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Best Los Angeles Tours: Top-Rated Experiences for First Time Visitors (2026 Guide)

Alright, so you’re coming to Los Angeles – and if we’re right, you’ve got a list: The Hollywood Sign. Beverly Hills. Santa Monica. Venice Beach. Maybe a celebrity sighting if the universe cooperates.

Then reality hits.

LA is huge. Everything is spread out. Traffic is real. And suddenly your “we’ll just Uber everywhere” plan feels less efficient. And expensive.

That’s exactly why booking one of the best Los Angeles tours is the smartest move you can make.

At Bikes and Hikes LA, we design experiences that connect the city for you. No chaos. No guesswork. No wasted time (the worst feeling on vacation!) – Just the best parts of LA done right.

If it’s your first visit, we’re here to help you through it!

First Time in LA? Don’t Wing It.

Los Angeles is not a walkable European city. It’s a collection of iconic neighborhoods stitched together by freeways. (There are 88 incorporated cities in the county of Los Angeles, and 100+ recognized neighborhoods!)

Hollywood isn’t next door to Santa Monica. Beverly Hills isn’t around the corner from Venice Beach. And no, this isn’t a montage from your favorite episode of The Hills. You’re not casually shopping on Rodeo, surfing in Malibu, and sipping something in Laguna by sunset on the same day. Unfortunately, LA doesn’t work like an Aaron Spelling show.

Without a plan, you’ll spend half your trip navigating instead of experiencing – Andddd that’s where we come in!

When you book with Bikes and Hikes LA, we’ve already mapped the smartest routes so that you’ll see everything on your list. We know when to go, where to stop, what’s worth your time, and what isn’t.

You get structure without feeling rushed. Stories without feeling lectured. And way more done in way less time.

That’s how the best Los Angeles tours should feel.

The Best Way to See LA? On Two Wheels.

If you want immersive and efficient, our bike tours are impossible to beat.

You move much faster than walking. You’re not stuck behind bus windows feeling nauseous in traffic. You’re riding right past it. And, best part? We offer our tours on premium electric bikes or standard bikes – so no need to be Lance Armstrong to participate!)

Our tours keep you moving at a comfortable pace and are ideal for first time visitors who want to experience a lot of LA without feeling overwhelmed.

And yes, all experience levels and ages are welcome.

Short Trip? Book our famous LA in a Day Tour!

If you want the full overview in one smooth experience, this is it.

Our LA in a Day tour connects Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach in one structured, fun, and efficient route.

This is one of the best Los Angeles tours for visitors who want that “okay, I really saw LA” feeling before they fly home.

Looking for the iconic LA experience but only have a few hours? Our shorter Hollywood Sign Bike Tour and Beverly Hills Bike Tour cover some of the city’s most recognizable spots, including the Walk of Fame, celebrity homes, Rodeo Drive, hip West Hollywood, iconic filming locations, and built in photo stops along the way.

Want the Classic California Coast?

Santa Monica and Venice Beach are what most people picture when they think Los Angeles.

If you’re craving ocean air and that effortless California energy, our privately bookable Santa Monica and Venice Beach Bike Tour is your move. You’ll cruise the coastline, roll past Muscle Beach, glide through the Venice Canals, and soak up the kind of boardwalk chaos that somehow just works.

It’s sun, surf, street art, and people watching at its finest, with a local guide who knows exactly where to stop so you get the photos and the story.

Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory: Mandatory.

Let’s be honest. You want that photo.

The Hollywood Sign. The skyline. The one that says “Look Ma I made it!” without you even needing a caption.

Our guided Hollywood Sign Hike, Hollywood Sign Tour, and Griffith Observatory Hiking Tour take you straight to the best viewpoints without wandering aimlessly, second guessing the trail, or battling crowds for an angle.

And yes, our guides are social media pros – they’ll get the shot!

For first-time visitors, this is one of the best Los Angeles tours to capture that “okay… this is iconic” moment.

Why Bikes and Hikes LA Consistently Ranks Among the Best Los Angeles Tours

There are a lot of tours in this city.

What sets Bikes and Hikes LA apart is the fact that every experience is intentionally designed from start to finish.

We make sure you’re never lost in a crowd. You can actually hear your (amazing, incredible, funny, talented… ) guide. You can ask questions. You can stop for photos (We encourage it). You feel part of the experience, not pushed through it. Our guides are local, entertaining, CPR and First Aid certified, and genuinely excited about this city. They know the hidden stories behind the landmarks. They know how to keep it engaging without sounding scripted. And they’re great at capturing photos you’ll actually want to post.

Every route is built to maximize your experience.

That’s why guests consistently leave saying they saw more than they expected and learned more than they planned to.

You don’t have to take our word for it – take a look at our thousands of google reviews & we’re ranked as a #1 activity on TripAdvisor!

So Which Tour Should You Book?

If you want the thrill and excitement of pedaling through the city, book our LA in a Day tour, Hollywood Sign Bike Tour, or our Beverly Hills Bike Tour.

If you want coastal California energy, book our Santa Monica and Venice Beach Bike Tour.

If you want an adventure on foot, book the Hollywood Sign Hike, the 90 minute express Hollywood Sign Tour, or our Griffith Observatory Hiking Tour.

LA rewards people who have a plan.

We’ve already built it for you.

Book the Best Los Angeles Tours Today

Los Angeles is magic. It’s also chaotic, sprawling, and wildly inefficient if you don’t know what you’re doing.

The best Los Angeles tours don’t just point at landmarks and call it a day. They connect the dots. They turn a massive city into something that actually makes sense. They help you see more, stress less, and leave feeling like you truly experienced LA.

If it’s your first time here, do yourself a favor. Don’t “just see how it goes.” That’s how you end up stuck in traffic Googling “how far is Venice from Hollywood” with 12 percent battery left.

Book a top rated Bikes and Hikes LA tour instead.

You’re on vacation. Let it feel like one.

We’ve got the routes. The timing. The stories. The photo angles.

All you have to do is show up!

We’ll handle the rest. We can’t wait to meet you!

Based on this LA Tours article, discover the best Southern California tours handpicked by our expert team.