is the sony studio tour worth it

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Sony Pictures Studios Tour

Betsy Malloy Photography

Back in the early days of movie-making, MGM Studios made its home in Culver City, producing legendary films like The Wizard of Oz , National Velvet and Singin' in the Rain . They produced as many as 52 films a year on two lots near Jefferson Avenue and Overland.

Over the years, the studio had many owners, but the most recent act of the old film giant's Culver City studio began in 1989 when Sony bought Columbia Pictures and formed Sony Pictures Entertainment. 

Sony poured hundreds of millions into renovating the buildings and facilities, eventually naming their venture Sony Pictures Studios. Today, the studio mostly records television shows, but you can still visit the lot for a dose of movie history.

Sony Studios has a fascinating history and you may enjoy the real working studio atmosphere better than the theme park-style studio tour at Universal. However, their tour goes to fewer parts of the studio than Warner Bros or Paramount, and it involves a lot of walking.

Tips for Enjoying the Sony Pictures Studios Tour

Have the right expectations so that you won't be disappointed. You probably won't see a big-name movie star. In fact, you'll be lucky to see a minor one. And you definitely won't get to watch a movie being made. What you will see is the inside of a working film studio, your experience based on the day's activities.

If you're a big fan of the Wizard of Oz , don't expect to see much. While the film was done on no less than six stages, none of them contains a shred of the old sets and even if you get inside, it will look more or less like a large warehouse.

• To improve the chances of having a great tour, avoid the summer and end-of-year holidays when many shows are not working.
• If you're visiting several Hollywood attractions on the same day, you can save money on the Sony Tour if you  buy a GoCard online in advance. You can also use the card to tour Warner Bros. Studios.
• You'll walk 1.5 to 2 miles on your tour, much of it outdoors. You'll also climb a few steps to get into the game show sets.
• Dress for the weather and be aware that a cloudy morning in Culver City often becomes a very hot, sunny day a few hours later.
• If you have small children under the age of 12, this is not the tour for them and children aged 12- 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Sony checks ID for anyone who's old enough to have one, so everyone should bring theirs.
• Sony says on their website that no cell phones, video or sound recording is allowed during the tour - and they mean it. But don't leave your camera at home because of it. You can take pictures in the lobby and at selected spots if allowed by your tour guide.
• They ask you to arrive at least thirty minutes before your tour time, which will give you just enough time to look around the mini-museum in the lobby before your tour starts.

Sony Pictures Studio Tour Options

Sony gives several tours daily, Monday through Friday only ( check current hours ). They also give twilight tours on summer Thursdays. However, the studio doesn't work on weekends and they don't give tours, either. Reservations are required. You can  buy your tickets online . 

If you're willing to pay the price, you can try their VIP Lunch Tour, a three-hour tour that avoids the walking. Instead, you travel by golf cart, eat a meal at the Commissary and get into the Sony museum

Tour offerings change frequently. Check the Sony Studio Tour website for current information.

What Happens on the Sony Pictures Studio Tour

The tour leaves from the Sony Pictures Productions office building. While you're waiting, someone will take your photo in front of a green screen to create a souvenir photo you'll pick up at the end. The tour starts with a 15-minute film montage about the studio history.

Highlights of the tour:

• The studio's Oscars collection is on display in the headquarters lobby.
• Depending on production schedules, you may visit the sets for Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. One of these is almost always open, and sometimes both are.
• You'll also visit a few sound stages. Which ones depend on what's going on and what your tour guide can get you into.
• Near the end of the tour, you'll get a chance to visit the gift shop. If you're in the market for mugs, t-shirts, hats and the like, you'll find some here that you can't get anywhere else.

About the Game Shows

The long-running game shows "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" are both produced at Sony Studios. When they're making new episodes, they shoot six of them per day, three in the morning and three in the afternoon. When they are shooting, the studio tour can't get inside their set. However, the two shows work on alternating schedules, so one set is usually open on every tour. 

If you have your heart set on visiting a specific show's set, take a tour on a day when they're not working. Do your homework to find out when that is.  Check the Jeopardy website  and the Wheel of Fortune website for their schedule by beginning the process of getting tickets to be in their studio audience. 

If you want to see how the game show is done from end to end, choose a day when they are working and use these tips to get tickets to be in their studio audience . It's also possible to make a day of it at Sony, being in the audience for half a day and touring the studio, too. 

Getting There

10202 West Washington Blvd Culver City, CA Sony Pictures Studio Tour website

In the past, guests met at the headquarters at Sony Pictures Plaza, but now you should enter the Overland gate on Overland Ave between Culver and Washington Blvd instead. Valet parking is free. 

Sony Studios is in Culver City, southeast of the intersection of Washington and Culver. Visit the Sony website to see a map and get directions. 

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary tour for the purpose of reviewing the Sony Studio Tour. While it has not influenced this review, Tripsavvy.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.

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The Virgin Traveler

My First Sony Pictures Studio Tour in Los Angeles, California

(Cross-posted from my other blog Reel Travels Magazine)

I love love love any kind of tour or museum that has film or television memorabilia. So I knew on my three-week road trip to WrestleMania 39 , I had to stop and take a Sony Pictures Studio Tour . This tour — which I took with my son Travis — piggybacked off the Hollywood Museum tour a few days earlier. The Sony Pictures Studio Tour ranks right up there with the Hollywood Museum. It was absolutely amazing.

