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The Ultimate Los Angeles Itinerary

From the showbiz glamour of Hollywood and the upmarket shops of Rodeo Drive, to the bohemian vibes of Venice Beach, this Los Angeles itinerary will give you a great introduction to this buzzy Californian city.

Welcome to la la land! Los Angeles is one of California’s most popular travel destinations. The vast, sprawling city is home to the world’s movie industry, and a little of that Tinseltown magic can be felt all over the city.

However, there’s much more to Los Angeles than Hollywood – it’s one of the coolest and most vibrant cities in California. You’ll find gorgeous beaches, a great music scene and some of the best museums in the United States.

There’s no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles, and it’d be impossible to fit everything into one short trip. To help you plan your LA city break, and find the coolest things to do in 2 days in Los Angeles, I’ve popped together this Los Angeles itinerary – happy travelling!

When Is The Best Time to Visit Los Angeles? 

Southern California is well known for its sunshine, so it’s a popular place to visit all year round. I’d recommend visiting in spring, when temperatures hover around the low 20s, the days are sunny, and the crowds scarce.

Summer brings warmer weather, but also lots of tourists, so try to avoid if you can. Autumn is usually dry, hot and can be windy. Winter brings the chance of rain, although not much – this is Southern California after all!

Tour Hollywood

If you’re a first time visitor, start your Los Angeles itinerary in Hollywood, LA’s most iconic and stylish neighbourhood. Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where the star-studded sidewalks are a glittering reminder that this is a town filled with movie magic.

Don’t miss the Chinese Theatre, Paramount Studios, the Sunset Strip, and of course, the iconic Hollywood sign – one of the most popular things to see in Los Angeles.

If you start to get a little tired, there are plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from. 

Grab Lunch at Grand Central Market

LA’s iconic food hall, Grand Central Market, regularly tops the list of fun things to do in Los Angeles. After a busy morning of sightseeing in Hollywood, it’s a great place to stop and sample some of the best food in the city.

The beauty of this bustling food market is that you’ll find a little bit of everything inside. Whether you’re into tacos, BBQ, dim sum or Italian meatballs, Grand Central Market is the place for you!

Go Shopping in Beverley Hills

LA is the shopping capital of California, and Beverley Hills is home to some of the swankiest shops you’ll find in the city. Whether you like to window shop, or are prepared for a big splurge, wandering through Rodeo Drive and the boulevards of Beverley Hills is a real treat. 

You won’t just find clothes stores either – this is a great place to come for local produce, books, homewares, wine and beauty products.

Go On A Walking Tour Of Los Angeles

If you’re looking for a fun way to explore the city on foot, take a look at Around walking tours in Los Angeles . Pick one of the self-guided walking tours, which has been put together by an LA expert. The movie history one sounds particularly interesting. These tours are great if you want a flexible way to explore a destination on your own time, with no strict schedules or big tour groups!

Ride The Ferris Wheel At Pacific Park

Pacific Park, located on the Santa Monica Pier, is one of LA’s top attractions.

This theme park has everything you need for a fun afternoon, including some adrenaline-fuelled rides and roller coasters.

The park boasts the only solar-powered ferris wheel in the world, lifting passengers 130 feet in the air and offering unbeatable views of the Los Angeles shoreline.

Visit One Of LA’s Museums

LA is home to some fabulous museums, and at least one should feature on any Los Angeles itinerary. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is one of the best, and boasts a large collection of modernist masterpieces.

For something a little unusual, head to the Getty Center, for wonderful impressionist collections and fabulous ocean views.

Alternatively, book-lovers will marvel at the Huntingdon Library, Art Collection and Botanical Gardens – a wonderful green space with countless treasures to uncover.

Stroll Along Venice Beach Boardwalk

If the Hollywood glitz and glamour isn’t for you, head to Venice Beach for something a little more bohemian. The Venice Beach boardwalk is an ocean front promenade packed with performers, musicians, magicians, skaters, restaurants and shops.

This is the perfect place to come for an antidote to LA city life and to soak up the fabulous ocean views.

Explore Griffith Park

One of the best things about Los Angeles is the easy access from the city to some beautiful natural spots. Griffith Park, spanning more than 4,000 acres of urban wilderness, provides a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Take a hike along one of the many walking trails, visit the Griffith Observatory (yep – that’s the place from the movie La La Land ), or visit Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden. Whatever you choose, a visit to Griffith Park is a real breath of fresh air on any Los Angeles itinerary.

Stay at a Luxurious Hotel in Los Angeles

If you’re visiting Los Angeles for a special occasion, how about living the true movie star life with a stay at one of the top-rated hotels in the city. Here are a few of my favourites…

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

A stone’s throw from the main shopping drag of Rodeo Drive, the Peninsula Beverly Hills offers decadent luxury in the heart of one of Los Angeles’ chicest neighbourhoods.

This stunning hotel, built in a French style, is gorgeous inside and out, especially at night when it’s all lit up.

There’s a fabulous spa, luxurious rooms, and wonderful fine-dining restaurant, The Belvedere. However, the real stand-out feature of this place is the service – you’ll be made to feel like a star, so enjoy it!

Check availability and latest prices at the Peninsula Beverly Hills here

Shutters on the Beach

Santa Monica is one of Los Angeles’ finest beach towns. It’s where you’ll find locals, celebrities and Hollywood stars soaking up a little sun, sand and surf.

Shutters on the Beach is one of the best 5-star hotels in Santa Monica, and it has everything you’ll need for a luxurious beach holiday. With uninterrupted beach views, beautifully decorated interiors, and world-class facilities, this is the place to come for some seaside downtime.

Check availability and latest prices at Shutters on the Beach here

1 Hotel West Hollywood

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to indulge, why not try 1 Hotel West Hollywood, a new addition on the Sunset Strip known for its eco-friendly ethos. You won’t find any single-use plastics here and much of the striking décor is made from naturally fallen trees and other sustainable products.

However, this doesn’t mean you’ll be scrimping on luxury. Enjoy the fabulous valley views from the rooftop pool, and make the most of a whole range of wellness facilities, or indulge at one of the excellent restaurants, which serve fresh, local produce.

Check availability and latest prices at 1 Hotel West Hollywood here

Tours in Los Angeles

Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood Tour

For over a century LA has been the heartland of movie making, and you can’t visit without a taste of what it’s like to get in front of the cameras on a real life movie set.

This tour will take you behind the scenes of epic films, where you can ride the Batmobile, try out Harry Potter’s broomstick, and even re-enact your favourite scene from Friends’ in Central Perk. 

Check availability and latest prices here

Los Angeles Helicopter Night Flight

If you’re looking for the ultimate addition to your Los Angeles bucket list , how about taking to the skies to view the City of Angels from the air.

This 30 minute night flight will take you over the city to see the illuminations from above. You’ll cruise over the downtown skyline as it glows, spotting familiar landmarks such as the iconic Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Sign, Sunset Boulevard and more.

Looking for other cool places to visit in California? Don’t forget to check out my San Francisco itinerary , which is packed full of amazing food recommendations, fun day trips and great views.  

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Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

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Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, optimal los angeles itinerary for first time visitors.

I used to live in LA for a long time – ten years to be exact. I spent a good chunk of my formative year growing up in the suburb of LA before getting thrown straight into the heart of the city when I attended UCLA for my undergrad studies.

Safe to say, I spent my best years in LA. I love the city so much and I want to help make your stay here to be as enjoyable as possible. So, I’ve put together a Los Angeles itinerary that is hopefully easy to follow for you, whether you’re spending just a weekend in LA, or a whole week and more.

It’s going to be a long one, so buckle up!

Before we go on, I wanted to say my special thanks to my good friend Kat for being a true champ. This post would not have been possible without her. Kat and I met a long time ago when we were both students at UCLA. She continued to live in LA while I moved across the world to Singapore.

When I was in LA visiting her, she drove me around LA. And I do mean, EVERYWHERE which is not an easy feat in a city as trafficky as LA! We even went to all the parts that we didn’t get to explore as the poor car-less students that we were.

Thank you so much, Kat!! <3

Okay so without further ado, here is everything I know about visiting Los Angeles.

• Tips for visiting Los Angeles
• How to drive in Los Angeles
• Parking in Los Angeles
• Public Transportation in Los Angeles
• How much time should I spend in Los Angeles?
• When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
• Where to stay in Los Angeles
• Day 1: Central LA (Hollywood)
• Day 2: Historic Downtown LA
• Day 3: Westside LA (The beach!)
• Day 4: Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
• Day 5 onward: Day Trip Ideas from LA

My tips for visiting Los Angeles

To make your visit to LA more enjoyable, here are some of my tips:

1. Get a travel pass to save money! – There are lots of things to visit and do in LA, which means you’ll spend money on those activities. Getting a travel pass could ease the pain!

Here are a few travel passes you can consider:

• Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass – If you are only in LA for less than a week and plan to see as many attractions as possible, it’s usually worth it to get the Go City All-Inclusive Pass to cover you for some of those days. The pass will already pay for itself if you plan to get the multi-day card and plan to visit one of the amusement parks (except Disneyland) – check the list of attractions here .

To make it easier for you, I’ll leave note in the itinerary below which landmarks are included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass.

• Go City Explorer Pass – On the other hand, if you decide that you only want to visit a few select attractions, you can consider this instead. The Explorer Pass entitles you to see these attractions at your own pace – the pass is valid for 60 days and you can select any 2-7 attractions.

2. Book ahead an airport pick up from LAX . Unless you plan to rent a car straight from the airport, this is the best way to get to your hotel from the airport. You can book a private Airport pick up here . Otherwise, you can consider looking at a shuttle bus. It’s cheaper than taking a taxi or ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

3. Rent a car. Book a car rental that you can pick up and return at LAX here . Why? Public transportation in LA, though arguably better than what it was before, is not the best – I’ll talk more about this later . Taxis must be booked in advance, and ride-sharing could get expensive. Trust me, I didn’t have a car when I was living in LA, and it was a nightmare. For more information on driving in LA, check out the next section of this blog driving in Los Angeles , which includes things like parking in LA.

4. If you cannot drive , then your best bet is to go by tour or sightseeing tours or bus. While it might not be the most efficient way, it will still take you to all the places you’d want to see in LA. Here are some tours that would take you to most of the must-do activities in LA and include hotel pick-up:

• Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches, and More
• The Best of LA Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Griffith Park +More

Tip: The Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus 1-Day Classic Tour could be a great option and is included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass . It normally costs US$ 46 per adult.

5. Take note of the opening time of the attractions you want to see. For example, The Getty and the Griffith Observatory are closed on Mondays and Getty Villa is closed on Tuesdays. So generally, the latter half of the week (Wednesday – Sunday) is the best time to visit LA if you are interested.

