Best Hollywood bus tours in Los Angeles

UPDATED JULY 2024
By Karleen Stevens
Bis Bus tour 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
Go City Travel Expert

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Best Aquariums in Los Angeles
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Best Aquariums in Los Angeles

If you're looking for the best aquariums to visit in Los Angeles, check out our picks and make it an underwater adventure to remember! Including: Which U.S. city has the largest aquarium? What is the biggest Aquarium in L.A.? How many aquariums are in L.A.? Best Aquariums in Los Angeles Which U.S. city has the largest aquarium? You may be surprised to find out that the biggest aquarium in the U.S. is found in Atlanta. It's called the Georgia Aquarium, and it features a mind-boggling 10 million gallons of water! What is the biggest Aquarium in L.A.? The Aquarium of the Pacific is L.A.'s largest aquarium - more on that down below! How many aquariums are in L.A.? Los Angeles features four aquariums around the city, and we cover each and every one here! We've also added a few non-aquarium choices, just to spice things up, because we're kind. Best Aquariums in Los Angeles: Aquarium of the Pacific If you fancy spending the day in L.A.'s largest aquarium, hanging out with more than 11,000 animals, then Aquarium of the Pacific is one of the best aquariums in Los Angeles! The aquarium's centerpiece is its comprehensive portrayal of the Pacific Ocean, the Earth's largest body of water, stretching from the vibrant coral reefs of the tropics to the icy waters of the north. It's the only place to see so much coral and so many coral-residing creatures up close, so prepare for an explosion of colorful, exotic fish! There's also the Shark Lagoon, where you can pet - yes, pet - some of the many sharks that call it home, the Blue Cavern kelp forest tank, an aviary featuring hundreds of birds, and an entire penguin colony to marvel at. Brilliant stuff. Best Aquariums in Los Angeles: Heal The Bay Heal The Bay's aquarium is a hidden gem, often overlooked because it's nestled beneath the Santa Monica Pier, but underwater lovers shouldn't miss it! This family-friendly aquarium is part underwater showcase, part learning experience, featuring more than 100 different species of fish that call Santa Monica Bay home. Every Tuesday and Friday at 2.30PM, you can check out feeding events where you and your little ones will learn all about the fish and what they eat. And then on Sundays at 3.30PM, they have a shark feeding showcase, which is a little more on the gruesome side, but still fascinating nonetheless. Best Aquariums in Los Angeles: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Situated a short stroll from the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a smaller facility that offers the most comprehensive insight into local marine life. The main exhibit hall alone boasts nearly 40 individual tanks featuring local marvels. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is more hands-on than some of the others on this list, with a touch pool that lets you get up close with the safer side of L.A.'s underwater life. The Exploration Center and Aquatic Nursery explore the aquarium's research into local life, as well as its breeding initiatives for certain dwindling species. After you're done exploring, you'll find Cabrillo Coastal Park right outside, featuring pristine beaches, the Point Fermin tidepools, and an excellent birdwatching location within the Salinas de San Pedro salt marsh. For a nature-filled day out, you know where to go. Best Aquariums in Los Angeles: Roundhouse Aquarium Only slightly bigger than many people's flats, the Roundhouse Aquarium is bite-sized fun that can be seen in no time at all. That doesn't mean it's not worth a visit, though! See sanddabs and juvenile rays as they gracefully glide in circular patterns within the sandy-bottom tank. Look, but don't touch - they don't do that here. Still, you'll get plenty of snaps of these wonderful creatures up close, so why not? For an extra dose of excitement, make sure to visit on Saturdays at 12.30PM, when you'll see leopard and horn sharks feeding. Best Aquariums in Los Angeles: California Science Center So yes, technically, the California Science Center isn't an aquarium, but on the other hand, it does have a fully-functioning kelp tank, includes a walkthrough tunnel where you can see plenty of underwater wonders up close, and even has dive shows where the audience can ask the divers questions pre-dive. You'll also find a Deep Sea exhibit, where you can control mock-ups of underwater robots, all while learning about deep sea exploration and how it has progressed in the last 200 years. And while you can come for the underwater goodness, you can stay for all the other sciency stuff! See the Space Shuttle Endeavor up close, learn all about the progression of space travel, and even explore creepy crawlies in the Rot Room. Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour Yes, this is another non-aquarium option, but it's the only way you'll get up close and personal with some of the ocean's most revered creatures! If the weather's good, take a whale and dolphin watching tour and see them up close. Board a 65-foot double-decker ship, which includes seating on both decks, sunbeds, and even a snack bar if you need to refuel. Then, sit back, and enjoy the experience. With any luck, you'll see humpback whales, orcas (also known as "killer whales"), and, if you really luck out, a blue whale. Seals and dolphins are also often sighted in L.A.'s waters, so keep an eye out and your camera on standby. The ship itself is luxurious and comfortable, certainly taking the sting out of any missed sightings. And, with your captain narrating the trip, you'll learn more about all of the above, as well as local conservation efforts and migration patterns. An all-round good time if the sun stays put! And that's everything you need to know about the best aquariums in Los Angeles, as well as all the other underwater highlights you'll find in the city! Of course, there's much more to Los Angeles than what you find beneath the surface, so go with Go City to make sure you see it all! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you'll see all the city's best bits for one low price.
Dom Bewley
Woman walking along the beach to Santa Monica Pier
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Things to do in Los Angeles in the Morning