I have to be honest, though. It started off a bit slow. We walked around the lot for quite some time where we were shown the outside s of buildings where certain shows were filmed. All I kept thinking was, Are we ever going inside? I guess I was impatient because of course we did, and the rest of the tour was so much fun.

I was in the same studio where they filmed the 1939 The Wizard of Oz and stood on the trap door that raised up Glinda. I saw more memorabilia from some of my favorite TV shows and movies, especially Breaking Bad (below). If you want to re-read my post on the Breaking Bad Store in Albuquerque, New Mexico, click here .

I held an Emmy and an Oscar (my heart literally skipped a beat!).

I sat in the audience in the actual Jeopardy studio; it’s much smaller than I thought it would be. Then, I also stood behind a Jeopardy contestant podium. Look how much I won!

My son and I sat on the Seinfeld couch (okay this was a recreation, but still).

I touched the car from Cobra Kai . This next part made me the most excited on the entire tour — I FINALLY touched one of the actual RVs used in Breaking Bad . I literally gasped when I saw it. The photo is the main photo for this article, but I confess that I did not put those bullet holes in the door! LOL According to the tour guide, there were a few RVs used, but the one they had was definitely one of them.

So Much More

We were supposed to see the Wheel of Fortune set, but they were closed when we were there. Here are a few more pictures. From left to right, Venom, SpiderMan, and Ghostbusters.

On the Sony Pictures Studio Tour website they write, “ Keep your eyes open… You never know what – or who – will be around the next corner. ” True, because there were a few shows shooting around the outside of the lots that we walked by. Honestly, I can’t remember which ones they were but some of the other people on the tour got excited.

I was using a cane on the tour because I had tweaked my knee and I’m glad I brought it because if I hadn’t I might not have been able to keep up with it. So be aware that it’s a LOT of walking. There weren’t any bathroom breaks. The tour ended at, of course, the souvenir shop.

This tour was definitely memorable and you do get a free photo in front of the Jeopardy board that you can do with your entire party. That photo, however, is taken in front of a green screen even though you get to see the studio and the actual Jeopardy board.

Tickets for the Sony Pictures Studio Tour are $55 and the tour lasts for two hours. They also offer private tours, group tours, VIP lunch tours, and Halloween twilight tours (seasonal, starting at 6 p.m.) tours. For more information and to book tickets to the Sony Pictures Studio Tour, click here .

Author: Lisa Iannucci

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STUDIO TOURS

Sony Pictures Studios Tour

Take the Sony Pictures Studios Tour and step back into a legendary time. Located on one of the world's most famous studio lots, our walking tour gives you a rare glimpse of old Hollywood's glory days and an insider's view of a state-of-the-art motion picture studio.

Not only is this the studio where the Yellow Brick Road once wound through Munchkin Land, it is also the place where the agents from "Men In Black" battled aliens from outer space and Spider-Man catapulted from skyscraper to skyscraper. Our dynamic studio tour guides will shed light on the film and television production process by taking you to various soundstages and by sharing tales of days gone by. You may even have the chance to visit the sets of the hit game shows "Jeopardy!" or "Wheel of Fortune."

Filled with movie, television and commercial productions on any given day, you never know what- or who- will be just around the corner!

For more information or to make reservations, please call  310-244-TOUR (8687)  or purchase tickets online at:  http://www.sonypicturesstudiostours.com .

© 2024 Sony Pictures Digital Productions Inc.   All rights reserved

Which Is The Best Hollywood Studio Tour For You?

Posted on Published: June 29, 2019  - Last updated: July 31, 2024

Categories North America , California , Travel

There are four major Hollywood studio tours that you can go on in and around Los Angeles : Warners Bros., Sony, Paramount, and Universal Studio Tours.

It’s really not necessary to do all of them , especially on the same trip. There’s quite a bit of overlap between each studio tour, and the ticket prices can really add up.

Throughout my visits to California, I’ve managed to visit all 4 Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles (and some more than once!).

Here’s my in-depth reviews of all the major Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles. This is what to expect from each one so you can decide which is the best studio tour in los Angeles for you!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Why Should You Go On A Hollywood Studio Tour?

Hollywood Studio Tours in Los Angeles are a great way to gain an “ all-access” pass to the biggest backstage lots in California .

They give you a chance to go behind the scenes on some of your favourite movies and TV shows.

You’ll get to see the sets and props, and learn about the magic of making movies. And, if you’re lucky, you might get the chance to either see a live film set or a celebrity at work . 

Let’s just say, visit a movie set is a quintessential Los Angeles activity … p.s. see my L.A. guide here .

Which Is The Best Hollywood Studio Tour For You ?

The best Hollywood studio tour for you will depend on three main factors :

• Your favourite films and TV shows

The studio tours vary in budget and tour length. The price ranges between $55 to $110 / ticket . And the tour can last anywhere between one to three hours .

But your favourite movies and TV shows are the most important factor when deciding which studio tour in Los Angeles to go to. If you haven’t watched anything the studio has produced, you’ll be less interested in what you’re seeing and learning about.

