The Land of Dreams, Hollywood has been attracting fame-seekers from all over the world for over a hundred years know. Just one of the neighborhood in Los Angeles once, it became the US film industry headquarters in the early 1900’s.

Nowadays, Hollywood sign attracts not only young actors, directors, writers, and musicians, but also tourists from all around the globe.

Crossroads of the World, the Walk of Fame, the Wax Museum, the Universal Studios, and the Warner Brothers Studio – you won’t get bored in this part of the City of Angels, that’s for sure. And here is our list of best Hollywood tours, which, we promise, you’ll find absolutely amazing!

The 5 Best Hollywood Studio Tours

1. Universal Studios Hollywood and Movie Stars’ Homes Tour
2. Movie Star Homes and Warner Bros Studio Tour
3. Private Tour: Hollywood Highlights or Celebrity Homes of Beverly Hills
4. Universal Studios Hollywood with Transport
5. Hollywood Grand City Tour

Best Hollywood Studio Tours

	Universal Studios Hollywood and Movie Stars' Homes Tour	Movie Star Homes and Warner Bros Studio Tour	Private Tour: Hollywood Highlights or Celebrity Homes of Beverly Hills
Departure Point:	Tour departs from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre OR selected hotels in the Los Angeles areas. Pickup is NOT available from Anaheim.	Starline Terminal. Select hotel pick-ups available.	Your hotel in Los Angeles
Departure Times:	9:30am. Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pickup time.	9:30 AM and 12:15 PM.	Please advise your preferred departure time in the Special Requirements field when booking
Duration:	9 hours 30 minutes (approx.)	6 hours (approx.)	2 hours (approx.)
Tour Includes:	Admission to Universal Studios Hollywood, Movie Stars’ Homes Tour, Driver/guide, hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected).	Narration by a professional driver/guide, entrance to the Warner Bros. Museum and the Transportation Museum, hotel pickup and drop-off (morning tour only).	Narration by a professional private guide, transport by air-conditioned private vehicle, bottled water and snacks, hotel pickup and drop-off
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Best Hollywood Studio Tours Reviews

#1 Universal Studios Hollywood and Movie Stars’ Homes Tour

This full-day tour is a great Universal Studios backlot tour, as well as one of the best celebrity home tours in Hollywood. You’ll get an exclusive opportunity to witness the stars’ way of life: where they live, where they shop, where they eat and hang out.

Some of the world’s most renowned celebrities own houses in the secluded streets of Beverly Hills. You will see the mansions of Diana Ross, Nicolas Cage, Steve Martin, Barbara Streisand, Richard Gere, Peter Falk, Tori Spelling, Harrison Ford, Phil Collins, Michael Douglas, Eddie Murphy, and many, many other superstars, famous all over the globe.

Other exclusive sights, which you will see on the tour, are famous Rodeo Drive, Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the Sunset Strip, the mansion of Marilyn Monroe, as well as widely known “Pink Palace”. And, of course, the tour can’t miss worldwide-known Hollywood sign, one of the most recognizable sights in LA.

In the Universal Studios, you’ll get an exquisite chance to literarily go behind the scenes of the most popular Hollywood movies. Thrilling rides, attractions, and shows will put you inside some of the world’s most successful movies. This is about to become an experience, which you won’t forget soon.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

#2 Movie Star Homes and Warner Bros Studio Tour

Go behind the scenes of famous movies on this Warner Brothers Studio tour. Get ready to explore the backlot, where such shows as Batman, Friends, and The Big Bang Theory were brought to life. You’ll get exclusive access to original props, cars, costumes, and sets of your favorite movies and TV shows, created by Warner Brothers.

Explore the amazing world of J.K. Rowling on The Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts exhibit. Visit Stage 48, an interactive sound stage, where characters’ voices and other sounds come alive.

Sit on the famous couch from Central Perk café, feel yourself a hobbit at special effect table, or fly over Hogwarts on a broomstick. This Warner Bros Studio tour is about to become one of the most memorable moments of your visit to LA.

After the Warner Bros tour, you’ll head to the palm-lined streets of Beverly Hills and Bel-Air. You will see houses belonging to Tom Cruise, Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna, Halle Berry, David and Victoria Beckham, Frank Sinatra, Richard Gere, and dozens of other world-famous celebrities.

Then cruise the Sunset Strip, enjoying the view of the renowned Hollywood sign, the Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, and Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Take numerous stories from one of the best tours in Hollywood back home. You’ll definitely have something to tell your friends and family.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

#3  Private Tour: Hollywood Highlights or Celebrity Homes of Beverly Hills

If you prefer undivided attention from a professional friendly guide, take this 2-hour private tour. One of the best tours of Hollywood, it offers two options: take a look at celebrity houses or explore Hollywood itself, while sitting in a comfortable private vehicle, enjoying interesting narration and some fresh snacks. The driver will pick you up at your hotel, so you don’t have to worry about transportation.

