Everything LA Self-Guided Driving Tour Hollywood to Beverly Hills

5.0 (one review) 3 hours – 3 h 30 min Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

one review

5.0

Everything LA Self-Guided Driving Tour Hollywood to Beverly Hills — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Everything LA Self-Guided Driving Tour Hollywood to Beverly Hills, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Skip the crowded bus and explore Los Angeles your way with this immersive, self-guided driving tour through Hollywood, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, and beyond.

This isn’t just another celebrity homes tour. You’ll cover dozens of iconic landmarks, filming locations, historic sites, and hidden gems—from world-famous spots you’ve seen on screen to places most visitors never even know exist.

Drive at your own pace as GPS-triggered audio that shares the stories behind Hollywood’s biggest names, legendary locations, and unforgettable moments in film and pop culture.

Also includes two additional self-guided walking tours—one along Hollywood Boulevard and another along Rodeo Drive, featuring even more stops and details best experienced on foot.

Each stop includes additional content you can explore later, including:

expanded stories and behind-the-scenes details
curated photos to help you spot key locations
exclusive video clips featuring a longtime Hollywood tour guide

Half-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Movie Tours Art Tours Music Tours

At a glance

Duration: 3 hours – 3 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English, Spanish
Written guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Drives & Detours

What is included

Included

Included: Bonus Walking Tour of Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive (self-guided)
Included: Bonus Map of Celebrity Homes
Included: GPS-Activated Audio Guide
Included: Total Flexibility – start anytime, pause anywhere, explore at your own pace
Included: Bonus Walking Tour of Hollywood Blvd (self-guided)
Included: App and Tour Download

Not included

Not included: Smartphone (bring your own)

Itinerary

Hollywood Sign

Passing by

Erected in 1923 as a temporary real estate advertisement, this hillside monument survived decades of neglect to become the universal symbol of the film industry. It stands today thanks to preservation efforts backed by private donors like Alice Cooper and Hugh Hefner, who rescued the iconic letters from nearby development.
Griffith Observatory

20 min

Perched high in the hills, this 1935 public science facility offers unparalleled views of the Los Angeles basin, the Pacific Ocean, and the Hollywood Sign. Admission is free, allowing visitors to explore its 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope, a 1910 Tesla coil, and exhibits that place Earth within the larger cosmos.
Stop 3

Passing by

As one of the last major studios still operating in the traditional Hollywood district, this lot provides a glimpse into the industry's early days of year-round, controlled production. The surrounding area also bears traces of RKO Pictures, a pioneering studio that played a crucial role in Hollywood's historic transition from silent films to synchronized sound.
Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures

Passing by

Opened in 2021 by the organization behind the Oscars, this museum offers an in-depth look at the art, history, and global impact of filmmaking. Visitors can explore an extensive collection of costumes, props, and cameras that trace the journey of how movies are created and shared with the world.
Stop 5

Passing by

Once the original Hollywood home of Warner Bros., this historic lot was instrumental during the industry's rapid transition into the era of talkies in the late 1920s. Today, operating as Sunset Gower Studios, its soundstages remain highly active and are rented out for a wide array of television series, independent films, and streaming projects.
Stop 6

Passing by

In 1923, Walt and Roy Disney set up their very first California workspace in this modest storefront. It was here that Walt developed The Alice Comedies, pioneering the blend of live-action and animation that launched the global empire of The Walt Disney Company.
Sunset Boulevard

15 min

Winding from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean, this legendary thoroughfare captures the diverse and evolving spirit of the city. It serves as the historic artery connecting the glamour of classic Hollywood studios with the vibrant, fast-paced neighborhoods of the Westside.
Sunset Strip

15 min

Once a loophole sitting just outside city limits, this famous stretch allowed Prohibition-era speakeasies and nightclubs to flourish out of local police reach. Decades later, it became the epicenter of rock and roll rebellion, cementing its global reputation as a dense corridor designed for visible, repeated spectacle.
Rodeo Drive

15 min

Originally named after the Spanish phrase for "gathering of the waters," this legendary street evolved from a quiet residential neighborhood into the world's most famous luxury shopping destination. While it now hosts high-end boutiques, it was once home to classic Hollywood figures like Gene Kelly, who famously hosted weekend gatherings for his industry friends.
The Beverly Hills Hotel Spa

5 min

Opened in 1912, this luxurious property offered early film stars a private retreat close to the studios but insulated from daily public contact. Its iconic pink façade, palm-lined entrance, and secluded bungalows quickly became the ultimate backdrop for industry meetings and the symbol of Beverly Hills glamour.
Stop 11

5 min

Built in the 1920s to prioritize privacy over spectacle, this legendary hideaway lacks a grand public lobby, allowing guests to slip unseen into their rooms. It has served as a temporary home and refuge for generations of writers, actors, and musicians seeking a discreet sanctuary between projects and reinventions.
Hollywood Bowl

Passing by

Nestled in a natural canyon, this iconic open-air venue hosted its first Los Angeles Philharmonic season in 1922 with tickets costing just twenty-five cents. Since then, its famous stage has welcomed nearly every major musical act, creating a communal space designed for audiences to gather and listen under the stars.
Egyptian Theatre

Passing by

Opening its doors in 1922, this historic cinema hosted Hollywood's first-ever movie premiere, establishing the template for the extravagant red-carpet events we know today. Its stunning courtyard and ornate architecture reflect the city's early fascination with exotic themes and grand cinematic spectacle.
Stop 14

15 min

As Hollywood's oldest restaurant, this 1919 establishment has preserved its classic interior and served as an informal office for legends like Charlie Chaplin and F. Scott Fitzgerald. It even featured the neighborhood's first payphone, turning its legendary dining room into a hub where major film industry deals were quietly negotiated.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery

15 min

Located next to Paramount Pictures, this historic 1899 cemetery serves as the final resting place for industry pioneers like Cecil B. DeMille, Judy Garland, and Mel Blanc. During the summer, the grounds transform into a unique community space, hosting popular outdoor film screenings projected directly onto a mausoleum wall.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Passing by

This premier cultural institution is famously fronted by Urban Light, an iconic 2008 installation featuring 202 restored vintage street lamps arranged in a striking grid. The glowing artwork has become one of Los Angeles' most photographed landmarks and a highly recognizable backdrop in numerous films and television shows.
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum

20 min

Situated in the middle of a modern metropolis, this active excavation site contains natural asphalt seeps that have trapped and preserved Ice Age animals for over 38,000 years. It offers a rare opportunity to witness ongoing scientific research as paleontologists continue to unearth the remains of mammoths, dire wolves, and saber-toothed cats.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

6833 Hawthorn Ave is the site of Hollywood High School, on the corner with Highland Avenue. It is between Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard.

End point

6833 Hawthorn Ave is the site of Hollywood High School, on the corner with Highland Avenue. It is between Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard.

Using your ticket

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: To access your tour, you will need to download the Drives & Detours app and enter your 6-character access code to unlock it. Your access code will be sent separately the day before your travel date. Access codes for same-day bookings will be sent within minutes after purchase.

HOW TO PREPARE: We recommend downloading the Drives & Detours app in advance so you are ready to go when you arrive.

DOWNLOAD THE APP:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drives-detours/id6443681888

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app6506

WATCH FOR YOUR ACCESS CODE: Your access code will arrive as a message through the booking platform. They should notify you by email, but if you don’t see it, check your spam folder or directly in the platform’s message center.