4 Self-Guided Tours in Los Angeles Worth the Drive

1.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 2,030 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $51Our pick

Ride Starline Tours’ open-top double-decker buses on three scenic routes and a Studio Express Shuttle. Hop off near Hollywood landmarks, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, or downtown museums, then rejoin when you’re ready. Audio commentary comes in nine languages, and the CitySightseeing LA app tracks buses. Attraction admission is not included.

“Love it, visited all major landmarks in 3/4 days. Fantastic experiences over my expectations, highly recommended.”

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2.City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 1,083 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $57

Ride an open-air double-decker through Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, downtown LA, and studio stops. Choose a one-, two-, or three-day pass, use the audio guide in nine languages, and hop off where you like. The main catch is LA traffic: bus waits and route connections can be unreliable, so leave room in your schedule.

“All divers were nice and friendly. They informed us of bused coming and going. Great tour. Alot of things to do and many stops.”

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3.Hollywood Fame & Celebrity Homes Self-Guided Audio Bundle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 40 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Starting at 7138 Sunset Boulevard, this self-guided driving tour follows a 27-mile route through Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Rodeo Drive, and the Hollywood Hills, ending at the Hollywood Sign. Action Tour Guide’s app plays more than 40 audio stories and includes offline maps. Allow about 3 to 4 hours for the full route.

“Fun looking at the Hollywood hills neighborhood. The app could be a little more user friendly. But over all a good excursion.”

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4.Avalon City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 36 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $5Best value

This 50-minute VoiceMap audio tour starts and ends at 313 Crescent Ave in Avalon. Follow directions along the waterfront, with stories about local history, myths, and landmarks such as Green Pleasure Pier and the Catalina Express terminal. Download the audio, map, and route data for offline use, then explore on your own schedule.

“We enjoyed hearing the history of many of the buildings on the island. Once we got the tour going, it synced well as we walked along the route.”

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