Tours

Walking around Los Angeles is not an easy task. As the world's largest metropolis, Los Angeles has become as famous for cars and traffic as it is for its film industry. So grab a rental, and make your way out to these tourist hot spots.

Downtown

Located in the heart of downtown, the modest Pueblo de Los Angeles remains the city's oldest structure. Built in 1818, it serves as a historical monument to the mission era of California and also provides tourists with the perfect reason to visit downtown and not miss one of the city's best-kept sightseeing secrets. Located in the middle of the historic pueblo is Olvera Street, an L.A. landmark since the early 1930s. Any day of the year, this cobblestone street is alive with inexpensive Mexican delicacies, kitschy shopping and several wandering mariachi bands. If too many hours on Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive Shopping District have strained the magnetic strip (or the limit) of your credit card, the Garment District offers a great low-cost shopping alternative. The Cooper Building and Santee Alley house designer outlet stores and clothing in all styles, labels and sizes.

Hollywood

The Griffith Observatory is one of the largest in the country. At night you can stargaze from balconies on the outside of the building, as well as from on the roof. Face north in the parking lot and you will get a spectacular view of the Hollywood Sign. Take Hollywood Boulevard approximately three blocks to Vine. At this famous intersection begins the Hollywood Walk of Fame, so named for the bronzed stars placed into the pavement that bear the name of a legendary entertainer in music, movies or television. L'Orangerie is a classy French restaurant near here. Continuing up Hollywood Boulevard you will come to Grauman's Chinese Theater, more famous for the front courtyard than for any film ever shown there. The footprints and handprints outside include so many stars and create such a stir, it's sometimes hard to squeeze your way in.

Malibu & Santa Monica

The beach community of Santa Monica offers great shopping and dining. The Third Street Promenade and The Pier are major centers of activity. Here you can ride rollercoasters, shop, eat, fish or just take in the ocean air. Beau Rivage is a fantastic restaurant with ocean views. When you're ready to hit the coast, head north on the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway. A few miles north of Malibu is Leo Carillo State Beach. This unique inlet features rock formations and tide pools overflowing with some of the most unusual aquatic life in the world. If you are lucky, you will also be able to see dolphins frolicking just offshore. When you are done here, head south to Venice City Beach.

Mount Wilson

The 110 Freeway North ends at Colorado Boulevard, where you will turn right and head into Old Town. In addition to being a quaint historical city, Old Town Pasadena Shopping District is known for world-class restaurants, thriving theater and many antique shops. One of the best features of Old Town is the architecture. An elegant dining option nearby is Bistro 45, which has contemporary French options on its menu. For those who feel confined by gravity and want to get a different perspective of Pasadena, simply follow signs to the Angeles Crest Highway and head up—straight up! This winding (and at times treacherous) mountain road takes you through the Angeles National Forest en route to the Mount Wilson Observatory, some 5000 feet (about 1.5 kilometers) above sea level.

Museum Row

This stretch of Wilshire Boulevard is also known as Museum Row, and with good reason. Most of the city's main museums are located here, as well as several small but influential art galleries, such as the Vintage Animation Gallery and the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions. After checking them out, take a quick drive up Fairfax to another Los Angeles historical monument, Canter's Deli. This Jewish-American diner has been a long Hollywood tradition. After your first bite of a Canter's Deli sandwich, you will know why stars, locals and tourists have made this eatery a Los Angeles must-see location. After indulging in all the best that Canter's has to offer, finish the day off with the astounding glamor of the mansions in Hancock Park, a neighborhood dotted with homes built in the golden years of Hollywood. If you'd like to do something more adventurous, the famous La Brea Tar Pits are just a short drive away.

If you are planning on checking out a few centrally-located things, going on foot is fine. However, if you want to explore the parts of this sprawling city that are hard to get to, planning a day with a tour company is recommended.

Walking Tours

Los Angeles Conservancy (+1 213 623 2489 / http://www.laconservancy.org/)

Off'N Running Tours (+1 310 246 1418 / http://offnrunningtours.com)

Red Line Tours (+1 323 402 1074 x31 / http://www.redlinetours.com/)

Trolley Tours

Beverly Hills Trolley Tour (+1 310 285 2438 / http://www.beverlyhills.org/attractions/trolley.asp)

Studio Tours

Universal Studios (+1 800 8 6483 7725 / http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com)

Warner Bros. Studio Tour (+1 818 972 8687 / http://www2.warnerbros.com/vipstudiotour/)

Paramount Studio Tour (+1 323 956 1777 / http://www.paramount.com/studio/)

Sony Pictures Studio Tour (+1 323 520 8687 / http://www.sonypicturesstudios.com/)

Bus Tours

Starline Tours (+1 800 959 3131 / http://www.starlinetours.com/)

Columbia Tour Shuttle (+1 213 739 5757)

Guideline Tours (+1 800 604 8433 / http://www.guidelinetours.com/)

Adventure Tours

Catalina Adventure Tours (+1 310 510 2888 / http://www.catalinaadventuretours.com/)

Descanso Beach Ocean Sports (+1 310 510 1226 / http://www.kayakcatalinaisland.com/)

Fishing Tours

Discovery Tours--Flying Fish Boat Trip (+1 310 510 2000)

Boat Tours

Los Angeles Harbor Cruise (+1 310 831 0996)

Star Party Cruises (+1 562 799 7000 / http://www.reggae-boat.com/)

Crystal Cruises (+1 866 446 6625 / http://www.crystalcruises.com/)

Air Tours

Helitac Aviation (+1 213 483 6898 / http://www.helitac.com)

Hollywood Aviators (+1 818 994 2004 / http://www.hollywoodaviators.com/)

Sports Tours

Big League Tours (+1 866 619 1748 / +1 317 534 2475 / http://bigleaguetours.com/)

Segway Tours

Segway Los Angeles (+1 310 395 1395 / http://www.segway.la/rental.php)