Is the Los Angeles Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Worth It?

For most first-time visitors, the short answer is yes. Los Angeles is one of the most spread-out cities in the country, and trying to see Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Downtown in a few days without local knowledge means spending most of your time driving or figuring out parking. 

City Sightseeing Los Angeles offers open-top double-decker buses on three routes with more than 40 stops, audio commentary in nine languages, and daily departures year-round. Operated by Starline Tours, LA’s original sightseeing company since 1935, this tour is part of the global City Sightseeing network, which also operates in cities such as London, Barcelona, Rome, and many more around the world.

The Hop-On Hop-Off bus is popular with first-time visitors, but it’s also a great way for locals to explore more of Los Angeles. The service operates across three color-coded routes, each covering a different part of the city. You can switch between routes at designated transfer stops, making it easy to build your own itinerary.

Hollywood Red Route is where most visitors start. The full loop takes about two hours across 15 stops: the Dolby Theatre (home of the Oscars), Guitar Center’s RockWalk, Chateau Marmont, the Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store, Whisky A Go Go, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the Four Seasons, Beverly Center, the Academy Museum and La Brea Tar Pits, the Original Farmers Market and The Grove, Melrose Avenue, Pink’s Hot Dogs, and Vine Street near Paramount Studios. First bus departs Stop #1 at the Dolby Theatre at 10:00 AM; last full loop at 4:30 PM.

Beach Yellow Route takes you west to the coast. Key stops include the Santa Monica Pier (Stop #57 at 1515 Ocean Ave), the Third Street Promenade, the Fairmont Century Plaza, South Beach Park, Venice Beach, and the Santa Monica Visitor Center. First bus from Hollywood at 10:20 AM. Last Hollywood-bound bus from Santa Monica at 3:35 PM; last bus on the loop at 6:40 PM.

Downtown Purple Route covers the cultural heart of the city in about 60 minutes. Stops include Echo Park, Dodger Stadium area, Olvera Street and Union Station, Little Tokyo and the Japanese American Museum, Grand Central Market and the Bradbury Building, the Central Library, the Fashion District, LA Live and Crypto.com Arena, and the Westin Bonaventure. First bus from the Dolby Theatre at 10:00 AM; last at 2:30 PM.

Stop #7 in Beverly Hills is the transfer point between the Red and Yellow routes. On Sundays, this stop moves to 444 Rexford Drive outside Kelly’s Coffee.

Every pass includes unlimited hop-on/hop-off access across all available routes for the duration of your ticket. A live English narrator provides commentary between stops, and the free City Sightseeing LA app offers GPS-triggered audio guides in nine languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Dutch. The app also provides real-time bus tracking so you can see exactly when the next bus arrives at your stop.

All passes include access to the Show and Save discount program, which offers deals at partner attractions, restaurants, and shops across the city.

Pricing for 2026: the 1-Day Classic is $57 per adult, $43 per child (ages 3 to 11). The 2-Day Adventure is $72 per adult, $52 per child. The 3-Day Premium is $85 per adult, $61 per child. Kids under 3 ride free.

For first-time visitors spending more than a day, the 2-Day pass is the strongest value. That’s $36 per day per person for unlimited access to all three routes, which is less than what most visitors spend on a single rideshare from Hollywood to Santa Monica.

Parking at the Santa Monica Pier runs $8 to $20 depending on the day. Hollywood Boulevard garages average $15 to $25. A rideshare from Hollywood to Santa Monica is $25 to $40 each way before surge pricing. Two or three trips across the city in a day can easily cost more than the 2-Day pass, and none of those options give you the open-top panoramic views from the upper deck of a double-decker on Sunset Boulevard.

For international travelers who may not have a U.S. driver’s license or who aren’t comfortable navigating LA’s freeway system, the bus removes the biggest barrier to seeing the city.

City Sightseeing Los Angeles departs daily from the Dolby Theatre at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. You can start at any stop along any route. Present your ticket (QR code or booking confirmation) when you board, and your pass activates on first use. Download the City Sightseeing LA app before your trip for route maps, timetables, and live tracking.

How long does each route take? The Hollywood Red Route is about 2 hours for the full loop. The Beach Yellow Route is also about 2 hours. The Downtown Purple Route is about 60 minutes. You can ride one, two, or all three on the same day.

Can I switch between routes? Yes. Stop #7 in Beverly Hills connects the Red and Yellow routes. Also, yellow and purple routes connect at the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.

What languages are available? The audio guide covers nine languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Dutch. Live English narration is also provided between stops.

Do I need to book in advance? Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak summer. You can book online at citysightseeinglosangeles.com or purchase tickets at the Dolby Theatre boarding location.