Hop on hop off tours

Question

Hi staying in l a for a few days wanting to see the usual tourist sights and was thinking of doing a tour ,maybe a hop on hop off bus tour .what is the best company/way to do this .many thanks gail

Answer

Los Angeles is very spread out, so a hop-on hop-off tour can be a convenient way to see the classic sights without dealing with LA traffic and parking. There are only a couple of major companies that offer this type of service, and the quality, routes, and ease of use vary quite a bit.

Below is a detailed guide to the best hop-on hop-off options in Los Angeles and alternative ways to sightsee if you want flexibility or better value.

Best Hop-On Hop-Off Company in Los Angeles

The primary and most reliable hop-on hop-off service in LA is operated by a large international tour company. They are the only true full-coverage operator, and they offer multiple color-coded routes covering Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Downtown LA.

Main advantages
- Covers the major tourist areas: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, and occasionally Downtown LA.
- Freedom to get off anywhere, explore, then get back on the next bus.
- Runs frequently and is easy for first-time visitors.
Possible drawbacks
- LA is huge, so travel times can be long—sometimes it’s quicker to rideshare between stops than wait for the next bus.
- Not as comprehensive inside neighborhoods compared to European hop-on hop-off tours.
- Service frequency can vary depending on the route and day of the week.

Ideal if you want a stress-free, “I don’t want to drive at all” sightseeing experience.

Best Way to Use the Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Because LA is spread out, it’s smart to tackle one area per day. Trying to do multiple long routes on the same day can be tiring. Here’s the best way to structure it:

Day in Hollywood + Beverly Hills
- Walk of Fame
- TCL Chinese Theatre
- Dolby Theatre
- Rodeo Drive
- Sunset Strip
Day in Santa Monica + Venice
- Santa Monica Pier
- Third Street Promenade
- Venice Boardwalk
- Muscle Beach

This makes the most of the pass while avoiding long waits.

Alternatives to Hop-On Hop-Off (often better value)

If you are okay with not using the classic double-deck bus, LA has other sightseeing options that are sometimes more efficient.

Small-group minivan tours
- More personalized and covers a lot in 4–6 hours.
- Stops at all major photo spots without long detours.
- Great for people who want narrated commentary and minimal walking.
Private driver-guided tours
- Most flexible but more expensive.
- You choose the stops and timeline.
- Ideal for families or travelers with mobility needs.
DIY using Uber/Lyft + Metro
- Cheaper than hop-on hop-off if you only want to visit a few key locations.
- Uber between Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and The Grove is fast and inexpensive.
- Metro E Line is great for Santa Monica ⇄ Downtown LA.

Which option should YOU choose?

If your priority is stress-free sightseeing and you want to sit back and enjoy the views from the top deck, the hop-on hop-off tour is the best fit. If you want something faster, more focused, and with more commentary, a small-group van tour is often a better experience.

Hop on hop off tours

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