Take a guided 'behind-the-scenes' tour in Hollywood

This world famous Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Tour visits all the famous (and infamous) landmarks in Hollywood in 75 minutes and is a delight for anyone wanting to see Hollywood close-up.

This is Hollywood's most authentic tour, but your guides do offer a bit of its legendary gossip as well!

A unique "live-audio" system allows you to hear the tour guide, even over the most extreme city noise. The system is also helpful for hard-of-hearing guests who can adjust sound levels to their comfort.

If you really want to know Hollywood you must take this tour!

Talented guides will take you on a journey to Hollywood's most famous landmarks including Grauman's Chinese Theater (home of the famous hand and foot prints), the Kodak Theatre (home of the Oscars) and the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

You will learn how Hollywood got its unusual name and the story behind the Hollywood Sign. The tour will also visit many other impressive landmarks including the El Capitan Theatre (Disney's premiere theatre), the Roosevelt Hotel (birthplace of the Oscars), and the interior of Grauman's Egyptian Theatre (where the movie premiere was born). Theatre access is subject to availability.

Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes Itinerary

Walk of Fame -- Learn the story behind LA's most popular landmark, created as a redevelopment tool.

The Story of Hollywood -- Learn how Hollywood got its name, and how it became the entertainment capitol of the world.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre -- Sid Grauman's masterpiece. Discover the story behind the world's most famous theatre and the hand and footprints of the stars. A little more time is spent here to cover the theatre's unique history.

Awards Walk/Kodak Theatre -- Walk in the footsteps of the stars. Learn how the red carpet is rolled out for the Oscars.

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel -- The first home of the Academy Awards.

Masonic Temple -- Hollywood's first commercial building was once home to the fraternal order of Free Masons and is now the taping studio for ABC Television Network and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

El Capitan Theatre -- Disney's Premiere Theatre; home to the west coast movie premieres for The Lion King, Toy Story, Monster's Inc. and hundreds of other famous films.

Hollywood & Highland -- A $615 million retail center whose design is a tribute to D.W. Griffith's epic film Intolerance.

Max Factor Building -- Max Factor's original studio and headquarters, where make-up was invented!

Embassy Club -- A nightclub exclusive to the stars created by the set designer for Casablanca.

Montmartre Café -- Hollywood's first nightclub, where Joan Crawford was discovered.

Snow White Café -- Walt Disney had the coffeehouse idea long before Starbucks.

Pig & Whistle -- An impressive Hollywood restaurant restored to its former glory.

Egyptian Theatre (in-depth discussion) -- Sid Grauman's first foray into Hollywood; where the movie premiere was born. We go inside to see how this theatre's renovation was like an archeological dig.

The Hollywood Phenomenon

Hollywood is a place, a name, and a phenomenon known in every corner of the globe. The movies, the stories, and the imagination behind them challenge the mind, offer hope, and entertain us when times are tough. For these reasons, Hollywood represents many things to many people all over the world.

While the studios continued to churn out blockbusters year after year, Hollywood - the place - fell into a deep decline. Regardless, the allure of Hollywood proved far too strong, and people still came to make a personal connection with their "dream factory." People come to see their favorite stars immortalized on the Walk of Fame or in the foot and handprints in the forecourt of the Chinese Theater.

Hollywood's Rebirth

Hollywood is experiencing a rebirth not unlike the one seen in Times Square in New York or on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. We have the new $615 million Hollywood & Highland shopping and entertainment complex including the Kodak Theatre (new home of the Academy Awards) and the new Renaissance Hollywood Hotel but that's only the beginning...

In 1990 Disney led the way with its $65 million restoration of the historic El Capitan Theater now the world's highest grossing picture palace and the premiere theater for Disney. Next door, Disney also unveiled a restoration of the historic Masonic Temple.

The world's most famous theater, Grauman's Chinese, underwent a $2 million restoration bringing it back its former glory. Grauman's Egyptian (site of the first Hollywood movie premiere) underwent a $14 million restoration, the famed Hollywood Pantages underwent a $12 million restoration, and the Cinerama Dome underwent a $60 million overhaul including the addition of a major shopping and entertainment center. The Max Factor Building has also been lovingly restored and is now home to the Hollywood History Museum.

...and that's only the beginning. The boulevard is bustling with new upscale shops, restaurants, theatres, and boutique hotels.

A New Era, A Fresh Approach

People visiting Hollywood used to stare at the ground. Not anymore. Our tours have people looking up and discovering places and things they never dreamed existed in Hollywood. How many people actually see the little dragons running down the roof of the Chinese Theater or the ornate facade of the El Capitan Theater across the street? How many people know about the Speakeasy hidden deep inside an old Hollywood nightclub turned acting academy? Hollywood is a living museum of American architecture and history!

Please Note: Entry into public and private buildings are subject to their availability.

This tour does not offer hotel pick-up. Departure is from the tour office on Hollywood Boulevard. Child rate applies to ages 9 to 15 (under 9 are free). Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-789-9575.