Top 5 Los Angeles Half-Day Tours: Expert Reviews

Los Angeles, that city with all the sunshine and movie stars, offers, like, a ton of stuff to do. But, as a matter of fact, sometimes you don’t have days to, you know, see it all, right? That’s where these half-day tours actually come in so handy! They’re, you know, a fantastic way to get a taste of what LA offers, particularly if you’re, like, a first-time visitor or are just, maybe, short on time, you see. Very different tours aim to, kinda, showcase distinct parts of the city, ensuring there’s one, definitely, suited to your, kinda, interests. So, let’s, in some respects, get started and, kinda, see the tours that can really, truly, squeeze the most out of, maybe, half a day.

1. Hollywood Highlights Tour

If there is one thing LA is well known for it is Hollywood, and seeing some of its highlights can, kinda, easily fill half a day. The Hollywood Highlights Tour pretty much covers, maybe, those super-iconic spots. So, first thing you’re likely to do is cruise down the Walk of Fame. Then, you might swing by the TCL Chinese Theatre, maybe even spot celebrity handprints in the concrete. Now, these tours quite often pass by, very, famous film studios as well. Anyway, they will, maybe, let you see a little bit behind the scenes. Oh, and of course, many will provide that mandatory glimpse of the Hollywood Sign from a great photo spot. Very often, there’s someone dishing out cool facts and history. The guides really are very into making the tour not only just about seeing places but even about learning a thing or two, okay?

I had that experience once. Honestly, I thought the Walk of Fame was just, in fact, stars on the sidewalk. Oh, but, clearly, the guide made it sound a bit interesting by pointing out, actually, who everyone was, some anecdotes too it’s almost. And he told us who made it big and all the gossips. Plus, so you know, these tours will normally do a drive along, almost, Sunset Strip. I can remember seeing legendary music venues, more or less. Just kinda let it sink in why it’s famous. If, in fact, seeing those well-known spots, soaking up that history, or snapping a pic or two of the Hollywood Sign appeals to you, you’ll surely fancy one of these.

Read our full review: Hollywood Highlights Tour Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Hollywood Highlights Tour)

2. Beaches and Coastal Views Tour

Want to feel that ocean breeze and catch, like, some seriously epic coastal views? Then, as a matter of fact, this Beaches and Coastal Views Tour tends to be just, actually, what you’re searching for. So, lots of tours will start at Santa Monica Pier, right? The views there can sometimes look great and the atmosphere seems always fun. We also find other beaches that might appeal more such as the vibes at Venice Beach with the skateboarders and all the street art and things like that. Often there’s Malibu as well – famous because, arguably, so many celebrities live there. What most of these trips often involve too is a gorgeous drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. You get that breathtaking ocean scenery along the whole stretch.

My buddy is, well, someone that surfs. When I took him on, actually, this little trip last year he, clearly, was raving, you know, over seeing all those iconic surf spots. We went past this cafe where many episodes of ‘Baywatch’ were, sort of, filmed so he actually insisted we get pictures. Seriously, it all looked perfect. When that weather is nice, which is typical in LA, honestly, it’s that sort of tour for capturing, really, incredible photos and also really inhaling a bunch of that refreshing ocean air. Should you enjoy some sun, you know, sand, and, well, seeing classic beaches – that kind of tour could, possibly, be awesome.

Read our full review: Beaches and Coastal Views Tour Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Beaches and Coastal Views Tour)

3. Downtown LA Exploration

Think, well, LA doesn’t have a true downtown? Then you might be in a big surprise as this Downtown LA Exploration tour kinda reveals all it has! As a matter of fact, there really is a bunch of exciting architecture over there that’s a total must-see, for example Walt Disney Concert Hall’s curvy metal. Union Station is another example. This really is this super beautiful mix of Art Deco, with that Spanish Colonial feel that LA seems to blend well, that kind of tour often includes seeing Olvera Street. Known as LA’s birthplace, or seeing museums like The Broad as well. Oh yeah and you can get some seriously spectacular views looking down from places like the rooftop bars so, that too it’s almost, shouldn’t be left out of the running as a stop, that.

Last month, when my cousins actually were in from New York, I chose, definitely, one like this for our day out together and, obviously, it ended up being cool, it almost could be said! Truth be told I never really rated the Downtown much, in fact. Seemed really boring by comparison and a little bit scary. That kinda changed fast once we had our guide actually telling the story. Turns out there’s lots, just, super neat history there to dive in. Oh yeah, and if, perhaps, you dig buildings, culture, then even eating at various distinct dining establishments, you would possibly gain so much, that time is used properly, right?

Read our full review: Downtown LA Exploration Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Downtown LA Exploration)

4. Movie Stars’ Homes Tour

Are you kinda someone fascinated, kinda, with, actually, where celebrities are settled or what their lives tend to be like? Maybe the Movie Stars’ Homes Tour then may simply tick that requirement. So, naturally, tours pass through different well-known neighborhoods such as, you know, Beverly Hills and Bel Air and there you will see sprawling mansions, where many celebrities live. Very often tour companies usually boast they have those “insider scoops” about who happens to own which properties. And guides usually point those houses out during tours. The thought can be tantalizing that they may, even, get to glimpse a celebrity around, while obviously no promise should be actually anticipated.

I have been with some acquaintances. When it comes to people like myself, my friends really adored seeing these homes; and hearing anecdotes regarding the movie star occupants can kinda get one excited. I would feel it really makes some others tick more as they like wondering as to who’s, like, living behind all of those super big, tall gates rather, for instance. Should you love entertainment gossip and just like taking pictures of lavish estates – well give it some consideration.

Read our full review: Movie Stars’ Homes Tour Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Movie Stars’ Homes Tour)

5. Griffith Observatory and Park Tour

So, should you long, you know, for stunning views alongside delving even, kinda, into, like, space/science? Turns out this Griffith Observatory and Park Tour would likely fulfill. It offers both, almost, spectacular views alongside having numerous cool things regarding space available to explore. It gets that cool position atop Mount Hollywood and, so it is said, grants you one incredibly cool, all encompassing perspective looking out at LA, in short. Even a real good Hollywood Sign viewpoint as well which many consider as being super good. That, it would appear, has exhibits over anything connected or relevant from astronomy to planetary science so too it’s almost.

One weekend my other half, and that would be my girlfriend, actually were touring the Observatory, okay? Oh yeah she literally was blown away at these massive telescopes together and at that great Foucault pendulum. In some respects, taking a trip like this is usually more than just getting a picture and tends actually more towards also becoming education related, really really awesome. Should, possibly, sweeping outlooks paired alongside that element which offers insightful material excites some curiosity I’d possibly recommend just adding one.

Read our full review: Griffith Observatory and Park Tour Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Griffith Observatory and Park Tour)