10+ Best Places in LA for Movie Fans

Published: July 18, 2024
Hollywood

If you’re visiting LA with a movie fan (or if you are one!) there's so much to see and do. From behind-the-scenes tours and museums to the Walk of Fame and real film locations, you won’t be short of things to do in Los Angeles.

Movie buffs head to Hollywood to soak up the history and glamour of the industry. You might even spot a starlet or two along the way. Check out our list of things to do for movie fans including...

  • Madame Tussauds
  • Universal Studios Hollywood
  • Warner Bros Studio Tour
  • Hollywood Museum
  • Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour
  • Sony Pictures Studio Tour
  • Dolby Theatre Tour
  • Griffith Observatory
  • Union Station
  • And more!

💰 >> See how you can save up to 50% on Los Angeles attractions

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Fancy brushing shoulders with your favorite actors? Head to Madame Tussauds Hollywood. You’ll get to ‘meet’ stars of the silver screen like Marilyn Monroe, Robin Williams, Zac Efron, and more. Check out the Making Movies area to see what goes on backstage, and see directors Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino hard at work.

Classic movie lovers should head to the Spirit of Hollywood room to get up close and personal with the likes of Alfred Hitchcock and Audrey Hepburn. It’s your chance to take a selfie with the movie stars of past and present! 

Getting in: Entry to Madame Tussauds Hollywood is included on all Los Angeles passes.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood
The images shown depict wax figures created and owned by Madame Tussauds.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

A trip to LA would be incomplete without a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. See the stars of Hollywood legends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Douglas, Patrick Swayze, and hundreds more. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a public sidewalk and is completely free to walk along.

Or, use your pass and take the Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes tour (more on that below) for a guided tour of the trail. Keep an eye out for your favorite actors and directors and be sure to get that all-important snap. 

Getting in: Entry to The Hollywood Walk of Fame is free to see.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Take the Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour to see famous LA sights such as TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, the Walk of Fame, and the Hollywood Sign. Your guide will reveal Hollywood’s secrets and scandals as you explore. Feel like an Oscar winner on the Dolby Theatre’s Awards Walk, and don't forget to place your hands and feet on the prints at the TCL Chinese Theatre. 

Getting in: Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour is separately ticketed.

Warner Bros Studio Tour

The Warner Bros Studio Tour is your chance to tour a real, working studio to see where the magic happens. Your knowledgeable guide will take you around 110-acre backlot which is home to well-loved shows like The Ellen Degeneres Show and The Big Bang Theory.

Batman fans will be in for a treat, as the studios served as a filming location for the films. Plus, there is a special DC exhibition featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, plus the props used in the films. You’ll even get to see the Batmobile up close! 

Getting in: Entry to the Warner Bros Studio Tour is included on all Los Angeles passes.

Warner Bros studio tour

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a mecca for movie fans, with rides inspired by everything from Harry Potter to Transformers and Despicable Me. Plus, you don’t need to be a fan of roller coasters to enjoy Universal Studios. A visit to this theme park would be incomplete without taking the world-famous Studio Tour.

Take a tram through the historic four-acre studio and see the sets of your favorite movies and TV shows. The interactive tour will even take you through a King Kong 4D ride, through a Jaws set complete with a very realistic shark. Norman Bates of Psycho might even pay a visit... you'll never guess what’s coming next. 

Getting in: Entry to Universal Studios Hollywood is only available on the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass.

Universal Studios

Hollywood Museum

The Hollywood Museum is a must-see for movie fans. It's home to the largest collection of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, an exhibition on 20th-century superheroes, and artifacts documenting the portrayal of LGBTQ+ lives on the big screen. The Hollywood Museum features more than 10,000 items over four floors, including costumes, props, scripts, and much more. 

Getting in: Entry to The Hollywood Museum is only available on the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass

Sony Pictures Studio Tour

On the Sony Pictures Studio Tour, you will explore a working studio and learn all about its history and secrets. See where the likes of The Wizard of Oz and Spider-Man were filmed and get up close to real Academy Awards. Be sure to keep an eye out for stars working at the studio and don’t forget to take a picture under the famous 94ft rainbow. 

Getting in: Entry to Sony Pictures Studio Tour is separately ticketed.

Dolby Theatre® Tour

Every film fan knows that the Dolby Theatre® hosts the most important night of the film industry calendar: the Academy Awards. Take a 30-minute guided tour of the stage and backstage. The Dolby Theatre is 180,000 sqft and has a massive 3,400-seat capacity. You’ll see an Oscar up close and discover where celebrities celebrate their wins. Plus, see photos of Oscar winners such as Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando. 

