Out & About Tours for at least the VIP tour which is for the most part in an SUV, van, or bus depending on the size of the group that is to be shown various noteworthy LGBTQ sites in West Hollywood, Hollywood, Silverlake, & Downtown Los Angeles. The usual meeting place is at the Village of the Ed Gould Plaza, an extension of the LGBTQ Center of Los Angeles, is located on 1125 North Mc Cadden Place, Hollywood. However, for this time only, we were asked to go to the headquarters of the Lavender Effect on Sunset Boulevard which in some ways is the home base for Out & About Tours. The tour starts at 11am, but we were asked to get there between 10:30-10:45am for a pre-tour "cocktail" where a Crement/sparkling wine, Freixenet, a Spanish Cava, was served as an eye opener. I accompanied it w/ peanut butter crackers since there is no lunch break, the tour ending around 2pm. This was a good time to get to know Andy of Lavender effect & Jim, our tour guide, both of whom were friendly, hospitable, fun loving which put us in a playful mood through out the tour. Jim is originally from Southern New Jersey closer to Philadephia, and so has a rapid fire, witty, fast way of talking. Lots of juicy tidbits such as Hollywood Gay lore, talk about Studio One on La Peer which "selectively chose" club goers by having rules such as no open toe shoes (to filter out women) or 3 pieces of ID to keep out "minorities". So strange that Gays who were & are actively discriminated against, discriminated against others. To the rescue, Jewel of Catch One & Circus Disco opened its doors to all. Hollywood was also home to Morris Kight, Gay activist, who among many things helped establish what was to become the LGBTQ Community Center in Hollywood as well as helping to start the Gay Parade which marched for the first time in 1970 on Hollywood Boulevard. Tongva people of the Chumash Native Americans are the original inhabitants of Los Angeles, and they were a most enlightened group which allowed its people to actualize their potential whatever it may be. Diversity was encouraged & abetted so that the different strengths & talents of the Tongva could help the community grow & prosper. Later w/ the Spanish conquest & introduction of Catholicism more restrictive & draconian rules destroyed the wise customs of the Tongva. The last nail on the coffin was the arrival of America with its antiquated Victorian "morality" whose anally retentive & repressive laws placed untold hardship on not just the LGBTQ community, but other minorities as well with the condescending attitude of "the white man's burden". DTLA was probably the first location for Gay Euro based activity going probably as far back as the 19th Century. LAPD was well known to be aggressively anti-Gay & anti-Minority so much so that even Gay patrons giving each other a kiss on New Year's Eve could be reason for an arrest. Things had gotten so bad that there was a wide spread, peaceful protest against the LAPD in early 1966 when the Black Cat was raided almost 2 years before the more famous Stonewall Uprising . Although DTLA had seen a decline of Gay establishments in the last half of the 20th century, there has been a come back of sorts with 3 new Gay bars, Mattachine, Redline, Precinct. Silverlake has always been a bohemian, avant garde district. Harry Hay, who was one of the founding members of the Mattachine Society which was "homophile", and sent out a publication that even proposed Gay Marriage as far back as the 1950's. Jim, our tour guide extraordinaire, told fascinating non stop stories & facts throughout the 3 hour tour. I can not recommend Out & About Tours enough to those who want a grand survey of Gay History of Los Angeles to take the VIP Motor Tour or take the separate walking tours which apparently encompass Hollywood, West Hollywood, Silverlake, & DTLA. 5 Yelp stars. Thanks, Jim. To obtain tickets thelavendereffect.org/tours/ read more

This tour was amazing. Jim our guide knows the untold history of LA that exists all around you. From The Dead Wood days of the gold rush through to Ronald Reagan's transition from liberal party boy to conservative puppet the tour encompasses everything. Architecture, Politics, law history, great bar recommendations, Native American gender selection traditions, polices collusion with the press and the gay revolt within the psychology society. Get to know your city. read more

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This is an AWESOME experience. Gay, straight - doesn't matter... you will learn so much about LA and have an awesome time. Jim, the owner of the company, did our VIP tour in a comfy SUV. He is an absolute DELIGHT. And such a wealth of knowledge about LA and it's history. Yeah, it's geared towards the LGBT side of things, but I learned so much about the city that I now call home and found lots of places I want to explore later. There is champagne and snacks on the smaller VIP tours... and lots of time to ask questions and get to know Jim, who is simply a gem! It took me some time to book this tour but Jim was amazing at making things right and taking care to resolve any issues. This is an owner that takes care of customers and runs a solid local business. I cannot recommend this tour enough... again whatever your persuasion or interest, you will LOVE spending some time on any Out and About Tour. I can't wait to take another one!! read more