Best Studio Tours In LA: Overview

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Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

Universal Studios is a bit of a unique studio tour in Los Angeles. The studio tour can only be accessed if you buy a ticket to the entire theme park .

This also puts the studio tour at a much higher price point compared to the others around Los Angles. But, on the other hand, it is an ENTIRE day of activities instead of a few hours.

The tour itself is only 60 minutes but there are no shortage of other rides and shows to see once you’re in the park.

Quick Information & Links

Total Time : 1 hour (not including wait time in line) Admission : $109 -$119* (includes access to the entire park, price varies depending on the season) Book Tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood . Parking : Starts at $32* (General Parking)

*Updated January 2024

Movies Referred To/ Filmed Here:

You should check out this Hollywood studio tour if you’re a fan of…

• Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Jurassic Park
• Fast and the Furious
• Jordan Peele’s horror epic, NOPE

Pros Of The Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

You are on the LARGEST film and TV studio in Hollywood and the world! You get to drive by some of the most iconic sets in all movie history.

You drive-by the sound stages, new and old sets.

But this is still a ride in a theme park so they’ve added some more ride-like adventure elements to make things more exciting, unlike any other Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles.

At times you feel like you’re in the movie rather than just seeing where one was filmed!

And it’s not all for show either, they do still use these sets to film. In fact, this was the only Hollywood studio tour where I caught a live taping , so it’s still possible to see!

One thing’s certain though, you won’t be bored for a second on this tour even if you don’t happen to see an active film set during your tour. 

P.S. Make the most of your time at Universal Studios and book an Express Line ticket through Viator here . It gives you one-time express access to each ride, show, and attraction at the park !

Cons Of The Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

It’s the least personal studio tour in Los Angeles. You’re on a tram the entire time for 60 minutes straight, with about 30 other people!

As I said, this tour is sometimes more of a ride than a studio tour (so it’s both a pro and a con!).

At times, the tour felt very streamlined , because most of it is. You still have a guide, but he’s following a script on a set path so it’s the same tour every time (unlike the others which have a bit more variance based on your guide).

The tram is on a set course and there are timed animatronics and effects throughout the tour.

Value For Money – Movie Location Los Angeles

I will admit, you get pretty good value for your money with your tickets to Universal studios. But that’s only if you wanted to visit the theme park.

If you were already planning on visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, then the studio tour is a must-do ride! 

But if you don’t like theme parks, and your only interest is the Hollywood studio tour, I wouldn’t recommend paying for the entire theme park just for the tour.

You might also be interested in reading…

• How To Plan Your Los Angeles Vacation

Logistics: What To Know Before You Go

A tram leaves about every 30 minutes for the Universal Studios Hollywood studio tour so the line builds up pretty quickly. I’d prioritize this as one of your first rides of the day.

As I said, don’t expect reality with this one, they do show you real sets but it’s also still a ride. So you’ll get a lot of gimmicky routines created specifically for this tour. 

Also, some advance warning, you might get wet at certain points during the ride. If you’d prefer to not get wet, try to sit in the middle of the row.

Book Universal Studio Tours Tickets In Advance Through Viator

Book General Admission tickets →

Book Skip the Line Express Tickets →

Book the VIP Experience on Viator (giving your exclusive access to off-limits areas of the park) →

For more Los Angeles organized tours from Viator, click here .

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Warner Bros. Studio is actually in Burbank California , but it’s close enough to Los Angeles.

Warner Bros. studio tour takes you on a tram around different parts of the studio, with only around 12 guests at a time on the tour.

So unlike Universal Studios Hollywood studio tour, it’s a lot more personal and you’re only on the tram to get from place to place (because their lot is HUGE!).

You drive by sound stages and countless outdoor sets. But you’ll get off and walk around a bit, even walking in some sets if you’re lucky. So you should be prepared for some walking on this studio tour in Los Angeles!

Total Time : ~3 hours (1 hour guided, 2 hours unguided). Leaves every 30 minutes from 9:30 to 3:30 Admission : 70$* Parking : 15$* Website

What Was Filmed Here (Sets You Might See!)

Check out this Hollywood studio tour if you’re a fan of…

• Harry Potter
• Gilmore Girls
• Back to the Future
• The Big Bang Theory
• Pretty Little Liars

So Much More Than A Studio Tour

Over the years, the Warner Bros. studio tour has grown. It’s no longer just a backlot tour, now, that’s just one part of it…

Museums, Props, Sets, & Photo Ops At Warner Bros. Studio

Tickets to the Warner Bros. studio tour also includes interactive museums where you’ll want to take all the pictures you can!

You can interact with different sets from your favourite movies and TV sets, like Friends, the Big Bang Theory and Harry Potter! on the magic of movies, costume

There’s also an entire exhibit on the DC universe with all superheroe and villain props. They have Aquaman’s lair, Wonder Woman’s study, Superman’s office, and the Batman’s bat cave.

And finally they have an in-depth exhibit on all things filmmaking. Staring with the writing process and finishing with the special effects of movie making.

Book Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tickets With Viator

General Admission tickets →

Pros Of The Warner Bros. Studio Tour

They are constantly updating the Warner Bros. studio tour – that means you can even go back the next time you’re in Los Angeles, I’ve already gone back twice!

