5 ways to go behind the scenes in Los Angeles

From Rodeo Drive to the Sunset Strip, Los Angeles is a sun-kissed playground of fame, food and design, and this half-day tour takes you to the best of the city’s best. Some things, like Beverly Hills, Paramount Studios and the Greek Theatre, you’ll see from the comfort of a climate-controlled bus. Others you’ll explore in greater depth: The seaside amusement park at Santa Monica Pier, the original L.A. farmers market and Griffith Observatory, a hilltop haven with sweeping views of both the city and the Hollywood Sign. It’s a great way to cover a lot of ground—and get tips on the most interesting spots to return to—without having to navigate L.A. traffic on your own.

You can cross one of the most beloved landmarks in L.A. off your list in about an hour on this quick walking tour. It’s just a short, 1.7-mile round trip hike through the Hollywood Hills to the world-famous Hollywood Sign in the company of your working actor/comedian guide, who will draw in the details of the city’s landscape and give you the downlow on La La Land of yesterday and today. But while the banter is fun and informative, it’s the panoramic views of the city that make this mini-adventure great. Plus, your guide will send you copies of pro-photos after the tour ends.

Los Angeles isn’t just the home of Hollywood, it’s one of its stars. From Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Iron Man 3 to Back to the Future and Zombieland, the streets of L.A. have appeared in hundreds of films and television shows—and the Film Freak, former entertainment news correspondent Leo Quinones, knows just where to find them. On his two-hour movie locations tour, Quinones and his open-air, sun-protected van take you inside more than 75 different productions while an on-board screen runs clips of the films in which they appeared. No matter how much of a film buff you were before you climbed on board, Quinones will give you a whole new appreciation for the city and the movies that have made it great.

The architecture in Downtown L.A. has a character all its own and, on this walking tour, you’ll dive deep into its eclectic landscape. It all begins with the city’s earliest landmarks, including the ornate sky-lit Bradbury Building and the charismatic Last Bookstore, before heading to Little Tokyo, a lively neighborhood enclave that houses the oldest confectionery in town. From there, it’s on to learn about the history and design of Civic Center, Grand Park and instantly recognizable locations like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, some of which have more than one film credit to their name. The three-hour tour ends with a ride on one of the city’s earliest forms of transit, a 120-year-old funicular that will return you to your starting point at the heart of downtown.

With strings of beaches bound by the serrated Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu is one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful—and exclusive—neighborhoods. Tons of celebrities including Tom Hanks, Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Aniston live here, but getting a peek at their unbelievable homes is just one reason to add this tour to your itinerary. At stops like Malibu Pier, Malibu Country Mart, and Point Dume, you’ll get an intimate introduction to this 21-mile section of the Pacific Coast Highway, one that involves whale watching, wine-tasting, and beachcombing. It’s a side of the city not many visitors get to see, and one you’ll regret missing if you don’t book this experience.