Tourists, locals, LGBTQ folks, and straight supporters: This is a tour for YOU! I found the LGBT Gay History Bus Tour on Goldstar, and got a friend to come with me to spend a Sunday in LA. A day or so before the tour, I got a message that the tour was actually going to be held in a different vehicle because of the smaller group we had that day -- no problem, as I figured that we would be in close quarters with really fun people. We arrived at the ONE Gallery on Robertson, which was relatively easy to find -- and parking wasn't as bad as I had feared; a nearby (paid) structure had plenty of space. We started with a glass of champagne, some brief introductions, and were on our way in our chariot for the day, which turned out to be a minivan (how long has it been since I've been in one of those?!). Our tourmates, as expected, turned out to be really fun and friendly people, and we even shared their company after the tour was over and we were looking to continue enjoying the day. Jim, who is the owner/chief operator of Out and About Tours, was incredibly friendly and welcoming. He took us immediately out of WeHo ("it may be a gay mecca now, but it actually has the LEAST gay history in, like, all of Los Angeles"). We went through Silver Lake, Downtown, and other parts of Los Angeles that I had no idea existed (Google "Edendale," and "El Pueblo"!). Jim was talking almost nonstop throughout the 3-hour tour -- I was astounded at how much information he shared with us. There were a couple stopping points, including the last remaining gay piano bar in Los Angeles, where we got to enjoy a cocktail. More than anything, you get an appreciation for the LGBT pioneers who really were the revolutionaries of their time. It's hard to imagine, but there was a time when police were actively entrapping people at gay & lesbian bars, using wannabe actors as bait, and patrons could be imprisoned for six months and literally lose everything they had in the process. We've come a long way, but there is still much work to do. The tour begins and ends about a block away from the Abbey. It's the perfect place to enjoy drinks (and the view!) on a gorgeous afternoon and appreciate the vibrant energy of this city! read more

What a great afternoon. We went in with reservations (heh) and were dazzled by the knowledge and friendliness of our hosts, and fellow passengers. I thought I knew a lot - but I think every Gay and Lesbian resident of LA has a responsibility to learn more about the places and people that shaped our community. It's put together in an upbeat - sometimes campy - style. Just the right mixture of facts and fun. Some facts not so fun - but it's still our history. Stopping downtown for a quick walk-around - a cocktail and a serenade at The Other Side - drinks and snacks provided - well worth your time and money. Take it, I think you'll like it. read more

Great Tour! Great Info! I had a great (and really informative) time on our tour. I had heard about a number of the places we visited, but I had no point of reference or 'why you want to know this'. I learned so much and had a great time while doing it. read more

This was by far one of the best times I have ever had in Los Angeles! It was a trip down memory lane and I learned so much about being gay in LA, The Gay Leaders and the ups and downs of how this community has been treated here in our own city! Jim treats every detail with love and fun! If you want more than a typical tour, something that will change your life...then get on this tour! It is something you do not want to miss! I give it Two Thumbs Up and a shake and a shimmy! Loved Loved Loved it! read more

Fascinating, fun, and extremely informative. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. *I'm probably going to do it again with friends! read more

Kudo's to Jim for a great tour.. excellent sense of humour, great use of puns, outstanding and overwhelming amount of local knowledge.. Thanks Highly recommend to us LGBTI folks, as well as family and supporters. read more

We did the Saturday walking tour of downtown LA and let me tell you, this is no ordinary tour. We learned about the rich history of the city and about all the different cultures, not just gay, that inhabited areas of LA that we would simply drive through on an ordinary day. I have to saw that you can't help but feel proud by the end of the tour, since when it comes to gay culture, LA usually seems to fall behind under places like San Francsico and New York. Overall, we were very happy with the tour and would love to catch up with Jim again. BTW, I don't care what Jim says, Runkeeper says that we walked about 4.5 miles, so it's a good workout! read more

I took the Out and About Tour on Sunday, and had a superb time! When we arrived, we were welcomed by our host Jim, who offered us a glass of champagne. Jim then squired us around Los Angeles, offering tale after fascinating tale. The tour was packed with information without ever being boring, it was interactive, without ever getting too off topic, and it covered a huge swath of the city, where I had originally thought it would be centered around West Hollywood. Jim was an incredible host, and took really great care of us.....and I left feeling like I'd learned an awful lot. I took the tour with 3 friends, only one of which, is gay. So it really is a tour that can be enjoyed by gay and straight alike. I would take another tour with Out and About in a new york minute. read more

Our group of 8 went on an a private Out and About Tour of Downtown LA last week to kick off a bachelorette weekend for my sister. It was the perfect introductory activity for our guests, most of whom hadn't been to DTLA and all of whom didn't know much about its colorful, and sometimes sordid, histories. Jim was a funny, patient, engaging, and extremely knowledgeable tour guide. As a new resident of LA, I was also glad to learn SO many things about the indigenous communities of LA, and the histories of many buildings and squares. So many thanks to this amazing non-profit and especially to Jim and Andy who were so responsive beforehand while planning. read more

Great tour with so much information! I loved the history of the gay leaders in Los Angeles and all the crazy bar stories from the 60's, 70's and 80's. The trip through West Hollywood, Silver Lake, Edendale and Downtown LA allows you to see much of the city very quickly. Of course, the champagne and singing just adds to the FUN. read more

