For any fan of the movies paying a visit to Los Angeles, one attraction should be above all others in the list of things that they want to see during their stay. Aside from the Hollywood sign itself and the Graumann's Chinese Theatre, there is perhaps no greater draw than the home of the movie making dream at the famous Universal Studios in Hollywood.

Since the studios first started allowing visitors to take a tour of their back lot and see the way in which movies were made back in the 1970s, millions of people have taken the opportunity to get access into some of the most amazing sets ever constructed, and see the ways in which the imagination of moviemakers is translated into the action that they see on the silver screen when visiting a cinema.

The Universal Studios tour includes access into the large soundstages where movies are made, and the eerie abandoned towns and landscapes that serve as the backdrop for action in many films.

Visitors can also find themselves thrust into the action on a number of special effects laden rides through the move based theme park portion of the tour in which they can enjoy a simulated shark attack from Jaws, and a terrifying earthquake sequence that involves destruction all around you, fires and the shaking of the earth.

There are a number of stunt shows performed on a large converted area of the lot that will prove eye-opening as you see cars flying through the air, fight sequences, and much more performed in front of your very eyes.

If films are in production at the Universal Studios complex on the day that you visit, you may also get the chance to get up close and see the movie stars and technicians going about their work, and there are also plenty of opportunities to take part in making your own movie on a special set that has been created for the purpose of being used by tourists.

A real highlight of any visit to Universal Studios is a trip to the actor's commissary, where you may find yourself rubbing shoulders with movie stars over lunch as they take a break from filming to eat with the rest of the crew.