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Hollywood to Downtown: LA's Hidden History
4.0
4 Ratings
Los Angeles
Experience the real Los Angeles on a comprehensive tour of Hollywood and downtown. Learn about the history of the movie business and explore the dynamic and vibrant downtown area.
Experience the real Los Angeles on a comprehensive tour of Hollywood and downtown. Learn about the history of the movie business and explore the dynamic and vibrant downtown area.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Hollywood Walk of Fame - During the Hollywood segment of the tour, travel back to the 1880s when the name first appeared on maps. Discover why the burgeoning film industry chose this quaint farming town in the early 20th century. Strolling through Hollywood’s streets, uncover numerous hidden historical sites, such as Hollywood’s oldest house and…
- Hollywood Walk of Fame - During the Hollywood segment of the tour, travel back to the 1880s when the name first appeared on maps. Discover why the burgeoning film industry chose this quaint farming town in the early 20th century. Strolling through Hollywood’s streets, uncover numerous hidden historical sites, such as Hollywood’s oldest house and the school attended by Charlie Chaplin’s children. Enjoy an intimate experience with landmarks like the Walk of Fame, the Capitol Records Building, the Egyptian Theater, the Dolby Theater (home of the Oscars), and the TCL Chinese Theater.
- Hollywood Sign - Explore the history of this Los Angeles icon while enjoying some of the best views from the Walk of Fame.
- TCL Chinese Theatres - Tour this renowned, historic theater and its star-studded forecourt.
- Civic Center - Ride the Red Metro Line to the city’s core, where the tour emerges in Grand Park, a serene oasis within the Civic Center. Visit the Music Center, featuring the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Broad Museum.
- The Music Center - Explore the crown jewel of DTLA, a premier performing arts complex.
- Walt Disney Concert Hall - Admire this modern design icon up close.
- The Broad - Discover this popular new museum in DTLA.
- Angels Flight Railway - Ride this century-old funicular from Bunker Hill to Grand Central Market. Tickets are $1.
- Grand Central Market - Enjoy lunch at this historic venue, over a century old. Food enthusiasts will find paradise, and everyone will appreciate the variety and affordability.
- Downtown Historic District - Weekly, new trendy restaurants, bars, Apple stores, creative offices, and apartment buildings open in the area. Many are unaware that it is also the best-preserved historic downtown of any major U.S. city, boasting some of the world’s finest architecture, including stunning examples of Beaux Arts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, modern, and post-modern styles.
- Fine Arts Building - Visit the exquisite, historic lobby, a prime example of art nouveau design (weekdays only).
What's Included
- $1 donation to Climate Cents for every guest
- Learn to use LA Metro - easy & cheap transport
- Los Angeles Metro travel included with ticket
- Professional Tour Guide
- $1 donation to Climate Cents for every guest
- Learn to use LA Metro - easy & cheap transport
- Los Angeles Metro travel included with ticket
- Professional Tour Guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities not included. Please allow 15-20%.
- Lunch
- Gratuities not included. Please allow 15-20%.
- Lunch
Additional Information
Desire to glimpse into the authentic Los Angeles? Embark on this journey, commencing in Hollywood. Find out why the film industry selected this unassuming Wild West town as its base. There’s a myriad of historical tales unfolded right amidst this iconic neighborhood. Not only will you explore its history, but also get to view its famous structures…
Desire to glimpse into the authentic Los Angeles? Embark on this journey, commencing in Hollywood. Find out why the film industry selected this unassuming Wild West town as its base. There’s a myriad of historical tales unfolded right amidst this iconic neighborhood. Not only will you explore its history, but also get to view its famous structures littering the legendary Boulevard.
Subsequently, you’ll journey to Downtown via the subway (fare included). As the birthplace of the city in 1781, it represents the most extensive historic downtown across all major U.S cities. Though it brims with gorgeous architecture, it is hardly a relic frozen in time. It’s the city’s most vibrant and engaging district, housing the finest eateries and watering holes.
- Tours kick-off at 10am every day
- Los Angeles Metro transportation costs are incorporated in the tour price
- A vast variety of dining options can be tailored to all food preferences (vegan, gluten-free etc)
- Aim to get to the meeting point 10-15 minutes early. If you’re late you may miss the tour.
- This tour is not recommended for children under 15 y.o.
- By making a booking for this tour you agree to be bound by The Real Los Angeles Tours terms of service.
- Have lunch at Grand Central Market, one of the top food destinations in the US.
