Los Angeles: All-Inclusive Pass Plus with Universal Studios

Universal Studios Hollywood is the big prize here, but this pass is really a fast-moving sightseeing plan for all of Southern California. You can pair movie magic at Universal and Warner Bros. with a celebrity bus tour, Santa Monica cycling, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and even the San Diego Zoo. Universal Studios and Warner Bros. give the pass its strongest pull, especially if you are visiting Los Angeles for the first time.

I like the simple digital setup, and I like the flexibility of choosing two to seven sightseeing days within a 14-day period. The main catch is that you must plan carefully. Los Angeles attractions are spread far apart, reservations are common, and a pass is poor value if you spend too much time driving or visit only one major attraction per day.

Key points to know before you buy

• Universal Studios Hollywood is included once, and advance reservation is required.
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood requires booking, so arrange it before you arrive.
• Your pass works for 2 to 7 days, but the days are calendar days, not rolling 24-hour periods.
• The Go City app shows the current attraction list, opening hours, reservations, and entry instructions.
• Big Bus offers two useful angles on LA, a general hop-on hop-off route and a celebrity homes tour.
• LEGOLAND California and San Diego Zoo must be visited on different days, which matters when planning a longer trip.

What the Los Angeles Pass Plus actually gives you

The pass costs $246 per person and covers entry to more than 40 attractions for the number of days you choose: two, three, four, five, or seven. It is valid for one year from purchase, but the clock starts only when you visit your first attraction.

Once activated, the pass works for the selected number of calendar days within a 14-day period. If you buy a three-day pass and scan it on Monday morning, Monday counts as day one. It does not remain valid until Tuesday morning. Start early, since attraction entry must be scanned by 5:30 p.m., although you can stay inside until closing.

The value comes from stacking several worthwhile visits into the same day. A four-attraction plan has produced savings of roughly $60 to $80 compared with separate tickets, but that only works when the attractions fit together and you have enough time to use them.

I would not buy this pass simply because 40-plus attractions sound impressive. You need to choose enough included activities to beat $246, then allow for parking, meals, and travel between them. The pass covers admission, not your transportation or food unless a particular activity says otherwise.

Universal Studios Hollywood is the main event

The pass includes one admission to Universal Studios Hollywood, with advance reservation required. For many people, this alone is the reason to consider the pass. It gives you a full theme-park day built around film and television settings, rides, and production-themed attractions.

Treat Universal as a full day, not as something to squeeze between two quick stops. The park is in the San Fernando Valley, away from Santa Monica, downtown Los Angeles, and most Hollywood sightseeing. Trying to combine it with a distant tour can leave you spending more time in traffic than enjoying the park.

The pass does not mean every line disappears. It is an admission pass, not a promise of front-of-line access. You still need to make a reservation where required and follow the park’s current entry rules.

If you are traveling with children, Universal can be the easiest way to build the trip around a clear centerpiece. If you are visiting alone or mainly want museums and neighborhood walks, the pass may still work, but only if you add several other included activities around it.

Warner Bros. and Hollywood’s movie-making side

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood also requires advance reservation. This is a different experience from Universal. Universal is a theme park with rides and entertainment, while Warner Bros. focuses on the behind-the-scenes world of a working film studio.

I would schedule Warner Bros. on a separate half day, then add a nearby Hollywood attraction if the timing allows. The tour is one of the strongest choices for anyone interested in television, film sets, props, and the machinery behind familiar productions.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood is also included in the advertised lineup, offering celebrity figures and easy photo opportunities. Because attraction partnerships and admission rules can change, check the Go City app before relying on it. One recent pass user was turned away from the wax museum after expecting entry, which is a good reminder to confirm the current lineup shortly before your visit.

The Dolby Theatre guided tour and a choice involving TCL Chinese Theatre add more Hollywood atmosphere. The TCL option is either a theatre tour or a movie and drink, depending on the current arrangement. These are useful short stops, especially on a day when you are already around Hollywood Boulevard.

Big Bus gives you two ways to see Los Angeles

The Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Discover Tour is helpful at the start of your trip. Los Angeles is spread out, and a bus route gives you a broad first look without asking you to navigate every major area immediately.