6. Learn how to tip the American way – yes, I know, the tipping culture in the US baffles every visitor. It’s confusing! But, you don’t want to shortchange someone just because you disagree with this social norm. The most common instance where you’ll need to tip is when eating at a restaurant. The general rule of thumb is to tip 15% for average service, 20% for great service, and 25% for exceptional service. You don’t need to tip at establishments where the food is not served to you. Fast food, bakeries, or dessert places are examples of these types of establishments, but it certainly would be nice if you felt the staff did an exceptional job. You also don’t need to tip ride-sharing drivers (but again, it is always nice to), but you must tip taxi drivers.

7. Watch out for the CA sales tax! In California, you’re subjected to a sales tax every time you make a purchase. This sales tax is usually not included in the stated price and will be charged upon payment. In Los Angeles, the sales tax is 9.50%. So for example, say you see a nice purse for $30 – it will actually ring up as $32.85 when you pay for it.

8.  Wise Card  worked super well in the US  – If you’re an international visitor like myself, definitely get yourself  a Wise Debit Card . You’ll save on foreign transaction fees with it. I never had to use cash when I was in NYC and  San Francisco !

9. Be at the beach in the late afternoon for sunset – You’ll see some of the best sunsets of your life, so plan to be at the beach during sunset time! I recommend visiting Santa Monica Beach or Venice Beach around 5 PM.

10. Last but not least – HAVE FUN! I feel like most of my travel tips have been negative, but trust me, it will all be worth it. I just wanted you to be mentally prepared to be able to enjoy this special city.

How to drive a car in LA

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that driving is pretty much a requirement if you want to explore Los Angeles. Aside from the vast area, you would need to cover, there isn’t a good public transportation infrastructure in LA.

Anyone can drive and rent a car in LA so long as they have a valid driving license. Good news for international tourists – you don’t need an International Driving License to drive in California . But you DO need a valid driving license from your country of residence.

What is the driving requirement in California? See the DMV page on California driving requirements .

Once you’ve secured a vehicle, be prepared to deal with the LA traffic. You can try to avoid it, but I’ve been told traffic is bad all day long. You just have to accept it and plan your day around it. Be prepared to factor in extra driving time.

Also, make sure you are a confident driver. LA drivers are notoriously aggressive drivers. You’ll also be doing a lot of street parking so make sure you know how to parallel park.

Last but not least, practice basic safety to ensure your car doesn’t become a target for car break-ins – don’t leave anything visible in the seats (bags, earphones, or other small electronics). Always take your valuables with you.

Parking and car parks in Los Angeles

Another thing you need to learn about is how the car park works here. And let me tell you, parking is expensive in LA, especially in the Downtown area. There are usually parking lots with either an hourly rate (capped to a certain amount per session) or a flat rate regardless of how long you park your car. In the downtown area , this is usually a steep flat rate of US$12-15, so you’ll want to keep your car in the same lot while you’re sightseeing. You can refer to this map to plan your parking before coming to downtown LA.

The cheaper way to park your car is to find street parking , which is sometimes metered or sometimes free, but obviously, these are super coveted spots and everyone wants them. Don’t bank on it, but if you do find a street parking spot, make sure you pay attention to the signs since street parking is usually only allowed at certain hours and there might be a block out time for street cleaning.

If you’re lucky you might be visiting a museum/restaurant/shopping mall that offers validated parking , meaning they’ll cover your parking cost or offer discounted parking up to certain hours, so keep looking out for that too!

And again, please take note to not leave any valuables in the car or even leave anything small on the car seat that can be seen from outside, because it might make you a target for car break-ins.

Taking Public Transportation in LA

I came from Singapore, where public transport is probably the best in the world. So I can’t say I was impressed by public transport in LA, but in retrospect, it’s not too bad. It’s still not the most comprehensive, but at least it’s not nearly non-existent like how it was when I lived here ten years ago!

Here is a quick rundown of the two types of services you’d likely take as a tourist in LA:

• The LA Metro – The metro is a transportation agency consisting of rails and buses. Their rail lines now take you from downtown LA to Santa Monica! This is something that didn’t exist when I was in college.
• DASH Bus service – LADOT (short for Los Angeles Department of Transportation)’s bus service that services mostly downtown. Free with the TAP card you use to ride the metro.

To use the above services, you need to get a TAP card online . If you have a smartphone, you can even just pay for the fares through the app instead of a physical card. Then, you can buy a 1-day, 7-day, or 30-day pass for unlimited rides if you’re in LA for longer.

How much time should I spend in LA?

Let me start by saying that LA is a HUGE city and the landmarks are spread apart from each other. Ideally, you should try to spend 5-7 days here if you don’t want to be rushed and want to see everything.

But if you are okay with missing out on certain stuff, you can still see a good amount of stuff in just 3-4 days, or even a weekend if you’re good at organizing your time. After all, you can always come back 😉

When is the best time to visit LA?

So this is why I love LA so much – the weather here is simply the best. It’s great to visit all year round! The summers are not too hot, and the winters are not too cold. Spring and Fall are just downright beautiful. California tends to be dry, so you don’t have to worry too much about rain ruining your travel.

However, forest fires have unfortunately become a common occurrence in California, so be prepared if you’re visiting when it’s forest fire season. Pay attention to the news!

Where to stay in LA

There isn’t a specific area you can stay in LA where everything will be close by. No matter where you visit, you’ll likely still have to drive. That said, here are some recommendations!

If you have a high budget then staying in Downtown LA or West Hollywood is great for that LA feel. Here are some notable hotels if you need ideas:

• Chateau Marmont – Aside from being one of the most iconic hotels in Los Angeles, this hotel is also frequented by A-list celebrities.
• Ace Hotel DTLA – A historic hotel right in the heart of Downtown LA. The building interior is a spectacle on its own.
• The Beverly Hills Hotel – One of the world’s best-known hotels located on Sunset Blvd. It is said that “Hotel California” by the Eagles is based on this hotel.

Otherwise, if you want a more chill beach vibe then I recommend staying closer to the coastline in Santa Monica or Venice Beach. Bonus: It’s also close to LAX!

• HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica Hostel – This is a hostel so expect basic amenities. You can stay in a bunk bed or opt for a private room.
• The Georgian Hotel – This hotel caught my eye during my visit as it looks straight out of a Wes Anderson movie. Aside from that, the location is also really good – right in front of the beach and within walking distance of the Santa Monica Pier.
• Venice Breeze Suites – Located within walking distance of Venice boardwalk. Venice Beach can be a bit noisy and kind of dodgy at night, but it’s still one of the best places to enjoy LA.

The Must-Do Los Angeles Itinerary

To visualize the itinerary better, I’ve created a Google Maps link that marks all the routes and landmarks I’ll mention in this blog.

Here is the complete LA Itinerary map (If you can’t see the map, click here ):

🗺 Save this map to your phone!  If you are a Google user, click on the image of the map above. The map will then be saved to your “Recent” maps viewed.  Click here for instructions on how to view the map later . It will work from your phone too.

I hope you can see why I keep saying LA is huge. Most of the landmarks and points of interest are not concentrated in one place. But don’t worry! This is why I’ve grouped the activities into one area for each day, so you can plan and optimize your time in LA.

Here is a quick look at the areas we’ll be covering in this itinerary:

• Day 5 etc: Day Trip Ideas from LA

PS: If you are getting a travel pass, the Go City All-Inclusive Pass is mostly useful on Day 1 and 2. If you want to visit an amusement park though, it’s still worth it by adding extra days.

Here is a Los Angeles itinerary for your first visit:

Day 1: Central LA (The Hollywood Route)

This itinerary will take you through what LA is best known for – the fame, glamor, and glitz of Hollywood. On my LA Map itinerary, The Hollywood Route is marked in Purple . Here is the same itinerary map zoomed to just the Central LA portion:

Open Map on a new window

1. The Hollywood Sign & Griffith Observatory

Start your morning by going up to the Griffith Observatory. It’s a great place to see Los Angeles city from above, as well as the famous Hollywood sign. Contrary to popular belief though, you can’t get too close to the Hollywood sign since the area around it are private properties. If you do, it might be considered trespassing unless you know the owners of the lands.

The Griffith Observatory itself is an interesting place to visit, but very limited availability. Please also take note that it’s closed on Mondays . Admission is free though! ( Click here for information on Griffith Observatory )

⛰ Tip: If you fancy a hike, a Hollywood Hills Hike tour is included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass (normally US $28 per person). They depart at 10 AM and take 2.5 hours, so plan carefully whether you have time for this given all the other stuff you’d want to do for the rest of the day.

2. Hollywood Walk of Fame

Make your way down to Hollywood Blvd for the Walk of Fame, where you can see the star-studded sidewalk, literally! The Walk of Fame is where 2,600 Hollywood entertainers have earned the achievement of a lifetime, in the form of a 5-point star embedded in the sidewalk along the street.

3. Grauman’s Chinese Theater (TCL Chinese Theater)

Down the street from the Walk of Fame is the famous Chinese Theater, a theater whose decor was modeled after the red Chinese pagoda. It is the site where countless blockbuster movies held their global premiere, including the 1977 George Lucas’ Star Wars!

The theater has changed ownership a few times and changed names because of that – it was originally named Grauman’s Chinese Theater, but to me, it was known as Mann’s Chinese Theater. And now, the official name currently is TCL Chinese Theater!

Aside from being the site of major premieres, the theater is also known for housing over 200 handprints and footprints of famous Hollywood celebrities in the front yard of the theater.

Tip: If you fancy a tour, they have a VIP 30-minute walking tour that runs daily ( check the schedule here ) and is included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass (which normally costs US$ 14 per person). Note that if you take this tour, then you cannot go to Hollywood Museum using the Go City All-Inclusive Pass anymore.

4. Kodak Theater (Dolby Theater)

This theater is perhaps best known for hosting the ultimate Hollywood event – the Academy Awards (aka the Oscars) since 2002. The Kodak Theater has been officially known as Dolby Theater since 2012, but it will always be Kodak Theater for long-time LA residents – such as myself, I suppose. I moved away before the name change and was shocked when I found out!

Tip: They used to have a guided tour that runs daily every half hour from 10 AM – 4 PM, but now it runs more on the latter half of the week (check the schedule here ). The tour is included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass . The tour takes 30 minutes.

5. Hollywood Museum

Across the street from the Chinese Theater is the Hollywood Museum, where you can learn about the history of Hollywood and see props, costumes, and scripts from classic movies.

Tip: Admission is included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass (normally US $15 per person) if you didn’t go for a tour at the Chinese Theater.

6. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

If you love museums, definitely stop by here. You’ll probably recognize it right away from the famous Urban Light installation by Chris Burden , placed prominently at the entrance of the museum on Wilshire Blvd, a major street in LA.

Check out the museum during the day if you want to go in (it only opens till 5 PM), but if you’re just there for the Urban Lights then you can come at night since it is open 24 hours and it’s beautifully lit up when the sun goes down.

7. LA’s Farmers Market & The Grove

One block away from LACMA is LA Farmers Market , a fun place to people-watch, grab a bite, and get some refreshments. They are open every day ( click here for more information ).

Right next to it is The Grove , possibly the most beautiful open-air shopping center I’ve ever been to.

8. Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive is LA’s most luxurious street, known for its high-end stores, celebrity sightings, and the very fancy cars that often line up the very regular street parking spots. Keep your eyes peeled when you’re here, you never know who you might run into!

Where to eat/drink in Central LA

• Pink’s Hot Dogs – It’s a must-visit in LA. Started as a pushcart in 1939, Pink’s has now become a historic road site spot in LA, serving creative hot dogs.
• Urth Caffe – Organic coffee, tea, and healthy breakfast made from local ingredients. They are mostly known to be frequented by celebrities. There are eight locations around LA now, but the one in Melrose is probably the most convenient to go with your itinerary. It also has the highest chance of celebrity sightings.
• The Griddle Cafe – The place for indulgent hearty American breakfast. Think red velvet pancakes and the like.
• In-N-Out Burger – You haven’t been to California if you did not have In-N-Out. Period. There is a branch near the Chinese Theater on Sunset Blvd, so don’t miss this one!
• LA’s Farmers Market – Great place to get local produce and snacks.
• Yamashiro Hollywood – This place has been here forever! I remember coming here for a date back when I was in college. It’s located on top of a hill, so you’ll get a great view with your meal too.
• Lawry’s The Prime Rib – You might have seen them as the brand for seasoned salt in your grocery store, but Lawry’s is originally a famous steak house that has been around in LA since 1938. Their creamed corn is the best!

Day 2: Historic DTLA (Downtown LA)

This itinerary takes you through the modern, rugged downtown of LA, and what makes the city tick. Most of the landmarks on this route are close to each other and very walkable.

TIP: This is the only itinerary on this post that is potentially walkable or can be done through public transport. If you aren’t already staying in downtown LA, you can just arrange transport to DTLA, as you might not need a car for this day with everything being within walking distance.

On my LA Map itinerary, The DTLA Route is marked in Green . Here is the same itinerary map zoomed to just the DTLA portion:

Optional: Walking Tours!

I included this portion because the downtown LA area is just rich with history and very walkable and I think it’s worth paying extra for some local knowledge. Here are some walking tours you can consider:

• Old and New Downtown Los Angeles Walking Tour
• Downtown Los Angeles Architecture Walking Tour
• Los Angeles Beginnings Walking Tour
• If you are here on a Saturday, check out the walking tour by Los Angeles Conservancy . The tour costs $15 per person and they have tons of interesting options!

1. Bradbury Building

Start your morning at the Blue Bottle Coffee downstairs of the Bradbury Building. Bradbury Building is a prominent architectural landmark in LA. Built in 1893, it still retains the original design open-caged elevator and exquisite ironwork that gave this place its fame, in addition to being featured in famous movies, music videos, and television shows (how very LA of this building, right?). It is also most well known as one of the shooting locations for the 1982 Blade Runner sci-fi movie.

2. The Last Bookstore

Just a block away from Bradbury Building, this independent bookstore was made famous thanks to the round of photos on Instagram, and rightfully so – they house a handful of very Instagrammable beautiful creative art displays, with a theme centered around, well, books.

3. Grand Central Market & Angel’s Flight Railway

Right around the corner from Bradbury Building and The Last Bookstore is Grand Central Market. You can settle down here for lunch with lots of options. I recommend checking out the oyster bar or checking out Eggslut for a popular Egg sandwich.

Then, right across the street from Grand Central Market is Angel’s Flight, a funicular railway that connects Downtown LA to Bunker Hill. The ride lasts no more than thirty seconds and costs $1. Nowadays it’s regarded as a tourist novelty, but a fair amount of locals still use the railway too.

4. The Broad

Make your way down to The Broad, a contemporary art museum. And in true LA fashion, tickets to the museum are free but parking will cost you an arm and a leg. So if you’re already parked somewhere nearby, just leave your car and walk over here. The museum is closed on Mondays ( click here for more info on visiting the broad )

The Broad is yet another place that has been made even more popular by Instagram in recent years – thanks to the famous Yayoi Kusama installation “ Infinity Mirrored Rooms “, which is currently on view at The Broad.

If you’re there mainly for the Kusama installation though, be prepared to line up. The good thing is they have put in a virtual queue system that will notify you when your number is up, so you can use the waiting time to wander around the rest of The Broad! More instructions on visiting Infinity Mirrored Rooms are here .

But aside from the famous Kusama installation (which I did not bother waiting for), I think The Broad has a solid offering of modern art – you can see works by famous contemporary artists like Takashi Murakami, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jeff Koons.

5. Walt Disney Concert Hall

Before leaving The Broad, you can walk around the building and check out Disney Concert Hall. You don’t have to go in, but I think the facade from the outside is such an architectural delight.

But if you’re interested, you can go for a complimentary guided tour or self-guided audio tour which runs in the mornings at around 10 am – 3 pm (please check for availability!)

6. Grammy Museum

If music is your thing you might be interested in visiting the Grammy Museum too, where you can learn about the history and past winners of the Grammys. There are some paid exhibitions too.

Tip: The Grammy Museum is closed on Tuesdays . Admission is included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass (normally US$ 18 per person).

6. Olvera Street / El Pueblo Historic District

Los Angeles is nothing without its Mexican community – even the name of the city “Los Angeles” is in Spanish! So, end your day by visiting the colorful Mexican marketplace at Olvera Street. First opened on easter in 1930, the street now houses shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops. You can take the bus DASH Downtown Route A to get there .

The market is open every day, but most merchants are only open 10 am – 5 pm. Click here for more information on visiting . If you’re lucky, you might be there during one of the big events such as Dia De Los Muertos in October or Cinco de Mayo in May – check their calendar here !

7. Arts District

If you still have time after Olvera Street, you can walk over to the Arts District. The arts district was a pretty run-down, sketchy part of LA, but had undergone a major clean-up under its iconic mayor Joel Bloom. Nowadays, it houses many trendy restaurants, cafes, and breweries! You can take the bus DASH Downtown Route A to get there .

Where to eat/drink in Downtown LA

• Blue Bottle Coffee – I know they are not originally from LA, but there is one right downstairs of the Bradbury Building so you might as well try the coffee here if you haven’t before.
• Grand Central Market – Great place to visit with a group and sample many different things at once.
• Eggslut – This breakfast fast-food restaurant became a viral success back in 2011. The most popular item is “The Slut”, which is a coddled egg on top of a smooth potato puree, poached in a glass jar and served with toasty crostini. There is a branch in Grand Central Market!
• Koreatown – Or locally known as K-town. I’m a huge fan of Korean cuisine , but I find the ones in LA are often even better than in South Korea itself. I recommend checking out BCD Tofu House if you do decide to go.
• Ave 26 Tacos at Little Tokyo – The original location is a little bit out of the way, but now there is a location in Little Tokyo! You don’t get more LA than inhaling Lengua tacos off the back of your friend’s car in some shady parking lot.
• Langer’s Deli – One of the few Jewish delis in LA. I didn’t get to try the matzo ball here , but you should!
• Pacific Dining Car – Another iconic LA steakhouse that’s been around since 1921. I heard reservations are hard to get, but you should still try. As the name says, you’d be dining in a railway dining car.
• Clifton’s Republic – Used to be Clifton’s Cafeteria, the building has now turned into a hip bar. There are a total of 4 floors and each floor has a different theme.
• SUGARFISH by Sushi Nozawa – This is a very trendy sushi place in DTLA that is also known for serving great food.

Day 3: Westside LA (The Beach!)

This itinerary is a much more chilled-out day compared to the previous ones. It takes you what you probably had in mind when you hear “California” – the palm trees and the beach! This area is my favorite since not only is it beautiful, but it’s also my old stomping grounds.

On my LA Map itinerary, The West LA Route is marked in Red . Here is the same itinerary map zoomed to just the West LA portion:

1. UCLA Campus – Where the Internet was born

Okay, I might be super biased cause I’m a Bruin, but I do think UCLA is one of the most beautiful college campuses in the US! You can stroll around the campus, see how American college students go about their daily lives, and visit the room where the internet was born at 3420 Boelter Hall (learn more about it here )

PS: I was a Computer Science student and once spent a week straight, day and night, at Boelter Hall finishing my CS project. I have a love-hate relationship with that place.

UCLA was also used as a set for many Hollywood movies and TV Shows. It’s been used to illustrate Harvard University in Gilmore Girls and Legally Blonde , among many others. If that interests you, check out the full list of movies and TV shows filmed at UCLA .

2. The Getty Center

The real name of this place is The J. Paul Getty Museum, but we all call it “The Getty” for short. It’s only a few miles away from the UCLA Campus. The museum houses famous art and painting (most notably Irises by Vincent van Gogh) but aside from that, it’s also famous for its architectural design and an amazing view of LA from above.

Take note that they are closed on Mondays . Admission is free, but you should still reserve a ticket here . Check out what exhibition is currently on here . Parking costs $20 , but if you plan to visit Getty Villa on the same day, parking there would be free.

3. Santa Monica Pier & Third Street Promenade

Once you’re done with The Getty, drive down to Santa Monica and head to the pier. Santa Monica Pier was declared as the official endpoint of the legendary highway Route 66 on the highway’s 83rd birthday. Nowadays you can see a road sign that marks the end of the trail in the Pacific Ocean.

On the pier is a small amusement park called Pacific Park , where you can grab a bite, get on some rides, or play games.

🛼 Tip: You can also rent a bike/roller skate from Perry’s Cafe, included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass (normally US$12 per hour).

From Santa Monica, it’s just a short walk to Third Street Promenade , a peaceful open-air shopping mall that’s perfect to chill out at. And just to add to the LA-ness of this place, one time as I was shopping here and Vanessa Carlton randomly showed up for an impromptu performance (remember her??).

4. Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a neighborhood that started flourishing in the 2010s and was referred to as the coolest block in America by GQ in 2012. You can explore trendy shops, cafes, restaurants, and art galleries here. I recommend checking out Intelligentsia for coffee and Salt & Straw for ice cream.

You can check out merchants in the Abbot Kinney Boulevard here . They also hold events on the first Friday of every month, which you can check out here .

5. Venice Canals Historic District

You can’t stop by Venice without checking out the manmade canals, which are modeled after Venice in Italy (hence the name of this area). If you’ve watched the show “Californication” on Showtime, this area would look REALLY familiar.

If you’re wondering who Abbot Kinney is, he’s the guy responsible for building this area in 1905. The Venice canals used to be 2-3 times bigger than it is today, but most of the canals were closed and turned into normal roads when automobiles gained popularity.

Keep in mind that although historic, they are still expensive high-end residential areas and people DO live here, so be respectful of people’s privacy when visiting… even though I would imagine they’ve gotten used to tourists.

6. Venice Beach Boardwalk

Finally, end your day at Venice Beach, just a short walk from the canals. You should try to get here a little before sunset. Walk around the Venice Boardwalk , check out the famous Venice Beach sign , watch muscular people work out at the open-air Venice Muscle Beach, the Skate bowl watch skaters perform their tricks, and end your day by enjoying one of the best sunsets in the world.

