The Real Los Angeles Tours has a 2019 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame award
We have Los Angeles tours for all budgets: free self guided tours, group tours from just $30 pp & private tours from just $180 per group.
Our expert guides create entertaining & engaging tours, which will transform your understanding & appreciation of L.A.
We get off the beaten track to reveal the hidden beauty of Los Angeles, making your visit a truly memorable & enjoyable experience.
Our Los Angeles Tours Calendar
Our Story
I love travel. In the past there was nothing I enjoyed more than visiting a city and getting lost wandering its streets. However, during a trip to Europe in 2012, I discovered a guided walking tour and realized that it’s a much better way get to know a city. I got a quick history lesson, saw most of the best sights and was able to ask all the vital questions I had (like where to have lunch) from a local expert. It was the highlight of my trip and I began doing walking tours in every city I visited.
I came back wanting to do a tour of Los Angeles like that, but all I found were bus tours of Beverly Hills, which isn’t where most “stars” live anyway, and Rodeo Drive, where Angelenos like me never go. So, as someone that loves L.A., I decided to start a new company, offering visitors totally different tours, that would allow them to properly experience this incredible city and learn its fascinating history. I was also passionate about creating eco-friendly tours and raising money for environmental causes.
The Real Los Angeles Tours launched in 2013 with one tour and I was the only guide. Since then we’ve grown a lot – we now have ten tours and five guides. However, in all that time one thing has never changed: our mission, which is to give our guests a genuine and entertaining experience of the real Los Angeles. Join us on one of our tours and we promise it will be the highlight of your trip.
Damien, founder of The Real Los Angeles Tours
Our Guides
Chris
Hello there! I may look like a 14 year old, but I've been working in tourism for a decade. I studied acting in Chicago and after college I needed a job, so I became a tour guide. I led deep dish pizza and cupcake tours, but before long I was writing and leading architecture, history and food tours of the windy city. Then, like many actors, I moved to L.A. When I got here I was blown away by the city. I walked the streets and read a ton of books and now I'd love to share the incredible history and architecture of Los Angeles with you!
Silvie
I was raised trilingual (English, Danish and German) in Denmark, leaving when I was just 19 years old, curious to discover the world and wanting to build multicultural bridges. My first destination was Los Angeles and I spent five super fun years here, before leaving on more globetrotting adventures. I lived in Australia, Singapore and several European countries, but the lure of L.A. drew me back in 2011 and now I'm finally ready to hang up my boots. I'm always eager to share my passion for the secret spots of the city I love and call home.
Terry
I've done many things in my time, including being a stand-up comedian, a musician and a financial advisor, but one thing I've always loved to do in my time off is travel. I've visited every US state and over 25 countries. My last big trip was a month in New Zealand. What do my vacations have in common? Well, I've taken a tour in almost every place I've been. I strongly feel that experiencing a city on a guided walking tour, with someone who has a passion for it, is the best ways to connect with the heart of that place and its people.
Damien
I'm from the UK and I majored in History at the University of London. Travel has always been one of my biggest passions and I lived in Germany, Spain and Australia, before moving to L.A. in 2008. Since then I really feel like Los Angeles has become my home. I love its dynamism and multiculturalism, the many cultural offerings it has, the friendly nature of most people here and, of course, the weather. In many ways the reason for founding The Real Los Angeles Tours was to give visitors the chance to fall in love with L.A. like I did.
Vicky
Hi! Like many people you meet here I'm a transplant, moving to L.A. from the great state of Iowa in 2015. I got the travel bug when I was 19 years old, traveling to Italy with my best friend. Since that first excursion I've returned to Europe twice and backpacked around most of the continent, in addition to traveling extensively around the United States, Central and South America. Next on my list is Asia and Japan. I enjoy sharing my passion for travel and my love for Los Angeles with all who come on my tours.
Got questions about Los Angeles or California?
Both L.A. Info and our blog, The Los Angeles Lowdown, are dedicated to answering those queries to help you make the most of your trip here.
Need help finding things to do and places to go while you’re here? Check 12 Things to Do in California, 15 Things to Do in LA and 10 Things to Do in Hollywood. Bringing the family? Then look at 10 Things to Do in LA with Kids to get some great ideas for activities that will keep everyone entertained.
Not sure where to stay during your trip to L.A.? Read Where to Stay in Los Angeles. As well as listing some interesting and/or historic hotels and guest houses around the city, it also gives advice on the best neighborhoods to base yourself to make the most of your stay.
Wondering how to get around Los Angeles? Thinking of renting a car? To help you we’ve written a guide: How to Use Public Transport in LA (as you can guess from the title, depending on your plans, you don’t necessarily need a car).
And finally we have information to make things easier once you’re here, such as Where to Eat in Los Angeles, Where to Drink in Los Angeles and, very importantly, Tipping in the U.S., because we know that the American custom of tipping can be very confusing for visitors.
Whatever your questions, we have the answers.