Travel Guide to Burbank, California (Where to Stay, Things to Do & More!)
This Burbank, California travel guide includes how to get there, where to stay, the best things to do, and more!
Burbank is the media capital of the world and a perfect spot to travel if you’re looking to be in the center of the entertainment industry. Some of the industry’s biggest names — like Warner Bros. — call this city home and they offer unforgettable tours for movie buffs and sitcom junkies.
The best part? Burbank is extremely safe and family friendly! I never felt unsafe, even when walking alone at night and I can’t say the same for many other parts of L.A.
If you don’t have an affinity for movies and television, there’s plenty more to do in Burbank from hiking trails with stunning views to tasting some of the best food in Los Angeles. I also highly recommend using Burbank as your base to explore other areas of Los Angeles!
Table of Contents
Burbank, California Travel Guide
How to Get To Burbank
With its own airport (Hollywood Burbank Airport) it’s convenient and easy to get in and out of Burbank — much easier than LAX! As a Southern California local, I recommend out of town visitors to fly in and out of this airport when they are exploring Los Angeles, especially Hollywood which is only 5 minutes away from downtown Burbank.
Where To Stay in Burbank
Downtown Burbank has a range of hotel options within walking distance to restaurants and shopping. The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Burbank is a new property with underground parking and an outdoor pool. It’s situated just 2 minutes from Hwy 5, so you can easily explore the rest of Los Angeles while using Burbank as your base.
Tip: When you book your hotel through Visit Burbank’s website, you’ll receive a $50 electronic gift card to use during your trip!
Where To Eat In Burbank
We were blown away with the eclectic food options in Burbank.
In the Downtown District, you must try the locals’ favorite, Guisados, for mouth-watering tacos and The Boiling Crab for uniquely-seasoned seafood and an eating experience you won’t forget. For a before or after-dinner drink, make sure to try the recently-opened Urban Press Winery.
Magnolia Park has places like the legendary Porto’s Bakery and Cafe, Romancing the Bean (a Burbank hotspot) and Tony’s Darts Away which serves California craft beer and a mouthwatering vegan menu.
In the Media District, you’ll find authentic Mediterranean cuisine at Grilliant, delicious Gelato at Red Maple Cafe, and homemade pies at Simplethings.
Read more: 25 Easy Weekend Getaways from San Diego (By a Local)
Things To Do In Burbank
Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood: Go behind the scenes of your favorite movies and TV shows! We had a blast visiting the Ellen soundstage, taking a photo on a replica of the Central Perk Cafe from the hit TV show Friends, and visiting the backlots of some of our favorite shows — like True Blood!
Recreate Scenes From Your Favorite Films: Burbank is home to iconic locations from popular movies like La La Land. Check out these locations on Visit Burbank’s website to recreate a scene from your favorite film or TV show.
Free Studio Tapings: Warner Bros. Studios offers FREE tickets to see live tapings to The Ellen Show, Conan O’Brien, The Big Bang Theory and more!
Hiking: There’s plenty of hiking options within a 10-minute drive, like the Verdugo Mountains and Griffith Park and multiple trails to the iconic Hollywood Sign.
Horseback Riding To The Hollywood Sign: Another popular way to visit the Hollywood sign is by horseback. LA Horse Rentals offers day and night tours through Griffith Park and up to the Hollywood sign.
Universal Studios Tour: Are you a fan of Harry Potter? Universal Studios is right next to Burbank. They offer studio tours where you’ll see King Kong in 3-D, Jaws, and the Bates Motel. You can also make your way through Hogwarts at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Shopping: I recommend a visit to Magnolia Park for vintage shops, specialty foods, and collectibles. You might even see a celebrity or two!
There’s plenty to see right in Burbank, but it’s also conveniently located right in the heart of Los Angeles, so you can easily explore any of the popular sites in the area. And for those of you with kids, here’s a great round up of things to do in LA with kids!
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The Ultimate Guide to California’s Pacific Coast Hwy
How to Choose the Best Travel Camera
How to Choose the Best Luggage for Your Next Trip
How to Keep in Touch While Traveling Abroad
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Visit Burbank. The opinions and text are all mine.
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Wow, that looks beautiful and massive and Incredible photography. nice post thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I’m glad you found the post helpful!