve stayed longer but we were off again.

The last stop at Griffith Observatory is when LA finally slowed down for me. The city looked endless under that hazy afternoon light — all those tiny cars crawling below us while some guy played saxophone near the steps. Carlos pointed out constellations inside, but honestly I just wanted to stand outside and watch everything turn gold for a minute longer. It’s funny, after all that noise and movement, it was this quiet view that stuck with me most.