Los Angeles: The Wilshire Boulevard Segway Tour

Wilshire Boulevard is best seen in motion. On this two-hour Segway ride, you glide past Rodeo Drive, the Beverly Hilton, and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, with Beverly Hills lawns and grand buildings rolling by at an easy pace. The boulevard began as a path cut through a barley field, then grew into one of Los Angeles’s main east-west roads.

I like the mix of local history and people-watching. I also like that the route lets you cover more ground than you could on foot without sitting inside a tour van. The main catch is price: at $119 per person, this is a short, specialized outing, and you must arrange your own way to the meeting point.

Key points to know before you book

• Wilshire Boulevard has an unusual beginning: Henry Gaylord Wilshire cleared a path through his barley field in the 1890s, creating the road that later linked major parts of Los Angeles.
• Rodeo Drive is a highlight: You glide past luxury shops rather than spending time inside them, making this best for seeing Beverly Hills at street level.
• The Beverly Hilton adds a little Hollywood sparkle: The hotel is associated with the Golden Globe Awards.
• The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences brings film history to the route: It gives the tour a connection to the city’s movie-making identity.
• Guide Evert has led this route: A previous booking also found the Segway easy to learn, even for a first ride.
• The tour lasts two hours and costs $119: Pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow extra time to reach 1080 S. La Cienega Boulevard.

Why Wilshire Boulevard makes a good Segway route

Wilshire Boulevard runs for 15.83 miles, from Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles to Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. It passes through five major business districts and Beverly Hills, so it is more than a pretty shopping street. It is one of the city’s main spines.

You will not cover the boulevard’s full length on this tour. Instead, the ride focuses on the Beverly Hills section, where wide streets, polished storefronts, hotels, and famous buildings give the route its appeal. A Segway works well here because you can see the streets at a slower pace than from a car while still covering more distance than you would on foot.

I like tours that give a place some context, and this one has a useful starting point. Wilshire was named for Henry Gaylord Wilshire, an Ohio native who made and lost money in real estate, farming, and gold mining. In the 1890s, he cleared a route through his own barley field. That humble beginning makes the boulevard feel less like a planned monument and more like a road that grew with the city.

Your guide explains this story as you ride. The live guide format matters because you can hear about the buildings and ask questions as the route unfolds. Tours are offered in English and Spanish.

Getting comfortable on the Segway

For many people, the Segway is the real question mark. If you have never used one, the first moments can feel odd. You lean forward to move, lean back to slow, and use your body position to steer. The supplied ride includes the Segway and a guide, and a previous rider found it fun and easy to learn.

That is useful reassurance, but you should still give yourself a little patience at the start. The best approach is to listen closely, keep your movements small, and avoid trying to show off. You do not need to be athletic, but you do need to feel comfortable balancing on a moving device.

The ride is described as safe but exhilarating. That is a fair way to think about it. You are moving along public streets rather than being carried from one sight to another, so you remain part of the surroundings. At the same time, you are not walking the entire route, and the gentle speed gives the trip a sense of fun.

Ask your guide questions early if you are unsure about turning, stopping, or managing the Segway. Guide Evert has been praised for making the ride easy to learn and for explaining the area well. The guide’s help can make a big difference, especially if this is your first time.

Riding through Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive

The Beverly Hills portion is the heart of the outing. You travel along manicured, tree-lined streets and pass the luxury shops of Rodeo Drive. This is a chance to see one of Los Angeles’s most famous commercial areas without building the day around shopping.

Rodeo Drive is polished and expensive, but you do not need a designer budget to enjoy the spectacle. The value here is visual. You get the grand storefronts, carefully maintained streets, and famous name recognition while remaining outdoors and mobile.

A Segway also gives you a different view from a car. From a vehicle, Rodeo Drive can become a quick glimpse through glass. On the Segway, you can take in the architecture and shop windows at a more relaxed speed. You can also hear your guide connect the area to the broader story of Beverly Hills and Wilshire Boulevard.

Do not expect a shopping tour or a long stop at each store. The experience is about seeing the district and hearing about it while moving through it. If you want time to browse, return to Rodeo Drive later on your own.

The Beverly Hilton and Los Angeles film culture

The route passes the Beverly Hilton, one of the area’s famous hotels and the home of the Golden Globes Awards. That gives the ride a clear show-business connection without turning it into a full celebrity tour.

The hotel is worth noticing because it represents the way Beverly Hills combines ordinary city streets with major entertainment events. Your guide can add the local background that a quick drive-by would miss. Still, the tour does not promise entry into the hotel or access to an awards event. You see it from the route.

