Bopping through Burbank Studio Tours

Nearby Guides

Viewed 3686 times

(2 votes)

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 3.9 miles / 6.3 km
Duration: Full day

Family Friendly

Download to Phone

View Large Map

View Photos

Overview: Although Burbank is a tree-shaded, residential suburb in a pocket of L.A. County, it plays center stage for a number of major studios. Located 12 miles north of downtown L.A., Burbank is an incorporated city (population 100,000+) with its own highly ranked police and school agencies. But what really put Burbank on the map years ago, is "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," and the NBC comedy show, "Laugh-In". At that time, the city was frequently referred to as "beautiful downtown Burbank."

Today, Burbank is billed as the media capital of the world, and houses many media and entertainment companies, as well as production facilities. NBC Universal, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Warner Music Group, the Walt Disney Co., Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon are all based in Burbank.

With such a strong media presence, it's no surprise that some facilities are named after celebrities. For example, there's the Bob Hope Airport and the Johnny Carson Park. In addition, Burbank's high schools have produced some big names, including actor/director Ron Howard, actor Anson Williams, director Tim Burton and actress Blake Lively.

But you don't have to be in the television or movie industry to gain access into the studios. NBC Universal and Warner Bros. offer exciting studio tours that take you behind the scenes to sets and various departments, including wardrobe, makeup, set building and props. While doling out studio history, tour guides sprinkle in fun facts, like Jay Leno owns about 180 cars and motorcycles. The guide may bring you to the parking lot to point out the car Leno drove to work that day.

Typically, tours steer away from working sets to avoid disrupting production, but visitors are able to walk onto empty sets. On occasion, actors will walk over to tour groups to say hello. With ongoing filming and production, no two tours are alike. So you never know what to expect or who you'll see!

Since tapings take place in the afternoons and "hot" sets are closed off to the public, you tend to see more sets on the morning tours.

It's best to call ahead to reserve your studio tour, especially if you're holding tickets for the taping of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at NBC or the "Ellen DeGeneres" or "Conan" shows at Warner Bros. Tapings are free but require tickets, which can often take several weeks to get.

It makes sense to start your day with Warner Bros. since it's a longer tour and you can grab a meal on-site before touring NBC. However, if you have reserved tickets for Jay Leno, Conan or the Ellen shows, then try to schedule your tour for the afternoon of whichever taping you're attending so you're already on the property when it's time to line up.

This tour starts with the Warner Bros. studio tour (which allows you time to eat breakfast or lunch at the studio cafe), followed by the NBC Universal tour.

Tips: Obtaining free tickets for shows taped at NBC and Warner Bros. are completely separate events from the tours. To get tickets, go to each studio's website and follow the online process. To see Jay Leno, log onto www.tonightshow.com/tickets.

The studios also distribute a limited number of standby tickets on the day of the taping but you need to get there bright and early in the morning.

The minimum age to attend a taping of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" is age 16. The minimum age is 16 for the "Conan" show and 14 for "Ellen." Photo IDs are required and minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Points of Interest

map

Warner Bros. Studios

During this approximately two-hour VIP Tour, you'll ride comfortably in a large golf cart (that seats about 15 people) but also have opportunities to walk through various departments. Tour minimum age: 8.

Tour groups meet at the Studio Tour & Center, adjacent to the Studio Plaza Café, where you can grab breakfast or lunch and dine with studio crew.

Each tour, which begins with a 15-minute overview video, varies depending on the season. Reality shows typically tape in summer, followed by the fall television shows. You will start your journey through the studio's historic back lot, which encompasses one-third of the studio's 1,000 acres. Here you'll see sound stages, such as Midwest Street's town square and Hennesy Street's urban set. You can walk around the New York, Chinatown and European "neighborhoods."

The prop house is massive. It's constantly in use so inventory changes frequently. Some props are retired and set up to depict the show from which they were culled. For example, here you'll see the Central Park area from the hit television series, "Friends."

At the Foley stage, where post-production sound creation and editing take place, artists recreate sound effects for films and TV shows, often using ordinary objects such as light bulbs to replicate the sound of breaking glass. These artists often take breaks to answer questions or demonstrate how they recreate footsteps on any type of surface.

Tour staples include the Warner Bros. museum, accessible to the public only during tours. The museum houses costumes and artifacts dating back to the 1920s.

The museum's second floor is devoted to "Harry Potter" costumes and memorabilia. There's also an automobile museum housing two generations of Batmobiles, an Austin Power vehicle, Matrix cars and Yogi Bear park ranger trucks.

