Los Angeles tours

Things to do in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city of contrasts, where sunlit beaches meet the illustrious avenues of Hollywood. Yet, there's a depth here that goes beyond the obvious. Los Angeles tours with a local guide reveal the city's complex character: vibrant murals in the Arts District, the enticing aroma of street tacos, and echoes of Hollywood's golden age. Engage in private tours that venture beyond the usual. Experience a walk through the storied streets of Downtown LA or enjoy a food and wine tour in Silver Lake's charming neighbourhoods. Skip the crowds and let your local guide lead you to the hidden core of the City of Angels. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Los Angeles. Explore Los Angeles your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Los Angeles tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Los Angeles for every interest, including: Layover tours: If you’ve got a few hours at LAX, a private tour can store your bags and whisk you to the Venice Canals and Santa Monica Pier, then up to Griffith Observatory for skyline and Hollywood Sign photos before a timely return. With a tight window, your guide prioritizes traffic-smart routes and quick, high-impact stops. Art and Culture tours: Dive into The Broad’s contemporary collection and the curving stainless steel of Walt Disney Concert Hall, with your guide helping arrange timed entry when required. Then wander the Arts District’s murals and end with photos at LACMA’s Urban Light installation. History tours: Walk El Pueblo de Los Ángeles and Olvera Street to trace the city’s earliest days, then step into the soaring Bradbury Building and elegant Union Station to see landmark architecture up close. Add the Hollywood Roosevelt’s lobby or the Chavez Ravine overlook for layered stories of film and neighbourhood change. Greater L.A. isn’t very walkable between sights, and while Metro rail and buses cover key corridors, distances are big and connections can be slow. Your local guide can arrange chauffeured tours or private transportation so you maximise your time and make that next flight. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Los Angeles inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Exploring Los Angeles on a private walking tour with a local guide opens up a world of vibrant neighborhoods to discover. Consider including these places in your plans: - Hollywood: Ideal for families and movie buffs, Hollywood is the entertainment capital, where you can walk the Walk of Fame or visit the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre. It's a must-see for anyone interested in the glamour of the film industry. - Santa Monica: Perfect for those looking for a mix of beach and city life, Santa Monica offers beautiful coastlines, a bustling pier, and a lively downtown area. It's a great place for multi-generational groups to enjoy the sun and surf. - Silver Lake: If you're after a more offbeat experience, Silver Lake is the place for cultural tourists. It's known for its indie music scene, trendy cafes, and creative community. This neighborhood is ideal for those seeking a unique, local vibe. Day trip ideas from Los Angeles Use Los Angeles as your launch pad to nearby cities, beaches and desert parks that make relaxed day trips feel easy. - Santa Barbara: Spanish-style streets, a breezy waterfront and Mission-era history set an easy pace, and your tour can focus on the Old Mission, the shaded courthouse tower views and a stroll through the Funk Zone for galleries and simple bites between stops. - San Diego: La Jolla’s sea caves and sea lions, Balboa Park’s gardens and broad lawns, and a walkable harbour make it a straightforward day, so plan your tour around beach time, tacos and a couple of compact neighbourhoods that show the city’s laid-back side. - Joshua Tree National Park: Otherworldly boulders and high-desert light are the draw, with short loops like Hidden Valley and Barker Dam keeping things unhurried, and your tour can add a Keys View lookout stop or time in the small art-and-vintage shops in Joshua Tree town. - Catalina Island: A ferry from San Pedro or Long Beach gets you to Avalon’s palm-lined streets, easy hill walks and clear-water coves for snorkelling, and your tour might keep it simple in town or stretch to a coastal trail for wide channel views. - Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains: Coastal pullouts, tide pools and canyon trails sit close together, so you can link El Matador’s rock arches with a Solstice Canyon walk and a slow drive on the Pacific Coast Highway, and your tour can balance beach stops with low-effort hikes. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Los Angeles most travellers miss.