Getting in: Entry to The Dolby Theatre® Tour is included on all Los Angeles passes.

Dolby Theatre

Griffith Observatory

LA is not only home to film sets - countless movies are filmed on location in the city. The Griffith Observatory is one of Los Angeles’ most famous landmarks and features in films like La La LandThe Terminator, Charlie’s Angels, and many more. Griffith Observatory is a must-see attraction for movie fans wanting to visit where the scene of the action. 

Getting in: Entry to Griffith Observatory is free.

Union Station

Another real-life location that is always popping up on screen is Union Station. The well-known station features in tons of movies such as Blade RunnerThe Dark Knight Rises, and Catch Me If You Can. See Union Station for yourself and try to guess which other movies were filmed there. You’ll be surprised at just how many there are! 

Getting in: Entry to Union Station is free. 

Union Station

Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City®

Discover our full line-up of Los Angeles attractions including the Hollywood Sign Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.

Go City Expert
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Palm Trees
Blog

Fun Facts About Los Angeles: Your Essential Trivia

How much do you know about Los Angeles? Before you head to L.A. on vacation check out our guide to essential Los Angeles trivia.  Test your knowledge with these fun Los Angeles facts below... Top facts about L.A. 1. Universal Studios Hollywood combines a theme park and a real working studio. CityWalk, the attached shopping and dining area, is free to explore.   2. Out of American cities, Los Angeles is second only to NYC in terms of population.   3. Madame Tussauds Hollywood is the only American location of this famous wax franchise featuring an entire section devoted to MARVEL© characters.   4. The Hollywood Walk of Fame includes more than 2,600 stars.   5. Warner Bros. Studio features a replica of Central Perk Café from the Friends series that serves real coffee and treats.   6. The Pacific Wheel at Pacific Park is the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel.   7. The US Bank Tower is the third-tallest building in California and the 15th-tallest in the United States.   8. OUE Skyspace L.A. located in the US Bank Tower, provides views as far as the San Gabriel Mountains, Catalina Island, and the Pacific Ocean.   9. Downtown L.A. is home to the largest concentration of government buildings and institutions after Washington, DC.   10. In addition to hosting the Academy Awards®, the Dolby Theatre also plays host to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, the Daytime Emmys, and the American Idol finals. More fun facts about L.A. 11. The Hollywood Museum is home to the most expansive collection of Hollywood props, objects, and artifacts.   12. Griffith Park at the Hollywood Hills sign has one of the best vistas of Los Angeles and can be easily reached by hiking. Griffith Park is also the second-largest urban park in California.   13. The RMS Queen Mary is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the official Historic Hotels of America.   14. Los Angeles is the only North American city to have hosted the Olympics twice.   15. The Los Angeles Zoo also encompasses a substantive botanical garden with a renowned collection of native plant species.   16. Los Angeles is home to the largest historic theatre district on the National Register of Historic Places.   17. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles is the largest such institution in the Western United States and its collections cover 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history.   18. Approximately 50 million people visit Los Angeles County each year.   19. The Huntington Library — in addition to being one of the best research libraries in the world and boasting gorgeous rose gardens — has been used as a set for nearly 30 different film projects from television to the big screen. Even more interesting L.A facts 20. Los Angeles is home to the state’s only remaining wooden lighthouse, at San Pedro’s Fermin Park.   21. The La Brea Tar Pits is an excavation site with the largest number and most diverse selection of Ice Age fossils in the entire world.   22. The USS Iowa is now a floating museum known as Battleship IOWA and is made of 45,000 tons of steel.   23. The Autry Museum of the American West was founded by iconic actor Gene Autry and encompasses significant collections of artwork and cultural artifacts.   24. The Los Angeles area is home to more than 100 museums of varying sizes and purposes. Save on admission to L.A. attractions You'll save on admission vs gate price to many popular Los Angeles attractions with Go City® Check out passes from Go City and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect! ☀️Compare Los Angeles passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️ Share your trip with us – follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your adventure with us. Tag us at @GoCity on your travel photos to keep us up to date with your vacation!
Katie Sagal
Bis Bus tour in Los Angeles
Blog

