As someone who used to work in the film industry, I’ve seen my fair share of backlots and can attest that visiting an entertainment studio is a can’t miss Los Angeles travel experience. And I find that one such studio keeps reeling me back in for the wonder and excitement of movie magic. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood and a behind-the-scenes look at a few of my experiences there!:

History and Why Visit

Considered one of the “Big 5” major film studios, Warner Bros Studios was founded in 1923 by Harry, Albert, Sam and Jack Warner. The Brothers Warner quickly helped the studio break new ground in the film industry by introducing the world to the first-ever “talkie”, or movie with sound: The Jazz Singer (1927).

For over nearly a century since, the studio’s 110-acre lot in Burbank, California has been the birthplace of iconic franchises, memorable characters, and technological breakthroughs. Its expansive backlot and soundstages have set the stage for a multitude of worlds, from the streets of New York in Blade Runner (1982) to the charming Stars Hollow town square in Gilmore Girls (2000-2007).

Even today, the Warner Bros lot is still a functional studio where visitors can see real film and TV sets as well as potentially bump into some of entertainment’s most popular directors, writers and actors.

So whether you’re a film buff, a pop culture enthusiast, or simply curious, a visit to Warner Bros Studio Tour is a great addition to any LA travel itinerary.

Tickets

Four Main Ticket Options

Today, you can visit the studio, exploring the outdoor sets on its backlot, entering sound stages in its front lot and enjoying multiple movie-themed exhibits and photo ops via four tour options:

Studio Tour

The base tour package is 3 hours long and is offered in both English and Spanish. It starts at $76 per adult* and is split into two main portions:

• 1 Hour Guided Tour
• 2 Hour Self-Guided Tour

TCM Classics Film Tour

An alternative base tour option. The guided portion of this 3 hour option focuses on 1923-1970 productions and history. Tickets start at $99 per adult*:

• 1.5 Hour Guided Tour, with a historical focus on 1923-1970
• 2 Hour Self-Guided Tour

Studio Tour Plus

This tour lasts 4 hours total and includes the same offerings as the base tour plus a complimentary lunch at Central Perk Café, beverages & pastries and an exclusive screening room. Tickets are $160 USD per adult*:

• 2 Hours Guided Tour, including Complimentary Beverages & Pastries
• 2 Hours Self-Guided Tour, including Lunch at Central Perk Café

Deluxe Tour

The ultimate tour experience. This tour includes most of the Studio Tour Plus offerings as well as a visit to the WB Prop Department and a fine dining lunch experience at the Studio Commissary. Tickets are $330 USD per adult* and the tour lasts 6 hours:

• 3 Hours Guided Tour with a historical focus on 1923-1970, including a visit to the WB Prop Department
• 1 Hour Lunch at the Studio Commissary Fine Dining Room
• 2 Hours Self-Guided Tour, including a snack at Central Perk Café

Seasonal Experiences

In addition to the four year-round options above Warner Bros. also offers a seasonal studio tour for a select time:

Holidays Made Here Tour

For two weeks from mid December to early January, you can wander the iconic Midwest Street backlot dressed up as Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls! You’ll be able to walk through and take pictures at the actual filming locations used in the show (redecorated to look as authentically as possible) as well as enjoy interactive live actor experiences, engage in festive activities, and purchase exclusive merchandise, food, and beverages in “storefronts” from the show!

This tour is less of a timed or guided “tour” and more of a ticketed event where you can choose when you show up and how long you stay. Access to the event is from 10AM until 8PM, with last entries at 6PM daily except Christmas. Tickets start at $76 per adult*.

Secret Tip: This experience is built for Gilmore Girls fans, full stop. If you’re not a Gilmore Girls fan, I’d skip Holidays Made Here and opt for one of the four year-round studio tour tickets instead. However, if you ARE a Gilmore Girls fan, you’ll definitely not want to miss this incredible limited-run event! It’s an immersive, lovingly executed celebration of everything that made Stars Hollow feel like somewhere you actually wanted to live.

Transportation + Parking

The Warner Bros Studio Tour is located on their main lot in Burbank, California. The best way to get there is by car as their main address leads to their parking structure.The Warner Bros Studio Tour is located on their main lot in Burbank, California. The best way to get there is by car as their main address leads to their parking structure.

