A Day in LA Tours FAQ

LA City Tours FAQs

City Tour FAQs

What time does the tour start/finish?

Check-in is at 1537 2nd St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 by 9:30 AM Santa Monica, 90401 and also at the Hollywood and Highland metro station at 8 AM (Note: Hollywood check-in will have downtime due to multiple pickups). Parking at the Santa Monica location is at 1555 2nd. st 90401 for about $20 per day.

For tours departing from Anaheim, the starting point is at the Anaheim Garden Walk (in front of McCormick & Schmick’s) at 7:30 am.  There is public parking at the center for $30 per day.  We also offer hotel pickups in Anaheim which can be found HERE

Where should I park?

At our Santa Monica check-in location, convenient parking is located across the street at 1555 2nd St, Santa Monica, 90401 for about $20 per day. For our Hollywood check-in parking is available at the Hollywood and Highland Center.

Can you pickup from my hotel/location?

Yes! We offer Los Angeles tours with hotel pick-up! We have pick-up/drop-off service from hundreds of hotels in Hollywood, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Venice, and the LAX area. See a complete list HERE. If you can’t find your hotel, call us at 818-538-6287 or email customerservice@adayinla.com for other options!

How many stops are there?

Our full-day LA City Tours and LA City Tours from Anaheim include a live guide while on the vehicle and 6 self-guided stops. Destination stops include Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills/Rodeo Dr., Griffith Park Observatory/Hollywood Sign, and Hollywood Blvd./Walk of Fame. Our lunch stop is at The Original Farmers Market at The Grove. Each stop allows you to explore the area on your own and at your own pace.

How long are the stops?

Destination stops are 30-40 minutes. Lunch is usually around an hour or just over (added time for busier days).

Are the stops guided?

Our stops are self-guided with an informative map that we provide all guests. Your guide will provide ample information and is happy to answer any questions you have before exiting the vehicle at our destination stops. Between stops, your knowledgeable guide will give you fun facts and information about all areas we visit throughout the day.

Is breakfast or lunch included in the price?

We provide water throughout the tour. Lunch is not included and may be purchased during our 1-hour lunch stop at The Original Farmers Market at The Grove. There are plenty of delicious options to choose from!

What is your tour refund policy?

We offer a 100% refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled departure. All tours canceled within 24 hours of scheduled departure are non-refundable. We do offer rescheduling options for a future tour date subject to availability. No-shows will be charged 100% without a rescheduling option.

Can I pay in cash on the day of the tour?

No. Sorry about that.

Is your site secure for payments?

Yes, our site offers SSL security on all purchases.

Are there any discounts?

We always offer the best possible price on our website. We do periodically run promotions on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see if we’re running promotions!

Do I need to purchase a seat for my baby even if the baby is on my lap?

We do not charge for children 2 and under. We also strongly encourage bringing a car seat and letting us know at the time of booking that you will be bringing an infant. We can provide child safety seats or booster seats on request.

Where do you visit on a LA City tour?

A complete list of where we visit on our city tour can be found on our LA City Tour page. Destination stops include Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills/Rodeo Dr., Griffith Park Observatory/Hollywood Sign, and Hollywood Bl/Walk of Fame. Our lunch stop is at The Original Farmer’s Market at The Grove.

When we stop at our lunch destination, you’ll see that you have many options available to you. Even if you’re on a strict diet, you’ll find something yummy at The Original Farmer’s Market at The Grove.

What is there to see in Venice Beach?

If you’re wondering what there is to see on our tour of Venice Beach, the answer is simple — there’s plenty! Venice Beach is the birthplace of surfing, so it’s only natural that you’ll often see surfers dotting the water. If you like to people-watch, you’ll want to head directly to the boardwalk, where you’ll typically see people skating, cycling, and playing volleyball or basketball.

You can also check out Muscle Beach when you visit Venice Beach. You can take a seat in the stands near the competition stage or watch people work out from a viewpoint that’s outside the beach’s dumbbell-shaped fitness facility. Even if you’re not a skateboarding enthusiast, you’ll want to swing by the Venice Skate Park to see some of the most thrilling skateboarding action you’ll find anywhere.

What can I do in Beverly Hills?

There’s a whole lot to do and see at our Beverly Hills tour stop! With so many stars and starlets calling Beverly Hills home, star gazing is a popular activity in the city. Of course, shopping along Rodeo Drive is something many of our guests enjoy doing, too. We’ll drop you off a few blocks away from Rodeo Drive, near the Beverly Hills sign. From there, it’s just a quick walk to start shopping with the rich and famous.

What are some of the specific sights I’ll get to see during my full-day Los Angeles tour?

