August is the perfect time to visit Los Angeles. The weather is warm and sunny, which lends itself to enjoying all the outdoor activities and other attractions, festivals, and events we’ve listed below.
For some of the most popular tours to take, we also have several separate posts:
This guide is all about things to do in Los Angeles in the summer, updated for 2019. We include a Top 10 list, free things to do, concerts, sports, family-friendly activities, festivals, more!
This post will provide information about visiting the Warner Bros. Studios in Hollywood. We will cover tours, tickets, discounts, attractions to see here and other important details.
This post covers the best things to do in Los Angeles this July, including a top 10 list as well as a family-friendly, nighttime activities, and free things to do, all updated for 2019. Be sure to check out our master post on things to do in LA for even more ideas.
This post covers the best things to do in LA in June and has been updated for 2019. It includes a top 10 list, nighttime activities, free and family-friendly things to do. Be sure to check out our master post, Things to Do in LA for even more ideas.
This post is an overview of the December weather in Los Angeles, including snow and precipitation forecasts, as well as tips on how to dress and things to do. Be sure to look into what November and Januaryis like in LA, as well!
This post is an overview of the November weather in Los Angeles, including snow and precipitation forecasts, as well as tips on how to dress and things to do. Be sure to look into what October and December is like in LA, as well!
As you may know, several notable stars live in the Beverly Hills area. Unfortunately, celebrities don’t always live right next to each other, so it’s not always easy to find their homes. Read more »
This post covers the most enjoyable movie studio tours in and around Hollywood. With so many historic studios in the area, it might be difficult to pick just one to visit.
Interestingly enough, there are quite a few differences between the tours offered at each studio, and that should make it easier to figure out which tour best fits your expectations.
Ticket prices vary from $62 per person to literally thousands of dollars.
It’s also worth noting that the length of these tours can run from roughly an hour to almost a week.
With all of that said, let’s start talking about what each movie studio offers with their tours.
If you’re in the market for a somewhat normal tour on the back lot, this might be one of your best bets.
In addition to seeing movie sets and sound stages from some of the most notable movies in film history, you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy a few specific activities.
While on this movie studio tour, you’ll be able to re-create a famous scene from the hit television show Friends, climb aboard Harry Potter‘s broomstick, and even create your own Batmobile.
Warner Bros. even offers an interactive sound stage which explores the entire process of making a film from start to finish.
At three hours in length, this tour is probably the longest duration of all of the options in Hollywood.
Tickets
$69/adult + $59/child
Availability: Daily at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm
TIP:Universal Studios Hollywood is included for free with the purchase of the Go Los Angeles Pass, a tourist attraction discount card.
With an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 stars, it’s fair to say that this Hollywood studio tour is very well rated (read reviews here).
Some guests have gone so far as to suggest that this trip is worth every single penny. Visitors were typically very happy with their tour guides, referring to them as both friendly and informative.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TOUR
This is where things get interesting, as Universal Studios has essentially made their tour one of the services offered at their amusement park.
In other words, you need to buy a ticket for Universal Studios Hollywood in order to experience this studio tour.
TIP:Universal Studios Hollywood is included for free with the purchase of the Go Los Angeles Pass, a tourist attraction discount card.
Clocking in at only one hour in length, this is definitely the shortest studio tour available. Check out this video of Stephen Spielberg giving a tour of the site.
In addition to seeing the back lot, you’ll also experience attractions such as the Jaws ride, King Kong 360 in 3D, Bates Motel and Fast & The Furious: Supercharged.
Although it will cost more to take this tour, it’s worth noting that your ticket lasts all day and guarantees access to all of the rides.
Despite the higher price tag, this movie studio tour has still received quite excellent ratings (read reviews here). The overall Universal Studios Hollywood experience has a score of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
A few visitors have even suggested that this trip around the studio is worth the price of admission.
Although most customers feel that the ticket price is a bit high, even the critics can’t deny that they had a blast.
PARAMOUNT PICTURES STUDIO TOUR
Unlike the other movie studios, Paramount Pictures actually offers three different studio tours. Their main tour is 2 hours long and covers quite a lot of ground on the back lot.
However, if you want to experience more, their VIP tour lasts for 4 ½ hours and includes access to several additional areas. The VIP tour also provides a gourmet lunch at a unique location in the studio.
Alternatively, you can also choose a 2 ½ hour night tour that reveals a lot of historic locations such as notable theaters and original film vaults.
No matter which option you choose, you’ll definitely learn a lot about the history of Paramount.