Where to eat/drink in West LA

• C&O Trattoria – Nice place for Italian dinner. The garlic balls are the best!
• In-N-Out – You haven’t been to LA if you did not have In-N-Out!
• SUGARFISH by Sushi Nozawa – I’ve mentioned this in the DTLA portion, but there is also a branch in Santa Monica.
• Sushi Zo – I used to go here for omakase dinner. I’m glad they are still around and kicking!
• Sidecar Doughnuts – My friend Kat brought me here and I’m in love! I did not try the decadent maple bacon doughnut, but I quite enjoyed the Butter & Salt and the Huckleberry doughnuts.
• Afters Ice Cream – Their milk and cereal ice cream is SO good
• Salt & Straw Ice Cream – Portland-based ice cream that has opened a branch in Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Day 4: Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Driving Route

Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH for short) is undoubtedly the most famous highway in America. It’s a very scenic drive along the coast of California, starting from San Francisco and going all the way down to Los Angeles before continuing to San Diego. If you were to do the entire drive it would take you up to a week, but while you’re in LA it’s entirely possible to catch a glimpse of the famous PCH drive.

On my LA Map itinerary, The Pacific Coast Highway Driving Route is marked in Orange . Here is the same itinerary map zoomed to just the PCH portion:

1. The Getty Villa Museum

If you’ve been following my itinerary so far, you would have visited The Getty on the Westside LA route. This villa is part of the same Getty property! But unlike The Getty, Getty Villa is more of an architectural delight than the arts. Sure, the arts were cool, but I feel that the immaculate garden and the beautiful buildings overpowered them.

Take note that they are closed on Tuesdays . Admission is free, but you should still reserve a ticket here – though I must note that nobody checked our reservation when we were there. Check out what exhibition is currently on here .

Parking costs $20 , but if you plan to visit Getty Center on the same day, parking there would be free.

Malibu needs no introduction. You’ve most likely heard of this name before, so try to make a stop here! We stopped by Malibu Lagoon State Beach , evidently a surfer’s paradise based on how many surfboard-carrying vehicles we saw parked on the side of the street. Point Mugu State Park is also a great place to stop and enjoy the beautiful California coastline.

4. Oxnard & Santa Barbara

It’s up to you how long you want to continue the drive, but I suggest making your way up to either Oxnard or Santa Barbara before turning back. Oxnard doesn’t have much for tourists, but it does have some of the BEST Mexican food. We stopped by Carnitas El Rey here, and I still think about their carnitas even 5 years later.

Santa Barbara is a beach town with cute restaurants, spa treatments, and hiking. It could be a day trip in itself if this is something that interests you.

5. Camarillo Premium Outlets

LA is known for shopping, but the best kind of shopping is the one at premium outlets. Stop by here if you need to do some shopping. You can pretty much get the same brands, and sometimes the same clothing that is currently being sold in the mall for much cheaper here. Think Lululemon, Adidas, Banana Republic, Coach, Kate Spade, and so much more. Check out their full list of stores here .

Where to eat along the PCH

• Duke’s Malibu – I have great memories of Duke’s. This was where my sorority held one of our formals!
• Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market – You can enjoy seafood overlooking the Malibu beach
• Carnitas El Rey – If you make it to Oxnard, make sure you stop by here! You know it’s legit when a place only serves one kind of dish – Carnitas. I’m convinced I’ll never find Carnitas as good as this place again…

Looking for more? Day / Short Trip Ideas from LA

If you have more time in LA and you’ve done all of the above itineraries, you can take a look at the following activities:

1. Visit Amusement Parks

Amusement parks are perhaps what Los Angeles is best known for, second to Hollywood. We do have a lot of exciting parks around! Most of these parks are about a 1.5 – 2 hours drive from LA, so visiting one of the parks will take the entire day.

Tip: All of the amusement parks below are already included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass (except Disneyland) , so if you’re planning to visit these parks and other LA landmarks, highly suggest purchasing the pass !

• Universal Studios – Fun park to visit for movie buffs. It’s the closest to the city out of all the amusement parks near LA. Note that Universal Studios is considered a premium attraction and is only included with the 3, 4, 5, and 7-day Go City pass.
• Six Flags Magic Mountain – Great for those looking for more thrills. The rides here are amazing, full of twists, turns, and loops!
• Knott’s Berry Farm – a quintessentially American amusement park. This is the park I used to go to when I was living in LA. They have rides that cater to both adults and children. If you’re here during Halloween month (October), you can also check out Knott’s Scary Farm, their Halloween event.
• LEGOLAND – This is way down south closer to San Diego, about a 2.5-hour drive from LA, but a must if you love those LEGO blocks! Note that if you use the Go City All-Inclusive Pass here, you cannot use it for San Diego Zoo.

2. Go to Disneyland

There are two Disneyland Parks in Anaheim, CA. Disneyland Park is the original Disney amusement park, built in 1955 under the supervision of Walt Disney himself.  Disney California Adventure is the newer park with more exciting rides – I remember I had just moved to LA when this park was first opened in 2001. I was still in high school back then and I had great memories of this place.

Tips for visiting Disneyland

• If you are only going for one day to either of these parks, you can book Single Day Tickets here, it’s cheaper than booking from the Disneyland website. BUT If you want to go to both parks and you are going during the low season, it would be better to buy separate single-day tickets rather than the multiday link below. Check the calendar in the link above.
• If you want to go to both parks during regular or peak season, then the Multiday Tickets will be a better deal (also cheaper through this link than booking straight from Disneyland’s website).
• Download the Disneyland App and use the Genie service to manage your ride wait times.

3. Nature, Beach, and National Parks

If nature and hiking are more your things, you can check out the following areas:

• Joshua Tree National Park – This park is about a 2.5-hour drive inland from LA. If you want to make this a day trip, you’ll have to leave very early to avoid traffic.
• Palm Springs – Palm Springs is close to Joshua Tree National park, and a popular weekend getaway for Angelenos. It’s one of the earliest settlements that has flourished to this day, offering desert life, resorts, and a spa.
• Mojave National Preserve – Also about a 2.5-hour drive inland from LA, just a bit more north. It’s about the halfway point from LA to Las Vegas.
• Big Bear Lake & Lake Arrowhead – These lakes are up in the mountainous region in San Bernardino, just a little under 2-hour drive from LA. In the winter it’s famous for snow sports such as snowboarding and skiing. In the summer, you can do watersports and hiking.
• Catalina Island – Catalina is an island that is about a one-hour ferry ride off the coast of LA. You can do kayaking, ride a glass bottom boat or go snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Southern California Ghost Towns – Unlike Palm Springs, there are plenty of ghost towns left in the desert of California from the early settlements that did not last. All that’s left is an abandoned town and a cool preserved look into life back in the 1800s. You can read this article for more information .

4. Cities near LA

• Santa Barbara – I’ve mentioned Santa Barbara in the PCH route itinerary, but if you didn’t make it up there, it is a beach town with cute restaurants, spa treatments, and hiking.
• San Diego – Visit San Diego Zoo (included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass if you haven’t used it for LEGOLAND), the beach, or have some good food.
• Beach Cities – Stop by Huntington Beach for a whale-watching cruise or Long Beach for the Aquarium of the Pacific (both activities are included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass)
• Burbank – North Hollywood, Warner Brother’s Studio Tour (included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass), and Porto’s Bakery!

Okay, that was a lot longer than I expected. I guess after living in LA for 10 years, I do know a thing or two about the place.

Leave me a comment below if you found this itinerary useful. I love hearing from you guys!

PS: If you need this guide for later,  click here to save this post on Pinterest !

102 Comments

• June 6, 2024

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for the useful info — very helpful indeed. My family and I are traveling to LA in mid August. We’d heard people saying it’s not safe in LA/DTLA, so we have some concerns. What would you suggest as to where to stay, and what and where to avoid during even day time from a safety perspective.

Best. Moore

• June 7, 2024

Hey Moore, it’s true that DTLA could be gritty, but I think if you blend in and don’t draw attention to yourself, you’ll be fine. I would avoid Skid Row area. In my itinerary above, you would come close to it on Day 2. However, I have to say that I never had anything bad happen to me even when I was traveling alone and I don’t personally know anyone who has had bad experience in LA. Hope you’ll have a great and safe time in LA!

• April 28, 2024

Incidentally, I am father of a Bruin who completed undergrad in Math of Computation in March 2024 and am heading to LA for his graduation ceremony in June 2014. Will follow your advice as we plan to stay there for 15 days. Have booked an Airbnb in Westwood. Cheers!

• April 29, 2024

Mrinal, congratulations to your son and I hope you have a great time in LA!

• March 12, 2024

A trip to Los Angeles is always exciting! There’s never a dull moment, whether it’s the famous Hollywood sign or the energetic streets of Venice Beach. A local food truck serves delicious tacos, so make sure to indulge in some delicious food while watching the sunset at Griffith Observatory. There is something for everyone in Los Angeles.

• February 19, 2024

is your iti good for public commute?

Hi Jen, only Downtown area and maybe west LA is good for commute by bus. The rest, you’ll need a car.

• November 24, 2023

HI Melissa, I am visiting LA next month, have marked most of the places your have mentioned in your itinerary but the way you have sought it out region wise. You save my trip. Thanks for making my upcoming trip successful.

• October 15, 2023

Why have I not found your guide sooner!!! This guide is on point and have sent our relatives from other counties to use this. Thank you!!!

Thank you Julie for your kind words! It’s comment like yours that makes writing post like this worth it!

• September 1, 2023

Hi Melissa:

In terms of visiting your alma mater the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), apparently, UCLA has multiple addresses. As a result, for future reference, at which address/location of UCLA should a taxi drop me off at, and at which address/location of UCLA should a taxi pick me up at?

In addition, in terms of eateries in and around UCLA, which eatery (if any) or eateries (if any) would you suggest, advise, and recommend that I consider eating at that is relatively healthy?

I made it to LA! I am currently here for an LA getaway this summer for seven (7) days in which four (4) days have already elapsed.

In terms of transportation, I have utilized the taxi, and my good old fashioned feet to get me to particular places.

Hey TJ, you can ask to get dropped off at Ackerman Union. That is the student center and it has some food options there. I hope you are enjoying LA!

• August 13, 2023

Hi, thank you very much for this, great help in preparing our itinerary. Our family will go to San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles this December. Do you have a suggestions to experience Christmas in LA?

• July 29, 2023

No car, no experience. LA is huge you must rent to get a better view of the LA vibe.

• July 13, 2023

Hello Melissa,

Thank you for your itinerary! I am going to LA for honeymoon with my husband next week. We will be following your itinerary on Day 1 and day 2 (Hollywood and Downtown LA). We will be driving and I am wondering where can I park in these two areas? Thanks!

Hey Rachael, in those areas you’ll want to look for a dedicated carpark or street parking. carpark is easiest to find, but will be more expensive

Thanks for your reply! Do you have any suggested carparks?