How does Grauman’s Chinese Theatre sound? Opened in 1927, this iconic theater has been used to launch countless films, including “Star Wars” in 1977. Today, the theater can seat more than 900 people, and it has one of the biggest movie screens on the continent. Just outside the theater’s doors, you can see the signatures, handprints, and footprints of a wide range of stars. These impressions date back to the 1920s through the present day.

You’ll also be able to stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame and search for your favorite celebrities’ stars along the walkway. Don’t hesitate to take a selfie or a family photo with the stars of your choice to cement the memories you’ll make throughout your LA day tour.

Have you always wanted to know what it’s like to walk the red carpet? While we can’t roll out the red carpet for you, we can tell you that you’ll get to visit the host site of the Oscars, Dolby Theatre, during your full-day LA tour.

Do you pick up or drop off at LAX airport?

No, we are generally prevented from entering LAX airport. We do pick up at many hotels in the vicinity of LAX. Many of these hotels offer a shuttle from the airport. A complete list of hotel pickups can be found HERE.

What do I need to bring for the tour?

Check the weather before coming for what to wear (generally jeans/shorts a t-shirt and a sweatshirt for the morning are all you need – maybe a hat, too). Bring some sunglasses, something to drink (though bottled water is available on the bus), a camera, and your wallet, and you’re all set. On sunny days (which is 85% of the year), you may want to bring some sunscreen and chapstick.

Do I need a ticket to get on the bus?

You must advance purchase tour tickets, although you don’t need to bring a printed ticket. Our greeters will check you in with the name on the reservation.

Are seats assigned? Can I sit with my family/friends?

Seats are first-come-first-served and we cannot guarantee that you will be seated next to your party. To maximize the likelihood that you will be able to sit together, we strongly recommend arriving early for check-in. All groups booking together will be placed on the same bus. If you have 2 or more reservations for your group please notify us in the comments section at the time of purchase so your group can be placed on the same bus.

How can I make a reservation?

You can book online or by calling us at 818-538-6287.

Is gratuity included in the price?

No. The standard tip is 15%-20% (or more if you were really happy with the service).

What languages do you offer the tour in?

Currently, we only offer our regular LA city tours in English. We do have Los Angeles private tours available in Spanish upon request.

Where is the closest RV park where we can be picked up?

The closest RV park is Dockweiler RV Park.

Do you pick up in downtown LA?

We do not pick up from downtown LA. The closest pickup location to you is in Hollywood at 7001 Hollywood Blvd (in front of the LALA Land Souvenir shop) at 8 am. OR – To avoid being on a hotel pickup bus for 1.5 hours you can meet the tour directly at the starting point in Santa Monica at 1537 2nd St., Santa Monica, CA 90401. You would need to be there no later than 9:30 am. You can also meet us in Santa Monica and end the tour at your last stop in Hollywood to be closer to your hotel! Let us know how you would like to proceed as soon as possible

Can I take public transportation to the tour starting location?

Yes, and we encourage you to do so! The new metro line to Santa Monica stops within 5 blocks of our meeting point in Santa Monica. You can plan your transportation using Google Maps.

Do we get to visit any movie studios?

Studios are part of our Hollywood driving tour, so you certainly see them, but they aren’t stops.

When should I make my reservation?

We recommend booking as soon as you know the date you want to go on the tour. During popular travel times (summer, spring break, winter holidays, and breaks) our tours sell out every day, often well in advance.

Our tours are so popular because we provide the best experience in Los Angeles — guaranteed. Our full-day Los Angeles city tour and nearby areas is the top-rated tour on Yelp and TripAdvisor. Our tour doesn’t just have a five-star rating on those two highly respected review websites, either. It also has the same rating on Google and Facebook. If you want to experience LA with A Day in LA Tours, don’t delay! Click the Book Now button to make your reservations today.

Can I bring my luggage/stroller?

The buses are small and designed for passenger transport only so we cannot accommodate luggage or strollers. Daypacks are fine and are encouraged. We DO NOT store luggage

Are you insured/licensed?

Yes. We are fully insured and licensed by the state regulatory agency the California Public Utilities Commission (TCP# 27663). We encourage all guests to Los Angeles to check that every company is properly licensed and insured before booking any activity. You can search for a company’s passenger carrier license on the California PUC website. Unfortunately, many companies in Los Angeles do not comply with these requirements.

Are you hiring for positions?

We are always accepting good résumés for tour guides and drivers. Submit yours to jobs@adayinla.com.

Is it easy to get around LA without a car? 

No – traffic patterns, congestion and parking costs make it time consuming and expensive.

How can I spend a few days in LA?

Take a tour with us !? Universal Studios, a day in Malibu, the Getty, Getty Villa, Santa Monica Beach and promenade.

Is Sunset Strip worth a visit?

It’s worth a driveby, not necessarily a stop – A lot of iconic spots like the House of Blues, the key club, and the viper room are now gone.

What are the best months to travel to Los Angeles?

All year, the weather is temperate all year with low rainfall.