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Things to do in Chinatown, Los Angeles

Our most recommended things to do in Chinatown, Los Angeles

Los Angeles: Downtown Historic Highlights Bike Tour

1. Los Angeles: Downtown Historic Highlights Bike Tour

Embark on a round trip, easy, bike tour from Grand Central Market, LA's iconic food hall, and downtown's #1 visitor destination. Begin your bike tour learning about Angel's Flight, a functioning, iconic 1901 Victorian era funicular. Before we head out, we'll adjust and test out your 8-speed bike, then roll out on a historic tour of downtown Los Angeles. First, ride through the Historic Core's vintage Vaudeville theater and former banking district. Learn about the loft conversions and history of "Hollywood"-spoiler alert, most of it happened in downtown. Stop at the eerie Cecil Hotel of horrors and hear the mysterious goings on. Cruise through the Civic Center, LA's municipal center, to Olvera Street. We take an off bike break in the city's oldest neighborhood; now full of quaint shops and food kiosks. Next head to Union Station and its 1939 Mission Revival splendor that was the backdrop to the 2021 Oscars Ceremony. Stop at City Hall, you'll recognize it from TV and movies. Ride through Grand Park up to Grand Avenue with its cultural institutions like the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Broad Museum. See local gems, architectural highlights, hidden passage ways, film sets, nightlife and restaurant recommendations, you would never find from a car, bus, or a walking tour. Your guide is First Aid certified, and amplified. No straining to hear, or shouting. After a mild bike ride of about 10K, half of which is on flat, protected bike lanes, finish up at Grand Central Market, just in time for lunch at one of over 40 food kiosks.

Los Angeles: Small Group Sightseeing Tour with Hotel Pickup

2. Los Angeles: Small Group Sightseeing Tour with Hotel Pickup

Welcome to the most comprehensive city tour in Los Angeles! Begin your exciting adventure in the heart of Downtown. The first stop will be at the historic Olvera Street where one of the oldest churches in Los Angeles “The Plaza Church” is located. From there you will be transported back in time to explore the world famous Union Train Station which is known as the "Last of the Great Railway Stations." The route will continue through downtown, passing by Chinatown, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, the Civic Center, Broadway, and the city skyline. You will see the fashion district (which consists of over 1,000 stores), some film locations from famous Hollywood productions, and the Staples Center Arena before heading northwest toward Griffith Park. Griffith Park offers the best view of the city as well as the world famous Hollywood Sign; the views are simply breathtaking. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is the third major stop on this tour and is among the most popular stops in Los Angeles. The Hollywood Walk of Fame will give you the opportunity to walk among the “stars” that have made significant contributions to film, radio, television, theater, and the recording industries. The legendary Chinese theater located alongside the Hollywood Walk of Fame hosts movie premieres as well as other special events. You never know, you may be able to witness a red carpet premiere while there. After many attractions, you deserve a break. Next, you will stop at the historic Farmer's Market, which is one of the greatest places in Los Angeles to enjoy a variety of foods and beverages. "The Grove” which is located next to the Farmer's Market will not go unnoticed. You can take a ride on a historic 1950’s trolley and enjoy the features of a large center garden that includes an animated fountain with many shopping opportunities. Now that you've had time to relax and eat, you will be whisked off in the early afternoon to another world! From the Sunset Strip, you'll pass by iconic locations such as the Whisky a Go Go and the Chateau Marmont, before reaching Beverley Hills. While in Beverly Hills you will experience the charm of Rodeo Drive and may even feel like a star yourself. You'll soon see how varied and diverse this metropolis really is as you get an insight into what life is like once you've been discovered by the Hollywood Studios. Back on Sunset Boulevard heading west will bring you past the Getty Center. From there you will finally feel the breeze of the ocean. The Santa Monica Pier is a landmark of the city and has served for many backdrops in countless Hollywood films. Finally, round off a fascinating day with a nice walk along Venice Beach where you will be entertained by many different artists and showmen. “See and be seen” is the motto here. You will not be disappointed! With countless attractions in the most exciting city in the world, you will finally be brought back to your hotel or to a prearranged drop-off location by late afternoon. You won't sit on a big sightseeing bus on this tour. Capped at a maximum of 14 people, a familial atmosphere always develops during the tour. The tour makes frequent stops, allowing you to discover everything at a relaxed pace.