I wouldn’t say I have a suggested carpark per se. But I did find this interactive map of carparks which will tell you the cost and where to park: https://downtownla.com/maps/getting-around/parking . I would say if you’re following my itinerary closely, you might want to park close to The last bookstore since it’s closer to where the other stuff is. For hollywood, park near the walk of fame.

Dear Melissa,

Thank you so much! 🫶🏼

• July 5, 2023

This is such a great site! There’s so many amazing spots that I look forward to visiting with my family and friends. I’m completely obsessed, thank you!!

• July 3, 2023

Thank you for this itinerary. I appreciate it. I have not been able to read it in full and in depth yet. However, I will definitely be reading this in full and in depth when I have a chance.

It would be my first (1st) time visiting Los Angeles as I am planning an LA getaway this summer.

Not too short, but not too long either. Perhaps five (5) to seven (7) days (give or take) as you suggested, advised, and recommended.

I am struggling a little bit right now figuring what I would like to do in LA while I am there.

However, I do not know that I am a man who loves to be in the middle of the action, in the middle of the vibe(s), in the middle of the social scene, to be where the action is, etc. (applies to both daytime and nighttime).

I love to party. I love to go clubbin’, bar hoppin’, socially drink, etc. The nightlife is usually my lifestyle.

In terms of the nightlife, where should I go partying, clubbin’, bar hopping, etc.?

Additionally, if I have another question, or, any other questions, how can you be contacted?

• July 4, 2023

Hey TJ. LA is a city that sleeps early 😉 for nightlife, i would suggest heading to west hollywood.

• May 23, 2023

This is such a thorough and great itinerary! Thanks so much for taking the time to craft something so thoughtful. I’ll be in LA at the end of July for five full days, and I’m following your plan very closely.

Have fun Charles! July should be great for weather in LA

• February 12, 2023

thanks this is great itinerary i’ve been looking for..hope can make it this summer

• January 13, 2023

Such a great list! I’ve been living here my whole life and there are several places on here that I still haven’t been to! Sidecar Donuts has been on my list for a long time. I’m gonna have to go this weekend! 🙂

• December 27, 2022

Exactly the info I needed! Thanks for making the time and content for this post. You’re awesome 😎

• December 24, 2022

Thanks for this useful blog. I plan on visiting Los Angeles this January along with my girlfriend and family. I hope I can eat affordable foods there. See you soon LA.

• November 20, 2022

thank you for taking your time and provide us with this post.

• September 6, 2022

This information is very useful for my next trip to the city and to be able to visit it with my family.

• April 20, 2022

The above blog is very useful for first-time visitors to Los Angeles. The places you have mentioned are very beautiful places. and some great information to check the new places.

• November 30, 2021

Hey Melissa! Awesome itinerary and places to visit. I’ll be flying in for the Kanye West show at the LA memorial collisium in about a week, any advice on where to stay the night of the show? I’ll move around after, since I’ll be here for a week, but I want to make sure the day of goes smoothly.

• November 12, 2021

Hi Melissa! I’ll be visiting LA very soon next week with my sister and I’m so excited and thankful for your detailed itinerary, it really gave me a lot of information and I think it would be very helpful to us there since this is our first time in LA (we’ll be staying for about 2 weeks). Thank you so much!

Prestisa, I’m glad you found it useful! Enjoy LA

• October 12, 2021

This is great informative and helpful content. Thanks for the itinerary!

• September 16, 2021

Your post is about some good advice and tips for visiting the city. It is hard to know where to begin when you visit a large city like Los Angeles.

• July 11, 2021

Beautiful article! Thanks for sharing

• June 26, 2021

Actually, it will be my second time in LA but I can’t wait to be there again!

Thanks for this amazing guide!

• May 19, 2021

Hi i’ll be visiting for my first time ever in July this year, whats a good car rental company to rent a car from with good prices?

• August 13, 2020

Thank you so much for this! I’m heading to LA for the weekend for business but wanted some cool things to do during my downtime. I’m really excited about the Hollywood itinerary since I’m staying in that area. This made my planning so much easier!

• May 30, 2020

This is great! I have yet to pass my test (due to the pandemic) but once I do, I do want to go LA and drive around there myself and experience what it’s like there. Thanks for the itinerary!

• May 23, 2020

I’d love to visit LA, your photos look amazing and it looks like there’s loads to there!

• May 4, 2020

Los Angeles is an amazing city with so many things to see and do! This itinerary is very detailed and is indeed a big help.

• March 23, 2020

these tips are surely very helpful and informative as well my brother who is planning to go to Los Angeles may find these tips very informative, I will surely share this with him, and with my friends as well for their future reference. As it is Los Angeles is so beautiful place that everyone seems to visit .

• March 4, 2020

Hi, love how you break down the itinerary by area. We will be renting a car for your holiday as we are driving down to SF, in this case, do you suggest us staying at different hotel or? Thanks

Hey Hazel, the areas I listed is still good even if you’re driving.

Thank you for your reply.

Would it be better if we stay at different hotel? like Santa Barbara? So that it will be easier to drive down Yosemite National Park and Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel? Actually i am still in dilemna, where to visit first….your advise? Do you have itinitery to share on San Francisco, California?

I did SF – LA- Vegas last year and I’m happy to share my experience with you Hazel?

Great, Thank you!

• February 25, 2020

Hello Marissa,

Thank you for the itinerary you posted it gave me some very good ideas for my first trip.

My wife and I and two children (10 and 12) are visiting LA for first time in April 2020. We will rent a car. Is parking available/expensive around Hollywood Walk of Fame, Farmers Market,Walt Disney concert hall, etc? My son will enjoy the skate bowl at Venice beach. Any other ideas for young children? A friend mentioned the San Diego zoo.

Hi James, my name is Melissa 😉 There are parking around these areas, but they tend to be expensive – you’ll probably end up paying about $15 to park your car. You can try to find street metered parking but they are hard to come by so most likely you’ll just have to pay the cost. If you are following my itinerary you only have to pay one parking fee per day (usually $15 is flat rate you need to pay regardless how long you leave the car). San Diego Zoo is quite far from LA but if you don’t mind the drive then it could be a good option (2 hours without traffic). What about amusement parks like Universal Studios and Disneyland?

• June 18, 2021

Hi Melissa If I follow your itinerary you said for each area you pay parking fee once per day, I’m assuming you park your car (example) somewhere in the Hollywood area and then walk to all the different places in Hollywood you want to see? Are they all walkable within its area? What about the Santa Monica area, is it the same?

• January 18, 2020

We went to Venice beach and it was awful! So many homeless people laying around the beach and just everywhere. It was very dirty and had horrible smell. Did not even feel like I was in America. Santa Monica was a little better than Venice but it also had a homeless problem. I would avoid these 2 beaches in the future and maybe go to Laguna Beach area- we did that and it was beatiful.

• January 7, 2020

Can I drive at LA with an Australian driving license?

yes, there shouldn’t be an issue. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#international

• December 9, 2019

Hi, first I want to thank you for this amazing article, one of the best written online for such itinerary.

I am traveling with wife and 2 kids (9 and 4), can you recommend some areas to stay at?

Hi Mohammad, it really depends what you want to do in LA. I would recommend staying near the beach (Santa Monica / Venice) or somewhere near West Hollywood would be good if you are planning to follow all of my itineraries. But as I said, you’d have to drive in LA anyway since the area is huge.

• December 3, 2019

I would like to check with you if it is recommended to rent car with driver or get LA pass or both since either me or my hubby cannot drive but we also would like to explore those places recommended by you.

Will that be better to go SF via flight?

• December 5, 2019

Hey Jesslyna, if you can get a car with driver that would be best, but you can also just book Uber or Lyft when you are there to take you around. You can get the LA pass which includes some bus lines, but I don’t really recommend relying on public transport while in LA.

Thanks for your reply. Is it recommended to go both SF and LA in 2 weeks or LA only in 10 days

I think 2 weeks is doable for both SF and LA.

• November 8, 2019

Hello Melissa and thank you for providing us your itenerary,my friends and I are going to Los Angeles in early December for the first time and your blog is the blest helper for our trip.I would like to ask you 2 things,we are from Greece so the drivers license is a European,do you know if we have to make the license international or it is okay with the European?Also we are going to book the Go Los Angeles card you recommend and I am wondering about visiting universal studios which is in the city pass,is there also a way to pay extra for not waiting in the line and for example visiting the Harry Potter experience or Jurassic world,do we have to pay extra for the experiences inside the universal studio? Thank you for your time,you are the best!!Greetings from Greece

• November 11, 2019

1. Universal Studios – Harry potter and Jurassic World should be included in the Go Los Angeles card since it’s part of the theme park. But if you don’t want to wait in line, you can upgrade at the park for Express privilege. I am not sure how much it costs though, and the upgrade is limited per day. If you aren’t able to upgrade, try to get there early to minimize the wait time, and try to not go on weekends. But you should be okay since early December is not yet the peak season for these parks. Note that admission to Universal Studios is available only for the 3, 5, and 7-Day Go Los Angeles Pass packages

Another option is to buy the express pass separately: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/18057-universal-studios-hollywood-express-vip-los-angeles/?aid=5711 BUT i would only recommend this if you decide not to buy the Go Los Angeles Card.

2. If your driver’s license is in English, you can drive in California with just your European license without converting to international license.

Thank you very much for your help,you are the best!!!

• November 3, 2019

Where would be the best place to stay to do most of what is on your itinerary?

• October 23, 2019

You are a Legend Melissa, amazed by the amount of details especially we are travelling with a little one, so everything counts. Thanks heaps for this and keep posting

i’m glad to have been able to help!

• October 9, 2019

You saved my trip! What a complete and dedicated itinerary. Thank you for that Melissa. Any recommendation for Beverly Hills and hollywood stars homes’ tour ?

Thanks Julia. sorry I just saw your comment – hopefully you found a good tour!

• January 30, 2020

Do you have any recommendations for good home tour?

• September 13, 2019

Thanks for your reply and tips about driving from LA to SD. As for the car rentals, can I use the same car to drive from LAX to SD and to Las Vegas and back? Any trusted car rental companies u recommend?

Hey Adri, yes you can use the same car, provided you pay for the fuel and fill the car up before returning. The road to Las Vegas from LA/SD is nicely built so any car you rent for the city should be fine. As for rental company I usually just go with whatever is the cheapest. I think I went with Enterprise last time and I had no issues.

Great thanks Melissa. Will check them out.

• September 9, 2019

I’m intending to visit grand canyon and antelope canyon next year. Is it mandatory to book a tour in advance? or we can book the entry ticket on the spot

Hey Tris, I’ve only been to grand canyon, but I think you can just purchase ticket on the spot if you are driving. You only need tour if you need transportation to get there too.

• September 8, 2019

This is the best info I have read on LA – thank you!!

I am visiting early October, driving Pacific Highway 1 night Santa Barbara then 2 nights at the Loews Hollywood. So much I want see but so little time. I not bothered about Disney or Wax works etc What are must sees in 2 days? Gosh wish I was there longer!! Should I do beach stuff on day I arrive as we will be that way already? Thank you!

hey Sharon, if you are just there for two days, I recommend doing this itinerary: https://girleatworld.net/los-angeles-itinerary/#westside for the beach, and maybe the downtown LA portion https://girleatworld.net/los-angeles-itinerary/#dtla

This should keep you busy for 2 days!