There was some over lap with the sets and information, but very little. A lot had been updated and added to the tour. And I’ve already noticed that they’ve added a lot more content since I’ve gone!

Also, the guided portion of the tour will rarely be the same. For starters, where you go will all depend on what they’re filming at the time. So not only can it change over the years, but it can change within the hour!

It’s also a very personal tour with only being 12 people on the tram. You can also all your questions about movie magic!

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Cons Of The Warner Bros. Studio Tour

With all the new additions to the tour every year, I’ve noticed the guided portion has become less and less…

The guided tour portion is only hour , and then two hours are a self guided tour through the museums.

But it’s the guided portion of the tour that’s always fresh and what brings me back! I’m a bit disappointed that the museums seem to have taken over the tour now, making the tour a bit more gimmicky and less about touring real sets and sound stages…

How to See San Diego in One Day

Bring government I.D. when you visit, and make sure to arrive early!

You have to go through security and there might be a lineup. They suggest arriving 30 minutes in advance.

Don’t worry about getting lost on your way to the studios (if you’re driving there)! I followed the instructions we were given on how to get to the visitor’s centre, but my GPS brought me to the wrong gate. No need to panic if this happens to you too! The patrol was very understanding (I’m sure this happens all the time) and told us exactly where to go.

If you’re driving, there’s a parking lot across the street from the visitor’s centre (paid, of course). The studio is in a pretty secluded area, but there’s a Starbucks in the visitor’s centre .

You can book Warner Brothers Studio tour tickets in advance on Viator here .

Paramount Pictures Hollywood Studio Tour

Paramount Pictures is really interesting because it’s the last Hollywood studio still in Hollywood (well in Los Angeles). 

So it’s only about a 15-minute drive from Hollywood Blvd. FYI, Warner is in Burbank, and Sony is in Culver City.

It was very similar to Warner Bros. Hollywood studio tour in terms of the scale of the studio. They have several sound stages, a water tank, and a totally customizable New York set.

Like the other Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles, there’s a museum portion of the tour with props. Paramount Pictures one had a lot of “ unwanted ” props (those that could only be used once for the film they were designed for).

There was A LOT of props from the Transformers franchise, but there were also Star Trek, Gladiator, and Dream Girls props.

Time : 2 hours * They leave every 30 minutes from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Admission : 65$* Parking : $22 – (used to be cash only)* Website

What Was/ Is Filmed Here

• The Godfather
• OG King Kong (In Set 19)
• Breakfast at Tiffanys
• Forrest Gump

Pros Of Paramount Pictures Studio Tour In Los Angeles

The best part about the Paramount Pictures Hollywood studio tour tour was the small size of the group. There’s a max of 7 people on the tour (you’re in an 8 seater golf cart).

The tour also provided earphones to be able to perfectly hear your tour guide at all times, so they didn’t have to shout at you! There can be a lot going on on sets with a lot of noises, so the earphones were definitely appreciated.

I also liked that they provided visuals for what you were looking at during the tour. Our tour guide carried around an iPad showing examples of what a specific set was used for over the years. So instead of looking at a giant green screen, they showed us how that green screen was used in different films.

Cons Of Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Paramount Pictures studio tour taught me a few things about Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles…

First, the quality of the tour really depends on your tour guide – they can make or break your visit. And unfortunately, you won’t really know who you’re going to get beforehand.

Unfortunately for me, my tour guide at Paramount Pictures wasn’t the best. There’s so much history to this Hollywood studio that I ended up lost most of the time because I didn’t know who or what he was referring to, I guess the references were also a bit ahead of my time…

Paramount Studio tour also really showed me how important it is to have seen (or at least heard of) the films or shows the studio produced. 

So if you’re a fan of classics like I Love Lucy, Alfred Hitchcock, or the original King Kong then Paramount Pictures studio tour is a must for you!

For me, Paramount Pictures studio tour was a bit of a mixed bag. I really see the potential of this tour though, but I think you have to be a really big movie buff to enjoy Paramount Pictures studio tour.

The visitor parking is across the street from the main gates. Be wary of the address on Google Maps, it brought me to the wrong gate.

When I visited, parking was cash only, so it’s always good to be prepared. There’s an ATM you can use at the end of the tour if you need (apparently no one does cash back in the area…).

Like the other tours, you have to show I.D. and go through security, so they ask you to arrive 30 minutes before your tour . But, in case there’s no wait at all, there’s a mini-exhibit you can visit to pass the time before your tour starts. 

Make sure to bring water and food, there’s really not much in the area. But drinks aren’t allowed on the tour itself, so leave it in the car!

SONY Studio Hollywood Tour

SONY Hollywood studio tour ended up being my favourite studio tour . We were only about 5 people on this tour, so it was very personal. But I don’t know if this was the max, or that fewer people happened to sign up for it.  

I know online there are 25 spots per time slot. I don’t know if that’s the typical tour size on a busier day, or if they would always split you up into smaller groups once you get there.

There are famous cars on display from movies and shows (like Breaking Bad and Ghostbusters). They also have a prop museum at the start of the tour. There’s even an Oscar and an Emmy award you can see (and even hold!). 