- Please check dates/times carefully BEFORE making a booking.
- This is a walking tour and we move at a reasonable pace. If you have mobility issues please book a private tour via our website.
Location
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
Hollywood Boulevard
The guide will be will be checking-in guests from 15 minutes before the tour begins at the meeting point. The Pantages Theatre is right opposite Hollywood and Vine Metro Station. We CANNOT wait for latecomers, there are other guests.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.0
(4 Ratings)
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Kfieldstu
Dec 6, 2019
An Exhilarating Journey through LA History! - My Mother came to visit in October and I booked this tour for us to both get to explore the city together. On both segments of the combined tour we were joined by one other couple which made the experience even more intimate which we appreciated.
We learned SO MUCH from Damien during our tours and Terry as well. They were full of interesting stories and history about the rise and development of Hollywood and LA. We saw some truly spectacular architecture and ate some delicious food at our lunch stop. Not to mention we were constantly entertained by our guide’s stories and humor.
The waking portions are not arduous by any means, and yet Damien has curated these unique experiences where you leave feeling that you know more about LA then Angelenos that have been here forever.
I would HIGHLY recommend this above any other walking tour. It’s a fun time for all ages (me - 32, Mom - 69). It is truly rare to find tour companies that place so much thought and care into every guests individual experience. Make your investment worthwhile here.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mell710
Mar 26, 2019
Comprehensive, Fun Tour - We did this tour, as we thought it would give us a better sense of what LA has to offer. It's a walking tour, so we get to see things we actually want to, make pit stops, etc. whereas on a bus, it's just driving around.
We started off in Hollywood, doing the Hollywood tour portion, with Vicky. We learned a lot about the history of Hollywood: the buildings, the people, the movies. It was wonderful to see and learn about the historic components of the city. The tour continued with Damien and we explored more of LA. He took us to some really fun, hidden gems such as a theater transfrmed to jewellery store. The theater components still remain and it's super cool so see these elements. Another fun gem is the Intercontinental hotel. I'll let you figure that one out.
The tour ends in Santa Monica. From there, we needed to find our way back home (as we parked in Hollywood, near the beginning of the tour). It's very important to know this and have a plan to get home. Thankfully, Damien was heading back and helped us with the metro pass and our way back home.
It just wasn't expected, but very important to mention. It's really the only negative we encountered on this tour and it didn't ruin the experience - simply an inconvenience.
Strongly recommend this tour - the amount of walking is maybe 4-5 miles, but the experience is amazing.
Just plan ahead to be "abandoned" in Santa Monica (since the tour starts in Hollywood).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathy
Mar 15, 2019
Worth doing! - We started with the Hollywood Tour which we really enjoyed. Learnt a lot about theatres in LA as well as the start of Hollywood. Our guide Damien, knew his history and clearly has a love of LA. We decided to join him for the Downtown LA Tour that afternoon. It was well worth doing, and also learnt some interesting history of Downtown. We finished up on the 70th floor of the Intercontinental Hotel, to get a view of the whole town, and thankfully, it was beautifully clear so we could see the sea!!! The walking is not onorous, and we stopped for a delicious lunch at Grand Central Market. So much more fun than sitting on a bus!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Biancabw745qb
Jun 1, 2021
WORSE CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER. SCAMMMM - So I booked both tours separated and paid then separated but apparently they become one once you book them.
We show up to the Pantages theater was asked, but what we didn't realize is that there is more than one in LA and we end up in the wrong one. We just followed googles maps and didn't realize until it was too late.
We tried calling but their phone number goes straight to a voice message, so we emailed explaining so happened and asking if we could reschedule. They took forever to reply and never asked if we would still like to take the second tour, which we went too and nobody was there.
We waited for 45h and nobody showed up.
So we end up loosing $160 dollars because they reply to out emails saying it was our fault and that they wouldn't refund us because we left offensive reviews.
I'm sorry if the truth hurts, but your customer service is TERRIBLEEEEE.
DON'T BOOK WITH THEM IF YOU THINK SOMETHING IN YOUR TRIP COULD GO WRONG, THEY ARE NOT UNDERSTANDING AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A EASY WAY TO BE CONTACTED. THEIR OFFICE DOESN'T EVEN EXIST.
I'm sure the tour would've been great. I was super excited, but it is what it is.
Thank your for helping me have a good time in LA 😊
This is a picture of me waiting for the tour that never happened
Review provided by Tripadvisor