• August 24, 2019

A great blog to read indeed! Will be visiting LA in Nov for 2weeks. But am totally clueless whether I should be spending time in San Diego or Los Angeles first. Am arriving LAX on a Wednesday morning. Could u kindly advise or propose a route on where I should visit first? Am travelling with teens so we will be doing more of amusement Parks, Disney, Big bear Lake and zoos. Not forgetting outlet shopping as well.

• August 26, 2019

Hey Adri! I am happy you like the blog post. As for San Diego vs LA, I don’t think it matters much which one to go first. However the one you should be aware of is probably the traffic situation when going from SD to LA and then back. I would avoid that route on weekends, and I would also avoid traveling during peak commute times (morning and afternoon).

• August 22, 2019

Loved reading through your adventures! So many places to visit, but we went for a family holiday by car and really enjoyed it. By the way, gorgeous photos!

• July 31, 2019

Hey Melissa

Thank you for your detailed post. Can you recommend a site to buy cheap tickets for Disneyland? The one you posted (klook.com) doesn’t seem to be working now. Thank you!

Hey Andre, I have updated the link. Thank you for spotting this!

• June 7, 2019

Hi Mellisa,

Thanks for sharing with us your itinerary, how about san Francisco? do you have a similar itinerary? thanks

Hey Tris! Glad you enjoyed this LA itinerary. Unfortunately it has been over a decade since I’ve been back to SF, so I don’t have anything on it :/

• May 22, 2019

Hi, Thanks for your detailed itinerary. Which part of LA will you recommend to stay?

• May 20, 2019

I used your itinerary for Tokyo and it was amazing! Will be using your California tips in December 🙂

• May 21, 2019

thanks Emma!! have fun in California

• May 3, 2019

From LAX to the Hotel (i am not sure which hotel to choose) but I am thinking of Hotel Hwood Near the Sunset Strip (Hollywood).of The Dixie Hollywood Hotel.

• May 2, 2019

Hi, your itinerary is very detailed. It will be my first trip to LA. May I know whether should I arrange Greyhound transport instead of the Shared Transport.

Hey Susan – transport to where?

• April 20, 2019

Hi Melissa, great to chance upon your blog and I’m Singaporean. Where would you reccomend the area to stay in LA? I’m travelling with my husband in Nov this year and it is our first time and we would like to get to the know where best to stay for first timers. Thank you

Hey Mael, it really depends what you want to do since LA is huge. If you want to see the Hollywood side then I recommend staying Weho (West Hollywood) area. But if you don’t mind the drive then Santa Monica area close to the beach is nice too!

• April 4, 2019

Thank you, Melissa! I just bought the ticket to LA for the 2nd week of December and it’s gonna be our 1st trip to the states, so your itinerary is really helpful. We’re planning to do the road trip from LA – San Diego – Grand Canyon – Vegas – Pacific Coast – SF. Can you tell me about the December weather in these areas, i. e. How cold will it be in SF and how warm it’ll be in Grand Canyon? Thanks again!

Hey Anya, I assume you are from Singapore? In December it will be cold in all the places you are visiting, especially in relative to Singapore. Definitely bring a jacket and wind breaker for SF. It’s the wind that makes cold weather unbearable. Also note the weather is very dry (again in relative to humid Singapore) so make sure you moisturize hands and especially lips! Mine gets dry to the point my lips start bleeding when I don’t properly moisturize it. It hurts a lot when it gets to that point, so prevent it with daily lip balm.

Hi Melissa, sorry I just realized you replied! Yes we live in Singapore. Thanks a lot! I’ll go with my husband, my 8 yo, and 4 yo daughters so we’ll make sure we prepare the right outfit, esp for the kids.

• March 25, 2019

Thank you so much! I am planning for a trip to LA with senior relatives in a month and I am going crazy with the trip planning. Your itinerary is such a great help!

Thank you for the comment Maggie. Hope you will have fun in LA!!

• March 19, 2019

This is my second time in LA & i must say :: THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL ITENIRARY 😭😭😭 ! It is the best I have ever seen and have helped me as a tourist know exactly where to go. Thank you so much & keep posting !

Thanks Abi! I guess i should rename this itinerary not just for first time visitors? 😂

• February 21, 2020

Melissa, my Kids (25 & 16) will be visiting California for the first time in July. We want to visit the touristy places; Universal Studios, Hollywood sign, Walk of Fame, Museums, Trendy Eateries, Santa Monica Pier and both Disneyland parks. My dilemma is where to stay to easily navigate to these places. We’ll be there for 4 days and will have a rental car.

Please advise on where to stay

• February 24, 2020

Hi Marissa, I would recommend staying near the beach (Santa Monica / Venice) or somewhere near West Hollywood. But you’d have to drive in LA anyway since the area is huge.

• February 4, 2019

I fully agree that without a rental car in Los Angeles it will be difficult without a rental car. I was here last summer and car rental saved our holiday. It’s good that there are good prices and a normal selection of cars.

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Los Angeles Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

Los Angeles takes some getting used to. It’s a love/hate city for most people. When I first visited Los Angeles, I hated it . The city was too big, too vapid, and too expensive.

But, the more I came here, the more I saw that this isn’t a city for tourists — it’s a city for residents. With only a few tourist attractions spread out over a vast distance, it’s hard to “see” LA the way you can easily see NYC, Paris, or London, especially if you don’t rent a car. But this is a city where you come to enjoy life the way the locals do: eat healthy food, go to the beach, go for a run, see a concert, and relax. It’s a city for living .

Once you take the pressure of trying to fit Los Angeles into the tourist box, you see the magic of the city and easygoing lifestyle of the locals. That’s when you fall in love with LA.

This travel guide to Los Angeles will help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this iconic destination.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Los Angeles

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Los Angeles

1. Take a day trip to Disneyland

Visit the “Happiest Place on Earth” in nearby Anaheim. I love the rides — like Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain — and just feeling like a kid. Don’t miss the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with its popular Rise of the Resistance ride (it’s worth the price). Other popular rides include the Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and Indiana Jones’ Adventure. It’s a magical place! A one-day/one-park ticket starts $104 USD.

2. See Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood Boulevard has recently gone through some urban renewal and renovation. See the sidewalk street performers and enjoy the Walk of Fame (with over 2,700 celebrities’ handprints and footprints), Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (now known as TCL Chinese Theatre, which features one of the largest movie screens in the country), and much more. You can also hop on a tourist bus to see where the rich and famous live and work.

3. Tour the Getty Museum

The Getty Museum is amazing for four reasons: its impressive art collection, its dramatic Richard Meier architecture, its ever-changing gardens, and the sweeping views of the city. Opened in 1997, the museum focuses on pre-20th-century European art as well as and 19th- and 20th-century American and European photographs. It features work by Van Gogh, Gauguin, and other masters. Visiting here was a highlight of my time in LA. It’s one of the best spots in the city and, if you only see one museum, make it this one. It’s free to enter, however, you have to pay to park ($25 USD). It’s closed on Mondays.

4. Explore Griffith Park

This place is fantastic for hiking, picnics, and hanging around with friends. The hiking trails lead up to Mulholland Drive and provide great views of the city. Griffith Park has many activities, including the LA Zoo, the Autry Western Museum, pony rides, a golf course, a driving range, and an observatory. Think of it like Central Park in New York City but much larger (it spans 4,310 acres versus Central Park’s 843 acres) and much more rugged. There’s also plenty of wildlife here, including mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and coyotes. Guided hikes are available too if you prefer to go with a group.

5. Relax at Venice Beach

Besides the sand and waves, Venice Beach has street performers, surfers, skaters, and intense basketball games (some of the best streetball players in the world can be found here). Wander around, take in the street art, and eat and drink at many of the restaurants that line the beach. Avoid the weekends if you’re heading to the beach as it gets crowded. It’s just one of the best places to hang out in the city.

Other Things to See and Do in Los Angeles

1. tour universal studios hollywood.

Universal Studios Hollywood is the only working movie studio and theme park in the world. Their studio tour lasts one hour and gives you a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood, including a visit to the plane crash scene from War of the Worlds, Peter Jackson’s King Kong, the Bates Hotel from Psycho, and cars from Fast & Furious (the tour is hosted by Jimmy Fallon on video). The theme park is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World, The Simpsons ride, special effects shows, and a soon to open Nintendo World. A one-day ticket costs $109 USD while a two-day pass starts at $159 USD. Get your tickets in advance here.

2. Party on Sunset Boulevard

Perhaps one of the world’s most famous streets in the world, Sunset Blvd began as a route between the stars’ posh neighborhoods and the Hollywood studios. It runs from downtown to the ocean, passing through the “Sunset Strip” with its beaches and movie studios on its way. You’ll find a lot of high end clubs, restaurants, and bars here.

3. Explore Old Town Pasadena

Historic downtown Pasadena is located just ten minutes from Los Angeles. Its pedestrian-friendly zone is designated as a National Register Historic District and stretches for twenty-two blocks. It’s filled with boutique shops and restaurants and is also a popular nightspot for all of you party animals out there. It’s an eclectic area where people of all ages come to hang out. The Caltech campus is a nice place to explore with its turtle pond and lush gardens. Eaton Canyon Natural Area is nearby and you can learn about the native landscape, plants, and wildlife as you walk through more than 3.5 miles of trails.

4. Shop at the Farmers Market & The Grove

There’s a great farmer’s market here with loads of fresh bread, fruit, veggies, and a delicious food court. Nearby is an outdoor shopping area featuring all the major brands as well as a movie theater. It’s a nice place to spend an afternoon. You can also learn the history of the farmers market while sampling some of its food with Melting Pot Tours (tours are $89 USD). The tour is 2.5 hours and gives you a chance to sample food from nine different vendors.

5. Take a walk on the beach

Los Angeles beaches are a great place to go for a walk, people-watch, or just lounge in the sun. Venice Beach and Santa Monica are two of the most famous beaches. The Santa Monica Pier, built in 1909, is also a fun way to spend an afternoon thanks to its carnival-like atmosphere right on the beach (it has several rides, greasy food stalls, and carnival games). Huntington Beach, Redondo Beach, and Playa del Rey are some of the other popular beaches around the city as well.

6. Visit the Huntington Library

This beautifully-designed library in nearby Pasadena includes a Chinese and Japanese garden. Additionally, the library has some incredibly rare and valuable books, including a copy of The Canterbury Tales from the 15th century and a 14th-century Gutenberg Bible (which you can see on display in the Main Exhibition Hall). It’s open 10am-5pm Wednesday-Monday (closed Tuesdays) and tickets are $25 USD during the week and $29 USD on weekends.

