Best helicopter tours in LA
There are many ways to see a great city, one of which is from the air. Visit Los Angeles aboard a helicopter and marvel at all its attractions.
Helicopter Tours | ©Eric Beteille
The city of Los Angeles, located in California, has great charm. Its coastline, the famous Hollywood sign and its great celebrity mystique make it unique. Visiting this city is a privilege, and taking a helicopter ride to appreciate its landscapes and have the best possible panoramic views is a real luxury.
With a helicopter ride you will be able to see every corner of the city of Los Angeles from a very special point of view. Dare to experience this great adventure listed among the best things to see and do in LA and add height to your stay in the city. In this article I'll tell you what options you have if you're determined to fly over Los Angeles, and what each of these options are like.
1. Helicopter tour of Los Angeles with arrival at the top of romance
Take a romantic flight as a couple! In the city of Los Angeles you have the possibility to make your helicopter tour even more special.
The plan is to go on a completely private flight, just you, your partner and the pilot. This experience lasts approximately two hours in total. On this tour you will be able to see the California coastline, the best panoramic views of Beverly Hills, the Hollywood sign, Bel Air and other key points of LA, such as the Santa Monica Pier and the Getty Museum.
The tour includes a special landing on a secluded mountain in Malibu, where you can enjoy a nice sparkling wine and a tasty dessert, with rose arrangements while you enjoy the best views with your sweetheart.
If, on the other hand, you're travelling as a family with your little ones, you can choose from a range of helicopter tours or enjoy some of the best things to do with kids in LA, of which there are many.
Interesting facts
- Price: from 575 euros per person.
- Duration: 2 hours approximately.
- Vehicle: helicopter tour.
- Advantages of this tour: you have the opportunity to experience an intimate moment with your partner flying over the city and toasting on top of a mountain in Malibu. Food is also included, unlike other options.
- Disadvantages of this tour: not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.
2. See the best of Long Beach and Los Angeles from the sky
This is the best way to see the entire Los Angeles coastline. The tour is short, but breathtaking, in a total of 15 minutes aboard a private helicopter you will fly over downtown Long Beach and descend on the iconic Queen Mary.
This ship is said to be haunted. If you want to know more about its history after you've seen it, you can also book one of LA's best ghost tours, suitable only for the bravest.
On this interesting helicopter tour you will see the best panoramic views of Catalina Island, Belmont Shore Pier, the Battleship USS Iowa and the curvature of the Pacific Coast, just before landing back in Long Beach for the end of this wonderful experience.
Interesting facts
- Price: from 179 euros per person.
- Duration: 15 minutes.
- Vehicle: helicopter tour.
- Advantages of this tour: you will have the unique opportunity to fly over the beaches of L.A. and land on a haunted ship.
- Disadvantages of this tour: It is a fairly short tour, and it is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.
3. Admire the best of the Los Angeles coastline from the sky.
The west coast of the United States is uniquely beautiful. And there's no better way to enjoy it than from a helicopter.
On this tour, which departs from Long Beach, you can begin an interesting flight over the Los Angeles coastline. On this approximately 30-minute tour, you'll learn all about the breathtaking scenery from your guide.
The tour takes you over the best beaches in the area: Redondo, Hermosa and Manhattan, followed by a visit to the Santa Monica Pier, a look at Hawthorne, Torrance and the mighty Galaxy Stadium, and finally back to Long Beach.
Facts and figures of interest
- Price: from 248 euros per person.
- Duration: 30 minutes.
- Vehicle: Helicopter tour.
- Advantages of this tour: you will be able to see the best beaches of Los Angeles from the air in 30 minutes, as well as enjoy the detailed explanation of your guide.
- Disadvantages of this tour: not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.
4. Elegant tour of Downtown Los Angeles
Enjoy a private flight over the best of downtown Los Angeles.
Your starting point is Long Beach. Your expert pilot will take you over the Los Angeles harbour, where you will see the majestic Queen Mary and Catalina Island.
The tour will also take you to Manhattan Beach , Marina del Rey, St. Helena Pier and downtown Los Angeles. You will be able to see the best skyscrapers, the San Gabriel Mountains and the famous Hollywood Sign Hill, and then return to Long Beach.
Facts and Figures
- Price: from 358 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 1 hour.
- Vehicle: helicopter tour.
- Advantages of this tour: you will be able to enjoy a first class helicopter and fly over the beaches in style on a completely private tour.
