Forget a limo – one of the easiest, cheapest and most fun ways to see the glitziest parts of LA is by open-topped bus. Here are four of the best Los Angeles Big Bus Tours:
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It doesn’t matter how many times you visit Los Angeles it’s almost impossible to leave without feeling like you’ve missed something. California’s sprawling metropolis seems like it goes on forever, covering roughly 469 square miles (1,210 km 2 ), and home to more than 18 million people in the Greater Los Angeles area. There’s a lot to see too, with hotspots such as Venice Beach, Downtown LA and Hollywood needing a day or two on their own, plus public transport is not as efficient as other big cities. There is one way to make exploring LA a lot easier however. Big Bus Tours Los Angeles has a fleet of double deckers that carve through the ‘city of angels’ picking out the highlights, from the world-famous beaches of Santa Monica to celebrity mega mansions. Here are four of the best Los Angeles Big Bus Tours:
Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Sightseeing Tour
This hop-on hop-off tour has two different routes that pretty much tick off everything worth seeing for anyone new to LA. The open-top double decker takes in the history of Hollywood on the Red Route, cruising past the Walk of Fame, Beverley Hills, and Sunset Strip, whereas the Blue Route heads to Santa Monica and its famous muscle and rollerskates-laden strips of sand. Of course, as the name suggests, it’s easy to jump off for a bite on Sunset, explore Universal Studios or grab some designer gear on Rodeo Drive, before jumping back on – there is the option of a one or two-day ticket too. All of the tours are accompanied by an in-depth audio guide and it’s a great way to see the city but it can be slow – there are some stops that feel a bit unnecessary so if you really want to whisk through Beverley Hills it might be better to hire out a Bentley. From € 51.36.
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Los Angeles: TMZ Celebrity Tour
Anyone with a passing interest in what Kim Kardashian has for breakfast will be familiar with TMZ. There is no better host for a celeb tour of LA than the addictive celeb website and it’s an A-list overload as the buses travel through Hollywood, West Hollywood, The Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills, pointing out the star-studded locations TMZ has made famous over the last decade – we’re talking everything from fitness studios to cafes – and with the chance to even see a real life celeb or two in their natural habitat. When you’re not staring at the sidewalk in the hope of seeing Paris Hilton drop her latte, screens show TMZ’s latest entertainment news, while phone chargers next to the bus’s leather seats make sure your device is on hand for any Instagrammable moment. Anyone who is more interested in the history of Hollywood’s celebrated Art Deco architecture should prob give it a miss, but it’s a fun ride all the same. From € 50.50.
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TMZ Celebrity Tour & 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Tour
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As the name suggests, this tour combines the two previous for an ultimate all-inclusive package. In other words you can potentially see Santa Monica’s beaches, most of Hollywood and still catch all the celeb hangouts on the TMZ tour. The latter takes two hours so the rest of the day is free to choose the hop-on hop-off Red or Blue routes, or both. Unless you’re only in town for a couple of days it’s probably not worth such a whirlwind day – you can just separate the two tours and not lose any money – so only consider if you want to just get LA’s glitzy side ticked off and have the selfie to prove it. From € 101.75.
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Los Angeles: Big Bus Celebrity Homes & Lifestyle Tour
Doing a drive-by of famous houses is generally not recommended – apart from if you are doing it from an air-conditioned, retractable glass-topped Mercedes Sprinter. This celeb homes tour visits some of LA’s most notable properties, with photo ops along the way, giving an exclusive sneak peek into the lives of the rich and famous. The two-hour tour is accompanied by an engaging commentary about the actors, musicians and directors who have lived there, as well as the history of some of the city’s most famous neughbourhoods. If you’ve skipped the hop-on hop-off to do this tour, you’re in luck too. It also takes in the Hollywood landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign, the Walk of Fame, and Sunset Strip. From € 50.50.
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