Movie Studio Tours in Los Angeles

The above pictured Bates Motel and home of Norman Bates (from the original "Psycho" movie) is one of the movie sets visited on the Hollywood Universal Studios Tour. In the section below we introduce four Los Angeles area movie studio tours that are all special in their own way. The Universal Studios Tour is much different then the other three tours on this page because the main attraction at Universal Studios is a huge theme park visited by millions of people a year. The other three movie studio tours are much more intimate experiences.

Movie Studio Tours Offered Daily

Universal Studios Tour
A basic 45 minute tour of Universal Studios is included in the admission fee to the Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park, and more extensive VIP tour is also available. The VIP tour includes visits to areas not included on the basic studio tour, visits to the Universal Studios archive and collections department, sound department, and prop warehouse. The VIP tour also includes a continental breakfast, lunch at in the studio's VIP Dining Room, valet parking, and all-day priority entry and seating at all of the Universal Studios Theme Park shows and attractions. Reservations for the Universal Studios VIP tour must be made in advance by calling 818-622-5140. Universal Studios Theme Park admission prices are about $60 to $70 for basic tour and park admission, $104 for priority entry and seating on all rides, attractions, and shows, and $239 for the VIP Experience tour and park admission. Universal Studios Hollywood is located at 100 Universal City Plaza in Universal City.

Movie Studio Tours Offered Monday-Friday Only

Paramount Studios Tour
Two hour tours of Paramount Studios are available Monday through Friday, except on Holidays. Last time I checked the tours were $35 and they were offered four times a day. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 323-956-1777. Paramount Studios is located at 5556 Melrose Avenue in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, between Vine Street and North Western Avenue.

Sony Pictures Studio Tour
Tours of the Sony Pictures Studio are usually available Monday through Friday. The last time I checked the tours cost $28, they were offered four times a day, tour participants must be age 12 or older. Movies filmed at the Sony Pictures studio include "The Wizard of Oz", "Men in Black", and "Spider Man". Television shows include "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune". Sony Pictures is located at 10202 West Washington Boulevard in Culver City. Reservations for the Sony Pictures Studio tour must be made in advance by calling 310-244-8687.

Warner Brothers Studio Tour
Warner Brothers Studio offers two tours and both of them are available Monday through Friday. Their standard tour is called the "VIP Tour" and it departs continuously all day, Monday through Friday. The Warner Brothers Studio VIP tour begins with a film introducing the world of Warner Brothers. After the film the tour participants are then given an electric cart tour of the studio and finally dropped off at the Warner Brothers Museum. Warner Brothers also offers special 5 hour deluxe studio tour featuring a more in-depth view of movie-making and lunch in the Commissary Fine Dining Room. Participants on both tours must be at least 8 years old, video filming is not permitted, still photography is limited, bags will be searched, and government issued identification must be shown. The last time I checked the Warner Brothers VIP Tour was $48 and the Warner Brothers Deluxe Tour was $225. Warner Brothers Studio was formerly known as Burbank Studios and it is located at 4000 Warner Boulevard in Burbank. For reservations or more information about tours of Warner Brothers Studio call 818-972-8687.

What You Need To Know

Before you make arrangements to take any studio tour you need to be aware that some of the tours have a minimum age limit, a government issued ID may be required, large bags, backpacks and video cameras may not be allowed on the tours, your bags may be searched, and while still photography is usually allowed, it is also usually restricted to certain areas.