Time : 2 hours * Leaves 4 times a day: 9:30, 10:30, 1:30 and 2:30. Admission : 55$* Parking : Free Valet Website

What Was Filmed Here

• Breaking Bad
• Wheel of Fortune
• Ghostbusters
• The Goldbergs

Pros Of The SONY Studio Tour

SONY is a MUCH smaller studio than the other three Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles. That means you don’t even need a tram to get around, we walked everywhere (so you should also be prepared to walk!). This made it easier to take appreciate it all and take pictures!

I also absolutely loved our tour guide, he was by far my favourite out of all the ones we had on any tour. It didn’t seem like he simply memorized a script. It was as if he lived and breathed SONY and films in general. I would’ve believed it if he’d told us he grew up on set.

We also got the chance to walk on to a sound stage from one of my favourite TV Shows – The Goldbergs. And our guide brought us onto a working foley stage (where they create extra sounds for movies). 

If a sound or foley stage isn’t available to see, you are guaranteed to see either the Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy set . They film on opposite days, so you’ll always be able to see one of them.

But the best perk of all is… You get your picture taken on the set of either Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune, which they’ll print out and give to you as a souvenir… FREE OF CHARGE! ! Seriously when is anything ever free these days…

Cons Of The SONY Hollywood Studio Tour

As I mentioned, there’s no tram for the SONY Hollywood studio tour. Although the studio isn’t as large as the others, you have to be prepared to walk quite a bit.

Another sort of pro and con is that it’s 80 % outdoors . So you really want to go when it’s decent weather. And be prepared to be in the sun!

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Value For Money – Hollywood Studio Tours In Los Angeles

I think you get a lot of value for your money at SONY studio tour. It’s the cheapest out of any of the Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles and they give you some nice freebies (like parking and a photo souvenir!).

The scale of the studio might be smaller than the other three major studios, but there’s still a lot to see. And despite the lack of big blockbuster sets, they make up for it in different ways (like seeing the inside of a game show set, and a foley stage).

Like Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures studio tours, they ask that you arrive 30 minutes early to go through security. 

If you drive there, they offer FREE valet parking in the Overland lot. 

The studio is very much out of the way, so plan your meals and snacks in advance. All they had at the studio was a vending machine .

Don’t expect to see large outdoor sets like from Warner Bros. or Paramount, SONY is a lot smaller, so most of their sets are on sound stages. So if you’re interested in the big New York outdoor sets, SONY isn’t for you!

Overview, What’s The Best Studio Tour In Los Angeles?

Like I said before, Universal Studios is the most expensive, but you do get an entire days worth of activities. But if your intent is to learn about movie magic, the other three are better choices. 

If you have time for more than one, you don’t need to see both Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures. There’s quite a bit of overlap between the two. Instead, choose one of those, and then either Universal or SONY as your second option.

P.S. Need A Place To Stay In L.A.? Hotel Recommendations

Finding a place to stay in Los Angeles can be quite overwhelming – it’s HUGE!

I stayed at the Sofitel and would highly recommend it. It was in a safe area, and across the street from the Beverly Hills mall (which proved to be very convenient). It was also within walking distance to some local restaurants you need to try – like the Kings Road Cafe! See room rates & availability here .

If you want to stay on the beach outside of the city life instead, we stayed at The Georgian in Santa Monica and couldn’t recommend it enough! It’s only about a 25 minute drive from the city. This was a beautiful art deco hotel that is begging you to go there! It’s a minutes walk to the beach, Santa Monica Pier, and the Third Street Promenade. See room rates & availability here .

For more accommodation options in Los Angeles, click here . Interested in longer stays in L.A. check out Plum Guide here .

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Tuesday 26th of September 2023

You've gotten me excited about my next trip to Los Angeles. I've done the Universal tour and the Warner Bros tour, so I may do what you suggested and do Paramount and Sony next.

You're right about Universal's tour being more of a ride from what I remember. However, it was cool to see sets from The Good Place, Jaws, and Psycho. Being on the tram the whole time was a little different, and my experience was a bit thrown off because I hadn't expected Universal, CA to have such similar rides to Universal, FL, and I loved how Universal, FL made it really seem like you were on a set walking through various cities. Definitely not the same as CA. I think I was there for about 2 hours and was done. The weather was weird where it was kindof warm at first, but then turned super cold while I was in line for a ride, so I was done sooner than I expected.

I absolutely loved the Warner Bros tour. The guide was super nice and knowledgeable. I almost died when I saw the Gilmore Girl house and Luke's Diner. Of course I took pictures at the Central Perk. To me, the prop museum was a tad boring, but still overall decent. The tour was partially walking and partially riding. There were so many moments where I was like...."this looks familiar" and had to think of where the set had been used. Super cool. I highly recommend it.

Wednesday 27th of September 2023

That's awesome!! Definitely I enjoyed that the Warners brothers was mixed with walking and a tram ride you were able to get so much further that way - and the lot is HUGE! It really is cool seeing sets from your favourite TV shows and movies! I really liked the SONY tour but it was definitely a lot smaller than Warner bros!

Sunday 19th of February 2023

Hi Meghan, great article. Easy to read and allowed me to choose the studio we should visit in the short time we will be in L.A. Thanks you.

