For most families, yes, and the reason has little to do with the bus. Los Angeles is spread out enough that a day with children usually means hours in a car, and a hop-on hop-off pass removes the driving, the parking and the arguing about which exit to take. Kids get the top deck, you get to stop whenever someone needs a bathroom or a snack.
City Sightseeing Los Angeles run routes across Hollywood, the coast and Downtown on open-top double deckers, operated by Starline Tours, Hollywood’s original sightseeing company since 1935. Children ride at reduced fares and under-threes ride free. What follows is how a family day works, where to break it up, and which season to pick if you have a choice.
What Is It Like Bringing Young Children On An Open-Top Bus?
Loud, bright and popular with most kids. The top deck is the attraction: open sky, a view over traffic, and the Hollywood Sign appearing without anyone having to hike for it. Bring a hat and sunscreen, because there is no shade up there, and a layer for the coast where it cools quickly.
The practical advantage is that you are never locked in. If a toddler reaches their limit twenty minutes into a loop, you get off at the next stop and catch a later bus whenever you are ready. Our app tracks buses live, so you are not standing on a curb with a stroller wondering whether one is coming.
Which Route Works Best With Kids?
The Beach Route suits families who want one long stop rather than a long ride. The Hollywood Route carries the recognizable landmarks, so older kids tend to get the most from it.
If your kids are small, the ride itself can be the win. Board the Express Shuttle at a stop near your hotel, stay on the open top deck for a stretch of the loop, then hop off at one place you actually want to spend time, from Santa Monica Pier to The Grove and the Farmers Market. We track buses live in our app, so you can time the walk back to the stop around whoever is melting down.
Pair a shorter ride with a long hop-off and the day holds together. Our route map shows how the routes connect, and our Beverly Hills stop is where the Hollywood and Beach routes meet.
Where Should You Hop Off With Children?
Pick stops with food, space and a bathroom. Santa Monica Pier is the strongest single option, with rides, an aquarium and sand within a few minutes’ walk. Venice Beach delivers the skatepark and boardwalk. The Original Farmers Market and The Grove on Fairfax gives you dozens of food counters and room to run around.
Three more that work well: Pink’s Hot Dogs on Melrose, Little Tokyo with the Japanese American National Museum, and Grand Central Market downtown.
What Is The Best Season To Ride With Kids?
Fall and spring are the easiest seasons with children, summer needs planning around the heat, and winter needs a weather check. Temperatures below are NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 climate normals for downtown Los Angeles. We run year-round, seven days a week.
Summer, June through August
The hottest stretch, averaging near 84°F in August. With no shade on the top deck, ride in the morning rather than mid-afternoon, and treat water and hats as non-negotiable.
Fall, September through November
The comfort peak, easing from near 79°F in October to near 73°F in November with very little rain. Crowds thin out after Labor Day, which means shorter waits at stops, and waiting is the part young children handle the worst. Our fall guide covers the season in full.
Winter, December through February
Mild, averaging near 67°F in December, but this is LA’s wet season. We operate daily through winter. On a damp day the indoor stops do the work: the Academy Museum and La Brea Tar Pits on Fairfax, the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, and Grand Central Market. Check the near stops here!
Spring, March through May
Warm and dry, but March and April bring spring break crowds, so weekdays and early departures are the easier call with kids.
Is A Hop-On Hop-Off Pass Worth It For A Family In LA?
It depends on how much ground you plan to cover. One or two stops in a day and a rideshare may win. Three or more across Hollywood, the coast and Downtown, and a pass covering several days almost always comes out ahead, with none of the parking.
Audio commentary runs in nine languages through our app, which matters for multigenerational trips where grandparents and grandchildren do not share a first language. Our worth-it guide compares the pass against driving in detail.
Plan A Family Day In Los Angeles
Pick your route, pick your stops, and leave the rest loose. Browse passes and tours for current fares including child rates, check the route map for current schedules, or read the FAQ for boarding details. Traveling with a school group or a large family party? Our groups and events team arranges private charters. Questions about a specific date? Contact us.
FAQ Section:
What age do children need a ticket?
Children aged 3 to 11 ride at a reduced child fare and under-threes ride free. Current rates are listed on our tours page. Older children and teenagers ride at the adult fare.
Are strollers allowed on the bus?
Space on board is limited and varies by vehicle, so contact us before you travel if you are bringing a stroller or need accessibility assistance. A compact fold is easier to manage than a full-size stroller, particularly at busy stops.
How long can a child sit on the bus?
Most younger kids are happy for 45 to 60 minutes on the top deck before they need a break, so plan one long hop-off per loop. You can get off at any stop and rejoin a later bus, so the practical answer is as long as they want and no longer.
Does the bus run in the rain?
We operate daily year-round, and winter is the only season where rain is likely. When a serious storm is forecast we suspend service and post the notice on our site. Check the app for live bus tracking on a wet day and call (323) 463-3333 for same-day status.
Is the top deck safe for kids?
Yes, with the usual rules: stay seated while the bus is moving and hold small children’s hands on the stairs. Seating is first-come, first-served, so board early if a front-row top-deck seat matters to your group.
What should we bring for a day of sightseeing with children?
Sunscreen, hats, water and a layer for the coast. Headphones for each child if they want the audio commentary. Download our app over WiFi before you set out so the audio and live tracking are ready to go.