7. Explore the California Science Center

This kid-friendly attraction has a variety of educational exhibits on topics ranging from ecosystems (complete with forest, river, and island habitats) to space and aviation. The biggest highlight is the American space shuttle, Endeavor, which ran 25 space missions between 1992-2011 for NASA. It’s free to visit but parking costs $15-18 USD and you have to pay extra for special exhibits and IMAX movies (usually $10-20 USD).

8. Go for a hike

Los Angeles has a lot of wonderful hiking and running trails, the most famous being Runyon Canyon. There are some well-marked routes, including a 1.9-mile (3-kilometer) loop and a 2.6-mile (4-kilometer) loop (with higher elevation gain). There’s also a more strenuous 3.3-mile (5-kilometer) hike to the top of the park too. Caballero Canyon (3.4 miles), Fryman Canyon Park (2.5 miles), and Los Liones Trail (3.5 miles) are three other easy trails around the city you can hike too.

9. See the iconic Hollywood Sign

You can hike up to the famous Hollywood sign using trails that are open from sunrise until sunset in Griffith Park. From the sign, you get a sweeping view of Hollywood (which is especially beautiful at sunset with the city lights spread out in front of you). The three trails to get here (from easiest to hardest) are the Mt Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours hiking. If you’d rather go with a group, guided hikes from Get Your Guide last 2.5 hours and cost $25 USD.

10. Visit the Grammy Museum

With exhibits, interactive experiences, artifacts and costumes, and numerous films, this museum walks you through the entire music industry and its history as well as the careers of previous Grammy winners. One exhibition showcases some of the most outrageous outfits worn on the Grammy’s red carpet and another houses costumes worn by Michael Jackson. The museum also has regularly rotating special exhibitions about different genres of music and various artists in the industry. It’s not a highlight of the city, but if you’re a music aficionado, it’s one of the best things to do. Admission is $18 USD.

11. Browse The Last Bookstore

This is one of my favorite bookstores in the country (and one of the few remaining big independent ones). They sell books and music records, have art displays, and there’s a cool upstairs area too with books for as little as $1 USD. Located downtown, this space is huge, and you can get lost browsing the shelves for hours. Come here, get a coffee, and buy some books! It’s a must see.

12. Visit LACMA

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest museum in the western United States. It boasts a massive collection of artwork including works by Rembrandt, Cézanne, Ansel Adams, and Magritte. There’s also ancient artwork from around the world, including Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sculptures. There’s modern art here too, including Michael Heizer’s 340-ton boulder which is wedged over a narrow walkway. Tickets are $28 USD.

13. See La Brea Tar Pits

These natural tar pits are in Hancock Park, where the tar has been trapping and fossilizing animals since the Ice Age. More than 3.5 million fossils have been found here, ranging from small honeybees to giant mammoths. This includes thousands of dire wolves! And scientists are still uncovering fossils here nearly every day of the year. It’s right next to LACMA too so you can do both together. Admission is $15 USD (closed Tuesdays).

14. Explore downtown

Downtown has experienced a complete revitalization in recent years, including a brand-new pedestrian center with museums, concert halls, theaters, and dining options. If you do just one thing here, visit the Grand Central Market. It’s home to 40+ of downtown’s best food vendors, including the original Eggslut. You can find literally any type of food here. I love it. Moreover, the Broad contemporary art museum is free and houses works from famous artists like Andy Warhol. Check out Pershing Square, a five-acre park with statues, monuments, fountains, and incredible views of the area’s architecture.

15. Walk Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Near Venice Beach, this boulevard is chock full of diverse shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars. There are all kinds of quirky businesses to pop into and on First Friday (the first Friday of each month), the street gets taken over by live music and food trucks. This is one of the hippest spots in the city. There’s a ton of things going on here and it’s filled with locals at all hours of the day.

16. Visit the Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center

This center is one of the most successful literary arts incubators in the country, with alumni like Tom Waits and Wanda Coleman. It’s housed in Venice’s original city hall and was turned into an art center in 1958. The center is surrounded by a community garden that’s focused on providing an engaging outdoor space for the community. There’s also regular programming here like readings, workshops, and musical performances, as well as a bookstore and archive with over 40,000 books. If you’re a book nerd like me, you’ll love this place!

17. Hang out in Palisades Park

Palisades Park in Santa Monica is a eucalyptus-filled park between the beach area and Ocean Avenue, where you get scenic views over the ocean and of the Santa Monica Mountains. It’s a chill spot to relax and explore. Make sure you stop by the Camera Obscura, an antiquated camera that offers a unique view of the world outside. It’s free to visit and closed on Sundays.

18. Admire Greystone Mansion

Located in Beverly Hills, this is a Tudor Revival surrounded by landscaped English gardens. Also known as Doheny Mansion, the mansion was built in the 1900s as a gift from oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny to his son (the film There Will Be Blood is loosely based on Doheny). It eventually became a public park in the 1970s and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The mansion has a whopping 55 rooms and cost around 70 million dollars (adjusted for inflation), making it the most expensive home in California at the time. The mansion is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month but the grounds are free to visit anytime. It’s a beautiful, relaxing place to go for a stroll or sit with a book when the sun is shining.

19. Enjoy Koreatown

This is one of the most fun spots to enjoy the city’s nightlife. There are tons of tasty BBQ restaurants, lively bars and clubs, and fun karaoke places. It’s a must for foodies though, with over 500 restaurants in the area. The neighborhood was established in the early 1900s by Korean immigrants and has grown into a vibrant part of town that spans over 150 blocks. Don’t miss Dawooljung, the first traditional Korean monument built in the city, and be sure to feast on mouth-watering Korean BBQ while you’re here.

20. Explore Silver Lake

This hip neighborhood is home to cool cafes, trendy shops, vegan restaurants, and boutique galleries. It’s essentially the Brooklyn of LA, named after the Silver Lake Reservoir, which offers a nice 2.25-mile loop where locals walk and jog. You’ll get incredible views of the San Gabriel Mountains along the way. It’s a laid-back spot that most people skip so you won’t be surrounded by tourists! There are live music venues, like Zebulon, where you can catch a show and Sunset Junction is a walkable area along Sunset Boulevard with plenty of interesting shops to check out.

21. Do a Studio Tour

Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, and Paramount all offer studio tours where you can see famous sound stages like the one used in The Wizard of Oz , props from hit movies (like the bench from Forrest Gump ), and so much more. Most tours last 1-2 hours and either involve walking or riding a tram/bus. Prices vary but start around $70 USD per person. Tickets sell out fast so be sure to book in advance. You can get tickets for Warner Bros. here and tickets for Universal here .

Los Angeles Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Prices here vary widely depending on where you stay in the city, though the prices are fairly consistent year-round. Unfortunately, prices aren’t cheap. Dorm rooms start around $30-50 USD per night and go as high as $80 USD. A basic private room with an ensuite bathroom starts around $110 USD per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities. Only a couple of hostels offer free breakfast.

Budget hotel prices Budget two-star hotels start around $110 USD per night, though most are closer to $150 USD. Expect basic amenities like Wi-Fi, AC, TV, and a tea/coffee maker. Three-star hotels start around $135 USD but most comfortable, nice spots cost between $160-200 USD per night. These generally include free breakfast too.

There are also lots of Airbnb options in Los Angeles. A private room starts around $100 USD per night (but averages double that) while entire homes/apartments start around $165 USD per night.

Food – Los Angeles has lots of food trucks and fast-food options for under $10-15 USD. It’s the city of food trucks and anything and everything can be found here. You can get a hearty crepe or sandwich for around $10-12 USD while tacos go for about $3-5 USD each.

At casual restaurants, most main dishes cost around $25 USD. If you want to splash out on a three-course meal, expect to pay at least $50-60 USD.

For fast food (think McDonald’s), a combo meal is around $12 USD. A large pizza starts around $10-15 USD while Chinese food is $11-13 USD.

Beer is around $8-$10 USD while a latte/cappuccino costs around $5.50 USD. Bottled water is $2 USD.

Some of my favorite places to eat are Jitlada, Cafe Los Feliz, The Butcher’s Daughter, Uzumaki Sushi, Frank & Musso’s, Dan Tana’s, Bay Cities Italian Deli, and Meals by Genet. For drinks, check out No Vacancy, Hotel Cafe, Roosterfish, Firestone Water Brewery, and Good Times at Davey Wayne’s.

If you cook your own food, expect to pay $50-75 USD per week for groceries. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, vegetables, and some meat.

Backpacking Los Angeles Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Los Angeles, expect to spend around $75 USD per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, using public transportation, cooking your own meals, and free attractions like the beaches and hiking. If you plan on drinking, add $10-20 USD more per day.

On a mid-range budget of $220 USD per day, you can stay in a private room, eat out for most of your meals, enjoy a couple drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting some museums or going to Disneyland for a day.

On a “luxury” budget of $410 USD or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink as much as you’d like, rent a car to get around or take more taxis, and do as many tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Los Angeles Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Los Angeles can be super expensive. After all, some of the country’s wealthiest people live here! But, thanks to all the food trucks and starving artists, you don’t have to be rich to visit. Here are some ways to save money in Los Angeles:

• Purchase a Go City Los Angeles Card – If you are going to do lots of sightseeing, this card provides discounts to 40 museums, tours, and attractions. It’s priced to save you money when compared to buying separate tickets. A two-day unlimited pass is $264 USD while the three-day unlimited pass is $309 USD. You can also build your own pass, with one-day/two-attraction passes starting at $104 USD.
• Get a TAP card for public transit – The TAP card lets you get a one-day pass on the Metro and bus systems for $5 or a seven-day pass for $18. There are several ways to get a TAP card. You can download the app on your phone, get one from a TAP machine in the Metro stations, or buy one of the hundreds of TAP vendors around the city.
• Avoid celebrity hangouts – Hollywood and Beverly Hills are the two areas you can see the most celebrities but also the two areas where you can spend the most money. While they’re fun to explore, avoid shopping and eating there!
• Redeem hotel points – Be sure to sign up for hotel credit cards before you go and use those points when you travel. This is especially helpful in big cities like LA, where accommodation is expensive. If you have lots of points, use them here and get free rooms! Be aware that most hotels charge parking fees if you have a car. This post has more information on how to get started with points and miles .
• Stay with a local – There are plenty of Couchsurfing hosts throughout the city who can show you around and let you stay for free. In an expensive and ever-changing city like LA, having a local guide can be extremely helpful! Just make sure to send your requests early since it’s a popular destination.
• Take a free walking tour – This is a great way to learn the history behind the places you are seeing and to avoid missing any must-see stops. Free Tours By Foot has a few interesting walking tours that can show you what the city has to offer. Just make sure to tip your guide!
• Save money on rideshares – Uber and Lyft are cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi. The shared/pool option (where you share a ride with other people) offers the best savings.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your single-use plastic consumption. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter that ensures your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

Accommodation is expensive in Los Angeles. Since the city is so spread out, before you book, make sure you have a spot in the location where you want to spend most of your time. Otherwise, you’ll be driving a lot. Here are some recommended places to stay in Los Angeles:

• Freehand Los Angeles
• HI Los Angeles Santa Monica
• Banana Bungalow Hollywood
• Samesun Venice Beach

For more hostel suggestions, check out my complete list of the best hostels in Los Angeles.

