Trying to find the best Los Angeles tours and things to do? Keep reading to see our recommendations, but first, here’s a fair warning…
A fair warning about Los Angeles tours
Los Angeles is an incredible place with thousands of attractions. However, like all major tourist destinations, it’s not without its tourist traps.
Common tourist traps in Los Angeles include unlicensed street vendors, overpriced gift shops, and questionable “tourist information” centers, all of which are designed to separate visitors from their money rather than provide meaningful experiences. Many visitors fall into these traps simply because they haven’t researched their options beforehand.
Red Flags That Scream Tourist Trap!
- Overcrowded locations where waiting time exceeds activity time
- Overpriced parking lots suspiciously close to gimmicky offerings
- Attractions that prioritize gift shops over actual experiences
- Tourist information centers focused on selling timeshares or expensive packages
- Aggressive street promoters pushing “exclusive deals” or “limited-time offers”
How To Find Authentic Experiences in Los Angeles
- Look for professionally curated experiences from proven companies
- Ask hotel staff or locals for their personal recommendations
- Join local social media groups for current happenings
- Check community bulletin boards and calendars for local events
- Look for places that don’t advertise heavily in tourist magazines or brochures
- Visit attractions during off-peak hours when locals typically go
Moreover, for the best experience in LA, always check online reviews before booking with any tour company. Another Side Tours is grateful to be one of the most awarded tour companies in the Western USA. Check out our Google reviews to see why people choose us.
Here’s another warning: Once you experience Los Angeles with a tour company that treats you right, you might find yourself planning your next trip before you’ve finished your first one. Los Angeles has a way of turning first-time tourists into lifelong fans, thanks to its many iconic destinations and one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Don’t say we didn’t warn you ahead of time!
All right, let’s get back to the best things to do in Los Angeles!
Tour Rodeo Drive and more like a VIP
Rodeo Drive is an iconic destination in Los Angeles and one of the city’s nicest shopping areas. It’s perhaps, in fact, the most expensive street in Los Angeles, with high-end shops and price tags that would make your jaw drop.
Some tourists describe Rodeo Drive as “Europe but in America.” It’s definitely worth checking out, even if you are only planning on window shopping.
Rodeo Drive is close to the Beverly Hills Sign, making it a convenient location for any tour that explores the ever-interesting world of Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
Check out our LA Tour to visit Rodeo Drive and other local hotspots! From the Mulholland Overlooks to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, our guests get to experience LA’s top destinations.
Go on a Beverly Hills Segway tour
For something a bit more adventurous, a Segway tour through Beverly Hills is a fantastic choice. After all, what better way to explore one of LA’s most famous neighborhoods than by gliding along and having a good time with friends while an expert guide leads the way?
The iconic 90210 area, with its luxury shops, historic landmarks, and architectural highlights, is a can’t-miss destination if you love all things Los Angeles.
Want to explore Beverly Hills with a top-notch professional guide? See our Beverly Hills Segway Tour.
Take an LA Instagram Tour to unleash your inner influencer
So, if you’re in the mood for a tour that hits all the most photogenic spots in the city, then an LA Instagram tour is the go-to choice. This type of tour is all about finding trendy hotspots and taking the perfect photos that leave your followers impressed and wanting more.
There are so many amazing places in LA that can work for a Los Angeles Instagram tour. That said, popular photo locations in the city include the Pink Wall, Angel Wings Murals, Beverly Hills Signs, and the Urban Lights Exhibit at LACMA.
PS We offer an LA Instagram Tour that takes you to the most Instagram-worthy spots in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.
Embark on an exclusive hike to the Hollywood Sign
Los Angeles might be known for its glitz and glamour, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find amazing outdoor experiences to challenge you physically. A Hollywood Sign hiking tour is a prime example.
The sign’s surrounding landscape is very scenic, and from a distance, you can get photographic shots of the iconic white sign perched majestically on the Santa Monica Mountains above.
If this catches your interest, see our Beyond The Billboards Hiking Tour. This exclusive tour offers you perhaps the closest experience you can find to the world-famous landmark. Along the way, you’ll traverse the beautiful Lake Hollywood Reservoir trail, which is surrounded by towering pines and rolling hills.
