The Open-Air Bus Tour, Close Up
In short: the Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Open-Air Bus Tour has two departures. From Hollywood it lasts 2 hours and boards “at The Hollywood Visitor Center on the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame”; from Santa Monica it lasts 3.5 hours and includes 30 minutes on the Walk. A live guide speaks English, and an audio guide covers 11 languages.
What it is
A sightseeing drive from the boulevard into the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills in an open-air bus, with a live guide in English and an audio guide. The booking also includes a self-guided Walk of Fame walking tour on an app, as a bonus, according to the listing. The listing’s includes line mentions hotel pickup, while its description gives fixed departure points; the tour departs from fixed points, and the listing is the place to check pickup details.
The Hollywood departure, 2 hours
- The Hollywood Visitor Center on the Walk of Fame: boarding.
- Through Hollywood to the Hollywood Hills, with views of the Hollywood Sign and the city.
- Mulholland Drive.
- Celebrity homes and filming locations, seen from the bus.
- The Beverly Hills Sign: a 10 to 15 minute photo and restroom stop.
- Rodeo Drive.
- West Hollywood and the Sunset Strip.
- Back to Hollywood.
The Santa Monica departure, 3.5 hours
This option starts from the Santa Monica Visitor Center. Its listing includes a 30-minute stop at the Beverly Hills Sign and Rodeo Drive and 30 minutes on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which makes it the version with a stop on the Walk.
What it shows of the Walk
From Hollywood, the Walk is the boarding point; the tour itself is a drive through the hills and Beverly Hills. From Santa Monica, the listing gives 30 minutes on the Walk. The bonus app tour can be used on foot on the boulevard before or after the ride, and the self-guided walk sets out a route of its own. Seeing celebrities in Los Angeles explains what a drive past homes does and does not offer.
Who it suits
Visitors who want to see the Hollywood Hills, Mulholland Drive and Beverly Hills in one trip without driving, and groups who prefer commentary in another language: the audio guide covers Catalan, Chinese, English, Spanish, Italian, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, German and Korean. Visitors staying near the beach can use the Santa Monica departure.
The bus is open, so the listing asks travellers to dress for the weather. The listing does not state wheelchair access.
What travellers mention
Diana from the UK mentions a knowledgeable guide and bits of gossip. Cassie from the UK says the tour showed everything and more, and Chloe from Ireland found it informative and fun.
Rachel from the UK mentions how many areas the tour covered, and Thomas from France describes a comfortable ride and a discovery of the neighbourhoods.
Practicalities
Included
- Open-air bus tour
- Live guide in English
- Audio guide in 11 languages
- Self-guided Walk of Fame walking tour on an app, as a bonus
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Not allowed, per the listing
- Oversize luggage and large bags
- Alcohol and drugs
Departure times: check the calendar in the booking widget, and pick the Hollywood or Santa Monica option when booking. Bus tours from the boulevard sets this tour beside the night tour.
The listing asks travellers to dress for the weather. On an open-air bus, both sun and wind reach the seats.
Two alternatives
After darkLos Angeles: Hollywood Night Tour with Griffith Observatory
On foot, 2 hoursLos Angeles: Hollywood Walk of Fame Walking Tour
Frequently asked questions
Where does the open-air bus tour board in Hollywood?
The listing says it boards “at The Hollywood Visitor Center on the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame”. A second option starts from the Santa Monica Visitor Center. How to get there covers reaching the boulevard.
Which languages does the bus tour offer?
The live guide speaks English. The audio guide covers 11 languages: Catalan, Chinese, English, Spanish, Italian, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, German and Korean. Which tour sorts the six by language.
Does the bus tour stop on the Walk of Fame?
The Hollywood departure boards on the Walk and then drives. The Santa Monica departure, 3.5 hours, includes 30 minutes on the Walk. Bus tours from the boulevard compares the two vehicle tours.