15 Historical Tours in Los Angeles to Build a Day Around

1.Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $18Our pick

Spend about three hours exploring LA’s Natural History Museum with mobile admission. See the Dinosaur Hall, 300-plus fossils, mammoth and whale skeletons, glittering minerals, native wildlife, Nature Gardens, and Becoming Los Angeles. Add Dinosaur Encounters or the temporary cat exhibit on site.

“We had a fun time at the Natural History Museum. Totally worth a visit. We were a bit shocked by the steep $20 parking fee, but public parking is super limited in the area. Overall, I would visit again, it was nice to get view all the exhibits.”

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2.The History and Architecture of Downtown Los Angeles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $39Top rated

Join Chris of See LA in a Day for a three-hour small-group walk through Downtown Los Angeles. Ride Angels Flight, study landmark buildings, visit Little Tokyo, sample mochi at Fugetsu-Do, and finish at Grand Central Market. Groups are capped at 15, and the tour returns to its starting point.

“Great experience on this walking tour. Chris had tons of positive energy, thorough knowledge of the area, the history, the art and architecture, and the locals. Highly recommended.”

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3.Downtown Los Angeles History and Architecture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Walk through DTLA with guide Eloi Mark, linking architecture, film, urban design, and social change. In about 2.5 hours, visit Grand Central Market, Broadway theaters, the Bradbury Building, The Last Bookstore, the Jewelry District, and Hotel Per La. Groups are limited to 15.

“Eloi has a passionate and contagious interest in describing several hard-to-find architectural gems - especially several beautiful and historical interior spaces. I had no idea DTLA had such a vibrant past.”

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4.Malibu: Celebrity Homes, Beaches & History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 86 reviews · 5h 30m · from $90

Spend 5.5 hours touring Malibu in an open-air van with guide Dave or David. See celebrity homes and filming sites, stop at Point Dume, Malibu Pier, the Malibu sign, Adamson House, and local shopping areas. The group is limited to 13 people.

“It was a very fun day and got to meet lovely persons.”

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5.The History and Architecture of Downtown Los Angeles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 3 hours · from $39

Join Chris for a three-hour English walking tour through Downtown Los Angeles. Ride Angels Flight, see Disney Concert Hall, City Hall, Little Tokyo, the Bradbury Building, and The Last Bookstore, sample mochi at Fugetsu-Do, and finish with food tips for Grand Central Market.

“Our tour was excellent, our guide was very knowledgable and showed us part of LA they we may not of seen”

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6.Dark History and Haunted LA Ghost Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 33 reviews · from $69

Join an English-speaking guide such as Jennifer or Jean for a three-hour night tour of haunted Hollywood and downtown LA. Ride in a comfortable coach, hear stories about the Black Dahlia, Night Stalker, and Hillside Strangler, and walk around sites including Hollywood Forever, Olvera Street, and the Cecil Hotel.

“Jean was so knowledgeable, energetic, courteous. We learned so much and kept us intrigued. She consistently made sure everyone could hear her, asked if we were comfortable, made sure we got off the bus safely and did headcounts.”

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7.Downtown History & Architecture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 25 reviews · 2h 30m · from $30

Walk through Downtown Los Angeles with Mark, a Belgian guide who connects architecture, film, politics, and city life. Expect Art Deco theaters, Bunker Hill, Angels Flight, the Bradbury Building, Grand Central Market, and the Last Bookstore, with plenty of room for questions.

“Loved our guide’s enthusiasm for his neighborhood, the stories, the history, the architecture.”

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8.LA to San Diego: History, Harbor & USS Midway Magic in one day

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 24 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $254

Travel from Los Angeles to San Diego by shared vehicle, stopping at Old Town, the harbor, USS Midway, and Balboa Park. The $254 price includes the harbor cruise, Midway admission, guide, driver, gratuities, and several LA pickup points. Expect a full day with limited time at each stop.

“Great day trip. Would of like to spend more than 30 minutes in Old Town San Diego and less time in Balboa Park. Would of also like more time on the USS Midway. A lot of trafic to come back. Took us 3 hours from San Diego to LA.”

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9.Black History Tours of South LA (Guided Van Tour) – Crenshaw

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $69

Spend about four hours with a local guide tracing Black Los Angeles through Crenshaw, Leimert Park, West Adams, Central Avenue, and View Park. The small group, capped at three people, makes this a focused history tour with city views, landmark buildings, and support for South LA businesses.

“I am so glad for my bday weekend I decided to do something out of the norm. L.A. has such a rich black culture past, present and future that I was unaware of. Going on this intricate detailed tour with this company embodied all of it. Her passion to do this tour shows in her rRead more”

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10.Historic Hollywood Boulevard and Movie Palaces Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30

Follow Hollywood Boulevard from the Hollywood Sign view at Ovation Hollywood to the Roosevelt Hotel, visiting the Egyptian, El Capitan, Chinese, and Dolby theaters. An English-speaking local guide, including Marc on some departures, shares film stories, old photos, and lesser-known details in a group of up to 15.

“Our guide was super informative and really down to earth. He got us and delivered his information in a way that made us smile. A great little overview of Hollywood.”

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11.Hollywood History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $38

Spend two hours walking Hollywood Boulevard with a live guide, from Hollywood and Vine to the TCL Chinese Theatre. You’ll see the Pantages, Capitol Records, the Egyptian Theatre, El Capitan, the Walk of Fame, and more. Guides such as Phil, Cheyenne, Robert, and Neel have led this tour.

“What an awesome tour...guides were great!! I would definitely recommend, great way to get insight into the quirks of the city!”

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12.Oscar History and Film Set Studio Tour at the Biltmore Hotel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $25

Join Eloi or Mark for a one-hour English walking tour inside the Biltmore Hotel. Smartglasses place Oscar footage, historic photos, and film clips into the rooms where events and movies unfolded. You’ll see the Music Room, Crystal Ballroom, Gold Room, and more in a group of up to 10.

“If you've not experienced augmented reality (AR) before, this tour offers a unique and immersive way to learn about the history of the Biltmore and its critical role in film and Hollywood in Los Angeles history. While wearing the AR glasses, you can experience what the hotel and Los Angeles looked and felt like in the 1920s, during the silent film era and prohibition while standing in its actual setting. It was such an interesting experience to see the historic photos and hear and watch historic footage superimposed in the real-life setting of the current hotel. During the tour, I got to stand in the same ballroom and watch the…”

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13.Historic district & Little Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3h 30m · from $78

Spend 210 minutes on foot with a French-speaking guide in a group of up to 10. Explore Grand Central Market, Broadway, the Historic Core, Bunker Hill, the Civic Center, and Little Tokyo, with a route adapted for wheelchair users.

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14.Historic Hollywood Boulevard and Movie Palaces Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews · 2h 30m · from $35

Walk Hollywood Boulevard with guides such as Éloi or Mark, seeing the Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame, Egyptian Theatre, Dolby Theatre, Chinese Theatre, and Roosevelt Hotel while hearing sharp stories about stars, theaters, and Hollywood history.

“Visite très intéressante ! Éloi est un guide génial avec humour et connaissances ! Merci beaucoup 🙏🏼”

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15.Original Farmers Market Food & History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $95

Spend 2.5 hours walking through LA’s Original Farmers Market with an English-speaking guide such as Jody, tasting food from longtime merchants. Expect generous small portions, local stories, candy, donuts, gourmet groceries, pizza, and artisan ice cream.

“Jody, our guide, was absolutely phenomenal! She was passionate, fun, and really made the experience great. The tour had a great selection of foods to try and was perfect portions to try a bunch of things!”

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