Private and Luxury

Private and luxury tours make up nearly two-thirds of Santa Monica’s tour market, with 112 out of 175 total experiences falling into this category. These tours cater to visitors who want a more comfortable, flexible, or in-depth look at LA’s highlights—often with smaller groups, personal guides, or premium vehicles.

Most travelers booking these tours are looking to maximize their time and see both Santa Monica and Los Angeles in one go. The median price in this category is $125, but several of the most popular options start well below that, making private and luxury tours accessible even for those not seeking a full VIP experience.

Santa Monica’s private and luxury category is the largest in the city, with 112 tours—64% of all options available. The median starting price is $125, but the real range is wide: 10 tours under $30, 16 between $30 and $60, and 27 from $60 to $120. The rest climb up to $250 and well beyond, reflecting everything from shared open-bus outings to private SUV experiences.

Compared to the citywide median of $94, private and luxury tours are pricier overall, but not by as much as the name suggests. Bus tours in Santa Monica, for example, have a median price of $250, which is double the private and luxury median—mainly because many are private charters. The best-known group tours in this category, however, start at $23 and top out at $72 per person, covering most of what first-time visitors want to see.

For visitors who want to see LA’s essentials—Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Pier, and the beaches—without the crowds or rigid schedules of big buses, the lower-priced private and luxury tours (from $23 to $72) are the sweet spot. These tours are consistently top-rated: five of the eight highlighted here hold ratings above 4.9 stars, and the most-reviewed option has over 3,000 reviews at 4.81 stars. Most include live guides, audio commentary in multiple languages, and stops for photos or short walks.

If you value flexibility and a more personal touch, the $44–$72 range offers the best balance. The $44 Santa Monica Hollywood and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour and the $72 Grand LA Tour both receive near-perfect scores (4.98 and 4.97, respectively), with reviewers praising knowledgeable guides and a good mix of sightseeing and free time. The $67 Small-Group Electric Bike Tour is a standout for active travelers, with a 4.93 rating and detailed attention from guides.

What disappoints? The most common complaints across these tours are about guides who share little information or rush through stops. For example, some reviewers of the $23 Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Tour felt the focus was too heavily on celebrity homes, with little time spent on broader Hollywood history. Others noted that the tour ended early or that guides sometimes gave incorrect details. On the $33 Hollywood, Beverly Hills, & Celebrity Home Tour from Santa Monica, a few guests found the bus noisy or the guide hard to understand, and felt the experience was more driving than storytelling.

If you want a more premium or private experience, expect to pay upwards of $250, with some private tours reaching $752. These are best suited to groups or those seeking a fully customized itinerary, but for most visitors, the $23–$72 range delivers the best value and highest satisfaction.