Private Full-Day Hollywood and Santa Monica Tour with Pickup

The Perfect Way to Intro LA!

If you're looking for the absolute best way to get an introduction to Los Angeles, look no further. This private tour exceeded all our expectations. The biggest advantage over a large group tour was the ability to go at our own pace. Our guide was incredibly informative, patient, and adaptable, creating a schedule that felt perfectly tailored to us. We never felt rushed, even though we managed to see an incredible amount in just one day. What I loved most was the strategy: we were able to cruise by certain iconic locations, get great photos from the car, and then spend more quality time at the sites we were most excited about. It was the perfect balance of seeing it all without feeling overwhelmed. While the price may seem like an investment upfront, it's worth every penny. When you consider the time and money you would spend trying to Uber to all these scattered locations yourself, this tour is not only more convenient but likely more cost-effective. If you want a stress-free, efficient, and deeply enjoyable intro to the city, this is the tour for you. Highly recommend

Response from the operator: Thank you for your review and selecting our tour. We appreciate you and hope to see you again soon!!

via Viator

You Will See A Lot!

Well the tour definitely includes a lot of places. However, our tour guide did not offer us water as promised in the write-up.

Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind words about our Tour! We are glad we were able to provide you with the best possible experience in Los Angeles. Bottled Water is always provided on our tour, sorry if that wasn't explained to you. We assure you we will be more hospitable on your next tour experience with us!!

via Viator

A huge let down: badly managed and poor delivery

Sorry to say, our tour yesterday was a huge let down. Had booked this with hard earned BA miles and were really looking forward to it and it was quite poorly done. To start, points as below: Pick up and arrangement Had spent many emails arranging to start at 1100 as had a baseball game in the evening and had agreed the 1100 pick up from hotel. Called just after 1100 as no sign of driver. Driver response was “Did you get the email ? New pick up time is 1130.” Email was sent that morning post 0900 as we had checked, reason given for change was some spurious reason if systems not linking up. No apologies given at all. Put this to one side and he finally arrives at 1137. We have been hanging around the hotel for all this time and getting concerned. Driver arrived with still no word of apology. Reason given is difference in systems and email didn’t reach him. No contrition for being late and bad first impression and appearance (more on this later) We are now worried that we will be late for baseball game and ask if we can get dropped nearer the stadium (we have also lost 30 minutes of our tour) . Told this will be an extra charge to go to the stadium and can’t do anything, we’ve now lost 30 minutes from the tour and no apologies still. Later in the day redeemed himself by dropping at the stadium in busy traffic and we did tip him but not great. Content of tour: Not even on the main road from the hotel and tried to upsell other tours (studios, VIP, etc). This tour has got off to a bad start, trying to sell more at this point was inappropriate and seemed desperate. Poor knowledge of LA from the guide. Most of what was told was delivered in monotone and not given much detail. Driver points out Bel Air gates and nothing more. Have to ask who lives there and get short answers. Other points given were wrong (John Paul Getty was not British, got the subject character of The Aviator wrong.). Content and delivery lightened up when he told us Viator could allow a drop off at Dodger stadium as was short and dull delivery beforehand. Not explained we couldn’t get close to the Hollywood sign and were taken to a random car park for a picture. Van and Driver: Van was needing some attention. Interior was messy, used tissues sitting in the cup holder area, cardboard boxes and unsightly wires in the front seats. Windows unclean and the van looked shabby compared to the many other vans we saw on the tour circuit. Difficult to write this and driver also dressed shabbily in old T shirt with sweat stained and tatty baseball cap. Was not a professional look and dressed as if hanging out at home to do the garden. He did what he could but really not a charismatic tour guide. A tiny bootle of water given at room temperature, one row of seats had no view at all. Was sure we had read about a professional photographer but taking some snaps our our phones (didn’t enjoy someone else handling phones at all, too over familiar and not good) Summary An overall poor experience. We have had more pleasant and informative drives from the Uber drivers in LA. British Airways should not associate with a company like this, experience was poor, amateurish and not at all value for money. We have had tours all over the world and this is the worst yet. Considering how long it takes to earn air miles, this experience was rubbish.

Response from the operator: Thank you for selecting our tour. Although we are surprised at your remarks, we appreciate your input. We believe you had an excellent tour despite your concerns. The pickup time was not an issue as you requested a special time different from the original set time. Tour guide in addition to your tour provided your family with a Dropoff at Dodger stadium at no additional cost (value $180.) We hope you have an excellent experience in your vacation and hope to see you again next time you visit California.

via Tripadvisor

Quick visit to LA area

Got off the ship about 9 am and met our tour guide. Arman was close by waiting for us. He drove us all over Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Blvd, the Sunset Strip (we couldn't see all of that because it was closed due to the Oscar's being there soon), the walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, The Santa Monica Pier, and Venice Beach. Wish I could've gotten more photos but it was hard from a vehicle. We stopped twice to get photos (the Hollywood sign and the Beverly Hills sign). He was very informative about the LA area. As first time visitors, this was a great tour for us to see a lot of things in a short amount of time. He was very good at making us feel like we would like to come back and stay longer to see more in greater detail. But for a one day layover between a cruise and our flight home, it was perfect.

via Viator

Had a great experience.

Enjoyed our tour. Would highly recommend. Getting a small group photo with the HOLLYWOOD sign in the back was special.

via Viator