Address: 3400 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505

• Further arrival directions are on the Studio Tour Website and parking is $15* per vehicle.

Alternatively, you can arrive by Uber or Lyft as there is also walk-up access to the Visitor Center from Warner Blvd.

Tips For Visiting the Warner Bros Backlot

Whether you’re going for the one of the year-round Studio Tour options, the Holidays Made Here experience, or both, a few things hold true no matter when you visit:

Book In Advance

Walk-up tickets are limited and not guaranteed, especially during peak season and during the December holiday run! Booking online ahead of time is always the safer move.

Arrive Early

The tour officially recommends arriving 30 minutes before your start time, and I would take that seriously. In my experience, the earlier you get there, the less stressed you’ll be. After parking at the Visitor Center, you’ll go through security, then get your tickets at the check-in counter, and then head into a Storytelling Showcase all before you officially scan your tickets to start your backlot tour.

Arrival time matters doubly during Holidays Made Here, when the event draws larger crowds and some experiences have limited capacity.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

A meaningful amount of this 110-acre backlot experience is spent on your feet! So my advice is to skip the heels, any shoes with a platform, or anything that’s not already broken-in. Opt for something casual, but comfortable for the long day ahead.

Dress Casually, with the Weather in Mind

Burbank has your typical Southern California weather, so it can get quite hot and sunny year-round! Bring a hat and sunglasses for some sun protection while you’re on the tram and/or or walking outside. Additionally, the soundstage experiences that are part of the studio tours do tend to run cool, so bringing a light layer is smart regardless of season. And on a related note, if you’re planning on sitting down for any of the official photo ops (there’s quite a few), keep in mind that short skirts can make those moments feel a little awkward, so if you need it, that light layer can provide some additional coverage while seated.

For Holidays Made Here, the vast majority of Stars Hollow is outdoors, which would typically be OK. However, in winter, Burbank can get a little chilly (at least, as far as California weather goes) and maybe even rainy! Check the weather forecast before arrival and consider bringing a coat, a hooded jacket, and/or an umbrella if there’s a possibility of rain. I wore a light pink peacoat and brought an umbrella and still got rained out quite a bit during my visit, for what it’s worth!

Know your Photo Rules

Photos and video are allowed on most of the self-guided portions of the tour, but your guide will tell you when to put your phone away. Active soundstages with in-production sets are strictly no cameras, no exceptions. Don’t be the person who tests this, you can get kicked-off the lot!

Tell your Guide what you Love!

The guided backlot portion is actually a bit customizable! Guides regularly ask visitors on the tram what shows and films you’re most excited about and will tailor their commentary accordingly. Come in knowing your top two or three shows or films shot on the lot you’ll get more out of that guided time!

Budget More Time Than You Think

The year-round tours are listed as three to six hours depending on which option you book, but between the self-guided exhibits, photo ops, and any food stops, most visitors end up closer to four to seven. I’d also budget on an extra hour or so for these options to be safe.

For Holidays Made Here, plan for a full day, especially if you want to do trivia, a town hall, and still have time to browse every shop. And definitely don’t forget about parking! There is often a long line of visitors waiting to get into the parking garage, so factoring in time for that ahead of your arrival to the backlot is key.

This is Not a Theme Park

There are no rides, no character meet-and-greets on a schedule, and no scripted performances every 20 minutes. What’s here is a working studio, real sets, and interesting behind-the-scenes access and experiences. Go in calibrated to that and you’ll have a great time. Go in expecting Universal Studios and you’ll leave confused.

For Holidays Made Here: use the FastPass system.

The most popular stops, like Luke’s Diner and Lorelai’s House, have virtual “Life’s Short, Talk FastPass” queues during the event. The passes are free but extremely limited, so if you arrive and see a long line, check for a FastPass before you commit to waiting. Grab it early and keep doing other things around the backlot while your slot loads up.

For Holidays Made Here: Keep your Eyes and Ears Pealed!

For the 2025 event, cast appearances included Scott Patterson (Luke Danes), who came by daily at a random time for about an hour, along with Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim), Liz Torres (Miss Patty), and Robert Lee (Luke’s Diner employee). My friend who was working the event had said Scott is wonderful with fans and stays fully in the spirit of the whole thing. There’s no exact schedule or place at the event that any of these appearances happen against, so for consider it a bonus if you see someone from the cast when you visit. And always keep your eyes and ears peeled, just in case!

