Best Helicopter Tours in Los Angeles for Couples
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LA looks different from 2,000 feet. The Hollywood sign, the coastline stretching from Malibu to Long Beach, downtown towers rising out of the haze. A helicopter tour gives you the perspective that driving the 405 never will.
Helicopter tours in LA typically launch from Santa Monica, Long Beach, or Van Nuys. Most cover the Hollywood sign, downtown, the coastline, and celebrity neighborhoods in 12 to 20 minutes. It's fast, it's loud (you'll wear a headset), and it's the kind of thing you'll talk about for weeks. If you're also planning water activities, check out our LA sunset cruises guide.
We've sorted through the options below: standard sightseeing flights, sunset coastline flights, doors-off photography tours, and premium packages. Prices, tips, and the best times to fly are all covered. If you're building a full LA date itinerary, our Los Angeles date planner can help.
Top-Rated Helicopter Tours
These are the highest-rated helicopter experiences in Los Angeles. Each route covers different landmarks and durations.
Catalina Island 2-Hour Inside Adventure Tour
Spectacular canyons, a scenic coastline, and an unspoiled countryside alive with native plants and wildlife will take your breath away on this two-hour guided eco-land excursion. As you venture ten miles into the rugged interior, you will view the protected side of Catalina Island seldom seen by most visitors. Naturalist onboard enriches experience with wildlife and inside knowledge of the areas visiting during the tour.
Yellow Semi-Submarine Tour of Catalina Island From Avalon
Come aboard Catalina Island's newest semi-submarine, the SS Nautilus, and enjoy a deep sea adventure 1,000 leagues beyond your imagination. The main attraction of this unique vessel allows six feet underwater viewing while staying dry so eager seafarers can get up close and face-to-face with schools of fish anticipating treats fired away from custom designed fish food torpedo buttons. Designed after America's first nuclear powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, the 45-minute journey is the destination itself as our captain and his crew ventures out on an exploratory mission to the undersea gardens of Avalon Bay.
4, 5, or 6 Hour Los Angeles Private Tour in Stretch Limo
Private sightseeing tour for exclusively families and friends in Stretch Limousine. Experience a limousine ride while enjoying fully narrated tour of Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the free spirited Venice beach and famous Santa Monica. Enjoy complimentary soft drinks and water in our limousine. You may bring your own alcohol, we will have glasses, ice and napkins for convenience. You can have as many as 8 persons for one price.
Private Sailboat Charter from San Pedro: Port of Los Angeles
Experience the beauty of the Pacific Ocean with a private yacht charter in San Pedro, CA. Enjoy a sunset sailing adventure on a Beneteau Oceanis (39ft) sailing yacht, perfect for couples or small groups looking for a memorable outing. This allow you to explore at your own pace while taking in stunning views and local wildlife. Ideal for special occasions or just a relaxing day on the water. - Private sailing yacht rental for a personalized experience - Spectacular sunset views and wildlife watching opportunities - Perfect for celebrations or intimate gatherings
Private Hollywood Sign Hiking Tour with Select Hotel Pickup
Want to view the Hollywood Sign closer than ever? In this custom experience, you will be matched with a tour guide who will set a hiking itinerary based on your individual needs. That's right, this is an entirely private tour, with a guide who will be with you from your hotel to the trailhead and back. No more dropped calls or frantic searches from the top of a mountain. Do you have a group with older adults? Prefer a leisurely pace? Are you an avid hiker looking for adventure? Whatever your needs, we will adjust the pace and sights accordingly! Our guide will take you directly to the trailhead; from there, you'll learn about the flora, fauna, and historical landmarks, as you make your way towards the Hollywood Sign. Those who can handle an accelerated pace can make it to a public viewing spot just above the sign; slower groups will be led to clear vantage points along the path. After the hike, return to the car with complementary water, and sit back as we return to your hotel.