- Cons of this tour: Not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.
5. Fly over Los Angeles and land on a building
On this group tour for up to 6 passengers, you can take a helicopter ride of approximately 1 hour. It will take you over the most breathtaking views of Pacific Palisades, Marina del Rey, Beverly Hills, Hollywood and the Sunset Strip.
On this incredible ride you will land for 15 minutes on the rooftop of a building, from where you can gaze out over the city skyline while sipping a drink with your fellow passengers and savouring a delicious sparkling wine.
This tour departs from Burbank's Atlantic Terminal.
Facts and Figures
- Price: from 560 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 1 hour.
- Vehicle: helicopter tour.
- Advantages of this trip: you will live the experience of landing on top of a building and toasting from the heights. Another advantage is that you can do this experience with a group of up to 6 friends.
- Disadvantages of this ride: not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.
6. Take a super light helicopter ride to see LA
Hop aboard a modern, super-light helicopter and enjoy an unbeatable tour of the skies over L.A.
With this type of aircraft you'll enjoy a smooth flight and an unparalleled view, as most of these helicopters have a 360-degree view. If you are a photography enthusiast, you will be able to get unparalleled shots in this type of helicopter.
Another great advantage of these tours is that they have a more than complete tour where you can fly over the most important points of the city of Los Angeles for a whole hour.
Among the sites you will see are the campus of the University of Los Angeles, UCLA, Sunset Boulevard, Universal Studios, the well-known Hollywood sign, the skyscrapers of the city centre, Donald Trump's golf course and many other interesting sites that will fascinate you.
Interesting facts
- Price: from 348 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 1 hour.
- Vehicle: helicopter tour.
- Advantages of this trip: you will be able to enjoy the 360-degree view from the heights.
- Disadvantages of this tour: not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.
7. Take in the California coastline and breathtaking canyons from the sky
On this 30-minute tour, you can experience the best of California's coastal scenery and majestic canyons. You'll fly over the impressive Topanga Canyon, then take a flight over Pacific Coast Highway and finish with a view of the scenic beaches of Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Malibu and Pacific Palisades.
This tour usually departs from Van Nuys Airport, so take the opportunity to see the old military planes that are located at this historic site.
This option is one of the best ways to appreciate the magnitude of the region's canyons in all their immensity.
Interesting facts
- Price: from 390 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 35 minutes.
- Vehicle: helicopter tour.
- Advantages of this tour: you will be able to enjoy the natural landscape of California, the imposing canyons and all its beauty from the air.
- Disadvantages of this tour: not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.
8. Helicopter tour of the Hollywood Stars
This tour is designed for those who are interested in seeing the highlights related to Hollywood celebrities. In this themed tour you will fly for 30 minutes over the best mansions of the city and emblematic streets such as Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard.
Among the most interesting points that you can see in this themed helicopter tour are the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills mansions, the Hollywood Sign, and the Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
And if you are interested in celebrities, you can complement this helicopter flight with a tour of the homes of celebrities in LA.
Interesting facts
- Price: from 390 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 35 minutes.
- Vehicle: helicopter tour.
- Advantages of this tour: you will be able to see the mansions of the stars from the air.
- Disadvantages of this tour: not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems.
What should I bear in mind if this is my first helicopter flight?
If this is going to be your first helicopter ride, you may feel nervous, but if you take a few simple points into consideration you will have nothing to worry about.
- Firstly, try to arrive at the tour departure point between 15 and 30 minutes early.
- Don't take too many belongings with you, pack light and wear comfortable clothes to make you feel more comfortable and settle into your seat.
- Then, strictly follow the instructions of the guide or helicopter pilot, if you are nervous you can even let him know, as he is an expert and can surely give you some advice on how to relax.
- And finally, just relax and enjoy your ride with the best views of the city of Los Angeles.
What is the price of helicopter tours in Los Angeles?
Helicopter tour prices vary according to the duration of the tour, the type of tour, whether the tour is private or group and also according to the type of aircraft used for the trip.
In general you will find helicopter tour options from 178 euros per passenger to 708 euros per person.
Is it possible to take a helicopter tour with children?
Yes, in fact some of the companies have helicopters with seats exclusively for children. Others, however, require children to sit on the lap of their parents or caregivers.
In general, the only prohibitions when boarding a helicopter are for pregnant women, people with serious heart conditions and people with back problems.