If you're staying near Disneyland and want to see Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or Venice Beach, you've probably already realized the problem: there's no easy way to get there on your own. LA is a driving city. The distances are real. And most visitors who try to figure it out on their own spend half their day in traffic, parking garages, or waiting for an Uber surge to calm down.
I've been guiding tours from Anaheim to LA since 2012. I've heard every version of this question. And the honest answer is that most of the "obvious" solutions — rent a car, take the Metro, Uber between stops — aren't as practical as they look. Here's an honest breakdown of every option, so you can decide what's right for your trip.
Why Most People Struggle with This
"I'll just rent a car — it can't be that hard."
Hollywood to Santa Monica on a weekday morning takes 45 minutes to over an hour. Parking in Hollywood is a 20–30 minute ordeal on a good day, and street parking near the Walk of Fame doesn't really exist. By the time most self-driving visitors find a spot, they've burned 90 minutes without seeing anything.
"I'll take the Metro — faster than driving."
Getting from Anaheim to Hollywood via Metrolink and Metro Rail takes 2–3 hours with transfers. That's 4–6 hours of transit for a round trip — more than half your day gone before you've experienced anything.
"I'll Uber between neighborhoods — simple."
Uber between four or five LA neighborhoods adds up fast — easily $120–$200+ for the day once surge pricing kicks in during peak hours. You still have no guide, no local knowledge, and no one to handle logistics.
Your Options, Ranked Honestly
A guided small-group tour picks you up at your hotel, takes you to 5–6 iconic stops across LA, and drops you back at your hotel at the end of the day. You don't navigate, park, or figure out timing — your guide handles everything while you enjoy the city.
If you're comfortable driving in heavy traffic and patient with parking, a rental car gives you full flexibility. It works best if you're only going to one or two stops and have a lot of time to spare.
Fine if you're going to just one destination and coming straight back. Not practical for a multi-stop LA day — the cost and wait times add up quickly.
Technically possible, but takes so long that it isn't practical for a day trip. LA's public transit system isn't designed to take visitors from Anaheim to multiple tourist destinations efficiently.
What a Perfect LA Day Looks Like
If you go with a guided tour, here's what a well-run day actually looks like from start to finish:
- Morning pickup — Your driver arrives at your Anaheim hotel between 8–9 AM. No scrambling, no transit confusion. Everyone's relaxed before the day even starts.
- Griffith Observatory — First stop, before the crowds. This is where you see the Hollywood Sign up close, with a panoramic view of the entire LA basin laid out below you.
- Hollywood Boulevard — Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre. Your guide tells you which stars actually mean something and where the best photos are taken.
- Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive — A drive through the neighborhood, a stop on the most famous shopping street in California. Even if you're not shopping, the architecture alone is worth it.
- The Grove — Lunch break at the best outdoor dining area in LA. Everyone eats on their own, comes back refreshed, and the afternoon energy is always better for it.
- Santa Monica Pier — The Pacific Ocean. The end of Route 66. The famous Ferris wheel. One of those views that actually lives up to the expectation.
- Venice Beach — The boardwalk, Muscle Beach, the street performers, the murals. A completely different energy from Hollywood — and a perfect way to end the day.
- Return to Anaheim — Dropped back at your hotel, tired in the best possible way, with a full day's worth of memories.
Ready to book your Anaheim to Hollywood day tour?
Hotel pickup from the Anaheim resort area. Small groups. Local expert guide. Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica & Venice Beach — all in one day.
View Tour Details & Book →Frequently Asked Questions
What is your cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your tour. Will accommodate for extraordinary conditions.
Is it worth going to Hollywood from Anaheim?
Absolutely. Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the beach cities are very different from Anaheim. If you have even one extra day, most visitors say the LA day trip was the best decision of the entire vacation.
What hotels do you pick up from?
We cover hotels in Buena Park and throughout the Anaheim Disneyland resort area. Our standard tour picks up from hotels within about 1.5 miles of Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. Staying outside the area? No problem — you can meet us at one of the resort area hotels. If you need parking, just let us know and we'll help you find free parking nearby.
Can I do Hollywood AND the beach in one day from Anaheim?
Yes — our full-day tour covers Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Boulevard, Beverly Hills, The Grove, Santa Monica Pier, and Venice Beach. It's a full day, but it's designed to give you enough time at each stop without rushing.