Monday 20th of February 2023

That's awesome to hear! Glad I could help :D :D

How To Plan Your Los Angeles Vacation | Afternoon Tea Reads

Thursday 1st of October 2020

[…] sure which one to visit? Read my overall review of each studio tour to help you […]

Monday 1st of July 2019

Wow what a great list of tours to choose from! I personally don't like these types of things however I think your post will be super useful for those who do!

Thanks! I hope it will be :)

I’ve done the Universal tour but it was like 20 yrs ago! I really want to go back and do all these studio tours. I’m film mad me 😃💕

Oh wow, you really should I'm sure a lot has changed since then. It's a movie geeks dream :)

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Sony pictures studio tour.

10202 W Washington Blvd Culver City CA 90232

Located on one of the world’s most famous studio lots, this walking tour gives you a rare glimpse of Hollywood’s glory days and an insider’s view of a state-of-the-art motion picture studio.

Step back into a legendary time on the Sony Pictures Studio tour! This 2-hour guided walking tour will give guests a behind-the-scenes look at a working studio, where movie magic has been made for almost a century.

Tours will swing by historic stages where Dorothy followed the Yellow Brick Road and where Spider-Man battled bad guys. Tours may also visit the homes of smash-hit games shows, “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” and only on the Sony tour will you walk under a soaring 94-foot tall rainbow!

TOUR DETAILS:

• Tours run Monday through Friday
• Standard times are 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
• Additional tour times are added during peak seasons
• Reservations are recommended
• Children age 12 and up are welcome
• Guests under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult on the tour
• Free parking beneath Sony Pictures Plaza

Average Review

While we were in California for vacation, we toured Sony, Warner Bros. and Universal Studios. All three were different experiences, but I thoroughly enjoyed our Sony tour. As opposed to the other two, Sony is a complete walking tour, which I liked because you could stop and look in the individual studios rather than riding by on a tram. Our guide, Keith "Coogan" Mitchell was excellent. I wished I'd realized who he was before we left because I liked his movies back in the '80s (Adventures in Babysitting, Toy Soldiers, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead). Obviously he knew a lot about the industry and was very informative. My favorite part of the tour was visiting the set of The Goldberg's. We love that show and it was so cool to actually walk through their "home" where it's filmed. We had the LA Go Card to visit a variety of places around L.A. and we had no issues using it for this tour. We even called ahead and scheduled our visit, which I suggest doing. Great studio tour and I highly recommend it to anyone. Full Review

When I visited LA, I bought the LA Go Pass which allowed me to go to a bunch of LA tourist things, including this studio tour and the WB Studio tour. It may have included another one, but I didn't get to it. I enjoyed this studio tour the best, because it was extremely laid back. I went on a weekday morning in January, and it was just me, my husband, another guy, and our tour guide. Full Review

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Hollywood Studio Tours

Which are the best.

This post covers the most enjoyable movie studio tours in and around Hollywood.

With so many historic studios in the area, it might be difficult to pick just one to visit.

Taking a studio tour is one of the top things to do in LA .

• Studio Tours
• Celebrity Homes Tours
• Ways to Save on Tours
• LA TV Show Tickets
• Things To Do in Hollywood
• Tips from Locals and Travelers

Disclosure:  While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the  full text .

STUDIO TOURS

Interestingly enough, there are quite a few differences between the tours offered at each studio, and that should make it easier to figure out which tour best fits your expectations.

Ticket prices vary from $62 per person to literally thousands of dollars.

However, 3 of the tours, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, and Universal Studios are included for free or at a lower cost in several tourist attraction passes. 

It's also worth noting that the length of these tours can run from roughly an hour to almost a week.

With all of that said, let's start talking about what each movie studio offers with their tours.

• Warner Bros.
• Sony Pictures
• Universal Studios
• Paramount Pictures
• Adventures by Disney: Disney Backstage

At the bottom of this post , we share some thoughts and opinions from members of our Los Angeles Travel Tips group on Facebook.

Our group comprises roughly 9,000 locals (like our tour guides), tourists, returning visitors, and newbies to LA.

You don't need to be a member to read the posts, comments, and recommendations.

WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR

Below is a summary of our post on Warner Brothers Studio tours , where we also provide tips on planning your trip.

If you're in the market for a somewhat normal tour on the backlot, this might be one of your best bets.

In addition to seeing movie sets and sound stages from some of the most notable movies in film history, you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a few specific activities.

  While on this movie studio tour, you'll be able to re-create a famous scene from the hit television show Friends , climb aboard Harry Potter 's broomstick, and even create your own Batmobile.

Warner Bros. even offers an interactive sound stage that explores the entire process of making a film from start to finish.

At three hours in length, this tour is probably the longest duration of all of the options in Hollywood.

• $70/adult | $60/child
• Availability: Thursday - Monday
• Hours: Every half hour from 9 am - 3:30 pm
• Duration: 3 hours
• Available in both English and Spanish
• Click here for more information .

TIP: This tour is included for free with the purchase of the Go City Los Angeles Explorer Tourist Pass .

You can also combine this tour with the Universal Studios tour using the combo deal below!

With an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 stars , it's fair to say that this Hollywood studio tour is very well rated ( read reviews here ).