My friend gave me this tour as a bday gift and it was a great way to spend our Saturday morning. Jim was our tourguide - funny, informative, and never dull. We did a nice loop starting from Union Station and ending with a (strong) margarita on Olvera Street -kindly bought for us by Jim. In between we toured the Biltmore Hotel lobby, the Grand Central Market, the Bradbury building and rode Angels Flight - all downtown essentials that I've never done - and I've lived here for 13 years. If you are ready to learn about some history while getting some exercise at the same time, this is a unique way to spend a few hours. Wear walking shoes! We covered about 4 miles and were a little sore near the end. read more

The Tinseltown tour is fun and interactive. Jim is full of great information I never knew about gay Hollywood history and wonderful stories. read more

Jim has done a ton of research into a history that most people don't even know about, much less give tours for. In addition to gay history, he also delves into some basic Los Angeles history, especially downtown where some of the earliest LA settlements were. Highly recommended. read more

I had a board retreat for a non-profit and needed an activity. I called Jim asking if it would be at all possible to arrange a walking tour downtown, something not even on the normal Out and About menu. Lo and behold, he created a fascinating tour chock-FULL of startling history, gorgeous architecture and gossipy tidbits! He was charming, helpful and unbelievably flexible. We love him and will do it again! read more

Great tour of gay LA. Jim really knows his stuff about the city and it's gay history. I never knew where Tom of Finland was and why the community settled in West Hollywood and Silverlake. And that PRIDE actually stood for something. And where bath housed came from. So much to see. It's hard to take it all in on the 3.5 hour tour. Jim was talking non-stop. It was fun to stop in downtown LA and see the festival square, the original Chinatown, and the first porn theater. The Otherside bar was a great place to stop for a drink, unwind, and sing some tunes. Great fun! read more

Excellent. Jim has done his homework and it shows. Very entertaining, curious, and fascinating. Truly knowledgeable about LA and local gay history. Yes it's a little bit dark, but very inspiring and keeps you interested in knowing more. Micro history buffs will find it detailed enough for tourists and locals alike. Even as a local, I found it enlightening and entertaining. Who knew!? Lots if good info that will change your perspective. Perfect for your out of town guests, but again, if you're local you'll also be entertained. Truly a good and exceptional deal. Would do it again! read more

This tour was packed with history that we would not have known on our own. Jim was an amazing guide and very gracious. His knowledge of LGBTQ history will blow your mind. The hidden Hollywood Gay History was so interesting as well. We did the walking tour and walked quite a bit so make sure you have good shoes if you do that tour. We will definitely return for the "Sungay Brunch" tour. Thanks Jim! read more

Out & Abouts' Jim Anzide was a delightful host at every turn. His knowledge of our gay cultural history and fun-loving presentation style kept us all entertained and amazingly well-informed. I had a great time and learned a lot. Our LA Gay and Lesbian history is much richer than I ever imagined. Thanks to Out and About I have a much deeper appreciation of my gay standing in history. I want to go on one of their many other tours. read more

We were the happy couple who had a private tour with Jim because the larger group changed their tour date! We loved every minute of the time together! Celebrating our 27th anniversary with all the caring attention that Jim gave us was fantastic! We recommend Out and About to anyone who wants a great LGBT history of L.A. and a fun time! read more

Well, I just read Vanessa's review--I guess I was on her tour and am FAR lazier than she, so all I'll say is that I agree 1000% with all she wrote. I'll add that I found Jim incredibly knowledgeable and fun, and I plan on taking his downtown walking tour, and maybe even this one again. So much to learn about the community and its history. read more

I did the Downtown L.A. History tour. This is a great way to see downtown L.A. on foot and also learn some fascinating LGBT history at the same time. I've lived here for fifteen years and still saw new places and learned about new things (learning about what used to be in certain modern buildings places is really cool). A nice mix of history, juicy tidbits and funny anecdotes. Definitely worth it. read more

Jim is an amazing fount of knowledge, not only the LGBT history of LA, but the city itself. This tour is a must for LGBT persons, those who love them and those just curious :-) We were amazed at the things we learnedWe had the most wonderful time - THANK YOU JIM!!! xxoo read more

This was the best! SO much FUN! Jim was an incredibly friendly, gracious and generous tour guide with so much information to share. My fiance and I have been talking about it ever since and all the curious facts we learned. It made me feel attached to Los Angeles in a way I didn't expect, learning about such a rich and fascinating history here. It felt like getting a private tour with a very knowledgable BFF who had tons of juicy gossip to share about the city you live in. I highly recommend! read more

I'm a LA native and always participate in history/cultural tours when visiting other cities. My partner and I went on this tour and was overwhelmingly impressed. I learned so much about the city and its LGBT history that I never knew before. Some of it unfortunate, and some of it from my own time period when I had come out. It was such a great balance from riding along often traveled boulevards now seeming new again from the vantage point of the open air double decker bus, to the walking tour of the first LA settlements, to the quaint and friendly neighborhood piano bar toward the end of the tour. And most of all it was just FUN FUN FUN! read more