Sightsee the most famous celebrity homes
Los Angeles, and more specifically, the Westside, is a very unique and star-studded place with a culture built around celebrity attractions, which invariably includes celebrity homes. Some of the most famous celebrities in the world have homes that you can see on a celebrity home tour.
While it depends on the tour, celebrity home tours can take you past current or former residences of iconic figures like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Keanu Reeves, and Michael Jackson. Other notable stops can include the homes of George Harrison, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, Walt Disney, and Rod Stewart.
Want to learn more? Our Celebrity Homes Tour offers you a glimpse into the neighborhoods where some of Hollywood’s most famous figures have lived.
Visit renowned wineries on a private Temecula wine tour
If you want a relaxing tour with scenic vineyards in Southern California’s premier wine country, then a private wine tour in Temecula is absolutely the right choice. Temecula’s wine region draws over 3 million visitors annually, in part thanks to its fantastic wine tours that usually include visits to multiple wineries.
A leisurely day in Temecula’s wine region allows you to savor its award-winning vintages and rolling, panoramic vineyards. This makes a Temecula wine tour an ideal getaway from the retreat from city life and an ideal experience for wine lovers.
Our Private Temecula Wine Tour is one of the best around. It offers an all-encompassing solution for your Temecula getaway and includes chauffeuring and a delicious picnic lunch.
Ride through Santa Monica and Venice Beach on an e-bike
For a more active tour, we suggest an e-bike tour in Santa Monica and Venice Beach. E-bikes are easy to ride, as they do most of the work for you, and if you’ve never been to Santa Monica Pier, it’s such a fun experience cruising with a motor assist.
This is a fantastic way to experience the laid-back beach culture of LA, as well as visit the world-famous Santa Monica Pier.
To ride with Another Side Tours, check out our Santa Monica and Venice Beach E-Bike Tour. It runs from Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach and back.
Ride through Santa Monica and Venice Beach on a Segway
Segways are also a fantastic choice if you want an active tour in Santa Monica and Venice Beach but with a twist. Gliding on a Segway is unique, and it’s a lot of fun, especially as you explore this part of LA’s famous coastline.
Most people get comfortable riding a Segway within two or three minutes, after a quick training session; then, they’re free to glide from the Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach, and experience what makes the area so special.
We offer a Santa Monica and Venice Beach Segway Tour that blends leisure and adventure in a laid-back and incredibly fun experience, with a little history and background added in for good measure.
Go on a mega 7-hour tour of Los Angeles’s most iconic highlights
Want to experience more of LA’s most iconic locations in one tour rather than visit them separately? If so, a seven-hour Highlights Tour is the answer.
Multiple options exist for exploring and discovering Los Angeles, but guided semi-private tours tend to offer the most comprehensive and personalized experiences.
Our popular Los Angeles Highlights Tour is divided into two parts, beginning with the famous beaches of Santa Monica and Venice, where you stroll along the sandy shores.
After a 1-hour lunch break at the world-renowned Farmer’s Market, we start the Hollywood and Beverly Hills portion of the tour. You’ll have the chance to visit all the iconic spots that Los Angeles is famous for, including the Dolby Theatre, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, The Hollywood Walk of Fame, and more.
Experience the Ultimate Hollywood Tour
The Ultimate Hollywood Tour showcases iconic Los Angeles landmarks. You’ll visit famous spots like the famous Hollywood Sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Avenue of the Stars, and more.
While different tour companies offer their own versions of the ultimate experience, Another Side Tours goes above and beyond by offering a special, private tour experience.
If this sounds like the kind of tour you’re looking for, check out The Ultimate Hollywood Tour.
Explore Los Angeles with Another Side Tours
Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis that spans over 500 square miles and has a population of nearly 4 million. LA is also home to thousands of businesses, as well as many iconic destinations, world-renowned cultural landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, and much more.
Whether you’re a casual tourist or a local wanting to experience more of your city, there’s something special about exploring Los Angeles with an expert tour guide.
Your perfect Los Angeles experience awaits with Another Side Tours. Contact us to book your tour, or simply visit any of our tour pages and book directly. The hardest part is deciding which tour to try first!