Grab a flask of morning joe and tick off LA bucket-listers like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Beach and the Venice Canals before most La La Landers are even out of bed. Our guide to the best things to do in Los Angeles in the morning includes all of these, plus many more tips on beating the sightseeing crowds!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Relaxing Things to do in Los Angeles
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Relaxing Things to do in Los Angeles

If you're looking for relaxing things to do in Los Angeles, you've come to the right place. From whale watching to yoga on a sandy beach, we've got you covered. Check out our picks of the best relaxing things to do in the city, and prepare for some much-needed R&R! Including: Fishing at Santa Monica or Venice Beach Natural History Museum Whale Watch & Dolphin Tour Yoga on Huntington Beach and more! Guided Pier Fishing at Santa Monica or Venice Beach If you're looking for relaxing things to do in Los Angeles, why not choose a spot of fishing? If you're new to the area, or even new to fishing, you needn't worry. Join this guided fishing adventure, choose between Santa Monica or Venice Beach, and then go throw some hooks - or something. Your guide is more of an instructor, and an experienced one at that. They'll bring all your gear and show you how to use it. If you're a seasoned fishing pro, show them how it's done. But don't be too adverse to picking up some new tricks. Look out for fish, rays, and even sharks as you try to reel in a big catch. Natural History Museum You can even travel back through time in a relaxing fashion. How, you may ask? Well, take a trip to Los Angeles' Natural History Museum and explore millions of years of history! If you're a history buff and looking for things to do in the city, it doesn't get much better than this. Step inside the museum's doors, and you'll find one of the biggest collections of ancient artifacts on the planet. Dinosaur fans will be well-served thanks to the appropriately-named 'Dinosaur Hall', which exhibits 300 real dinosaur fossils, as well as 20 complete dinos of varying shapes and sizes for you to gaze at. That's just one of the many amazing exhibits at LA's Natural History Museum, so why not take a relaxing stroll around the premises and see what else you'll find? Whale Watch & Dolphin Tour If natural history isn't your thing, how about some very-much-alive nature? Yes, even in LA, you can go whale and dolphin watching. And, on this tour, you'll do just that. So, if you're looking for relaxing things to do in Los Angeles, this should be top of your list. You'll hop on board a 65-foot double-decker ship, replete with sundeck, both indoor and outdoor seating, and a snack bar if you get hungry. Then, you'll take the waves to spot some freaking whales and dolphins! Get lucky, and you may spot any number of humpback whales, orcas, and even a blue whale if you're super lucky. You're also likely to see some dolphins, which is obviously awesome. Seals, too - this tour is the gift that keeps on giving! If you're a fan of ocean life, book this tour right now. Aquarium of the Pacific If you'd rather see underwater wonders up close and personal, take a relaxing trip to Los Angeles' Aquarium of the Pacific. There's so much to see and do here; we'd recommend blocking out an afternoon in your vacation calendar to see it all. With over 100 exhibits to explore and 19 major habitats to walk through, you'll need all the time you can get! Meet finned friends at Shark Lagoon, hang out with some penguins, and check out the Pacific Visions immersive cinema experience to see the ocean like never before. All that and much, much more await you at Aquarium of the Pacific. Yoga on Huntington Beach Is there anything more relaxing than finding inner peace? How about doing it on a sunny Los Angeles beach? Align your chakras today at a yoga session on Huntington Beach! Pick a morning or evening session and join an experienced yoga instructor as you downward dog your way to Nirvana. And what better setting than Huntington Beach? It's one of Orange County's finest. Whether you're a seasoned stretcher or a complete newbie, all are welcome to this calm, mindful environment. Then, when you're done, you'll be in top shape to enjoy many of LA's more exhilarating attractions! Downtown LA Food and Culture Tour Just because you're looking for relaxing things to do in Los Angeles doesn't mean you should ignore your belly! Take a day off your diet and explore LA's vibrant food culture on this tour of downtown! You'll pass City Hall, The Music Centre, and The Walt Disney Concert Hall, plus hidden gems like The Last Bookstore. Make sure your phone has plenty of picture space! Then, try delicious morsels at the Spring Arcade Building food market and Grand Central Market. Just make sure you bring some dollars so you can sample as much as possible! If you're looking for a great way to immerse yourself in LA's food culture, book a tour and get immersed! Rent a Beach Cruiser or Roller-Skates And finally, how does a relaxing beach bike ride sound? Good? Why not rent a bike and take your time cycling around LA's serene sands? Or, if two wheels don't cut it, rent some roller skates instead! The area is brimming with things to do and see. You can visit the historic Santa Monica pier and pass the homes of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. Travel through Venice Beach and see all the weird and wonderful denizens of Los Angeles going about their day. Soak it all up, and then return your bike to Perry's Cafe and grab a coffee. And hey, maybe a cake too. After all, you just burned off a ton of calories - why not treat yourself? And those are our picks of the best relaxing things to do in Los Angeles! Of course, vacations aren't always about relaxing. So, if you want to hit up some of LA's more heart-thumping experiences in between your relaxation time, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of LA's best bits for one low price!
Dom Bewley

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