Go City: Los Angeles Explorer Pass – Choose any 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 Attractions

A smartphone pass can tame LA costs. The Go City Los Angeles Explorer Pass lets you pick 2 to 7 attractions from a large local list, then use a mobile ticket to get admission without fighting separate lines and separate prices. I especially like the flexibility to choose what fits your day, and I like that the pass stays valid for 30 days after you first use it. One possible drawback: a few of the biggest-name attractions require reservations, and some timed options can be harder to fit if you want an ultra-early schedule.

If you’re planning LA for the first time, the pass is a smart way to get variety without committing to a single “tour package” style itinerary. You’ll mix classic Hollywood stops with museums, family-friendly science, and even Long Beach and Santa Monica. That mix can make your trip feel less like a checklist and more like real neighborhood hopping.

The catch is logistics. If you rely on the pass for a packed day, you’ll want to read the digital guide carefully, plan around specific hours, and keep a backup method in case a QR code won’t scan.

Key points I think matter before you buy

• Up to 45% off compared with buying individual attraction tickets
• Pick 2 to 7 attractions from a list of 30+ hand-picked experiences
• 30-day validity from your first use, so you can spread things out
• Reservations are the real make-or-break, for several top stops
• Big Bus loops run on set hours, so don’t plan your whole day around them
• IMAX at the California Science Center can count as both IMAX and general admission, if you save the ticket

What You’re Really Buying With the Go City LA Explorer Pass

At its core, this pass is a money-saver with structure. You pay one price (for example, $109 per person), then choose how many attractions you want—2, 3, 4, 5, or 7—from a wider lineup.

You’ll use it by showing a smartphone pass at each attraction. The included digital guide is the key companion, because it spells out opening times and, for certain experiences, the exact reservation steps. Most activities are straightforward. The ones that aren’t usually involve booking ahead.

I also like that you’re not locked into one routing. LA is spread out, and without a rental car you often end up “clustering” places by area. This pass lets you do that naturally—Hollywood one day, museums another, beach riding another.

The “value math” depends on your selections. If you pick only small, low-cost attractions, the savings can shrink. If you pick several of the higher-priced, timed-name options—think studio tours, Dolby Theatre, or major museums—you’ll feel the benefit fast.

Picking 2 to 7 Attractions Without Overplanning Your Day

The pass can feel free, but your schedule still needs guardrails. Start by listing the places that truly matter to you, then work outward to choose the rest. If you’re the type who hates missing a reservation window, prioritize those stops first.

Here’s the practical way I’d plan: group your picks by geography and time. Hollywood and nearby areas are easier to stack. Santa Monica pairs well with other Westside options. Downtown LA is its own mini world.

Also watch for “reservation-required” items. Several of the experiences in this pass list note that you must reserve in advance, and that the instructions are inside the included digital guide or the Go City app. If you skip that step, the pass won’t save you.

Finally, don’t assume you can do everything on one day. Even when attractions are included, their hours and reservation slots can make one-day marathons stressful.

Big Bus Tours in LA: A Useful Orientation Tool With Tight Timing

The included Big Bus option gives you a 1-day Classic ticket usable on two loops: the Hollywood Loop and the Beach Loop. The Hollywood Loop runs 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Beach Loop runs 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

This is a smart “get your bearings” activity if you’re new to LA. It’s also a practical way to connect areas without spending your whole day in transit. You can hop on, look out over key neighborhoods, and decide what you want to revisit later on foot.

But don’t plan a precision day around it. One common snag: the bus service can feel less flexible than you hope. In particular, the route may not run constantly, with long gaps between arrivals. If you’ve got back-to-back reservations, treat the bus as a planning helper, not your entire transport plan.

My advice: use it for morning-to-early-afternoon sighting, then lock in your timed stops for later. If you’re staying on the Westside, this can still work, but you’ll want to build in travel time.

Hollywood Sign Views and the Studio-Adjacent Must-Do Cluster

Hollywood is the headline for a reason, and this pass helps you hit multiple iconic landmarks without buying separate entry tickets.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

This wax museum is a classic “cool factor” stop: Hollywood legends, movie directors, and pop stars. You also get access to the Marvel Superheroes 4D exhibit. It’s a good choice when you want something indoors that feels like LA without needing perfect weather.

Hollywood Sign Tour

The Hollywood Sign Tour is about the views and the climb through the hills above the city. Expect a gentle hike with a local guide sharing stories tied to the sign and Hollywood’s film industry. The big win is the panoramic payoff—360° views from the overlook toward the ocean.

The drawback is scheduling discipline. This stop is reservation-required, so you’ll want your sign time locked early rather than hoping to fit it casually.

