They say Hollywood Hills is where you stay if you want to live among the stars, and in more ways than one. Follow its winding streets into the hills and Los Angeles begins to unfold below, giving you a different perspective on the city from a neighborhood many of Hollywood’s most popular names have called home. Just a few miles away, West Hollywood brings you closer to the action, with its mix of entertainment, art, dining, local markets, and neighborhood institutions that have become part of Los Angeles culture. So, where do you begin? We’ve narrowed it down to the local favorites and must-do experiences worth adding to your family trip.
1. TMZ Celebrity Tour
Get to know Hollywood through the stories, places, and personalities that keep it interesting. The TMZ Celebrity Tour is a lively 2 to 2.5-hour ride through Hollywood, West Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, and Beverly Hills, passing famous landmarks and celebrity hotspots along the way. Expect insider stories, videos, games, and the occasional celebrity sighting. It’s an easy first-day activity and a fun way to shake off jet lag while getting your bearings around LA without committing to a full day of sightseeing. The personality of your guide matters here, and recent Tripadvisor reviews repeatedly praise the guides for making the experience entertaining. One guest put it simply: “He MADE the tour!”
- Recommended: TMZ Celebrity Tour | Book directly with TMZ Tours for current times, rates, and offers.
- Tips: Arrive early for a good seat, ask your guide for local recommendations, and keep your camera ready. Celebrity sightings are a bonus, not a guarantee.
- Pricing: $49 adult (13+) | $39 child (3–12) | FREE under 3. Adult experiences including TMZ After Dark start at $69 (21+).
- Hours: Multiple daily departures | Tour times vary by date; check the schedule when booking.
- Location: Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood | 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
2. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
If TMZ Hollywood tours shows you where movie magic happens, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures takes you behind the scenes. Opened in 2021 by the Academy behind the Oscars, the museum brings more than a century of cinema to life through iconic costumes, original props, filmmaking technology, and Academy Awards history. It’s a must for film lovers and a fun stop for families, especially with The Oscars Experience, where you can step onto a simulated awards stage, hold a real Oscar, and finally deliver that acceptance speech you’ve been practicing at home.
- Recommended: General Admission + The Oscars Experience. Reserve timed tickets through the Academy Museum website.
- Tips: Give yourself about 2–3 hours. Save time for the rotating exhibitions and head to the Dolby Family Terrace for a great view of the Hollywood Hills.
- Pricing: General Admission: $25 adults | $19 seniors 62+ | $15 students | FREE ages 17 & under. Oscars Experience add-on: $10 adults | $8 seniors | $5 students | FREE ages 17 & under.
- Hours: Wednesday–Monday | 10 AM–6 PM | Closed Tuesdays
- Location: 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, on Museum Row near LACMA and the Petersen Automotive Museum.
3. LACMA & Urban Light at LACMA
Art at LACMA doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. The largest art museum in the western United States is also home to Urban Light, the iconic installation of 202 restored streetlamps that has become a Los Angeles landmark in its own right. The collection spans works by Monet, Warhol, Basquiat, and Mondrian, along with fashion, photography, sculpture, and contemporary art. Kids will especially enjoy Metropolis II, a miniature city buzzing with moving cars. Explore the galleries, catch Urban Light around dusk, then head to nearby The Grove or Original Farmers Market for lunch or dinner.
- Recommended: General Admission + Urban Light at dusk | Book timed entry through LACMA.
- Tips: Allow 2–3 hours, save Urban Light for dusk, and park at the Pritzker Garage if you plan to explore Museum Row. Add the Academy Museum or La Brea Tar Pits while you’re here.
- Pricing: L.A. County: $25 adult | $21 senior/student | FREE ages 17 & under. Non-L.A. County: $30 adult | $26 senior/student | $15 ages 3–17 | FREE under 3. L.A. County residents are FREE after 3 PM on weekdays with valid ID. Everyone is FREE on the second Tuesday of each month.
- Hours: Mon, Tue & Thu 11 AM–6 PM | Fri 11 AM–8 PM | Sat–Sun 10 AM–7 PM | Closed Wed.
- Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
4. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Last, but definitely not least, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. For more than 100 years, this 110-acre studio with 10 backlots has played a role in bringing some of Hollywood’s most recognizable stories to screen. Tour active backlots and soundstages before heading to Stage 48, where you can sit on the actual Central Perk set from Friends, explore The Big Bang Theory, enter the worlds of Harry Potter and DC, or experiment with green-screen effects and movie sound. The newer Post-Production Workshop also shows what happens after filming wraps, while the studio’s active production schedule means each visit can be a little different. The standard experience takes around three hours, though reviews regularly mention families staying four hours or longer. Give it the better part of the day and stick around for the credits.
- Recommended: Studio Tour | Reserve timed tickets directly through the Warner Bros. Studio Tour website.
- Tips: Allow 3–4 hours and arrive around 30 minutes early for check-in. Reviews recommend leaving extra time for Stage 48 and the self-guided experiences. On-site parking is available for $15 per vehicle, and advance purchase is recommended.
- Pricing: Studio Tour: $79 adult (11+) | $68 child (5–10). Studio Tour Plus: $160 adult | $138 child. Deluxe Tour: $330 per person (5+). Children under 5 are not permitted. Visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour website for detailed package inclusions.
- Hours: Tours generally depart 8:30 AM–3:30 PM, with schedules varying by date. Check available times when booking.
- Location: 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505.
There’s always more of LA to see. If you’re extending your itinerary or simply looking for a conveniently located home during your visit, Elite Luxury Homes offers private estates across Hollywood Hills and West Hollywood, with options for groups of different sizes. Browse our homes or reach out to our team, and we’ll help you find a stay that fits your plans.
FAQS
1. What are the best family-friendly attractions near Hollywood Hills and West Hollywood?
Top options include the TMZ Celebrity Tour, Academy Museum, LACMA and Urban Light, and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood.
2. Is Hollywood Hills or West Hollywood better for families?
Hollywood Hills offers more privacy and a residential setting, while West Hollywood puts families closer to dining, shopping, and entertainment.
3. How many days should families spend in Hollywood and West Hollywood?
Plan for 2–3 days to visit major attractions without rushing and allow for LA traffic.
4. Where can families stay near Hollywood attractions?
Hollywood Hills and West Hollywood offer private short-term rentals near many popular LA attractions, including homes for different group sizes.
5. Can Elite Luxury Homes help plan a Los Angeles family itinerary?
Yes. Elite Luxury Homes provides 24/7 concierge assistance and can help guests plan activities and experiences during their stay.