My Experience on the Studio Tour

Arrival at the Visitor Center

I visited the Warner Bros Studio Tour with my friend, Kate, while she was visiting from out of town. Our tour started on a glamorous note in the visitor center, which is part Starbucks, part gift shop, part ticketing office and part parking structure.

Being so soon after the release of the Barbie (2023) movie, we were excited to see the costumes that Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and many others in the film wore on full display in the lobby.

It was wonderful to see how complex and intricate they were – not just in Barbieland, but also in real life.

Historic and Epic Welcomes

After snapping a few quick pictures and showing our tour tickets, we made our way to our first official stop just one room over: the tour’s Storytelling Showcase. A timeline and a few key historical items dotted the walls, providing context into the Warner Bros family, the studio and its various productions over the years.

My favorite item in this introductory room was undoubtedly seeing Jack Warner’s personal, leather-bound scripts for films like Mildred Pierce (1945) and Oceans Eleven (1960).

Making our way towards the end of the room, we were split into 3 lines with the other guests on tour and brought into a screening room. There, we saw a 5 minute welcome trailer that included clips from some of the studio’s biggest blockbusters and shoutouts from stars like Jason Momoa. In true trailer fashion, the video had amazing score and an epic tone that left us excited to experience the lot firsthand!

The Guided Backlot Tour

After the video, a guide picked up Kate, myself and a few other guests, leading us over to a 4-row golf cart that would be taking us around for the 1 hour guided portion of the tour.

Our guide drove us through multiple backlot sets, each with its own history and charm. First we saw the Jungle and the Lagoon, the latter of which was filled and used as the cemetery from The Nun (2018). My horror-loving heart was pounding!

Next, we drove through Warner Village, a modern set that’s home of many locations from Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017). Visiting this part of the backlot, we really got the sense at just how much the buildings are modified for each production.

Doorknobs, light fixtures and more are removed after each production wraps so that the backlot sets can remain blank canvases for future films and shows.

The most exciting part about the guided backlot tour, however, was just coming up: walking around and into former film sets in Any Town, USA! Among these sets were the infamous gazebo and Lorelai and Rory’s house from Gilmore Girls, both of which made me want to grab a cup of coffee from Luke’s Diner in my Chilton-inspired tour outfit!

After our stroll through Any Town, USA, we took a trip down New York Street, which we learned was used in many of WB’s iconic films including The Last Samurai (2003) and The Artist (2011).

Other highlights I loved seeing on this portion of the guided tour included the cafe where Emma Stone works in La La Land (2016) and Batman (1966-1968) courthouse.

The Marvels of Stage 48

After our All American set visit, it was time for the the self-guided portion of the tour. Starting at Stage 48, we walked into an immersive theme park-like soundstage perfect for all types movie and tv buffs, but especially for fans of Friends (1994-2004). From the Central Perk Café – where I didn’t share my food – to a store filled with show-inspired merch that had Kate quoting “Oh. My. God.“, we can attest that Friends fans will love this part of the tour.

Also inside Stage 48 was a one-way walkthrough exhibit showcasing some fun Hollywood photo-ops, costumes and props. We laughed and took photos on “rooms” inspired by The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) and Friends. But what especially caught my eye here were the classic costumes from Casablanca (1942) and My Fair Lady (1964)! Seeing the outfits previously worn by Ingrid Bergman and Audrey Hepburn left me completely starstruck!

And little did I know at the time, but the fun surprises weren’t over yet. Walking around the corner, we found a large VFX section with interactive displays that revealed how technology has shaped the movies we know and love today.

There were fun video ops where visitors could “ride” a Nimbus 2000 and “drive” the Batmobile bike, but I was thrilled with this room for an entirely different reason.

Kate and I had the best time goofing around with camera angles and proportions at an interactive set up inspired by The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012). We laughed so hard, going back-and-forth pretending to be Bilbo and Gandalf sitting across from each other in “Bilbo’s kitchen”! An unexpected, but welcome, party indeed.

