Tours... they seem so... touristy? I rarely ever book Los Angeles tours for my family, but as I was researching for this article it occurred to me—we live in a really cool spot and it deserves to be, well, toured. Don't wait for the in-laws to come into town (or do, these are a great way to show off LA), book one of these incredible tours and see all that the City of Stars has to offer.
The best part? All of these tours are kid-friendly!
Looking for more ways to tour LA? Check out the city guides for Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Downtown LA!
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The Best Family-Friendly Los Angeles Tours of Landmarks & Hot Spots
Walk Through Pier History Walking Tour —Santa Monica
Did you know you can take a free tour of the Santa Monica Pier? The Walk Through Pier History Walking Tour is every Saturday and Sunday at 10am. Docents guide groups through this iconic LA landmark, revealing nooks and crannies you never knew about. Kids 12 and under can attend the tour for free.
Terror of Tinseltown Tour photo by Meghan Rose
US Ghost Adventures Tours — Hollywood
Our editor took the Terrors of Tinseltown tour with her teens and says it's her new Halloween tradition. Read her full review of all the fun here. She recommends this tour for kids 10 and up, as it is full of spooky stories that could be too much for the younger set. In an era of true crime podcasts, these ghost adventures scratch that same itch for thrilling and chilling tales of seedy Hollywood.
Sunny Day Scoot Tours — Multiple Locations
These quirky little cars are one of the best ways to see the city! Sunny Scoot won the Expertise Award for best local tours in Los Angeles six years in a row and it's no wonder. Choose from the Fast & Furriest Tour, the Hollywood tour, the sunrise tour, or the Discover LA, among others. Riders must be at least six years old for this one.
Warner Brothers Studio Tour — Burbank
The Warner Brothers Studio Tour takes you through soundstages and facades from some of your favorite classic movies. Kids and adults alike will love wandering the streets of New York, sitting on the orange couch from Friends, hanging out in Sheldon's apartment from The Big Bang Theory, wandering working sets, taking a trip to Stars Hollow, and more.
I've done this tour multiple times, and it's the perfect way to get a glimpse of Hollywood's movie magic. At the end of the tour, kids will love the interactive Harry Potter and DC Comics exhibits. Children ages five and up are welcome on the tour.
Sunset Ranch Mulholland Trail Horseback Ride — Hollywood
Get an incredible view of the Hollywood Basin and the Hollywood sign on horseback! Sunset Ranch is the gold standard for horseback ride tours in Los Angeles. Children ages eight and up are welcome to ride, and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
TMZ Celebrity Tours — Hollywood
TMZ is notorious for finding celebrities in the wild, so what better source to take you on a celebrity hunt through Hollywood and the surrounding areas? TMZ knows celebrity hot spots, celebrity homes, and more. This Los Angeles tour is the perfect Saturday outing with plenty of selfie-worthy moments for starstruck teens and tweens! Kids must be at least three to hop on these comfy buses.
Bikes & Hikes Tours — Multiple Locations
See LA in a day, tour Beverly Hills, or motor around Hollywood on an electric bike- Bikes & Hikes is known for top-notch tours of Los Angeles. Their Hollywood sign tour is great for families and involves an easy stroll to the iconic Hollywood landmark. The Los Angeles in a Day bike tour covers ground in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach.
Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour — Catalina Island
This one got rave reviews from our Editor-in-Chief. You'll see California's island oasis with a bird's eye view on this fantastic helicopter tour that flies you over the islands in the Pacific. The tour only lasts about 20 minutes but will create memories that will last a lifetime.
Dodger Stadium Tour — Elysian Park
Check out the spot where LA bleeds blue in a new way with a guided tour through the stadium including a trip down to the field (in most tours). Baseball fans of all ages will love this one. Pick a date in the off-season for more access to different parts of the stadium used during Dodger time.
Los Angeles Food & Drink Tours for Families
Underground Donut Tour — Santa Monica
Start at Randy's (obviously) and try donuts at four of Santa Monica's best donut shops on this fun walking tour. The delightful dessert tour takes about two hours, and donuts are included in the price!
Six Taste — Multiple Locations
Six Taste is the highest-rated food tour group in Los Angeles and has multiple options based on your culinary tastes. Eat your way through Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Glendale, the Arts District, and Santa Monica, to name a few.
Malibu Wine Hikes — Malibu
Wander the stunning vineyards of Malibu and enjoy a glass of wine while your kiddos enjoy the exercise and scenery. The Vineyard Malibu Wine Hike is for all ages, and the 4 x 4 tours in Saddleback Ranch are open to anyone eight and over. In addition to enjoying some fantastic wine (for adults), tour guests will see natural rock formations, the Cave of the Four Horseman, and more.
Sidewalk Food Tour — Multiple Locations
Walk around and savor the flavors of the city on this fun Los Angeles food tour with multiple locations including Santa Monica, Venice, West Hollywood, and Downtown. Children under five are free for these tours, and strollers are welcome, though they may need to be left outside some smaller establishments during dining.