LA Private Doors-Off Aerial Photography Helicopter Adventure
Be prepared for the experience of a lifetime when you soar above all that Los Angeles has to offer for 60 minutes on a doors-off, glare-free aerial helicopter photography flight. Leaving Long Beach, heading straight to Downtown Long Beach and the the Queen Mary ship. Then, over the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the famous Vincent Thomas Bridge, seen in the movie 'Gone in 60 Seconds' with Nicholas Cage. From there you will see the USS Battleship Iowa and head around the magnificent Palos Verdes Peninsula. Then up to the Manhattan Beach Pier, skimming along the waves through LAX and up to the famous Venice Beach. Upon reaching the iconic Santa Monica Pier you will head inland over Beverly Hills, UCLA, and Hollywood before cruising by the timeless Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park Observatory. Then you will head over to the Dodgers Stadium and Downtown LA, marveling at the height of the US Bank building, the tallest on the West Coast, before heading back to Long Beach.
Scenic Sightseeing Flights
The standard LA helicopter sightseeing tour covers the greatest hits: Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, downtown LA, Beverly Hills, and the Santa Monica Pier. You fly at about 1,500 feet, which is high enough to see the full layout of the basin but low enough to pick out landmarks clearly. Most flights run 12 to 15 minutes.
Expect to pay $150 to $250 per person for a standard tour. Most operators seat 4 to 6 passengers per flight. The helicopter circles the landmarks, so both sides get photo opportunities.
What you'll see
- •Hollywood sign up close from an angle you can't get on foot
- •Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Hills
- •Downtown LA skyline and Staples Center
- •Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach from above
A sightseeing flight makes a great addition to a full date night. Fly in the afternoon, then grab dinner in Santa Monica while the sun sets over the Pacific.
Sunset & Romantic Flights
LA sunset flights follow the coastline from Santa Monica to Palos Verdes, catching the sun dropping into the Pacific. The city lights coming on across the basin create a second show. If there's one flight worth paying extra for, it's this one.
Budget $250 to $350 per person for sunset-specific slots. They cost more because demand is highest during this window. Some operators offer champagne add-ons or private flight options for couples. A private sunset flight for two runs $600 to $900 total, which splits to a reasonable per-person cost for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Best for
- Anniversaries and proposals
- Couples who want the Pacific Ocean sunset backdrop
- Birthday or celebration dates
Good to know
- Sunset shifts with season (5 PM winter, 8 PM summer)
- Marine layer can affect visibility, especially May and June
- Champagne add-ons available at most operators
If you're planning something special, a sunset flight pairs perfectly with a romantic dinner afterward. Land at the heliport, walk to a nearby restaurant, and keep the evening going.
Premium & Extended Tours
For couples who want more than the standard loop, extended tours (20 to 30 minutes) add the Malibu coastline, the Getty Center, UCLA, and celebrity homes in Bel Air. You cover twice the ground and see parts of LA that most people only know from a car window.
Doors-off photography tours are exactly what they sound like. The helicopter doors are removed, giving you unobstructed views and zero glass glare for photos. You're harnessed in securely, but the open-air rush is intense. These run $250 to $400 per person and are wildly popular with photographers.
Private charters for two are the top-tier option. You get the entire helicopter, choose your route, and fly on your schedule. Budget $600 to $1,200 depending on duration. If you're celebrating an anniversary, this is the kind of thing that becomes the story you tell for years.
More Romantic Experiences in LA
Beach picnics, sunset sails, and rooftop bars. Pair with a helicopter tour for the full LA experience.
Downtown LA Lights: Your Private Sunset and Night Helicopter Tour
Sunset, dusk and nighttime are three incredible times to see Downtown Los Angeles and its surroundings. Incredible lights and sunsets abound will make your journey one to remember! LA sunsets with the iconic downtown LA skyline are a view that you'll never forget as you may even see the Hollywood sign and a complete panorama of LA on clear sunsets. See the massive US Bank Building, the home of the Lakers, the Disney Concert Hall, LA Live and many other cool sites as you travel it comfort. Be sure to bring your camera!