The last major section in Stage 48’s walkthrough exhibit was its sound area, which also featured a quick 10-minute show. The Art of Sound show demonstrated the film editing process using a scene from Gravity (2013). It was exciting to see how the dialogue lines, SFX and music came together through sound editing to create such a heart-pounding and cinematic moment!

Friends Fountain

Leaving Stage 48, Kate and I got back onto a golf cart and were driven over to the iconic Friends Fountain. Relocated from another part of the lot, it now sits in the heart of the Any Town, USA alongside a fiberglass orange sofa – a fun photo-op that perfectly captures all the nostalgia that the tour offers.

Iconic Fandoms

After the Fountain, we drove over to the most exciting stop on our tour – a building with exhibits for Game of Thrones (2011-2019), the DC Universe, Harry Potter (2001-2010), the studio’s awards! From interactive Wonder Woman: 1984 (2020) and Aquaman (2018) photo ops and to genuine Game of Thrones costumes (yes, Daenerys and Missandei’s dresses were there!), it was incredible. We definitely felt like we’d entered into the different worlds from the franchises on display.

For Potterheads, there’s even a step-by-step interactive exhibit that takes you from “living” under the Dursley’s stairs to receiving your Hogwarts letter, getting sorted, and attending a potions class. This Ravenclaw can attest that it was a magical experience, indeed!

Before exiting, we also marveled at a few of the Academy Awards and Emmys that Warner Bros’ has won throughout its history. There’s not many on display, as most are located elsewhere on the lot or with talent, but it’s still fun to take a look, especially if you’ve never seen one of these awards in person before.

When we reached the gift shop, I couldn’t resist buying not one, but two “Luke’s Diner” shirts, being a huge Gilmore Girls fan. A perfect wrap to the perfect day!

My Experience at Holidays Made Here

If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan and you have the opportunity to visit the studio in December, do not talk yourself out of it. I went in December 2025 with my friend Meredith and even while bundled up in a light pink peacoat (a la Lorelai!). It was absolutely worth it. Now, would I also recommend bringing a coat and perhaps an umbrella, regardless of what the forecast says? Definitely! Unlike the regular studio tour, most of this experience is outdoors in the open-air, and I say this as someone who had a wonderful time and still got soaked.

In terms of what to expect, the Holidays Made Here experience has a different flow than the regular studio tour options. We still started in the Visitor Center and moved through the Storytelling Showcase, but then the tram takes you directly to Midwest Street, which is where all of the Stars Hollow sets live! There’s no regular backlot tour as part of this experience. Stars Hollow is the main event! And after you’ve had your time there, you finish with the fandoms exhibit before exiting through the gift shop.

Lorelai’s House

The tram drops you off in front of Lorelai’s House, which is your entry point into Stars Hollow and also where one of the two longest lines of the day builds. Getting there right when the event opens is the move. Meredith and I waited only about 10 to 15 minutes for this experience at opening. By midday, that same spot had a significantly longer line (sometimes up to two hours!) so I cannot recommend arriving right when the backlot opens enough.

If you want to arrive later in the morning, opt for the “Life’s Short, Talk FastPass” option to help you bypass the long line. The passes are free to claim but limited, and they go quickly. If you want to arrive in the afternoon, you may still have the option for the FastPass, but fair warning: they also may be done for the day if you arrive that late.

Once we made it through the line, we were treated to a few photo-ops: one by her infamous Jeep Wrangler and another on the porch steps of her house. And then, we went inside. Rory’s room was first, with Yale memorabilia and photos of moments from the show. The living room was setup in roughly the same way as the show, with another photo-op moment. And the kitchen-area? Set up like a bespoke gift shop with its own pieces of merch, some of which were only exclusive to Loreleai’s house itself.

Luke’s Diner

From Lorelai’s, we went straight across the Stars Hollow set towards Luke’s Diner, the other (understandably) busiest attraction at Holidays Made Here. The line was already 50 minutes long at that point so we grabbed a FastPass for expedited entry later in the day before moving on to explore the rest of the town. We ended up securing our spot at around 3:15PM (it was only 11AM by the time we got our FastPasses).