Some guests have gone so far as to suggest that this trip is worth every single penny.

Visitors were typically very happy with their tour guides, referring to them as both friendly and informative. 

SONY PICTURES STUDIO TOUR

This might be the most affordable movie studio tour in Hollywood, and it's also one of the most historic. Do note, that is is a walking tour.

While on this tour, you'll see the sound stages where they recorded classics such as The Wizard of Oz and superhero flicks like Spider-man .

Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to see where Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are recorded.

Although they don't make any promises, there's always a chance that you'll run into someone famous on this active studio back lot!

They also offer a premium tour which includes transportation via golf cart, access to the Sony Museum, a free souvenir photo, a complimentary beverage, and lower prices at the Sony Studio Store.

Tickets 

• $55 per person | $150 for the Premium tour
• Availability: Monday – Friday at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm
• Duration: 2 hours

Tip: Admission is usually included for free with the purchase of at least one Los Angeles tourist pass .

With an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor, it's clear that this is a pretty popular Hollywood studio tour.

Customers really appreciated the opportunity to see several historic filming locations and learn a lot about the process of making a movie.

Although some reviewers were unhappy that this is a walking tour, others simply appreciated the opportunity to see where film history was made.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TOUR

This is where things get interesting, as Universal Studios has essentially made their tour one of the services offered at their amusement park.

In other words, you need to buy a ticket for Universal Studios Hollywood in order to experience this studio tour.

Clocking in at only one hour in length, this is definitely the shortest studio tour available. Check out this video of Stephen Spielberg giving a tour of the site.

In addition to seeing the back lot, you'll also experience attractions such as the Jaws ride, King Kong 360 in 3D, Bates Motel and Fast & The Furious : Supercharged.

Although it will cost more to take this tour, it's worth noting that your ticket lasts all day and guarantees access to all of the rides. 

• $119-$139/adult | $109-$129/child
• Availability: Daily from 8 am - 6 pm
• Duration: 1 hour
• Click here for ticket information .

TIP:   Universal Studios Hollywood is included for free with the purchase of a tourist pass. Read about all the opportunities for deals in our full post .

Despite the higher price tag, this movie studio tour has still received quite excellent ratings ( read reviews here ). The overall Universal Studios Hollywood experience has a score of 4.7 out of 5 stars .

A few visitors have even suggested that this trip around the studio is worth the price of admission.

Although most customers feel that the ticket price is a bit high, even the critics can't deny that they had a blast. 

PARAMOUNT PICTURES STUDIO TOUR

Unlike the other movie studios, Paramount Pictures offers three different studio tours.

The main tour is 2 hours long and covers quite a lot of ground on the backlot.

However, if you want to experience more, their VIP tour lasts for 4 ½ hours and includes access to several additional areas.

The VIP tour also provides a gourmet lunch at a unique location in the studio.

Alternatively, you can also choose a 2 ½ hour night tour that reveals a lot of historic locations such as notable theaters and original film vaults.

No matter which option you choose, you'll learn a lot about the history of Paramount.

• $65 for the studio tour | $215 for the VIP tour
• Availability of Studio tour: Mon-Fri, every half hour from 9 AM - 3:30 PM
• Availability of VIP tour: Mon, Wed, Fri at 9:30 AM
• Duration of Studio tour: 2 hours
• Duration of VIP tour: 4 ½ hours
• Click here for additional information .

Reviews for the Paramount Pictures Studio tours are very positive, averaging a rating of 4 ½ out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. 

Some visitors referred to the excursion as a movie buff's dream, while others were just impressed with how much they learned and discovered.

Some reviewers indicated that Paramount alters the tour slightly depending on the season, ensuring a nice variety of topics and locations to cover no matter when you decide to buy a ticket.

ADVENTURES BY DISNEY: DISNEY BACKSTAGE

You had to figure that Disney was going to be a little more expensive, but the actual cost of this week-long experience might shock you.

To be fair, the package includes meals and accommodation at both the Loews Hollywood Hotel and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

This Disney backstage adventure includes a tour of the Walt Disney Studios & Archives, an Imagineering tour, a Hollywood walking tour, and a tour of the Jim Henson Company.

Most of these tours are only available via this week-long package. The entire itinerary takes six days to complete, and it will keep you busy with plenty of fun activities from start to finish. 

• $4,999 for Adults | $4,749 for Children
• Availability: 2-4 times per month
• Duration: 6 days
• Hotel accommodation included
• 11 Meals included
• VIP Disneyland ticket included

As you can probably imagine, the testimonials for this experience are quite positive ( read reviews here ).

Some guests even noted that they made friends with their tour guides and continue to stay in touch with them to this very day.

Additionally, customers also appreciated the opportunity to see some behind-the-scenes areas that bring the history of Walt Disney to life.

One visitor even suggested that this trip allowed them to become kids again as they explored secret and wonderful locations at the happiest place on earth.

COMBO DEALS

If you're looking for a better price on these tours and other activities in Hollywood, you might want to consider one of the following combo packages.

Studios like Warner Bros. and Universal often work with tour companies to provide their services at lower prices.

There are several options to mull over, and almost all of them provide additional tours and services.