Los Angeles: City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

3. Los Angeles: City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

Discover the highlights of Los Angeles on a guided sightseeing tour by bus and on foot. Explore famous sights throughout neighborhoods like Chinatown, Downtown, Grand Avenue, and Hollywood Boulevard. Begin your tour at Plaza Olvera, and head to the Chinatown district. Take a short walk with your guide as you learn about the history of the area and stroll along the oldest street in the city, Olvera Street. Admire wonderful views of its iconic temples, museums, streets, and squares. Then, ride along the famous Grand Avenue until you reach the memorable Walt Disney Concert Hall, also noted for its contemporary architecture. Wander among the skyscrapers of Downtown, and see its City Hall or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Los Angeles. Head next to the Griffith Observatory, where you will enjoy one of the best views of the city. From this beautiful building, gaze in awe Los Angeles skyline from above, or if you prefer, take a picture with the iconic Hollywood sign in the background. Travel down Hollywood Boulevard to discover the outstanding Walk of Fame. See the Chinese Theater, where the movie premieres take place, or the Kodak Theater, where the Oscars are held every year. You will also see the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where Marilyn Monroe stayed for a time. To disconnect a bit from the big city, head towards the coast until you reach the charming city of Santa Monica. Enjoy some free time to stroll along its well-known pier, discover Pacific Park, or walk along the iconic Venice Beach while appreciating the incredible views of the sea, where the tour will conclude.

Los Angeles: The Haunt | Ghost Hunting Tour in Chinatown

4. Los Angeles: The Haunt | Ghost Hunting Tour in Chinatown

Venture into the haunted history of Los Angeles's historic Chinatown on this hands-on, ghost-hunting guided adventure. Get outfitted with real paranormal investigation gear and explore spaces known to be haunted for over 1.5 hours. Visit the Chinatown Metro Station, and hear of the cemeteries discovered as the metro was being constructed. Nearby is an old milling warehouse that may be haunted by the ghosts of two employees whose tragic deaths 100 years ago still linger. Next, discover the stunning architecture with your guide. Learn of the communities like Italian and French that were here before the area became Chinatown's Central Plaza shopping mall. Use your EMF readers to locate the presence of a spirit, and investigate using other paranormal tools that are provided for you. Complete the tour outside Chinatown's Central Plaza, close to General Lee's cocktail bar in Chinatown.

Best of Los Angeles Day Tour with German-Speaking Guide

5. Best of Los Angeles Day Tour with German-Speaking Guide

On this 12-hour tour you’ll take in the highlights of Los Angeles. Your day begins with a hotel pick-up between 07:00 and 09:00, when you’ll set off with your German-speaking guide to visit some of the city’s most iconic sites. Start out in Beverly Hills and marvel at some of the multi-million-dollar homes of the rich and famous. Celebrities, movie stars, and wealthy business tycoons call this area home. Keep on the lookout for your favorite stars! Head to Rodeo Drive, one of the world‘s most exclusive shopping boulevards. Gaze in awe at the designer boutiques and glamorous stores. Next, Hollywood is calling. Visit the Walk of Fame and try to find your favorite actors from the 2,500-odd stars along the sidewalk. See the Dolby Theater (formerly the Kodak Theater), the Chinese Theater, the Roosevelt Hotel, Mulholland Drive, and the Hollywood Bowl overlook. Continue the tour from Sunset Strip to world-famous Venice Beach, finishing up at Santa Monica Pier and the quaint Venice Canal Historic District. Depending on timing and traffic, you may have time for a stop at Century City or Santa Monica Place for a lunch break or a bit of shopping.

Other Sightseeing Options in Chinatown, Los Angeles

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What people are saying about Chinatown, Los Angeles

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 263 reviews

We really enjoyed the tour with Sandra and Dennis. Even beforehand, communication with Sandra was excellent. The pick-up at the agreed meeting point also worked without any problems. Dennis was super nice and constantly provided us with data and facts about the city. Of particular note was the interactive way Dennis included both images and videos. There was also a small guessing game during the journey. What was also particularly refreshing was the fact that the tour was in German, which was a welcome change compared to many other tours. We would unreservedly recommend the tour to anyone. Just great!

Wow, this exceeded my expectations of a ghost tour. The feeling of being in contact with spirits in the streets of LA made this, already fantastic, tour transcend into something I was not expecting. We used the S-Box and I got to hold the Dowsing Rods as our guide facilitated us speaking to spirits. I believe we spoke to a little boy who may have died nearby. I was shocked by the way the S-Box seemed to respond directly to us. I also felt the hospitality and respect the guide had for us and the spirits. Overall, a must experience!

I've never experienced a tour like this -- it honestly felt like I was on Ghost Adventures. We all carried EMFs and got weird readings in a few haunted locations, and with extra tools spoke to spirits. The locations in Chinatown at night were really amazing, and Wes was a great tour guide who really knew his stuff. Super creepy, 100% do it!

This is the best kind of tour. Not only is it full of information about the tragic history behind LA, at least some of the spiritual underpinnings to ghosts and hauntings is exposed. I really appreciated the openness to the fact that there’s a lot we don’t understand shared by Wes and the other participants.

Great, Dennis made it very entertaining with lots of tips and interesting stories. You get a very good overview of all areas of LA that are worth seeing.