​FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What is LA Explained?

LA Explained is a Los Angeles–based cultural platform dedicated to uncovering, preserving, and sharing the city’s hidden history. Founded by local historians and storytellers, LA Explained focuses on the people, places, and neighborhoods that shaped Los Angeles long before it became a global entertainment capital.

Unlike traditional sightseeing companies, LA Explained approaches Los Angeles history through oral history, place-based storytelling, and original research, creating immersive walking tours that feel personal, contextual, and deeply rooted in place. Our historic walking tours are designed for curious locals, culture-driven travelers, and anyone searching for meaningful things to do in Los Angeles.

 

What makes LA Explained different from other Los Angeles walking tours?

LA Explained is not a tourist bus operation, scripted attraction, or photo-stop checklist. Our historic Hollywood walking tours are led by resident historians who specialize in Los Angeles history, architecture, and early Hollywood culture.

What sets us apart:

• Expert-led storytelling rooted in original research

• Focus on hidden neighborhoods, not crowded attractions

• Small group sizes for an intimate experience

• Routes designed to reveal context, not just trivia

Our Los Angeles walking tours prioritize understanding over spectacle, making them ideal for guests looking for authentic cultural experiences in LA rather than surface-level sightseeing.

 

What neighborhoods do your historic walking tours explore?

Our historic Hollywood walking tours explore the hillside neighborhoods of Whitley Heights and Hollywood Heights, two of the most historically significant areas in Los Angeles. These neighborhoods played a critical role in shaping early Hollywood, housing filmmakers, actors, writers, and creative pioneers during the city’s formative years.

Guests walk through historic streets, hillside staircases, and residential areas while visiting 3–5 carefully selected historic sites, learning how these locations contributed to Los Angeles’ cultural and cinematic legacy.

 

How long and how far are the walking tours?

Both our group tours and private picnic tours cover approximately 2.5 miles and last about 90 minutes. The pace is thoughtful and conversational, with regular stops for storytelling, context, and discussion.

These Los Angeles walking tours are designed to be immersive and walkable, offering a balance of movement, history, and scenic views.

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TOUR OPTIONS

What is the group walking tour?

The group walking tour includes access for one (1) guest to a guided group experience alongside up to twenty (20) other participants. Tours are led by LA Explained’s resident historians and focus on shared discovery through expert storytelling.

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On this tour, guests will:

• Walk approximately 2.5 miles

• Visit 3–5 historic sites in Whitley Heights and Hollywood Heights

• Learn through oral history and place-based storytelling

• Experience one of the most engaging historic walking tours in Los Angeles

Group tours are ideal for individuals, couples, and travelers looking to explore Hollywood history in a communal, educational setting.

 

What is the private picnic walking tour?

The private picnic walking tour offers exclusive access to a guided historic walking tour for up to five (5) guests. Led by LA Explained’s resident historians, this experience includes curated refreshments such as charcuterie, sparkling wine, light snacks, and water.

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Private picnic tours include:

• A fully private guided Los Angeles walking tour

• Approximately 2.5 miles of walking

• Visits to 3–5 historic hillside sites

• Elevated hospitality with curated refreshments

This option is ideal for special occasions, intimate group experiences, birthdays, anniversaries, or guests seeking a premium way to experience Hollywood history.

 

Which tour option is right for me?

Choose the group walking tour if you’re interested in:

• Meeting fellow history lovers

• A classic guided Los Angeles walking tour

• A more accessible entry point into LA history

Choose the private picnic tour if you’re looking for:

• A personalized experience

• A private guide and custom pacing

• A unique, elevated way to explore Hollywood history

Both tours offer the same depth of storytelling and historical expertise—the difference lies in intimacy and hospitality.

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PRACTICAL QUESTIONS 

Are these walking tours good for locals?

Yes. Many of our guests are Angelenos who are surprised by how much they learn about neighborhoods they’ve passed for years. LA Explained’s historic walking tours are designed to reveal hidden layers of Los Angeles history, making them ideal for locals seeking deeper connection to the city.

 

Are these tours suitable for visitors looking for things to do in Los Angeles?

Absolutely. If you’re searching for unique things to do in Los Angeles, historic Hollywood tours, or cultural walking tours, LA Explained offers one of the most immersive ways to understand the city beyond typical tourist attractions.

 

Are LA Explained tours family-friendly?

Our tours are best suited for older teens and adults who enjoy history, storytelling, and walking-based experiences. Content focuses on cultural and historical context rather than sensationalism.

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Why choose a walking tour instead of a bus tour in Los Angeles?

Walking tours allow guests to experience Los Angeles at human scale. By exploring neighborhoods on foot, guests gain a deeper understanding of place, architecture, and history that bus tours cannot provide. LA Explained’s walking tours emphasize connection, context, and discovery.

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LA Explained: The Authority on Los Angeles History Experiences

LA Explained is committed to preserving and sharing the stories that shaped Los Angeles. Through meticulously researched walking tours, immersive storytelling, and neighborhood-based exploration, we offer some of the most respected historic walking tours in Los Angeles.

Our tours are designed for those who want more than surface-level sightseeing—guests who want to understand how Los Angeles became the city it is today. 
 

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