If you plan on spending more than one day in Hollywood, these combo deals are definitely worth a look.

GO CITY LOS ANGELES ALL-INCLUSIVE PASS

There's a reason that this is one of the premier attraction passes in Los Angeles.

In addition to offering access to a variety of notable locations, they also provide admission to some studio tours.

In particular, you can enjoy the Universal Studios tour, the Warner Bros. Studio tour and (sometimes) the Sony Pictures Studio tour with one version of this pass or another.

The Warner Bros. Studio tour is currently only offered with their Explorer Pass, and you'll need to purchase at least a 3-Day All-Inclusive pass to get admission to the Universal Studios tour .

Given that this tourist pass also supplies tickets to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm, it's fair to say that the Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass could be a real bargain.

• $109 for 1-day pass
• $164 for 2-day pass
• $284 for 3-day pass
• $344 for 4-day pass
• $374 for 5-day pass
• $434 for 7-day pass
• $99 for 2 choices
• $119 for 3 choices
• $144 for 4 choices
• $154 for 5 choices
• $189 for 7 choices
• This attraction pass is available every day of the week
• Includes up to 3 movie studio tours

Read our post comparing the different tourist attraction passes available in Los Angeles.

TRANSPORTATION COMBO PACKAGES

If you're looking for transportation to and from each movie studio tour, the following services are available.

The advantage of these combo deals is that you won't have to pay for parking, gas, or car rental in order to visit each location.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included with each package.

Take your time and enjoy the studio tour without having to worry about anything else!

• Not currently available as of January 2024

CELEBRITY HOMES TOUR COMBO PACKAGES

These combo deals provide both a celebrity home tour and a movie studio tour.

Each option includes transportation not only around Hollywood but also to and from the studios.

While some of these services use a mini-bus, others drive you around town in a luxury sedan or an SUV.

Each company offers both hotel pickup and drop-off.

Expect these outings to last for between 6-8 hours on average.

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour & Movie Star Homes Tour (Starline Tours) - $119/Adults | $99/Children
• Alternatively, we offer our own self-guided celebrity homes tour .

This might be a good way to save even more money if you don't mind doing a bit of driving around Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

While we provide the details of what each tour offers, costs, and other information, here you can see what members of our Los Angeles Travel Tips group on Facebook have to say.

There are plenty of fans of the Warner Brothers tour.

And some enjoyed Paramount as well.

If you have to choose only one, between Warners or Paramount, these members’ insight may help.

Universal Studios received mixed reviews. Some people felt it was a waste of time and money.

On the other hand, Issa had a fantastic time, so much so that she wrote a very long post detailing her time there and how to make the most of your visit.

Take a look at our Los Angeles Travel Tips group for more recommendations, opinions and advice.

You don't need to join to read comments, but if you do join you can post a question regarding the studios!

RELATED POSTS

• Top Things to Do in LA
• TV Show Tapings in LA
• Things to Do in Hollywood

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Los Angeles › Attraction

Sony pictures studio tour.

Although it doesn't have quite the same historical cachet as Warner Brothers or Paramount, a lot of movie history was made at this Culver City lot. Four scenes from the Wizard of Oz were filmed here when it was MGM Studios, and although the Yellow Brick Road once ran through the lot, it's no longer there. What you will see on the 2-hour walking tour: sets currently in production, and an opportunity to drop in on the new Jeopardy! set (updated in 2009 for its 25th anniversary) or Wheel of Fortune when they aren't filming or on hiatus. But the main reason for the tour is the chance to catch a glimpse at the stars who work here (it's one of the busiest studio lots in the world). Tours depart from the Sony Pictures Plaza; be sure to call ahead and make a reservation. Note: Photo ID is required of all guests.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Frommer's Star Rating

About our system.

Frommer's only recommends things we think you will enjoy and that will make your trip both authentic and unforgettable. Our experts personally appraise each choice in terms of their overall enthusiasm for it.

Our star system does not denote hotel amenities but it does denote the level of our approval. A place with one star is worth a look—after all, it made the list. A rating of two stars means it's excellent, and three stars is the highest praise we give.

DAILY TOURS

PREMIUM STUDIO TOUR

VIP LUNCH TOURS

VIP FOLEY TOURS

TWILIGHT TOURS

GROUP TOURS

BOOK TODAY!

Reservations are required. Children ages 12 and over are welcome. Tours include a stop at The Studio Store.

Tours run Monday through Friday. Standard times are 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Additional tour times are added during peak seasons. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to tour.

Step back into a legendary time on the Sony Pictures Studio tour! Walk through the famed gates and you’re behind the scenes at one of the most historic and exciting studio lots in the world. Our two-hour guided walking tour will give you the real experience of a working studio. Visit soundstages once home to iconic films like “The Wizard of Oz,” “Men in Black” and “Spider-Man.” Swing by smash-hit games shows “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.” You might even catch a glimpse of the Barbra Streisand Scoring stage. Keep your eyes open... You never know what – or who – will be around the next corner.

TOUR DETAILS

• 2 hour guided walking tour
• Standard times are 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Additional tour times are added during peak seasons
• $55 Per Person
• Sony Museum access
• Sony Studio Store access
• Free souvenir photo
• Tours offered Monday-Friday