
Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
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Quick answer
Is Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour worth booking?
Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour is a 5-hour experience in Los Angeles, United States, from $75 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $75 per person
Explore the highlights of Los Angeles on a 5-hour open bus tour that visits three iconic locations. Stop by the vibrant Santa Monica Pier, grab lunch at the bustling Original Farmers Market, and enjoy panoramic views fro
What you get
About this experience
Explore the highlights of Los Angeles on a 5-hour open bus tour that visits three iconic locations. Stop by the vibrant Santa Monica Pier, grab lunch at the bustling Original Farmers Market, and enjoy panoramic views from Griffith Observatory. With expert local guides, you’ll cruise past famous landmarks like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and the Sunset Strip, making it a perfect way to discover the City of Angels. This tour is ideal for families and first-time visitors looking for a comprehensive overview of LA's hotspots. - 5-hour open bus tour with three iconic stops - 45-minute stop at Santa Monica Pier and 60-minute lunch at Farmers Market - Expert local guides offering insights into LA's culture and history - Includes views of Griffith Observatory and the famous Hollywood Sign during the drive
What's included
Included
- Admission fees
Not included
- Parking fees
What you'll see and do
Begin your tour cruising past Hollywood's icons — the legendary stars in the sidewalk and the historic premiere house.
Pass by without stopping
Pass the legendary Whisky a Go Go, The Comedy Store, and Sunset Boulevard's most famous music and comedy venues.
Pass by without stopping
Glide through Beverly Hills along Rodeo Drive's flagship designer boutiques and tree-lined luxury streets.
Pass by without stopping
Beverly Hills
Spot the famous "Pink Palace" — a Hollywood icon and celebrity hideaway since 1912.
Pass by without stopping
Step out onto the historic pier on the Pacific Coast — ride the Ferris wheel, walk the boardwalk, or dip your toes in the ocean.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Travel a stretch of America's most famous highway at its western terminus.
Pass by without stopping
Lunch break at LA's beloved 1934 landmark — gourmet food stalls, local vendors, and dozens of cuisines under one roof.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Pass the cultural heart of LA — home to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and historic mid-century architecture.
Pass by without stopping
Catch one of LA's best photo angles of the world-famous Hollywood Sign on the way up the hill.
Pass by without stopping
Griffith Observatory
Sweeping panoramic views of the LA skyline, the Pacific Ocean, and the Hollywood Sign from the observatory deck.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Pass two more music landmarks — the iconic circular tower and the world-famous outdoor amphitheatre — on the way back.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Los Angeles
Meet us 15 minutes before tour start time at the location.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet us 15 minutes before tour start time at the location.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hollywood Tour Bus
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Los Angeles.
How much does Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour cost?
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Prices start at $75 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Los Angeles usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Los Angeles is not rushed.
Is Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Los Angeles, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Los Angeles can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Los Angeles and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory 5-Hour Open-Top Bus Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Los Angeles within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Los Angeles?
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Los Angeles rewards travellers who cluster their bookings by geography rather than by theme. Studio tours and Hollywood walks sit inland, the Malibu and Santa Monica coast runs west, and Griffith Observatory and the canyon hikes work best at dawn or dusk. We weight transport clarity in the ranking here: whether pickup is included changes an LA day more than the tour itself. On Outty we rank every Los Angeles experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hollywood Sign 2.5-Hour Tour with Comedians and Their Dogs, Los Angeles Hollywood Sign Hike: Front, Behind, and Expert Guide, Los Angeles Original 90-Minute Walking Tour to The Hollywood Sign. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
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March to May and September to November, for clear air and open canyon roads. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Los Angeles?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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