Use it as a sightseeing ride, but also as a way to decide where you want to return. The open-air option can be especially pleasant when the weather cooperates. One particularly useful tip is to choose the smaller open-air bus when available, since it can reach narrower roads more easily. A guide named Andrew was singled out for doing a good job on that version, though guide assignments can change.

The Big Bus Celebrity Homes and Lifestyle Tour requires reservation. It targets the Hollywood image of Los Angeles, with a focus on celebrity areas and famous homes. Keep your expectations sensible. This is a city orientation and sightseeing tour, not a guarantee that you will see famous people.

I like using the general bus tour early, then placing the celebrity tour on another day if the schedule works. Do not assume the two tours can be joined back to back without checking departure times. The app and the attraction operator have the latest details.

Beaches, bikes, and the Hollywood Sign

The Original Hollywood Sign Walking Tour requires reservation and gives you a more active way to experience one of Los Angeles’ best-known sights. The attraction is the walk itself and the chance to approach the sign area on foot, rather than simply photographing it from a distant viewpoint.

The pass also includes a Highlights of Santa Monica and Venice Beach Bike Tour. This is a good change of pace after several indoor attractions and bus rides. Santa Monica and Venice offer a very different feel from Hollywood and the studio district, with more open space, oceanfront views, and a slower rhythm.

Plan these activities by location. A Hollywood Sign walk does not naturally pair with a Santa Monica bike tour unless you are happy to spend a large part of the day crossing the city. The same rule applies across the pass: group nearby attractions and treat long drives as a real cost, even when admission is free.

Transportation to and from attractions is not included unless specifically stated. You need to budget for your own car, rides, or other transport. That cost can reduce the savings, particularly if your itinerary jumps from the Valley to the coast and then down toward Long Beach.

Aquariums, zoos, and family-friendly choices

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is included with advance reservation. It gives you a strong non-Hollywood choice and works well for families or anyone wanting a break from celebrity attractions and theme parks.

Knott’s Berry Farm is another major included attraction. Like Universal, it deserves a substantial block of time. It is not a quick add-on for a morning already filled with a studio tour.

The San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND California are included, but they are not really Los Angeles stops. They can make sense if your trip already includes San Diego or if you have a longer pass and are willing to devote full days to Southern California’s southern end.

There is an important restriction: you cannot visit LEGOLAND California and the San Diego Zoo on the same pass day. That rule makes sense because both are large destinations, but it also means a two-day or three-day pass may not suit a plan that includes them.

For a family, I would choose Universal, Knott’s, the aquarium, and either LEGOLAND or the zoo, depending on your route. For adults without children, the studio tours, buses, theatre visits, and coastal activities may offer better value.

SoFi Stadium, Newport Beach, and other choices

The SoFi Stadium Tour adds a modern sports venue to the mix. It is a useful pick if you enjoy stadium architecture, major sporting spaces, or seeing a part of Los Angeles that is not covered by the usual Hollywood circuit.

The Whale Watch and Dolphin Tour from Newport Beach requires reservation. It is another full change of subject, but do not book it casually. You need to account for the drive to Newport Beach, the boat schedule, and the possibility that the activity will take a large part of the day.

The pass also includes more attractions beyond the headline choices. The exact list, opening hours, and access rules can change, so the app should be your working guide rather than an old printed list. A PDF guide is available too, which is handy if you prefer to keep a backup on your phone or print the details.

A practical two-day plan

A two-day pass can work, but you need to be selective. I would use one day for Universal Studios Hollywood and another for a tightly grouped Hollywood schedule.

For the Hollywood day, consider Warner Bros. in the morning if a suitable reservation is available, followed by Madame Tussauds, the TCL Chinese Theatre option, or the Dolby Theatre tour. Add the Big Bus route only if the timetable leaves enough room.

Do not try to add Universal, Santa Monica, and Warner Bros. to these two days. You might technically reach all three areas, but the result would be rushed and vulnerable to traffic delays.

At $246, a two-day pass needs a strong itinerary. Universal plus Warner Bros. may form the financial base, but you should add at least one or two shorter included activities if the schedule allows.

A better three to five-day strategy

Three days gives you more breathing room. I would usually assign one day to Universal, one day to Warner Bros. and Hollywood, and one day to the coast or Long Beach.