You also glide by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. This stop adds a different film-related angle. The Beverly Hilton connects to awards and red-carpet culture, while the Academy points toward the institutions behind the movies themselves.

These sights work well together because they show two sides of Los Angeles. One is public glamour: hotels, shops, and awards. The other is the organized world of film preservation, recognition, and craft. You will not get a full lesson in the movie business in two hours, but these landmarks give the ride more substance than a simple cruise through expensive neighborhoods.

What the guide adds to the ride

The guide is not just there to lead the group through traffic. The main reason to choose a guided Segway tour is the explanation along the way. Without a guide, you might recognize Rodeo Drive or the Beverly Hilton, but you would miss the connections between Wilshire’s origins, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles business and film culture.

Guide Evert has been singled out for knowing the area well and making the ride enjoyable. That matters because a good guide can adjust the tone of the outing. You may want more background about Wilshire, more information about famous buildings, or simple help with the Segway. A live guide can respond in the moment.

The tour has also received a top rating from five submitted bookings, including praise for the guide and for how easy the Segway was to learn. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as a guarantee. It does point to the parts of the experience that matter most: clear instruction, a friendly guide, and a route that feels like more than a machine ride.

Because the tour is available in English and Spanish, confirm your preferred language when booking. The supplied details identify both options, but they do not promise that every departure will offer both languages at once.

Is $119 a fair price?

At $119 per person, this is not a bargain sightseeing option. You are paying for a two-hour guided activity, a Segway, instruction, and the chance to see several well-known Beverly Hills sights in one compact trip.

The price makes more sense if you value the activity itself. A walking tour would cost less in many cases, but it would not give you the same range or the same playful way of moving through the streets. A standard vehicle tour may cover more distance, yet it can feel less personal and less connected to the street.

I would book this if you want a lively break from museums, shopping, or sitting in a car. I would skip it if you mainly want detailed access to the buildings, long stops at each sight, or a low-cost introduction to Los Angeles.

The tour does not include pickup or drop-off. The meeting point is 1080 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 108, Los Angeles, California 90035. Plan the trip there separately, since the advertised price covers the Segway ride and guide rather than transportation to the starting point.

Who will enjoy this two-hour outing

This experience suits first-time Los Angeles visitors who want an overview of Beverly Hills without giving up half a day. It also works well for people who have already seen the main sights and want a more active way to revisit this part of the city.

You will likely enjoy it if you:

• Like short guided activities with a clear route
• Want to see Rodeo Drive without planning a shopping day
• Enjoy learning local stories while moving through a city
• Prefer an outdoor activity to a bus or van tour
• Are willing to spend $119 for a guided Segway experience

The ride may be less suitable if you dislike balancing devices, want a quiet and slow walking tour, or need hotel transportation included. The supplied information does not give details about age limits, weight limits, or accessibility, so ask the provider before booking if any of those points affect you.

The two-hour length is a strength. It is long enough to make the trip feel worthwhile, but short enough to fit around other Los Angeles plans. You can pair it with later shopping, dining, or sightseeing in Beverly Hills, though the tour itself does not include those extras.

Booking details and cancellation

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. That is useful in Los Angeles, where traffic and changing plans can complicate a tight schedule.

The tour runs at different starting times depending on availability. Check the time before paying, then allow extra time to reach the meeting point. Booking confirmation arrives within 48 hours from the activity provider.

The experience is operated by Another Side Tours. The advertised inclusions are simple: your Segway and a live guide. Food, hotel pickup, and hotel drop-off are not included.

Should you book the Wilshire Boulevard Segway Tour?

Book it if you want to see Beverly Hills from the street, enjoy a bit of Hollywood atmosphere, and like the idea of learning a new way to move around. The strongest parts are the compact two-hour route, the guide’s local explanations, the easy-to-learn format, and the mix of Rodeo Drive, the Beverly Hilton, and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Think twice if $119 feels high for a short activity or if your main goal is shopping and interior visits. You will see the luxury district rather than spend extended time inside it.

For the right person, this is a lively way to put Wilshire Boulevard into context. You get the road’s surprising barley-field origin, the polish of Beverly Hills, and a few well-known film landmarks, all without committing an entire day.

FAQ

How long does the Wilshire Boulevard Segway Tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $119 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is 1080 S. La Cienega Blvd. Suite 108, Los Angeles, CA 90035.

Is transportation to and from the tour included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included.

What languages are available?

The tour has a live guide in English or Spanish.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.