Grand Los Angeles 65-Minute Helicopter Tour
The ultimate helicopter tour of Los Angeles- The Grand Tour. During this flight we offer you the best of L.A., starting with a flight west out off the San Fernando Valley and Calabasas head South into Malibu Canyon. Enjoy the natural beauty of Santa Monica Mountains and views of the Pacific Ocean and islands off the coast. Fly the coastline from Point Dume along the Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice beaches. A helicopter flight is the best way to see LA’s top attractions from a bird’s eye perspective. Fly high above Sunset Boulevard through Hollywood and get up-close views of the world famous Hollywood sign. Also on the flight enjoy the Mansions of Bel Air and Beverly Hills and a close up view around Down town LA, a day time flight there is simply no better way to see the famous (and infamous) sights of Los Angeles than from a helicopter.
Ultimate Tour of Los Angeles by Helicopter
The Ultimate Tour of Long Beach and Los Angeles takes you on a grand lap of the big city. The tour begins in Long Beach Airport and it stretches all the way to Santa Monica, Hollywood Sign and Downtown LA. Travel up the coastline of Long Beach and around San Pedro and Palos Verdes. This helicopter tour continues up the coast along the beautiful Los Angeles beaches of Torrance and Redondo Beach. After passing Manhattan Beach and the LAX International Airport the route makes a turn in Santa Monica. From Santa Monica you are flown over the 405 Freeway and the mountain top that houses the beautiful Getty Museum, by UCLA, Beverly Hills and on towards Hollywood. You'll travel by the famous Hollywood sign and Griffith Park Observatory on your way to the Dodgers Stadium and Downtown LA. This is the best way to experience the full scale of Los Angeles from the sky. This all-encompassing route will leave you feeling as though you have been reintroduced to the great city of Los Angeles.
What to Expect on Your First Flight
Never been in a helicopter? Here's exactly what happens so there are no surprises.
Duration
Plan for 45 minutes to 1 hour total. That includes check-in (arrive 30 min early), a safety briefing (5 min), and the flight itself (12 to 20 min depending on route).
Pricing
Budget $150 to $350 per person. Standard sightseeing is cheapest. Sunset and doors-off tours cost more. Private charters run $600 to $1,200 for the helicopter.
Safety Briefing
You'll get a safety briefing, be fitted with a life vest, and meet your pilot. Weight limits apply, usually 250 to 300 lbs per passenger. Operators will ask your weight at booking.
Departure Points
Most LA tours depart from Santa Monica Airport, Long Beach Airport, or Van Nuys Airport. Santa Monica is closest to the coast and the most popular launch point for scenic coastline flights.
Best Time to Book
LA weather and visibility make a big difference in your experience. Here's what to target.
Peak Season (May to October)
Best visibility once the marine layer clears, usually by noon. Longest days with sunset flights running as late as 8 PM. Highest demand and prices. Book 5 to 7 days ahead minimum.
Best for: Sunset flights and coastline tours
Off-Season (November to March)
Clearest air after rain. Santa Ana winds bring the best visibility of the year, with sharp views all the way to Catalina Island. Better prices and easier availability.
Best for: Clearest visibility and better value
Morning flights (before 10 AM) tend to have the best visibility regardless of season. Afternoon haze builds up over the LA basin, especially in summer. For pure clarity, a morning flight after a Santa Ana wind event is hard to beat.
Tips for Couples
LA has a few quirks (hello, marine layer) that are worth knowing before you book. These tips apply to any flight, but they're especially handy if you're planning a first date you want to nail.
A helicopter tour makes a great "H" for your alphabet dating list. Just saying.
After the Flight: Where to Eat
Most helicopter tours in LA end near the coast. You'll be buzzing with adrenaline and hungry. Here are two spots that match the energy.
LA Helicopter Coastline Tour
The Lobster
Seafood $$
LA Sunset Helicopter Flight
Elephante
Mediterranean $$
Ready to explore Los Angeles?
Build your full LA date itinerary. Helicopter tour plus dinner, drinks, or a sunset walk on the pier.
About the Author
Sarah JohnsonLead Content Writer
Sarah writes about first dates, communication, and budget-friendly dating. Her focus is practical stuff: what to say, where to go, how to not spend $200 on a Tuesday.
She tests every date idea she recommends. If it doesn't pass the "would I actually do this?" test, it doesn't make it into a guide.
View all articles by Sarah →More Date Guides
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