Tickets
$60 for the studio tour | $189 for the VIP tour | $78 for the night tour
Availability of Studio tour: Daily, every half hour from 9 AM – 3:30 PM
Availability of VIP tour: Monday-Friday at 9:30 AM & 1 PM
Availability of Night tour: Saturdays at 7:30 PM & 7:45 PM
Reviews for the Paramount Pictures Studio tours are very positive, averaging a rating of 4 ½ out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.
Some visitors referred to the excursion as a movie buff’s dream, while others were just impressed with how much they learned and discovered.
Some reviewers indicated that Paramount alters the tour slightly depending on the season, ensuring a nice variety of topics and locations to cover no matter when you decide to buy a ticket.
SONY PICTURES STUDIO TOUR
This might be the most affordable movie studio tour in Hollywood, and it’s also one of the most historic. Do note, that is is a walking tour.
While on this tour, you’ll see the sound stages where they recorded classics such as The Wizard of Oz and superhero flicks like Spider-man.
Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to see where Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are recorded.
Although they don’t make any promises, there’s always a chance that you’ll run into someone famous on this active studio back lot!
Tickets
$45 per person
Availability: Monday – Friday at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm
With an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor, it’s clear that this is a pretty popular Hollywood studio tour.
Customers really appreciated the opportunity to see several historic filming locations and learn a lot about the process of making a movie.
Although some reviewers were unhappy that this is a walking tour, others simply appreciated the opportunity to see where film history was made.
ADVENTURES BY DISNEY: DISNEY BACKSTAGE
You had to figure that Disney was going to be a little more expensive, but the actual cost of this week-long experience might shock you.
To be fair, the package includes meals and accommodation at both the Loews Hollywood Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
This Disney backstage adventure includes a tour of the Walt Disney Studios & Archives, an Imagineering tour, a Hollywood walking tour, and a tour of the Jim Henson Company.
Most of these tours are only available via this week-long package. The entire itinerary takes six days to complete, and it will keep you busy with plenty of fun activities from start to finish.
Tickets
$3,399–$3,499 for Adults | $3,299–$3,319 for Children
As you can probably imagine, the testimonials for this experience are quite positive (read reviews here). Some guests even noted that they made friends with their tour guides and continue to stay in touch with them to this very day.
Additionally, customers also appreciated the opportunity to see some behind-the-scenes areas that bring the history of Walt Disney to life. One visitor even suggested that this trip allowed them to become kids again as they explored secret and wonderful locations at the happiest place on earth.
If you’re looking for a better price on these tours and other activities in Hollywood, you might want to consider one of the following combo packages.
Studios like Warner Bros. and Universal often work with tour companies to provide their services at lower prices.
There are several options to mull over, and almost all of them provide additional tours and services. If you plan on spending more than one day in Hollywood, these combo deals are definitely worth a look.
GO LOS ANGELES CARD
There’s a reason that this is one of the premier attraction passes in Los Angeles. In addition to offering access to a variety of notable locations, they also provide admission to some studio tours.
In particular, you can enjoy the Universal Studios tour, the Warner Bros. Studio tour and the Sony Pictures Studio tour with this pass.
Although you’ll need to get a 3-day pass for some of these activities, others are included with the 1-day pass for less than $100 per person.
Given that this tourist pass also supplies tickets to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm, it’s fair to say that the Go Los Angeles card is a real bargain.
Ticket Price: $85 for 1-day pass | $129 for 2-day pass | $205 for 3-day pass | $269 for 5-day pass | $315 for 7-day pass
This attraction pass is available every day of the week
With so many awesome activities available, it probably won’t be too surprising to find out that this service has received a 4.4 out of 5-star rating (read reviews here).
Some customers have even suggested that this is the best deal ever, noting that the Go Los Angeles Card allows you to enjoy everything you want while it’s active.
A few visitors were especially pleased about the opportunity to visit both Universal Studios and Warner Bros. Studios with the help of this pass.
TRANSPORTATION COMBO PACKAGES
If you’re looking for transportation to and from each movie studio tour, the following services are available.
The advantage of these combo deals is that you won’t have to pay for parking, gas, or car rental in order to visit each location.
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included with each package. Take your time and enjoy the studio tour without having to worry about anything else!
These combo deals provide both a celebrity home tour and a movie studio tour. Each option includes transportation not only around Hollywood but also to and from the studios.
While some of these services use a mini-bus, others actually drive you around town in a luxury sedan or an SUV.
Each company offers both hotel pickup and drop-off.
Expect these outings to last for between 6-8 hours on average.
