Film Freak 2-Hour Location Tour

A two-hour drive through Hollywood with a working film insider from Film Freak Tours, stopping at real movie and TV locations. Rated 5.0 across 222 reviews. Check the listing for the current price and meeting point before booking.

Overview

This two-hour van tour is run by Film Freak Tours, and the whole premise is movie and television locations. The guide, an industry insider who once hosted a show and interviewed celebrities, points out buildings and street corners used in films while playing clips from the actual scenes, so travellers can match the shot to the spot in front of them. Reviews repeatedly say this pairing of screen and street is what sets the tour apart.

The route calls at Funko Hollywood, the Formosa Cafe, the Troubadour, Pink's Hot Dogs and the Jim Henson Company building before a longer stretch through Hollywood itself. Each short stop lasts about ten minutes, and admission tickets to Funko Hollywood and the Troubadour are not included while the other stops are free. Along the way the guide mixes location trivia with personal stories from working inside the Hollywood scene, including spots where well-known figures eat and drink.

The bus carries a maximum of 13 travellers, and every seat has a USB charger. It suits film fans who want a guided run through Hollywood's filming spots, and reviewers say it works well for families with teenagers. Anyone wanting a broad overview of the area's major streets in a short visit has also found it a good fit.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Funko HollywoodMeet at the Film Freak Locations Tour stand beside Funko Hollywood, 6201 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles. Arrive 30 minutes before the tour start time.
2. Funko HollywoodA 10-minute stop at Funko Hollywood, which doubles as the meeting point. Admission ticket not included.
3. Formosa CafeA 10-minute stop at the cafe. Admission is free.
4. TroubadourA 10-minute stop at the Troubadour. Admission ticket not included.
5. Pink's Hot DogsA 10-minute stop at the hot dog stand. Admission is free.
6. The Jim Henson CompanyA 10-minute stop at the Jim Henson Company. Admission ticket not included.
7. Hollywood loopOne hour through Hollywood itself, with location commentary and film clips along the way. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help travellers get the most from the two hours on the bus.

• Getting photos. One reviewer noted that the guide points out far more locations than can be photographed, and that the bus slows or stops for the most popular spots. Keep a camera ready but expect to miss some shots.
• Guide commentary. Reviewers again and again describe the guide as knowledgeable, thanks to his past work in the industry. Clips from the movies are played as locations pass by, which several travellers said helped them picture each scene.
• Group size. The tour caps at 13 travellers.
• Arrival and transport. Hotel pickup is not included, so travellers make their own way to Funko Hollywood. Check-in opens 30 minutes before the start time, and the meeting point is near public transportation.
• Weather and dress. The tour requires good weather, so dress for the conditions on the day. If it is cancelled for poor weather, a different date or a full refund is offered.
• Discounts after. The VIP pass includes additional discounts at Funko Hollywood and other local businesses, and reviewers mention receiving coupons at the end. It is worth holding onto the pass if shopping or eating is planned nearby.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are fine and infants must sit on laps. Funko Hollywood and the Troubadour stops do not include admission, so anyone wanting to go inside those venues pays separately. Because the experience needs decent weather, it can be cancelled and rebooked or refunded.

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