The Best One Day LA Highlights Tour from Anaheim

Why We Chose a Day Tour in Los Angeles

Our family was limited on time during our trip to Los Angeles, staying in Anaheim with just one day to see as much as possible. Exploring one highlight a day wasn’t an option, so we needed a tour that packed all the must-see sights into a single day. We searched high and low for a one day LA highlights tour from Anaheim that would best suit our family and our itinerary!

What trip to Los Angeles is complete without a stop at Rodeo Drive?!

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We researched countless options: private tours, small group tours, large group tours, open air bus tours and even self-guided options using Uber or a rental car. However, the cost of many tours, once converted to Aussie dollars, seemed daunting. We came across glowing reviews for the full-day tour with LA In A Day but hoped I could find something a little more budget friendly. After more digging, I finally found a small group day tour on Get Your Guide for significantly less – and it included pick-up in Anaheim! It felt like a win, and we booked immediately. Spoiler: it turned out to be an excellent choice!

Our Day Exploring LA’s Iconic Sights

Pick-Up and Drive to LA

Our tour started bright and early at 7:50 a.m., with a pick-up directly from our hotel lobby in Anaheim – great bonus! As the first family onboard, I snagged the front seat, offering incredible views throughout the journey. Once the group (two other families) were collected, we were off to Los Angeles. Our guide, Mike, was friendly, informative, and had a great playlist of classic tunes to set the mood. The excitement grew as the Hollywood sign appeared on the hills – a surreal “pinch-me” moment!

Griffith Observatory

Our first stop was Griffith Observatory, offering stunning views of the Hollywood sign and LA cityscape. Although the 15-minute stop felt too short, a helpful stranger pointed out the perfect spot for a great photo with the sign. The observatory itself was fascinating, and we were surprised by how “small” LA’s downtown skyline appeared compared to our expectations.

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Hollywood Walk of Fame

Next, we hit Hollywood Boulevard to explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Starting near the LA LA LAND gift shop, we dashed around snapping photos of stars, including some of our favourites. I was disappointed not to find Julia Roberts’ star – rookie mistake for not researching its location beforehand! We also visited the iconic Chinese Theatre and Dolby Theatre. While it was exciting to be there, the area was less glamorous than we imagined. Still, it’s a must-see and now ticked off our bucket list.

Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive

Driving through Beverly Hills, we heard stories about celebrity homes and jaw-dropping property prices. On Rodeo Drive, we strolled past luxury boutiques and reached the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. This stop was a personal highlight for me, as a lifelong fan of Pretty Woman! The kids didn’t quite share my enthusiasm but humoured me as I posed for photos.

Lunch at the Farmers Market

For lunch, we headed to the historic Farmers Market, a foodie’s paradise with stalls offering every cuisine imaginable. While the kids enjoyed pre-packed wraps (money saver) and a cold treat from the market, Geoff and I indulged in empanadas, donuts, and coffee. The market’s lively atmosphere made it a great spot to recharge before continuing our tour.

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier was our next stop and a definite crowd-pleaser. The end of Route 66, it had a vibrant, festive vibe. We strolled the pier, enjoyed churros, and took in the lively street performers and ocean views. We loved spotting Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. from Forrest Gump as well as the sign that states The end of Route 66, adding to the iconic experience.

The beach itself reminded us of Baywatch and we could almost see David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson running down the beach with lifesaving devices in hand! It was great fun!

Venice Beach

Venice Beach offered a stark contrast to Santa Monica with its laid-back, bohemian vibe. We wandered past Muscle Beach, basketball courts featured in White Men Can’t Jump, and eclectic street vendors. It was fascinating to see such a unique and creative side of LA. It was a fun, cool vibe and we really enjoyed.

Marina Del Rey

Our final stop was Marina Del Rey, a picturesque, man-made harbour with luxury yachts and quaint waterfront cafes. After a quick restroom break, we braced ourselves for the infamous LA traffic on our way back to Anaheim.

This whirlwind tour was fast-paced but absolutely worth it. While I wished for more time at certain stops, the itinerary maximised what we could see in a single day. Without this tour, we’d never have managed to visit all these iconic spots on our own.

When we return to LA (one day!), I’d love to explore more in-depth: wandering the LA CBD, visiting the Crypto.com Arena, sipping coffee on Rodeo Drive, and biking along the Santa Monica to Venice Beach path. For now, though, this tour gave us an unforgettable taste of Los Angeles.

Why Choose a Guided Tour?

For travellers with limited time, a guided day tour is the perfect solution to experience LA’s highlights without the stress of planning or navigating traffic.

Book your LA Day Tour

There are so many guided tours to choose from, it is simply a matter of choosing the one that suits you and your group best!

COMPARE PRICES!

For us, booking our tour through Get Your Guide was a budget-friendly lifesaver, and we wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone looking to make the most of their time in LA.