TCL Chinese Theatre

At TCL Chinese Theatre, you choose either a short guided tour or a movie experience with a drink. Either way, you’re stepping into the red carpet world tied to premieres and events.

One advantage here is that it’s a tighter time commitment. Even with a short session, you still get to enjoy the Hollywood “stage set” feeling that makes the area so famous.

Warner Bros and Dolby Theatre: Big Names, Big Payoff, Watch the Reservation Step

If you want the “Hollywood is a machine” experience, these are the stops that best deliver.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

This is where many people decide whether the pass is worth it. You’ll go behind the scenes at one of LA’s busiest working studios, led by an expert guide. You’ll see how movie magic gets made, not just what it looks like on screen.

Reservation is required. That means you should plan early, check the included digital guide instructions, and put this on your “must secure” list as soon as you can. Once it’s booked, the pass makes admission easy.

Dolby Theatre Guided Tour

Dolby Theatre is a short walking tour that feels very on-theme: elegance, celebrity glamour, and direct access to the home of the Academy Awards ceremonies. It’s also explicitly tied to a half-hour format, which is nice for pacing your day.

Again, reservations are required here too. If you’re trying to stack several Hollywood experiences, you’ll want to space them so reservation times don’t overlap your transit time.

Museums Across LA: Where You Can Slow Down and Still Feel You Got Value

This pass includes a range of museums that work for different travel styles—history, science, animals, and music.

GRAMMY Museum

If you want music culture without needing to understand the industry in advance, this one is very approachable. It’s built around exhibits and interactive displays across multiple floors. You’ll get a sense of what it takes to be a music star.

Reservations are required, so treat it like a timed “appointment” rather than a casual walk-in.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

This is a strong pick for a full-on learning break. You’ll see fossil halls, habitat-style dioramas, and collections like gems and minerals. The structure is designed for repeat wonder—ideal if you enjoy wandering a museum more than following a strict script.

Time here is flexible on the day itself (you’re looking at about an hour with admission included), but your enjoyment will depend on your attention span for exhibits.

Battleship USS Iowa Museum

This one is history you can climb on. The USS Iowa is described as the only battleship museum on the West Coast, and it’s known as the Battleship of Presidents. Two hours is enough time to explore and get the scale of the ship.

Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)

A trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific adds variety to an LA-only plan. It’s a multi-region water experience: Southern California and Baja, Northern Pacific, and Tropical Pacific reefs.

Reservation is required, so this is best when you’ve already built a day around Long Beach.

Holocaust Museum LA

This museum is meaningful and thought-provoking, located in Pan Pacific Park. The admission is included, and the experience requires reservation.

If your trip is short, this stop deserves intentional time. It’s not the type of place you should cram between other attractions.

California Science Center and IMAX: A Family Win With a Time-Saver Detail

The California Science Center is a good “everyone can like this” option. You can start with an IMAX movie in a seven-story theater. Afterward, you can explore the rest of the center with its many interactive exhibits.

Here’s a practical detail worth knowing: the instructions say to save your IMAX ticket, because IMAX tickets are also valid for general admission to the Science Center. That’s a real value boost if you plan to do more than just the film.

Reservations aren’t clearly stated for this stop in the same way other attractions are, but you’ll still want to check the included digital guide for the current schedule.

Santa Monica Bike Rentals: The Best Way to Use the Pass on the Westside

The pass gives you two Santa Monica-area bike options: Perry’s Café & Beach Rentals and Unlimited Biking.

Perry’s Café & Beach Rentals (2-hour bike or skates)

You get a 2-hour rental and the basics: helmets and maps. Locks are provided for a minimal deposit, and the instruction says one lock works for two bikes. Also, Santa Monica bike rentals must be made one hour before closing.

If you want LA’s “easygoing beach” mood without making it a long day, this is the sort of activity that hits the right note.

Unlimited Biking (3-hour bike rental)

This option starts near Santa Monica Pier and is a leisurely three-hour cycle to see top sights in West LA. It’s a nice length for connecting coastal areas and getting fresh air.

The big pro: these rentals are a way to turn your pass into actual movement, not just indoor stops. If you’re walking more than you planned, cycling can also balance your energy.

Beverly Hills by Bike and Bel-Air by Route: Self-Guided With Built-In Safety

The Beverly Hills bike experience is self-guided, which I like for flexibility. You cycle past celebrity-home vibes and recognizable LA film locations in Beverly Hills and Bel-Air.

You’ll be given a helmet and safety vest, plus GPS pre-loaded with the route and spoken commentary in English. The time window to start is anytime between 8:30 am and 1:00 pm, and the total duration listed is about 3 hours.