If you pick the great Hollywood homes tour, the driver will take you to Beverly Hills and Bel-Air neighborhoods, situated just across the Sunset Boulevard.

See the mansions of Michael Jackson, Johnny Depp, Madonna, Tom Cruise, Marilyn Monroe, Jennifer Aniston, Leonardo DiCaprio, and many other famed superstars. Get a pick at the life of rich and famous.

Or get to know the history and the presence of Hollywood itself. Walk along Hollywood Boulevard and take pictures among the stars on the Walk of Fame. See the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, home to the Academy Awards, Chateau Marmont, and the Sunset Strip.

No matter, what option you choose, we’re sure you won’t get bored on one of the best Hollywood car tours.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

#4 Universal Studios Hollywood with Transport

Enjoy a full day of fun on this Universal Studios tour! Explore the movie sets and experience some of the most thrilling rides in your lifetime.

Come face-to face with scary monsters in the House of Horrors, enjoy some heart-pounding rides in the amusement park, and go inside some of the world’s most famed movies, such as Jurassic Park, Revenge of the Mummy, and King Kong. Go behind the scenes of your favorite movies and TV shows on one of the best Hollywood studio tours!

Rides available include, among others, The 3D Transformers Ride, the Simpsons Ride, and the Water World. Don’t miss a visit to the Special Effects Stage, where you will find out, how your favorite blockbuster movies were made. Learn about stop motion, CGI, motion capture, 3D technology, and other making off secrets and technologies.

This tour is truly a great family getaway and one of the best Hollywood tours for kids!

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

#5 Hollywood Grand City Tour

Feel the essence of Hollywood on one of the best Hollywood bus tours. You will visit some of the most significant landmarks, related to movie making, hear stories from celebrities’ lives, see the locations, where popular movies were filmed, learn about the history of the neighborhood and its culture. Get to know the real Hollywood, both past and present, on this exciting trip.

Best tour of Los Angeles and Hollywood, it offers the opportunity to stroll along the Walk of Fame and find your favored celebrity’s star. Look for your star’s footprints at the TCL Chinese Theater.

Visit Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Capital Record, Hard Rock Café, the Dolby Theater, the home of the Oscar, and the fascinating Egyptian Theater, as well as numerous other attractions spotted along the Hollywood Boulevard.

After that, you will head to Griffith Park, for the amazing views and memorable pictures, taken right in front of the famous Hollywood sign. You trip to LA definitely won’t be complete without this experience.

Then, cruise through Beverly Hills and Bel-Air for some celebrity houses eye picking, visit the Sunset Strip night clubs, and scroll down the US most expensive shopping street – Rodeo Drive.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Your Guide to Visiting Hollywood

• Airports & Entry
• Planning Tips
• Restaurants & Eating Out
• Nightlife & Entertainment
• Getting Around
• Accommodations
• Weather
• Attractions

Airports & Entry

If you are coming to Los Angeles by plane, you will probably land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Although, the Bob Hope Airport (BUR), situated in Burbank, is closer to Hollywood itself.

The shuttle service from LAX is operated by LAXFlyAway and costs $8 per person per ride. The shuttle bus stops on the west side of Vine Street, half a block away to the south from Hollywood Boulevard.

If you come to Bob Hope Airport, you can take a metro shuttle to North Hollywood station, where you should change to the Red line and ride into Hollywood.

Keep in mind, taxis can be quite expensive and you might have to wait in a long line, in order to get one.

Other airports, available around the city, are Long Beach Airport (LGB), Ontario International Airport (ONT), and John Wayne Airport (SNA). While private planes, mostly, come to Santa Monica (SMO), Van Nuys (VNY), or Hawthorne (HHR).

Planning Tips

Consider your plans for Los Angeles promptly, when packing your luggage. Are you going to visit a theater performance, have a picnic, spend days on the beach, or go sightseeing from sunrise until the sunset? Are there any theme parks on your itinerary? Or, maybe, you wish to go hiking in one of the parks?

Make a list of the things you might need, not to forget anything. Swimsuit, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are essential if you are coming during the summer season. For a long day of sightseeing, pack snickers, slippers, or any other shoes you find comfortable. If you are going hiking, good hiking boots are obligatory. And for a fancy event, such as theater performance or a dinner in a top-end restaurant, don’t forget a nice evening gown.

Restaurants & Eating Out

If Hollywood is even missing something, it is definitely not the number of facilities for eating out. Cafes, bars, and restaurants range from cheap fast food cafes to luxury restaurants, popular with most famous celebrities.

If you are on a low budget, try Ponchik Factory, Roro’s Chicken, Tacos El Gavilan, Skooby’s, La Monarca Bakery & Café, Running Goose, Musso and Frank Grill, Cheebo, Palms Thai Restaurant, or one of the numerous other bistros and cafes all around Hollywood.

