The best things to do near Universal Studios California are the ones you can stack into easy days: the park itself and CityWalk, the Warner Bros. studio tour 7.4 miles away, the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park, the LA Zoo, and a drive through Beverly Hills. We host guests from our quiet cul-de-sac in Valley Village, 4.9 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood, so this is the list we hand to every visitor who asks.
Start with Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk
Universal is the reason most people search this topic, and it deserves a full day. Arrive early, pick your must-do rides first, and leave the studio tour tram for the middle of the day when you want to sit down. If you want a deeper run of tips on getting through the park, we wrote a separate Universal Studios Hollywood tips and tricks guide.
CityWalk, the open-air street of shops, restaurants and neon at the park entrance, is worth an evening even if you skip the park. It is easy to reach, easy to leave, and a good place for a first dinner when you are still on travel time.
See a working studio at Warner Bros.
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is 7.4 miles from our door. It is a different experience from a theme park: you move through a real, working lot and see how film and television sets are built. If you love the idea of Universal's backlot but want something quieter and more behind-the-scenes, pair the two on separate days so neither feels rushed.
Walk Hollywood and see the Sign
Hollywood Boulevard, the Walk of Fame and the famous theatres are an easy half-day. Keep expectations realistic: it is busy, it is loud, and it is very much a tourist street. That is part of the fun, but wear comfortable shoes and plan a break.
The Hollywood Sign is 7.2 miles from the manor. You do not have to hike to enjoy it: there are viewpoints around Griffith Park and the surrounding neighbourhoods where you can see it from a distance. If you do want to hike, read our honest breakdown first: how hard is the Hollywood Sign hike and whether it is worth it.
Spend a morning in Griffith Park
Griffith Park is 11 miles away and is one of the largest urban parks in the country. It holds trails, wide lawns and the observatory, and it is the best answer to the question of what to do when you have had enough of crowds. Go in the morning, bring water, and treat it as a nature break in the middle of a busy trip.
The LA Zoo is 8.3 miles from us and works well for families or anyone who wants a gentler day. If you are travelling with children, our guide to things to do near Universal Studios with kids goes deeper on that.
Drive through Beverly Hills and Greystone Mansion
Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive are 6.5 miles from the manor, and Greystone Mansion is 5.2 miles. A slow drive past the grand houses, followed by a stroll somewhere pretty, makes a lovely half-day that asks very little of your legs. Larsen's Steakhouse is 5.3 miles away if you want a classic sit-down dinner on the way back.
Take the longer day trips
Some of the best days out are further afield, so plan these as full days:
- Santa Monica Beach, 19 miles away, for the pier, the sand and a sunset.
- Venice Beach, 19.5 miles away, for the boardwalk and people-watching.
- Six Flags Magic Mountain, 26 miles away, for thrill rides.
- Disneyland, 37 miles away, which is a full day each way once you count Los Angeles traffic.
Distances in Los Angeles are never the whole story. Allow generous time for the drive, and give the long trips their own day rather than squeezing them in after Universal.
A simple three-day plan
If you are not sure how to order everything, here is a rhythm that works for most visitors. Day one is Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk, nothing else. Day two is the lighter, local day: Hollywood Boulevard in the morning, a view of the Sign, then Griffith Park or the LA Zoo in the afternoon. Day three is the studio day at Warner Bros., followed by a slow drive through Beverly Hills and Greystone Mansion.
Keep a gap day free if you can. The beaches at Santa Monica and Venice, or the longer trips to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Disneyland, deserve a day to themselves and an early start. Building in one slow day, spent by the pool or at the breakfast table, is what keeps a Los Angeles trip enjoyable instead of exhausting.
A few habits help everywhere: carry water, book timed entries where a venue offers them, check opening details on the official site before you go, and leave earlier than you think you need to. Traffic, not distance, decides how long any drive takes.
Why base yourself at the Inn
Staying 4.9 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood means you can be at the gates quickly, but you come home to something calm. We are on a quiet cul-de-sac in Valley Village, minutes from the 101 and 405, with Burbank and LAX airports both easy to reach. Our guests are always surprised that it is real Los Angeles. As Andrew W. told us, "It was hard to believe it was actually Los Angeles."
The Inn is the private guest house on our 18,000+ square foot grounds. It has a large living room with a fireplace and two down couches, a queen Murphy bed, a full kitchen with coffee and tea provided, and an octagonal breakfast room with French windows on every side looking onto the pool. There is premium cable, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, laundry, a crib, a high chair, toys and games. The Secret Room is a finished attic behind a bookcase with four twin beds, and the Great Room with its stone fireplace adds another 1,000 square feet. With both opened, the Inn sleeps up to six.
After a day of queues and sun, the grounds do the rest: a saltwater lagoon pool with three waterfalls (no harsh chemicals), a raised Jacuzzi, a lava-rock fire pit, a thatched gazebo bar with a barbecue, and fairy lights in the trees. Malaya G. wrote that her kids "didn't want to get out of the pool" and loved the secret room behind the bookcase. Nerio R. said they spent most of their time on the property itself.
For more on choosing where to sleep, see our comparison of places to stay near Universal Studios and our page on a vacation rental near Universal Studios Hollywood.
Planning a celebration while you are in town?
If your trip is built around a family gathering, birthday, reunion or party, the same grounds host private events for up to 100 guests. You bring your own caterer and your own drinks, so there are no venue food and beverage packages to work around. Our events page has the details.
How the Inn works for a stay
Rates are $575 a night Monday to Thursday and $595 Friday to Sunday, with a two-night minimum. There is a $50 per person per night charge over two guests, and the Secret Room and Great Room are $100 a night. Cleaning is $185, there is a $190 admin fee, and a $300 refundable deposit. Check-in is after 3pm and check-out is 11am. Guests must be 21 or older, and bookings are non-refundable once made. Quiet hours begin at 10pm, and the Jacuzzi is open 9am to 11pm.
Book your stay near Universal
Ready to make the manor your home base? See the Inn vacation rental page for photos and availability, or call or text Georgia on (213) 999-3050. We would love to host you.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Enchanted Manor from Universal Studios Hollywood?
The manor is 4.9 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood by road, on a quiet cul-de-sac in Valley Village minutes from the 101 and 405.
Is there parking at the Inn?
Yes. There is parking for 12 to 15 cars on the cul-de-sac, plus open street parking.
How many people can stay at the Inn?
The Inn sleeps up to six guests when both the Secret Room and the Great Room are opened. Guests over two are $50 per person per night.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is after 3pm and check-out is at 11am. There is a two-night minimum stay.
What is there to do on the property?
The grounds have a saltwater grotto pool with three waterfalls, a raised Jacuzzi, a lava-rock fire pit, a thatched gazebo bar with a barbecue, and fairy lights in the trees.