This is a great fit if you want the look of LA without waiting for a bus schedule, and without dealing with “what time does the tour leave” pressure every step of the day. Just remember this still needs coordination—get started within the stated start window.

Downtown LA Food and Culture Tour: A Low-Stress Intro to the City’s Heart

Downtown LA works best with a guide if you’re new. This walking tour covers historic landmarks and a food-forward approach, with stops that include City Hall, The Music Centre, and The Walt Disney Concert Hall.

You also get cultural and “see it with a local” moments, like The Last Bookstore, plus built-in food stops. The tour includes Spring Arcade Building (a historic 1920s building with a food market) and the Grand Central Market, with diverse cuisine options.

This stop is reservation-required. If you want downtown in your trip and you don’t have much time, it’s worth booking early so the experience stays smooth.

SoFi Stadium and Two Bit Circus: Entertainment That Fits Different Budgets

SoFi Stadium Tour

This gives behind-the-scenes access and includes the chance to sharpen your skills on the football field. It’s an activity that feels different from typical museum days.

Reservations are required, so treat it as a planned anchor in your schedule rather than a flexible add-on.

Two Bit Circus ($30 credit)

This is a credit model inside a tech-infused “big top” space. You get $15 to spend at locations inside the park (including the bar and boxcar café, plus games) and $15 for the arcade/midway.

It’s a fun option when you want something active and playful. If you’ve got teens or you simply want lighter energy after heavier attractions, this works.

Value Check: When the Explorer Pass Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)

At $109 per person, the pass is a good deal when you use it like a tool: choose a handful of high-impact attractions, and don’t waste selections on small add-ons you’d skip anyway.

Here’s when it tends to work best:

• You want multiple big-name indoor attractions (studio tours, Dolby Theatre, museums).
• You’re okay managing a few reservations in advance.
• You’re open to mixing neighborhoods—Hollywood, Downtown, the Westside, and even Long Beach.

Here’s when it can disappoint:

• You plan everything in one day with tight reservation times and short transit buffers.
• You’re hoping to ride only the Big Bus to solve your schedule.
• You don’t reserve the reservation-required attractions and end up with empty time.

A Quick Reality Tip: Pass Scans, Phones, and Backups

This pass runs on a smartphone ticket. That’s fast when it works. It’s also risky if your phone is lost or your screen won’t show clearly.

The good news: a printed backup QR can work, and the pass QR can also work offline. I strongly recommend you set up a backup method early, so you’re not stuck at the gate when you still have a day to enjoy.

Also, if a barcode won’t scan at Big Bus, don’t burn time guessing. Use the support channel offered by Go City through their site chat options.

Should You Book It?

Book the Go City Los Angeles Explorer Pass if you want a smart, flexible way to stack LA’s headline attractions while controlling costs. It’s especially worth it if your plan includes at least a couple of reservation-required big hitters like Warner Bros Studio Tour, Dolby Theatre, or GRAMMY Museum.

Skip it or choose fewer attractions if you prefer spontaneous mornings before most places open, or if your schedule is tight enough that one missed scan or one reservation conflict would ruin the whole day. The pass rewards planning, not panic.

If you want the best experience, do this: pick your must-dos first, reserve what requires reservations early, then fill the rest with low-stress options like a museum hour or a bike ride in Santa Monica.

FAQ

How many attractions can I choose with the Los Angeles Explorer Pass?

You can choose 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions from a list of over 30.

Is the pass valid for a limited time?

Yes. Your pass is valid for 30 days from your first use.

Do I need reservations for all included attractions?

No, but several activities are reservation-required. The included digital guide explains which ones need reservations and how to book.

Can I use the pass on my smartphone?

Yes. The pass is a mobile ticket, and you show your pass on your phone for admission.

What attractions are included that involve Big Bus Tours?

The pass includes access to a 1-day Classic ticket for Big Bus Tours Los Angeles, with two loops: Hollywood Loop (9:00 am–5:00 pm) and Beach Loop (10:00 am–4:00 pm).

Is IMAX at the California Science Center included?

You get California Science Center IMAX Movie admission included, and the IMAX ticket can also be used for general admission to the Science Center if you save the ticket.

Are there attractions outside of central Los Angeles?

Yes. For example, the Aquarium of the Pacific is in Long Beach, and there are Santa Monica bike rental options.

Is the pass refundable if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed.

What should I do if my pass barcode doesn’t work at an attraction?

If a scan fails, the support guidance provided by Go City is to contact them through chat using the option on their website FAQ.

If you tell me how many days you’re in LA and what you’re most excited about (Hollywood, beaches, museums, family stuff, or sports), I can suggest a smart “2 to 4 stops” mix that avoids reservation clashes.