Welcome to a dazzling summer in Los Angeles, the city that is home to Hollywood’s glitz, glamour, TV and film studios. Whether you’re a local entertaining your film buff kiddos or hosting out-of-town guests eager to discover our city’s special charms, we’ve got the perfect studio tour itinerary lined up for you. 

Get ready for an exclusive peek behind the curtain of Tinseltown with our guide to the top movie studio tours in L.A. These unforgettable tours offer a unique opportunity to witness a bit of the magic of crafting cinematic masterpieces. Delve deeper into the making of iconic films and marvel at the creative ingenuity employed in perfecting the sound, visuals and storylines that have grabbed our hearts for generations.

Studio tours can sell out fast, so make sure to secure your tickets ahead of time. Each studio has its own parking procedures, so prepare beforehand to ensure a smooth visit. The guide below will assist you in determining which experience aligns best with your budget and schedule. Enjoy your picture-perfect summer in L.A.!

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank

Prices start at $73; parking is $15 

No children under 5; minors under 18 require an adult

Reservations suggested

wbstudiotour.com

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is a great tour to feel like you’ve got some Hollywood pull. The moment your tram starts moving, you and yours are treated like movie stars. Despite the tour’s popularity, with only 10-12 guests per group, it’s an intimate experience for everyone. You’ll get to drive by exciting outdoor sets and sound stages, and at nearly three hours long, the tour is packed with engaging activities.

Highlights include the 110-acres backlot, the new Storytelling Showcase, which dives into almost 100 years of Warner Bros. magic, and the Stage 48 Interactive Soundstage with Central Perk from “Friends.”

The grand finale is a hit with kids: the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts stage! A fresh addition is the TCM (Turner Classic Movies) Classic Films Tour, celebrating 30 years of TCM. This tour is a fantastic trip through the Golden Age of Hollywood. 

Pro tip: After all that exploring, your family might be hungry. Head over a few blocks to the nearby the Smoke House restaurant, originally built at the end of World War II. It’s an expensive indulgence; however, you’ll feel like you’re dining in classic Hollywood as you sip a cocktail and soak in the ambiance of this old Hollywood studio favorite with a classic vibe. 

Universal Studios Tour

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City

Theme park tickets start at $109; parking at CityWalk is $35

All ages; no reservations for basic tour

universalstudioshollywood.com

This tour is one of the theme park’s signature attractions, drawing audiences of movie lovers from around the globe. The Studio Tour is a ride attraction at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. This is one of the largest TV and film production lots in the world, and you’ll be reminded of it at every turn and in every gift shop. Easy for guests of all ages (although there is significant walking throughout the park to arrive at it), the one-hour tram ride travels through a working film studio, with various film sets on the Universal Studios Lot. 

This studio tour is included in the theme park admission. It is not possible to attend the studio tour without admission to the park, so plan on spending an entire day and night of fun, rides, food and Hollywood delights here. 

Highlights include a backstage peek at Courthouse Square with the clocktower from “Back to the Future,” an amped-up “Jurassic World” section, a recreated 3D version of Skull Island from Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” and a “Jaws” lagoon attack.

Pro tip: This park includes a good deal of walking just to reach the studio tour, so wear comfortable shoes and consider a stroller (even if your kids have almost aged out of it) if you think your little ones will not make it through a heavy walking day. 

Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

5515 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles

Tickets start at $65, basic tour parking in Lot A is $24

No children under 10; minors under 18 require adult; reservations suggested

paramountstudiotour.ventrata.com

The Paramount Pictures tour makes you feel like you’re diving into the golden era of Hollywood. As the longest operating and only remaining major studio in Hollywood, Paramount Pictures has created celebrated movies and television shows. You’ll get to explore more than 100 years of Hollywood history and potentially witness a show in the making during this tour. There are three levels of visits at varying prices and times — something to satisfy everyone.

Tours range from two to four hours. You’ll check in as a guest and leave feeling like an industry insider.

Pro tip: Highlights connected to this studio are the New York Backlot, the Bronson Gate and a tour through the massive Prop Warehouse. 

Sony Pictures Studio Tour

3990 Overland Ave., Culver City

Theme park tickets start at $55; free parking in Overland structure

No children under 12; minors under 18 require an adult; reservations required

sonypicturesstudiostours.com

A two-hour guided walking tour will bring you behind the famed and historic gates of Sony Studios and give you the experience of a working studio. There are different levels of tours and pricing, and if walking isn’t a possibility, golf cart tours are available Monday-Friday for a higher fee. 

This tour explores various parts of a movie production, and you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for all the enormous amounts of behind-the-camera labor that goes into making a movie from start to finish. 

Highlights of shows and movies connected to this studio tour are soundstages once home to iconic films such as “The Wizard of Oz,” “Men in Black” and “Spider-Man.” Also check out the smash-hit game shows “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.”

Pro tip: “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” offer free tickets to those interested in being live audience members during shooting seasons. Details at: on-camera-audiences.com/shows/jeopardy and tickets.wheeloffortune.com

Extras for Film Buffs

TCL Chinese Theatre Tour

6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood

All ages; contact for rates and availability

Parking is $20 at Hollywood/Highland Center

tclchinesetheatres.com/tours

This tour is a great choice if you’re a serious movie buff with an interest in history. After exploring all the hand and foot prints of your favorite stars, learn about the history of the building with a 30-minute walking tour. With the VIP pass, get access to watch a movie inside the theater and bring home a special souvenir from the cinematic palace. 

Pro tip: Once you’re at this location, spend the day on Hollywood Boulevard with other film-based activities such as Madame Tussaud’s, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, The Hollywood Museum and Hollywood Wax Museum, all connected by the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

The Academy Museum

6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles

General tickets are $25 for adults (17 and under free); parking is $20

academymuseum.org

A full-fledged movie museum opened in 2021, this is a deep-dive cinematic exploration for any film fan (Just don’t tell the kids it’s a museum). 

General admission tickets include access to “Stories of Cinema,” the core exhibition that spans three levels and explores significant movies and moviemakers, the history of the Oscars, narrative and documentary films and the art and science of moviemaking. Tickets also grant access to the Dolby Family Terrace, which sits beneath a glorious glass dome made from 1,500 glass panels that tower overhead. Check the website for “magic hour” events on the terrace, where DJs spin tunes, cocktail glasses clink and socializing buzzes through this open-air space with views of the Hollywood sign. General admission does not include The Oscars Experience, an additional $10 ticket purchase, for an immersive Oscars night simulation. 

Pro Tip: The gift shop here is not cheesy or cheap. It’s a movie lover’s paradise. 

Margot Black is a Los Angeles-based travel writer, mom and founder of Black Ink PR.