However, if you are looking for something unique and elegant, you should head to Yamashiro, Japanese restaurant, which offers great vies of the city, as well as cozy gardens and tasty food. And, just across from the Chinese Theater, you’ll find ceFiore, fine place with Italian desserts, non-fat frozen yoghurt, and yogurt smoothies.

For drinks, try Roosevelt Hotel Lounge, The Well, Velvet Margarita Cantina, or Power House. And if you are a non-alcohol enthusiast or just thirsty for some juice, head to The Juice Fountain, which offers a variety of delicious fresh juices.

Nightlife & Entertainment

As well as with eating facilities, there is no lack of night entertainment in the city, which never sleeps. The number of theaters and nightclubs is exquisite, and New York City is, probably, the only place, which can compete with it.

For cultural evening out, you can choose one of the following options: Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Palladium, Fonda Theater, Ford Theater, Pantages Theater, or Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

During the summer season, every Saturday at 7 pm, Hollywood Forever Cemetery hosts Cemetery Movie Screenings, where the Cinespia film society shows old movies. Keep in mind, the crowds can be huge, so arrive prior to the gate opening, if you want a good spot. The same rule applies to tickets, which should be purchased in advance.

Most people bring picnic food with them and enjoy the outdoor movie theater, as well as DJ music playing, while having a nice dinner. But keep in mind, no spirits are allowed, only beer and wine.

The Mulholland Drive offers great views of Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley, both at night and during the daytime, so don’t miss the opportunity. And as for night clubs, head to Sunset Strip, where you’ll find most popular night facilities and disco bars.

Getting Around

Hollywood is situated between Melrose Avenue on the south, the Hollywood Hills on the north, the 101 freeway on the east, and West Hollywood on the west. Two main streets are Hollywood Bouleward and Sunset Boulevard, which are both walkable, as well as the rest of Hollywood most interesting areas.

Accommodations

Hollywood offers a wide range of accommodations for every budget and demand. The antique Roosevelt Hotel, The Beverly Wilshire, filmed in Pretty Woman, and Kimpton Everly Hollywood are some of the upscale choices the city offers.

The range of standard motel chains is also wide, including such as Motel 6, Travelodge, and Best Western. The choice of hostels is acceptable too, including such facilities as USA Hostels Hollywood, Republic Inn, Melrose Hostel, and Orange Drive Hostel.

Hollywood Heights Hotel, Saharan Motor Hotel, Hollywood Le Bon Hotel, as well as Dunes Inn and Trylon Hotel are considered budget accommodations. And there are, of course, numerous apartments available for rent in Hollywood, as well as mansions and bungalows, so why not consider this type of accommodation, rather than a hotel?

Weather

The City of Angels enjoys mild Mediterranean climate throughout the year. Summer season is warm, rarely hot, but tends to bring the sadly-famous dirty smog. Although the quality of air has improved over the years, the problem still exists. During August and September, which tend to be the hottest months of the year, the average day temperature gets as high as 28^oC (83^oF), while nights are cooler and bring temperatures such as 17^oC (63^oF). Winters in Los Angeles are mild and rainy. The daytime temperature rarely goes lower, than 20^oC (68^oF), although nights can be as cold as 9^oC (49^oF).

Springs bring both sunny and rainy days, and often, Los Angeles experiences “May Gray” and “June Gloom”, along with the rest of Southern California. Those are marine effects, which bring fog and clouds. Therefore, spring months are not the best time for a beach vacation. Falls are mostly warm and dry, causing frequent wildfires, so be careful if you are going wild during this season. Ocean temperature throughout the year varies from 14^oC (58^oF) in January to 20^oC (68^oF) in August. It’s not warm enough for swimming, but is great for surfing and sailing.

The well-known Santa Ana winds usually come during autumn and winter, although can occur any other time of the year as well. During these periods, hot dry winds blow from the desert to the coast, making weather hot and dry, unlikely the typical climate conditions in the area. Powerful ones can even create a high fire danger, by raising the air temperature quite significantly.

Attractions

There is no lack of places to see in Hollywood. You can choose the best Hollywood tour from our list above or explore them on your own. If you are into film industry, don’t miss most world famous studios, such as Universal Studios, Warner Brothers Studios, Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures, and CBS Television City. Of course, the Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign are must-visit. And don’t forget about Grauman’s Chinese Theater or the Dolby Theater.

If you are a museum enthusiast or the weather is not suitable for walking outside, try some of Los Angeles Museums. In fact, you might find Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Getty Center, and the Natural History Museum quite interesting. While Long Beach hosts one of the world’s largest and most spectacular aquariums – Aquarium of the Pacific – situated just across the harbor from the historic Queen Mary ship.

And for a spectacular scenery, head to one of the following places: Griffith Park, Mullholland Drive, or Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook – they all offer fantastic views of the city and valley laying under.