Aerial Sightseeing Tours Over Los Angeles

There are many ways to see Los Angeles, and one of the most fascinating is to fly low over famous landmarks and celebrity homes in a small plane or helicopter or for the more adventurous, an open-air light sport aircraft. Within close proximity to LA, you can also enjoy the thrill of taking a flying lesson, piloting a stunt biplane, or taking the controls of a light attack aircraft in air-to-air combat. Additionally, a hot-air balloon ride could be the perfect bucket list experience. In most cases, if you and your party are securing the entire aircraft, you can customize what you want to see within local air regulations.

If you’re looking to capture stunning aerial photographs, helicopter tours present the best opportunities. Moreover, most of the companies can assist you in renting gyrostabilizers to eliminate any blur from helicopter vibrations if you don’t have your own gear. Many tour companies also offer flying lessons, making a 30-minute preview lesson a real bargain compared to the costs of a full tour.

Pacific Blue Air Adventure Flights From Hawthorne

Every tour with Pacific Blue Air is a flight lesson in an open-air light sport aircraft with just you and your flight instructor. What you can see depends on the duration of your lesson, which ranges from 30 to 90 minutes. Starting from the Hawthorne flight base south of LAX, the duration will determine whether your flight is limited to beach cities or if you’ll explore the entire LA Basin.

This option may not be suited for romance since you’ll be in a separate aircraft from your companion, yet it serves as an exhilarating gift for that adventurer in your life. Note that you cannot carry cameras, phones, or any loose items due to safety risks associated with the rear propeller, but on-board cameras are available for capturing still photos and videos of your flight, which can be purchased for an additional fee.

Star Helicopters From Hawthorne

Star Helicopters operates out of Hawthorne Municipal Airport, just 3 miles from LAX. Consequently, their limo service (or an Uber, Lyft, or taxi) allows quick transit from LAX to your helicopter flight, making it feasible to fit an air tour of LA within a 4-hour layover. In addition to predefined tours highlighting the city’s attractions, their services are fully customizable. Aerial photographers will be pleased to know that they provide gyrostabilizers for rent at competitive rates.

Helicopter Tours From Van Nuys

Van Nuys Airport features the largest number of helicopter tour operators in the region. This location is quite convenient if you’re in the Valley, the West Side of LA, or Hollywood, provided you avoid rush hour traffic.

• Jetboy Helicopters: Offers package tours ranging from 20 to 45 minutes, including the 30-minute One-Oh-One Tour that glides along the 101 Freeway, over movie studios, and into Downtown LA. A champagne and rose romance add-on is available for any flight.
• Air Tours LA: Provides both helicopter and small plane tours of the Los Angeles Basin and coastline, along with a private 3-hour Catalina airplane flight inclusive of lunch at Catalina’s Airport in the Sky.
• Elite Helicopter Tours: Owned by National Helicopter Service, offers a range of daytime and nighttime flights from 30 to 90 minutes, also departing from Van Nuys Airport. Options include heading up the Malibu coast or venturing inland over Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles. Charters and professional aerial photography services are available.
• Flying High Helicopters: Offers both day and night flights from Van Nuys, covering the same area as others, complete with different romance packages and a special for third passengers.
• Lite Flight Helicopter Tours: Features similar offerings with tours lasting from 10 minutes to one hour, backed by a price match guarantee for duration-flight comparisons to competitors with at least a 4-star Yelp rating.

Orbic Air Helicopter Tours From Burbank

Orbic Air Tours from Burbank Airport feature regular air-only tours over movie studios, Hollywood, celebrity homes, Downtown LA, or the coastline. They additionally present unique landing tour options that provide stops for picnics atop Malibu mountaintops or Downtown LA skyscrapers, creating truly unforgettable experiences.

Burbank stands as a convenient departure point for those located near Universal Studios, Hollywood, or Downtown LA.

OC Helicopters

If you are staying in Orange County, OC Helicopters departs from a private terminal at John Wayne Airport and can accommodate various flight needs, from coastal tours and romantic sunset proposals to business charters and elaborate heli-dine experiences with limos and security as necessary. Seasonal whale watching from the air is also a possibility. Furthermore, they are certified for heli-skydiving and heli-scuba diving.

Keep in mind that non-airport landings can be quite expensive, so if you need to ask about costs regarding such experiences, you might consider alternate options. However, bringing your own picnic basket for a charter flight is entirely feasible.

Helicopters Tours From Long Beach

Long Beach boasts several companies providing both daytime and nighttime helicopter tours, encompassing coastal explorations, a Hollywood flyover, flights to wine tours, or even quick trips to Catalina Island. This location serves as a more convenient departure point than Van Nuys if you’re in Downtown LA and is reasonable proximity-wise for Disneyland visitors.

• Anthelion Helicopter Tours: Offer departures from Long Beach Airport.
• Island Express Helicopters: Are located adjacent to the Queen Mary.
• Los Angeles Helicopters: Also depart from Long Beach Airport.

Hangar 21 Helicopters in Fullerton

Fullerton Airport serves as a comfortable starting point for guests near Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm who are keen to explore the Los Angeles area from the sky. Offering 30 to 60-minute tour options to Long Beach or Orange County Beaches, they also feature private one-hour sunset flights complete with champagne.

Advanced Flight Helicopter Tours From Torrance

Advanced Flight provides helicopter tours showcasing Long Beach, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, LA Beaches, and Hollywood, all departing from Torrance Airport—a convenient option for the South Bay Beach Cities.

Celebrity Airplane and Helicopter Tours from Carson

Celebrity Helicopter Tours provides an array of airplane and helicopter experiences ranging from quick 15-minute rides to luxurious 75-minute deluxe tours. Departing from Carson Airport, these tours allow you to catch glimpses over the protective walls guard high-profile celebrity residences or view Hollywood illuminated at night from above. However, it’s worth noting that their service reputation has declined recently, as reflected in numerous negative reviews.

SkyThrills Biplane Thrill Ride out of Fullerton

Experience the thrill of co-piloting or simply enjoy the ride in a 1935 Classic Aerobatic Biplane, performing mild maneuvers. Alternatively, you may want to opt for the Extreme Stunt Biplane, which encourages daring rolls, loops, and spins. For even more adventure, Air Combat experiences are also available. More relaxed vintage plane rides can be arranged as well.

Air Tours LA Small Plane Tours out of Van Nuys

While Air Tours LA features both helicopter and plane tours, they are better recognized for their private plane tours that glide along the coast, over the city, or all the way to Catalina for lunch or Santa Ynez for exquisite wine tasting.

Biplane Rides out of Compton

Biplane Fun offers thrilling rides in vintage WWII biplanes, departing from Compton Airport and soaring over Long Beach, Palos Verdes, and Redondo Beach.

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Rides Over Temecula

Many individuals have a hot air balloon ride on their bucket list. You can join a group, or choose a semi-private or private sunrise hot air balloon ride over the picturesque Temecula wine country. These flights cater to participants of all ages, provided they are at least 48 inches tall. Numerous configurations and options are available from various companies.