About this English self-guided 2h:26m driving tour in Los Angeles
Welcome to your UCPlaces driving tour of Los Angeles, where the sun shines bright, the palm trees sway, and every stop has a story to tell! We’re starting things off at the laid-back, colorful shores of Venice Beach, where street performers, skaters, and swan boats set the tone for this uniquely L.A. adventure. From there, we’ll cruise through legendary neighborhoods, explore world-famous landmarks, and soak up the city's one-of-a-kind blend of glamor, culture, and California cool.
Along the way, we’ll stop by hotspots like Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the dazzling Sunset Strip, with plenty of surprises and fun facts sprinkled in. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a local looking for a fresh perspective, this tour is your VIP pass to some of the best sights—and stories—that Los Angeles has to offer.
Our journey will end high above the city at the stunning Griffith Observatory, where you can take in sweeping views of L.A. and the stars above. So buckle up, roll down the windows, and let’s hit the road—Los Angeles is waiting!
Venice Beach, California, is one of Los Angeles' most eclectic and iconic neighborhoods, famous for its bohemian spirit, vibrant boardwalk, and surf culture. Founded in 1905 by tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney as a "Venice of America," the area originally featured canals and gondoliers modeled after Venice, Italy—some of which still exist today and are nestled in a quiet residential section just east of the beach. Venice Beach is best known for its Venice Boardwalk, a lively 2.5-mile promenade teeming with street performers, artists, musicians, skaters, and eccentric characters that truly capture the free-spirited vibe of Southern California.
One of the most photographed landmarks here is the Venice Beach Sign, which hangs over Windward Avenue at Pacific. Originally installed in 1905 to welcome visitors to Kinney’s seaside resort town, the sign has undergone several transformations but retains its nostalgic charm. In 2007, it was restored to resemble the original, complete with classic globe lights that shine at night. Throughout the year, the sign is sometimes customized to mark holidays or raise awareness for causes—for example, changing colors for Pride Month or being redesigned with a peace sign to promote unity. It’s become a symbol of Venice’s enduring creativity and progressive energy, and no trip is complete without a photo under its twinkling lights.
The beach itself is a hotspot for surfers, sunbathers, and volleyball players, while Muscle Beach, an outdoor gym dating back to the 1930s, became a fitness mecca where legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger once trained in the open air. Just inland, Abbot Kinney Boulevard offers a contrast with its upscale boutiques, cafes, and galleries—making it a trendy yet artsy destination for both locals and tourists.
One quirky local legend involves the so-called "Venice Ghost Canals." During low tide or heavy rain, some believe the old, now-buried canal routes emit strange echoes or "voices" from the past—though it’s likely just shifting groundwater or urban myth. Venice Beach has also been featured in countless films, TV shows, and music videos, helping cement its reputation as the ultimate California cultural mashup of grit, glamor, art, and sun-soaked freedom.
1733 Ocean Ave Suite 110, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Santa Monica
Santa Monica, California, is a radiant coastal city that perfectly balances classic California beach culture with modern elegance. Just 15 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, this seaside town is best known for the Santa Monica Pier, an iconic structure that has stood since 1909. At the end of the pier, you'll find Pacific Park, a small but beloved amusement park featuring the Pacific Wheel, the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel, offering sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. The pier also houses an aquarium, arcade games, and street performers, making it a lively, family-friendly destination. It’s also the symbolic end of Route 66, the legendary American highway that originally ran from Chicago to the California coast, and a sign commemorating this fact draws travelers from around the world.
Santa Monica Beach stretches over 3.5 miles, with wide, golden sands perfect for sunbathing, surfing, volleyball, and cycling. The Santa Monica Bike Path, also known as The Strand, connects to neighboring Venice Beach and runs all the way to Torrance, offering one of the most scenic rides in the country. Fitness culture thrives here—you’ll find joggers, rollerbladers, and yoga enthusiasts everywhere. In fact, Santa Monica is considered a pioneer of modern beach fitness culture, with fitness stations and gymnastics rings still in use near the pier, a nod to its history as the original Muscle Beach in the 1930s before the spotlight shifted to Venice.
Just a few blocks inland is Third Street Promenade, a bustling, pedestrian-only street filled with shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and street performers. It's a prime spot for people-watching and often features spontaneous musical performances, dance battles, or even impromptu comedy shows. For a more upscale experience, Montana Avenue offers boutique shopping and charming cafes, while Main Street blends surf-town vibes with artsy galleries, organic brunch spots, and weekend farmers markets.
Santa Monica is also a leader in sustainability—it was the first U.S. city to achieve water self-sufficiency goals, and has been named one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. The city’s commitment to green living is visible in its eco-conscious hotels, electric bike-sharing programs, and community gardens.
Santa Monica has also made its mark on pop culture. It's been featured in everything from Baywatch and Forrest Gump to countless music videos and commercials. Notably, it’s said that author Ray Bradbury wrote much of Fahrenheit 451 in the Santa Monica Public Library, and even composed parts of it on typewriters in a now-demolished local laundromat.
With year-round sunshine, vibrant culture, rich history, and a welcoming, laid-back vibe, Santa Monica is more than just a beach—it's a quintessential slice of California living.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1Venice Beach
Place 2Santa Monica
Place 3Museum of Tolerance
Place 4Rodeo Drive
Place 5The Holocaust Museum
Place 6The Grove
Place 7The Original Farmers Market
Place 8Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Place 9La Brea Tar Pits
Place 10El Rey Theatre
Place 11Wiltern Theatre
Place 12Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Place 13Stimson House
Place 14Los Angeles Convention Center
Place 15Crypto.com Arena aka Staples Center
Place 16GRAMMY Museum
Place 17Museum of Contemporary Art
Place 18Broad Museum
Place 19Walt Disney Concert Hall
Place 20LA Opera
Place 21Echo Park Lake
Place 22Sunset Boulevard
Place 23In-N-Out
Place 24TCL Chinese Theatre
Place 25Hollywood Walk of Fame
Place 26Capitol Records
Place 27Griffith Observatory
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How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
Walk at your own pace.
No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
Take the tour in your preferred language.
Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
Enjoy preferred prices.
What's included?
A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
