A trip to southern California as a tourist typically means at least one excursion on a Hollywood tour bus. There are an almost endless amount of tours to consider and all will offer something a little different from another. There are theme parks tours, trips to view celebrity homes, and the opportunity to see movie set locations from all around the area. Hollywood city tours show off famous destinations and many include the choice of traveling during the day or at night. Here are some tips for anyone planning their first bus tour that will help to make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable.
Traveling With Children
- Most bus tours offer reduced rate tickets for children and free rides for the youngest passengers.
- Most of the larger bus tour companies and some of the smaller ones have on-board storage for collapsible strollers. Since many trips include stops that can include a lot of walking this is very important.
- Consider the length of the tour before bringing young children. Some of the guided tours last as long as six hours and are more than what many kids will tolerate.
Riding Open Buses
- Open top buses mean exposure to the weather, and the tours take place regardless of what Mother Nature presents. Dress appropriately.
- Bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Be cautious about choosing hats. It is very windy when the bus is in motion. Only wear tight-fitting hats or one that is secured to the head.
- Bring a blanket or towel to cover the seat. The exposure to the sun heats up the seats and can make them uncomfortable for children or people in skirts or shorts.
General Trip Considerations
- Some groups do not allow food on their tours, but bottled water is allowed on most. Make certain to ask about taking snacks or water before purchasing tickets especially if traveling with children or elderly family members that may need them during the tour.
- Longer tours typically make stops where food and beverages can be purchased.
- Always arrive early because the seats are not assigned and families or large groups could be separated if they arrive too late.
- Remember to bring cameras but ask about whether or not video taking is allowed. Some companies do accept this and others do not. Some tours ban video only during certain parts of the trip.
- Review what sights are seen on the tour and try to get the side of the bus that will provide the best view of the majority of the personally desirable sights.
It is also important to think about what type of traffic may be like during the hours when the tour is taking place. Traffic jams and too many crowds could reduce the view and the enjoyment. Most tour companies offer a variety of times for their trips that it easy to get the right time by planning ahead.
