Questions answered
Big Bus Los Angeles FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Independent guide, not operated by or affiliated with Big Bus Tours.
- Routes2
- Stops17
- Sights12
This Big Bus Los Angeles FAQ answers the questions trip planners ask before they book a hop-on hop-off bus in the city. Two routes cover very different ground: the Hollywood loop passes the Walk of Fame area, the Sunset Strip, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, while the Beach loop heads out to Santa Monica and Venice. Read the answers below, then compare the ticket options side by side.
Sights in this guide
Before you ride
The Hollywood loop is the route most first-time visitors will use, because it reaches the sights that sit closest to its stops. The Beach loop is a coastal route that runs from Beverly Gardens Park out to Santa Monica and Venice. Beverly Gardens Park appears on both route lists, so it is the point where the two routes connect.
Walking distance matters more than the map suggests. The TCL Chinese Theatre has a stop at its own doorstep on the Hollywood loop, and the Dolby Theatre is about 100 metres from that stop. Hollywood and Vine is the stop for the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Sunset Strip has a stop of its own. Venice Beach is about 450 metres from the Venice Boardwalk stop. Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory have no stop close enough to walk to, so plan separate transport for those.
Choosing a ticket
Ticket pages are where each product's route is described, so read the route description before you decide. If the Hollywood sights are your priority, the Hollywood loop's stop list is the detail to focus on; if the coast matters more, look at the Beach loop's stops. Build your day around the stops you actually need, and use the walking clusters to decide whether a second visit on foot makes sense.
Route and stops
- Hollywood Loop (Red Route)
- Beach Loop (Blue Route)
Hollywood Loop (Red Route)
Show all 13 stops
Beach Loop (Blue Route)
Hop-on hop-off a Los Angeles
Questions about Big Bus Los Angeles
Is the Big Bus worth it in Los Angeles?
It is worth it when your list is spread across neighbourhoods, since the bus saves long drives between Hollywood, the Sunset Strip and the coast. It is less useful for a short list inside one area, such as the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre, which sit close enough to walk. Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign need separate transport whichever bus you choose. Compare the ticket pages before deciding.
How long does a route take?
The Hollywood loop lists 13 stops and the Beach loop lists five. Staying on board for the main tour takes up to about two hours. Time spent at each sight is up to you, so budget for that separately.
Where does the Hollywood loop begin?
Its stop list opens at the Big Bus Visitor Center on Hollywood Boulevard, which makes it a natural first stop for a Walk of Fame morning. From there the loop runs through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills and comes back through Melrose Avenue. The ticket page describes the route in more detail.
Does the bus go to Santa Monica?
Yes, the Beach loop goes there. Its stops run from Beverly Gardens Park to Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Beach, the Venice Boardwalk and then Main Street in Santa Monica. Venice Beach itself is about 450 metres from the Venice Boardwalk stop.
Does the bus stop at The Grove?
Yes, the Hollywood loop has a stop named Farmers Market / The Grove. It sits between the Museum Row and Melrose Avenue shopping stops in ride order. The Los Angeles Original Farmers Market is about 250 metres from that stop.
Can I combine both routes in one day?
The Red and Blue routes share a stop at Beverly Gardens Park, so you can link them there. Check the ticket page for when the Blue Route runs.
Can children ride?
Sitting on the bus saves long drives between sights. Age rules and any child-specific conditions belong on the ticket page.
Is the Big Bus wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair access and seating arrangements are a question for the ticket page. Confirm them there before you book, especially if a wheelchair user is in your group.
Can I get on and off at any stop?
Each route's stop list runs in ride order, so you can see which stops sit on the loop and where each sight falls along it. Whether you can leave the bus at a stop, and how you rejoin, is set out on the ticket page. Read that before you plan a day around particular stops.
How does the bus compare with a walking tour?
A walking tour suits the cluster around the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where the Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre and Hollywood sit close enough to combine on foot in one half-day. The bus makes more sense when sights are spread apart, such as Hollywood and Santa Monica. Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills form their own cluster, so a short walk or separate transport suits them better than the bus.
What is the weather like for a ride?
The weather is sunny and mild most of the year, with warm, dry summers and occasional winter rain. Late spring can bring a grey coastal haze, and coastal mornings can be overcast. Late spring afternoons and autumn usually give clearer views toward the beach and the Hollywood Sign.
Are there other hop-on hop-off buses in the city?
Yes, six hop-on hop-off products from two operators run in Los Angeles. Their loops run roughly 105 to 120 minutes, and the products are offered in nine languages, including English, Spanish and Japanese. The kinds include open-top or double-decker sightseeing loops and tickets bundled with an attraction or a second activity.
How long is a ticket valid?
Each ticket page sets its own validity period, so use that figure rather than the city-wide one. Compare the options before you choose.
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