Both the "Conan" and the "Ellen DeGeneres" shows, which take up two sound stages, tape at Warner Bros. There's a good chance you'll ride through these stages. Keep your eyes open--the talk show hosts have been known to surprise visitors.

To reach NBC from Warner Bros., go west on Riverside Drive toward South Avon Street. Turn right on Olive Avenue, then veer right on Alameda Avenue. Look for any available parking. Your best bet is to park on Riverside or Bob Hope drives.
---
3400 Riverside Dr.
Burbank
877-492-8687
www.vipstudiotour.warnerbros.com
---
Cost
$49 per person
---
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:20am-4pm

map

NBC Studios

After parking, meet in guest relations, located in a small lot at California Street and Olive Avenue. Wear comfortable shoes for this 70-minute walking tour of a working studio. There is no age minimum for this tour, which begins with a short video about NBC's history.

Knowledgeable tour guides are friendly and encourage questions as you walk by the wardrobe, makeup and prop departments, set construction and the original NBC Radio set.

Find out interesting facts, such as props are kept for decades to be used in flashback scenes. You'll also see the wigs worn on "Laugh-In" and the masks from "Planet of the Apes."

Typically, you will visit the sets of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Access Hollywood." You may get a peek at "Days of Our Lives," also taped here.

Calling NBC is the best way to get current studio tour information. 818-840-3537
---
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank
818-840-3537
www.nbc.com.
---
Cost
Adults $8.50
Kids 5-12 $5
Kids 4 and younger Free
Cash only
---
Hours
Momday-Friday 9am-1pm

map

Johnny Carson Park

Take a breather at this park, located adjacent to NBC, before heading over to Universal CityWalk. Located on Bob Hope Drive, the park offers a place for kids to romp on the playground equipment. Relax at a picnic table under a shady tree before a night out on the town.

From the park, it's about three miles and a 10-minute drive to Universal CityWalk, a dining, shopping and entertainment complex. It's a fun way to cap off a day at the studios.

To get to Universal, drive south on Bob Hope Drive to West Riverside Drive and turn right. At Olive Avenue, turn left. Olive becomes Barham Boulevard. Go to Buddy Holly Drive, turn right and another right to Universal Studios Boulevard.
---
400 S. Bob Hope Drive
Burbank

map

Universal CityWalk Hollywood

The outdoor complex is part of Universal Studios Hollywood (they also share a parking lot), although CityWalk has a totally different vibe than the movie-inspired theme park. Both Universal Studios and CityWalk are fabulously fun, but save the theme park for another day when you can spend time on the rides and attractions.

With its extensive selection of great restaurants, stores and entertainment venues, CityWalk is a popular destination in itself both day and night. (During the winter holidays, visitors can even glide around on an outdoor ice skating rink.) But the real action begins in the evening with live music, dancing and comedy shows.

Dining choices abound. Casual dining options include Hardrock Café Hollywood, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Tony Roma's and Wolfgang Puck Bistro, to name just a few. There are also a slew of quick-service eateries like Pink's Famous Hot Dogs, Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers and Salad Creations. For snacks, check out the array of beverages, ice cream, yogurt and pretzel shops.

There's plenty of fun stuff for people of all ages. At Jillian's there's bowling to rock music, neon lights and giant video screens. Catch a movie in style with plush seats and huge screens at CityWalk Cinemas Stadium 19. There's also an eight-story IMAX theater.

If you love the nightlife, you've come to the right place. Join the action at Howl at the Moon, a lively music venue featuring dueling pianos. Or dance the night away at Infusion Lounge, which has two dance floors in a Las Vegas-style nightclub.

Put a smile on your face at the Jay Lovitz Comedy Club, featuring national headlining comedians. Tickets vary but are about $15-$20. Enjoy a show while satisfying your hunger. The venue offers a nice selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, entrees and desserts.

When it comes to shopping, you'll find items here that you probably won't find anywhere else. There are more than 30 retail shops, many of which are unique. For example, the Wardrobe Department store sells clothing, collectibles, cue cards and props from television and movie productions. Each item comes with a certificate of authenticity. Dodger fans can scoop up memorabilia and buy baseball tickets at Dodgers Clubhouse.
---
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City
www.citywalkhollywood.com
---
General parking $15
($10 after 3pm)
Preferred parking $20
(Closer to the theme park)