When we came back later in the afternoon, we still waited about 30 minutes to get inside, but it was much better than the full 2 hour wait that the regular line had now grown to! So, be warned, when I say visiting Luke’s is popular… I’m not lying! If you see the FastPass option available for this one and you haven’t done that stop yet, just take it.

The drinks at Luke’s are all from Scotty P’s Big Mug Coffee, Scott Patterson’s own brand (Scott Patterson is the actor playing Luke in the show), and you can order by the cup or, if the spirit moves you, by the bucket. I am, to the ongoing disbelief of everyone in my life, probably the only Gilmore Girls superfan who does not drink coffee. I can swear though that Scotty P’s hot chocolate is excellent, and it happened to be made dairy-free the year I went to the event (a small miracle for those of us navigating food allergies). Inside, we unfortunately didn’t time it right and missed seeing Scott Patterson, who was showing up daily at random times to surprise fans, but it wasn’t a loss because we got to meet Robert Lee, a familiar background actor and Luke’s Diner employee from the show!

A Town Hall at Miss Patty’s

After we got organied with our Luke’s Diner FastPass situation, Meredith and I crossed over to Miss Patty’s School of Ballet and signed up for a Town Hall Meeting Time slot with the person out front holding an iPad. The meetings fit 25 people and run at various times throughout the day, so locking in your spot early while you’re still doing other things was definitely a priority after hitting the biggest stops. Our slot came through before our Luke’s FastPass was even ready, which ended up working out perfectly.

The town hall is a short improv scenario with two actors playing a Taylor and a Miss Patty-type character. It’s a fun addition to the experience, particularly if you have kids with you. For us, it wasn’t necessarily the highlight of the day just because there was so much else around to do and see, but it was still a charming experience that offered us a respite of coverage from the rain!

The Gazebo and the Park

In between all of the above, Meredith and I made our way to the park at the center of Stars Hollow for some photos and to take in the “I smell snow” holiday atmosphere. The gazebo is dressed beautifully for the holidays, with faux snow, the Björk snowman nearby, and the Stars Hollow town sign surrounded by decorative and festive penguins. Even in the rain, it felt magical and just like the show.

One thing worth knowing: the photo op at the gazebo is run through an official Warner Bros. photographer, and the prints for those photos cost extra. That said, if you get there early enough that there’s no line, the photographer may be kind enough let your friend grab a few shots of you here on your own phone. That’s what happened with us, which we had to attribute in part to the rainy weather. A bit of a blessing in disguise!

The Rest of Town

After the park, we worked our way through the rest of Stars Hollow, stopping in and out of each storefront, restaurant, and cafe. The decor and merchandise was so well done, and several shops carry exclusive items you can only find in that specific location. If you want the broadest selection of items in one place, the store next to Miss Patty’s School of Ballet is your best starting point. From there, make your way around town to look for anything new (Stars Hollow Books had a particularly adorable storefront!).

I came home with a golden “Stars Hollow” sweatshirt, a hat, a pen, and a Doose’s Market mini grocery tote that I would definitely buy again.

We unfortunately didn’t make it over to Richard and Emily’s Dining Room, but we got to experience everywhere else that Stars Hollow had to offer, and it was fantastic! The Dragonfly Inn had a lovely back dining area for guests with premium packages and Mrs. Kim’s Antiques was a particular standout: the shop is set up as a walk-through “maze” with ambient sound that makes it feel like Lane and Mrs. Kim are perpetually just around the corner.

We made a stop at Al’s Pancake World for some chow mein. It was fine. Average, really. Which is exactly how it’s described on the show, so points for accuracy! Gilmore Girls trivia ran throughout the day at the Red, White, and Black Bookstore (no virtual FastPass queue for this one, just go and ask about timing if you’re interested and show back up at the bookstore a little early and get in line).

Cookie decorating was available at Sookie’s, though worth noting there are no allergy-friendly options. The Alley Bar opens at 2PM if you need something warm and a little stronger after a few hours in town. And at 5:30PM, there’s a tree lighting ceremony in the park that I didn’t make it to this time but fully intend to next year.

One unexpected highlight: there was a tarot reading tent set up in town, with special Gilmore Girls-themed cards. Meredith and I both got readings, and it was a detail that made the whole experience feel so more thoughtfully put together than a typical seasonal event!

Movie Magic

*Prices at time of writing.