Los Angeles Hollywood Sign Helicopter Tour: Honest Review
Thinking about soaring over the Hollywood Sign in a helicopter when you’re visiting Los Angeles? I went on one of these aerial sightseeing rides not that long ago, and it seems it’s very hard to beat the views. You get to see pretty amazing sights from up above, and I thought I’d share my experience to maybe, just maybe, assist you in determining whether it’s worth your cash.
Why a Helicopter Tour? Is it worth it?
Okay, so what exactly is the appeal of a helicopter tour to check out the Hollywood Sign? First off, getting close to that iconic symbol can be more tricky than folks might think from the ground. Traffic is very much a constant headache, and hikes, seemingly those treks that get you halfway there, often leave you viewing the sign from rather a distance, it’s almost like you have to squint just to see it. Yet, very, very, often that leaves a person feeling somewhat underwhelmed, so it goes. Getting to witness the Hollywood sign in the comfort and unique perspective of a helicopter lets you avoid all those headaches. Is it worth it, though? That very much hinges on a couple of things: your budget, what you consider an acceptable thrill-seeking experience, and how much you desire those views. It is really quite a price bump compared to, for instance, a bus tour. So, you kind of have to figure out if that cost jives with the kind of unforgettable memories you’re wanting to create.
Booking and What to Expect Before Takeoff
Alright, so I decided to book with a fairly well-reviewed company that ran tours from a location near the Burbank Airport. Anyway, most companies seemingly provide similar packages, some seemingly emphasizing views of celebrity homes while others spotlight well-known landmarks, very much the Hollywood Sign of course included. Just make sure you, like your truly, actually pay very close attention to what is being offered when you book; so, for instance, the length of the trip and also what exactly you will see are good things to know. Most of these tours seemingly stick pretty closely to safety regulations. A briefing about safety comes even before you get close to the helicopter and very strict weight restrictions might be enforced. The check-in was quite painless and soon it was time to hop aboard. You also get to wear headphones that, really, allows for communicating with the pilot who, often enough, points out landmarks during your trip.
The Flight: Views, Thrills, and Maybe a Little Anxiety
Lifting off can be pretty thrilling, but admittedly, could be slightly unsettling too if you have some concerns with heights. The initial climb honestly provides pretty wide views of the LA basin, you know that huge sprawling city we all see in movies and on television. And sure, you can sometimes glimpse well-known studios like Warner Bros. from up high, very cool too, right? Once you head into the Hollywood Hills, things certainly get amazing as you head towards the sign. Viewing the Hollywood Sign up close when there are no windows between you and it is seriously a unique feeling. Now, depending on the route, so maybe you catch peeks at celeb residences tucked far below. It’s also worth knowing that some tour operators apparently angle the helicopter for optimal viewing for everyone. Remember too, that there might be quite a bit of turbulence depending on the wind and that might cause a bit of queasiness.
Photo Ops and Social Media Bragging Rights
Is that something you consider, opportunities for great photos? You’ll want a window seat then, and really you can potentially get phenomenal shots of the Hollywood Sign and the landscape. So, it might be more of a challenge to actually nail the pics due to vibrations and glare, however with the right settings and a touch of good luck, you may possibly grab photos that very few people have the possibility of capturing. Any images taken from that angle really create unbelievable social media bragging rights, very hard to dismiss. You get photos that genuinely create envy among your followers.
Would I Recommend It? My Final Thoughts
So, should you take the leap and book a helicopter tour to witness the Hollywood Sign? In short, if you’re willing to splurge a bit and are looking for something, so perhaps a remarkable way to view some well-known locations, you’ll find that flying around LA in a helicopter is more than worth the expense. Yet, do go in knowing that flight times can go quickly and you definitely want to set expectations accordingly about precisely what you want to see. Overall, flying to view the Hollywood Sign seemed something rather memorable, something a person can do if ever visiting Los Angeles.
Tips to Know Before You Book A Helicopter Tour
So, here are a few things you should know:
- Know what the helicopter has in the way of windows: some helicopters that do these types of tour are bubbles that are mostly made of windows for an unrestricted viewing area, whereas others might not have as open of viewing points.
- Know how many other people might be joining you on your tour: Helicopter models often affect passenger count, so know if the company does solo rides only or offers different sizes for group tours, this ensures more customized attention and space.
- Read and really understand all requirements for bookings: Check on how the weather might affect your flight. Also check all safety procedures and potential restrictions. It sounds basic, but better to be prepared, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a helicopter tour the best way to see the Hollywood Sign?
It is really one of the fastest, but potentially priciest, ways to view the Hollywood Sign closely. Hikes can definitely be a bit of a grind, but a helicopter zips you right over.
How long do helicopter tours over the Hollywood Sign last?
Generally, a person might plan on somewhere from thirty minutes to one hour, so tour length really tends to vary according to tour. Make certain to look closely at your booking specifics.
What’s the best time of day for a helicopter tour?
In order to potentially nab pretty shots, seemingly many prefer the earlier morning or very late afternoon because, well, it avoids harsh midday light.
Are helicopter tours safe?
Actually, all of the companies seem to abide by stringent guidelines. Safety instructions do come first! Always carefully listen, and you will, maybe, discover all the protocols.
Are helicopter tours of the Hollywood Sign eco-friendly?
It is usually not something people focus on when booking a helicopter ride over the city, yet, if a person cares about their carbon footprint when doing so, then maybe checking how often the business services their helicopters may assist in lowering emissions to ensure a small degree of carbon emission impact. It is very slight, granted, so if that is really an important factor to you, you may also research ways in which you can invest your money into supporting services that help the environment.
Do you get to see any celebrity homes on helicopter tours that visit the Hollywood sign?
It could be possible, even though what you are able to view from your helicopter tour, and its altitude may vary what is visible to you from the top and that tends to vary the odds of if a tour past the Hollywood Sign would show many celeb houses. Before buying tickets, you may ask for what can typically be seen on routes like this.