Best Hollywood bus tours in Los Angeles

It’s almost impossible to think of Los Angeles without an image of Hollywood coming to mind – the city is intrinsically linked with glitz, glamor and celebrity. Almost every visit starts with a stroll up the Walk of Fame, a visit to the TCL Chinese Theater and a hike to the Hollywood sign – followed, of course, by some very awesome pics on your Instagram reel. What many people don’t realize, though, is that all these places are actually quite far apart, and while you can walk from one to another, it will take up a lot of your precious time. Instead, one of the best ways to get around is on a Hollywood bus tour – you can travel from one spot to another in comfort while a guide directs your attention to the city’s best historical and secret spots, leaving your hands free for snapping photos (and bragging to your friends). This handy guide will compare three of the best Hollywood Bus tours, and cover: Price Locations Tour language Timing Must-see locations Bus tour #1: Hop-on Hop-Off Hollywood and Los Angeles The Hollywood and Los Angeles Hop-On Hop-Off Hollywood route covers 15 stops, including all the essentials like The Guitar Center, the Comedy Store and Santa Monica Boulevard. The tour operates every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving, and runs from 10am to 4:30pm, departing every 45 minutes. You can hop on and off as many times as you like for as long as your ticket is valid, and the whole circuit takes about two hours. Tickets start from $49/£47 for an adult or $35/£33 for a child, and the tour is available in nine languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Portuguese. Must-see stop: Pink’s Hotdogs If you’ve ever seen a film or tv character eating a hot dog in L.A, chances are they got it from Pink’s Hot Dogs on N. La Brea in Hollywood. They’ve been there since 1939 when Paul and Betty Pink started with a pushcart and some money borrowed from Betty’s mother. There are now several branches but this one is the original, serving around 2,000 hot dogs and burgers a day. Adding to their appeal are the unique and celebrity-inspired names, like the Lord of the Rings Dog (with onion rings), the Ozzy Spicy Dog, the Brando Dog, the Philly Cheesesteak Dog and the Martha Stewart Dog. Bus tour #2: Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Tour – One Day Our second option is the Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Tour. Its Hollywood route covers all the essentials on its 16-stop route, including the Dolby Theater, La Brea Tar Pits, Vine Street and Paramount Pictures. This tour also departs every 45 minutes between 10am and 4:30pm, and the full loop takes around two hours. Languages include English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, French and Italian, and tickets start from $39/£34 for an adult and $28/£25 for a child. You can purchase a ticket online, from the kiosk at the Dolby Theater, at any bus stop or on the bus itself, and it’s valid from when you first get on the bus. Must-see stop: Petersen Automotive Museum This is the ultimate destination for movie buffs and petrol heads. First, have your mind boggled by the James Bond Vehicle Collection, which includes the 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish driven by Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day, the 1997 Lotus Esprit S1 ‘Wet Nellie’ that Roger Moore drove off a pier in The Spy Who Loved Me, and the 1964 Aston Martin DB5, which has appeared in five Bond films including Goldeneye, Skyfall and No Time To Die. Then there’s the Omaze Hollywood Gallery, where you can inspect the 1981 DeLorean from Back to the Future. If you fancy putting yourself in the hot seat, you can try your skills in one of the Forza Motorsport racing simulators. Bus tour #3: Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus 1-Day Classic Tour The Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Classic Tour is a great option because the 12 stops on the Hollywood route include the TCL Chinese Theater, Rodeo Drive, the Dolby Theater and the Hollywood Sign. It runs between 10am and 3pm every day and departs every 30-45 minutes. Commentary is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese and Hindi, and the whole tour lasts around two hours. If you buy a ticket on its own it’ll start from $39/£34 for an adult or $31/£28 for a child – however if you have a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass, the Big Bus Tour is included and won’t cost you a thing. Must-see stop: Los Angeles Celebrity Bike Tour With a Go City attraction pass, the Los Angeles Celebrity Bike Tour is included with your Big Bus Ticket. It’s a self-guided audio tour which includes helmet, vest, GPS audio directions and bike rental for four hours. Go at your own pace as you get to know some iconic locations from films and TV shows, the best celebrity-spotting hangouts around Bel-Air and Beverly Hills and where some of the Hollywood A-list like to call home. Highlights include Marilyn Monroe’s former apartment, the last house owned by Michael Jackson, Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip and Greystone Mansion, which you’ll recognise from many shows and movies including Batman & Robin, The Bodyguard, The Big Lebowski and X-Men. Never miss a thing with Go City Whether you travel by bus, bike or foot, you’ll be able to spot all the favorite’s in Los Angeles with Go City. Get your All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass today and start saving on dozens of attractions all over the city.
Karleen Stevens

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.