A five-day pass is easier to justify if you plan to use the larger attractions. You could separate Universal and Knott’s, give Warner Bros. and Hollywood Boulevard their own time, use Big Bus tours on a suitable day, and reserve a beach or aquarium activity.

The five-day option also helps if an attraction is closed or fully booked. That flexibility matters because operating hours can change, especially around holidays. Still, a longer pass is not automatically better. If you spend five days visiting one included attraction at a relaxed pace, buying separate tickets may cost less.

A seven-day pass is aimed at a full Southern California sightseeing plan. It makes more sense if you want to include San Diego Zoo or LEGOLAND, not just Los Angeles attractions. Build the trip around geography, then check the restriction on visiting those two attractions on separate days.

Using the Go City app without losing time

Your pass arrives digitally as a PDF. Save it to your phone or tablet, and carry a charged smartphone. You can also print a copy as a backup.

The most useful step is syncing the pass to the Go City app after booking. The app helps you plan your days, check current attraction hours, see which activities require reservations, and follow entry instructions.

Reserve the popular activities well ahead. Universal Studios, Warner Bros., Big Bus Celebrity Homes, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Hollywood Sign walk, and the Newport Beach boat trip all have reservation requirements or limited scheduling. A pass does not guarantee a place if you wait until the last minute.

I would also check every attraction again shortly before setting out. The lineup has changed over time, and some attractions have closed for seasonal or holiday periods. Keep the app current, since it is more dependable than an older printed guide.

Where the pass saves money, and where it does not

The pass is strongest when you combine one expensive full-day attraction with several shorter visits. Universal plus Warner Bros. plus a bus tour, theatre tour, aquarium, or museum can create clear savings.

The savings are also practical. You show one confirmation code rather than carrying a stack of separate tickets, and the digital pass is easy to keep on your phone. The app reduces some of the guesswork, though it cannot solve traffic or unavailable reservations.

The pass is weaker for a slow trip. If you want long café breaks, beach time, and only one attraction each day, the $246 price may be hard to recover. It is also less appealing if you are paying for several people and must add substantial transportation costs.

Some attractions may have special offers or conditions at the door, and staff may still need to process or print an admission ticket. The pass saves money more reliably than it saves time. You may still stand in regular entry lines.

Who should buy it

I would recommend the pass to first-time visitors with a long list of paid attractions and enough energy to keep moving. Families can get good value from Universal, Knott’s, the aquarium, and LEGOLAND, while film fans can build a strong itinerary around Warner Bros., Universal, Hollywood Boulevard, and the celebrity bus tour.

It also suits visitors staying several days who can reserve early and organize by area. The flexibility of using your pass days within a 14-day period is useful if your schedule includes rest days or other plans.

I would skip it if you want a very relaxed Los Angeles holiday, if your main goal is free sightseeing, or if you will visit only one or two included attractions. I would also hesitate if your plans are fixed around activities that require reservations but you have not checked availability.

FAQ

How many days is the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass Plus valid?

You can choose a pass valid for 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 days. After activation, those days must be used within a 14-day period.

When does the pass become active?

The pass activates when you visit your first included attraction. It is valid for one year from the purchase date before activation.

Is Universal Studios Hollywood included?

Yes. The pass includes single admission to Universal Studios Hollywood, and reservation is required.

Do I need to reserve attractions in advance?

Yes, several popular activities require reservations. These include Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, the Big Bus Celebrity Homes and Lifestyle Tour, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the Original Hollywood Sign Walking Tour.

What time must I enter attractions?

Your pass must be scanned for entry between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. You can stay until an attraction closes, but entry must take place by 5:30 p.m.

Are transportation, food, and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless an activity specifically says so. Transportation to and from attractions is also not included unless stated.

Can I visit LEGOLAND California and the San Diego Zoo on the same day?

No. With this pass, LEGOLAND California and the San Diego Zoo must be visited on different days.

Should you book the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass Plus?

Book it if Universal Studios and Warner Bros. are already on your list, then add several other included activities. At $246, the pass can save a worthwhile amount, but only when you reserve early, start before the afternoon cutoff, and group attractions sensibly.

For a first LA visit, I would choose at least three days if your budget allows. That gives you time for Universal, the studios and Hollywood, plus either the coast, Long Beach, or another major attraction without turning the whole trip into a race. Just remember: the pass gives you admission and choice. You still need to provide the plan.