Soar above the Santa Monica Mountains and the southern California coastline on a 35-minute helicopter tour that delivers aerial panoramas of Malibu, Venice Beach, the Getty and Santa Monica Pier. Fast, scenic, and packed with cinematic views, this flight is a compact way to see LA from an uncommon angle.
Soar above the Santa Monica Mountains and the southern California coastline on a 35-minute helicopter tour that delivers aerial panoramas of Malibu, Venice Beach, the Getty and Santa Monica Pier. Fast, scenic, and packed with cinematic views, this flight is a compact way to see LA from an uncommon angle.
The rotor kickstarts with a bass note and the city of Los Angeles drops away beneath you: a grid of sun-bleached streets rolling toward blue, then the coastline unspools—Santa Monica Pier jutting into the Pacific, the jagged rise of the Santa Monica Mountains, and Malibu’s ribbon of sand and cliff.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by GROUP 3 HELICOPTERS · Van Nuys, California
The rotor kickstarts with a bass note and the city of Los Angeles drops away beneath you: a grid of sun-bleached streets rolling toward blue, then the coastline unspools—Santa Monica Pier jutting into the Pacific, the jagged rise of the Santa Monica Mountains, and Malibu’s ribbon of sand and cliff.
From this vantage the region’s story reads in layers: the uplifted marine terraces and sandstone bluffs of the coast, the steep chaparral ridgelines etched by wildfire and erosion, and neighborhoods that grew from Rancho land grants to modern film-era enclaves. You’ll pass cultural icons—Venice Boardwalk’s mosaic energy, the Getty’s hilltop presence, and the palm-lined sweep of Beverly Hills—while the ocean below sometimes stages pods of dolphins or migrating gray whales in season.
Geology and human history merge here; Tongva villages once dotted the shorelines long before Spanish missions reshaped the land, and later rail and road corridors opened the coastline to tourism and development. From the air you’ll see the contrast between protected open space in the Santa Monica Mountains and dense urban fabric—an instant primer on southern California’s environmental tensions.
Practically: arrive early with photo ID, follow the operator’s weight and check-in rules, and dress in layers—coastal air can be cool at altitude. Bring sunglasses, a secure camera strap, and soft-soled shoes for boarding. Expect brief, high-velocity perspectives—perfect for first-time flyers or travelers seeking a compact, dramatic overview of Los Angeles’ coast and canyons.
easy.
35 minutes.
Suitable for most fitness levels; must be able to sit and fasten a standard seatbelt for the short flight.
The helicopter cannot accommodate any passenger over 300 lbs; passengers over 250 lbs should contact the operator—total passenger weight is used to configure flights.
Infants under 24 months may ride as lap children at no charge when accompanied by at least two adults; children 24 months and older require a full-fare seat.
Flights are subject to weather and ATC restrictions; if canceled for safety, operators typically offer rescheduling or a full refund—confirm the provider’s policy at booking.
This listing is sold as a private tour, but operators may require a two-passenger minimum and could schedule multiple groups on different flights for larger bookings.
The coastal corridor was historically home to Tongva communities; later Spanish ranchos and 20th-century film industry expansion shaped the modern urban and coastal landscape.
Operators must respect Temporary Flight Restrictions and natural areas—minimize noise disturbance, and follow guidelines to reduce impacts on wildlife and coastal habitats.
GROUP 3 HELICOPTERS operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.




The rotor kickstarts with a bass note and the city of Los Angeles drops away beneath you: a grid of sun-bleached streets rolling toward blue, then the coastline unspools—Santa Monica Pier jutting into the Pacific, the jagged rise of the Santa Monica Mountains, and Malibu’s ribbon of sand and cliff.
The rotor kickstarts with a bass note and the city of Los Angeles drops away beneath you: a grid of sun-bleached streets rolling toward blue, then the coastline unspools—Santa Monica Pier jutting into the Pacific, the jagged rise of the Santa Monica Mountains, and Malibu’s ribbon of sand and cliff.
From this vantage the region’s story reads in layers: the uplifted marine terraces and sandstone bluffs of the coast, the steep chaparral ridgelines etched by wildfire and erosion, and neighborhoods that grew from Rancho land grants to modern film-era enclaves. You’ll pass cultural icons—Venice Boardwalk’s mosaic energy, the Getty’s hilltop presence, and the palm-lined sweep of Beverly Hills—while the ocean below sometimes stages pods of dolphins or migrating gray whales in season.
Geology and human history merge here; Tongva villages once dotted the shorelines long before Spanish missions reshaped the land, and later rail and road corridors opened the coastline to tourism and development. From the air you’ll see the contrast between protected open space in the Santa Monica Mountains and dense urban fabric—an instant primer on southern California’s environmental tensions.
Practically: arrive early with photo ID, follow the operator’s weight and check-in rules, and dress in layers—coastal air can be cool at altitude. Bring sunglasses, a secure camera strap, and soft-soled shoes for boarding. Expect brief, high-velocity perspectives—perfect for first-time flyers or travelers seeking a compact, dramatic overview of Los Angeles’ coast and canyons.