How to Get Around Los Angeles

Public Transportation – The Los Angeles Metro involves both rail and bus service. It’s the most accessible and affordable way to get around the city, with tickets costing just $1.75 USD each way.

Get a TAP Card (you can find them at TAP machines within bus or train stations) so you can load a preset cash value onto the card to be used on all buses and trains. You can get a day pass for $5 USD or a seven-day pass for $18 USD. The subway is kind of sketchy though but super convenient if you are staying downtown or in Hollywood. The line from downtown to Santa Monica takes as long as driving because of all the stops.

Flyaway buses go from LAX to downtown and Hollywood for $9.75 USD one-way.

Taxis – Taxis can be hard to flag down, but you can download the Curb app to request one in advance. Everything is meter-based, starting at $3.10 USD and then $2.97 USD per mile.

Ridesharing – Uber and Lyft are way cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi.

Bike rental – While I wouldn’t recommend renting a bike if you’re in the middle of the city (traffic is terrible), once you get out to the coast then renting a bike might be a fun way to explore. Expect to pay around $30 USD per day for a rental. There is also a bike share program called Metro Bike Share that offers $5 USD daily rentals as long as each ride is less than 30 minutes.

When to Go to Los Angeles

Summer is the peak season for tourism in LA, with temperatures soaring to 85°F (30°C). Everybody wants to be outside during this time so they head to the beaches, which can get very busy. Attractions get crowded during the summer, especially at family-friendly attractions like Disneyland. Accommodation prices increase, so be sure to book early. On the plus side, it hardly ever rains during the summer.

March-May and September-November (the shoulder seasons) are my favorite times to visit Los Angeles. It’s warm, but there’s no sticky heat and the crowds are less oppressive. Temperatures during these months are between 69-80°F (21-27°C), with very little rain. These are great times to get outside. There are plenty of hiking trails around the area, if you want to get out of the busy city.

December is the coldest month overall, but it’s much cheaper for accommodation if you want to save some cash. Just pack some rain gear if you’re coming in the winter. Expect daily highs around 68°F (21°C).

How to Stay Safe in Los Angeles

Overall, Los Angeles is a safe place to visit. If you stick to touristy areas like Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills, you’ll be fine. There are some questionable areas downtown (like Skid Row) as well as nearby South Central, which should be avoided. Avoid Compton too.

Your biggest issue is going to petty crime, like theft and bag snatching. Petty crime has been on the rise over the last couple of years and it’s something you definitely want to watch out for. As a general rule, don’t wear flashy jewelry, wave around cash, and just keep your valuables secure and hidden when you are eating outside. Don’t bring anything valuable to the beach just in case as theft can occur.

Make sure to keep your personal items closed and near you at all times. Hold your purse or backpack in front of you or close to your body. If you’re out at night, keep to well-lit and well-traveled places. If you have a vehicle, keep it locked at all times and don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. There’s a lot of car break-ins around the city.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here. However, the standard precautions apply (don’t leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk around at night intoxicated, etc.). For specific tips, I would read one of the many incredible solo female travel blogs on the web. They’ll give you tips and advice that I can’t.

Los Angeles also has some pretty unique scams. For example, if you’re approached by someone who says they’re a Hollywood producer, director, or casting agent, they could be legit. However, chances are they’re just trying to scam you into paying fees upfront. Ask for a business card and do your due diligence. Additionally, be wary of people offering Hollywood tours or discounts on open-air bus tours. Do your research and stick to well-known providers to avoid getting ripped off.

To avoid getting ripped off, read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Los Angeles Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Los Angeles Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on United States travel and continue planning your trip:

Where to Stay in San Francisco: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 12 Best Things to Do in Chicago

The 5 Best Hotels in San Francisco

How to Experience Milwaukee Like a Local

The 7 Best Hotels in New York City

The 7 Best Hotels in Miami

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The Perfect 3, 4 or 5 Days in Los Angeles Itinerary

Last Updated on February 13, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning the perfect Los Angeles itinerary can be quite a difficult task. For such a large and iconic city — the second-largest in the entirety of the USA — LA lacks a lot of traditional tourist sites and can be incredibly difficult to navigate. Despite this, there is so much to do in the city that you can very easily fill 3, 4 or 5 days in Los Angeles and still feel as if you’ve barely scratched the surface.

Known for the film industry and its beautiful beaches, Los Angeles is also a dynamic and multi-cultural city with a lot of character. It can be hard to get to know a city like LA in just a few days, however, you can definitely get a good feel for this city over the course of this itinerary.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Los Angeles?

When determining how many days to spend in Los Angeles a better question may be to ask yourself how much time you have. LA has an infinite amount of activities and things to do so visitors could easily spend weeks and not get bored.

However, if you’re not the kind of person with unlimited time, planning to spend 3 days in LA is a good minimum if you want to get a good feel for the city and its top neighbourhoods and sites. Seeing Los Angeles in 3 days may feel kind of rushed, but you’ll still be able to cover a lot of ground and experience quite a lot.

If you have 4 days in LA, then this is a great amount of time to explore the city even deeper and spend a bit more time seeing some other neighbourhoods. And if you’re fortunate enough to have 5 days, you can use that final day to go on a day trip!

There are lots of places within easy reach of LA and it’s a great opportunity to explore more of Southern California.

In general, you’re going to want to allow for more than a weekend in Los Angeles and it’s safe to plan for at least 3 days in Los Angeles to really to the city justice.

Getting To & Around Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to LAX – its own international airport that connects the city to innumerable destinations throughout USA and worldwide.

However, that is not the only airport that serves the city and if you’re flying from within the US, there’s a chance that you could arrive into Burbank or Long Beach airport, as well.

LA is even relatively accessible from John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana or Ontario Airport in San Bernardino County, however, it isn’t the closest option and you have to be willing to drive about an hour (or more, depending on the traffic) to reach the actual city of Los Angeles. You can also take a pre-booked transfer from the airport.

If you’re not flying, it is possible to arrive into LA via train – there are trains that connect Los Angeles to other cities in California. For instance, the train from San Diego takes about three hours and offers beautiful views of the Southern California coast. Trains arrive into Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. You can view train schedules here.

Los Angeles is also a perfect stop on any California coastal road trip and a good jumping-off point if you’re driving north to San Francisco or south to San Diego .

Getting around LA can be a bit of a headache no matter how you plan to do it. An incredibly car-centric city, planning to rely on public transportation while visiting LA isn’t the best idea. There is a public transport system in the city, however, it isn’t that broad or reliable and can be tricky to navigate.

Los Angeles is very spread out and not super walkable, so if you don’t plan on driving yourself, then your best bet is going to be to rely on ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft to get around the city.

The itinerary below does concentrate on different neighbourhoods each day, however, it is still going to be easiest to get around LA if you have a car. Driving in Los Angeles can seem a bit daunting — especially considering that Angelenos have a reputation for being aggressive drivers — but it is the most convenient and easiest way to get around the city.

Keep in mind that LA also gets terrible traffic and it’s hard to really convey just how gridlocked the city can be until you’ve experienced it yourself.

So even though something looks close on a map, you may spend a lot of time getting to your destination because of the traffic conditions. The nature of visiting Los Angeles is that you will likely be spending a fair amount of time in the car in transit.

If you want to rent a car while in Los Angeles, consider browsing Rentalcars.com in order to find deals across a number of major rental companies.

3, 4 or 5-Day Los Angeles Itinerary

Whether you have 3, 4 or 5 days to explore LA, this itinerary builds upon each day. This itinerary will take you through some of the most iconic sites and neighbourhoods in the City of Angels.

If you plan on visiting many of the paid attractions listed below, consider purchasing a Los Angeles Go City Pass to save money on entrance fees!

Day 1 – Hollywood

Being our time in LA by exploring Hollywood – the heart of the film industry. You can spend your morning taking in some views before heading down to enjoy the sites on Hollywood Boulevard and, if you’re interested, take a studio tour!

Griffith Park & the Hollywood Sign

There are few attractions in Los Angeles (and really in the entirety of US cities) as iconic as the famed Hollywood Sign on Mount Lee. Originally erected in 1923 to advertise a new housing development, it has become a focal point of the area ever since.

If you want to get some of the best views of the Hollywood sign, it’s a great idea to head to the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park.

From here, you can get a good view of Mount Lee and a panorama of Los Angeles below. And, if you’re looking to get even more active, there are also countless hiking trails within Griffith Park where you can get even better views and end up closer to the sign. You can also take a guided hike .

I recommend getting here early – especially if you plan to hike as it can get pretty hot in LA depending on the season you’re visiting.

If you want to hike to the Hollywood Sign itself instead of simply viewing it from Griffith Observatory, then there are a few trails you can choose from that range in difficulty — the Mount Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail and the Cahuenga Peak Trail. There are also guided walking tours that take you to the top.

Make sure to set aside a couple of hours to dedicate to these hikes if that’s what you choose. In general, going out for a hike is one of the best things to do in LA.

Hollywood Boulevard & Walk of Fame

From Griffith Observatory, it’s only about a 10-minute drive to Hollywood Boulevard, home to countless iconic sites such as the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theatre).

Hollywood Boulevard is incredibly touristy and is pretty much always packed with visitors, but is an essential stop on any first-timer’s trip to LA.

Make sure to take the time to walk along the Walk of Fame and scope out the stars of your favourite artists and celebrities. You can also take in all of the handprints in front of the Chinese Theatre.

There are plenty of other sites to take in here, as well, and it’s the perfect place for film fans and Hollywood history buffs.

Explore Hollywood or Take a Studio Tour

After hanging out on Hollywood Boulevard and seeing the sights there, you have a couple of options on what to do next.

You could opt to venture a bit further from the Walk of Fame and explore more of Hollywood on your own. Famous Sunset Boulevard is only one block south and you can also even mosy your way to Melrose Avenue.

Another very popular thing to do while in Hollywood is to go on a Studio Tour. If you want to both take in some cinema history and to see what film sets are like, there are a number of different studios in Hollywood that offer tours.

Some of the most famous include Warner Brothers , Paramount and even Universal Studios (the latter may be better to dedicate an entire day and include the theme park).

Day 2 – Venice & Santa Monica

If your first day in Los Angeles was dedicated to all of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, plan to spend your second day taking in two of the city’s most popular beach areas – Venice and Santa Monica.

Venice Canals

Begin your day in the Venice neighbourhood in west Lost Angeles – so-called because the canals were designed to resemble the Italian city of the same name.

Venice was originally conceived as a development for a beach resort and several miles of canals were built in order to drain the marshes that originally inhabited the area.

Over the years, Venice has come to have a reputation of being a bohemian beach town with its own independent spirit, however, in more recent times it has become quite a coveted and expensive area of the city.

Before heading over to the iconic Venice Beach, make sure to take some time wandering around the Venice Canals. It’s a really beautiful area and a unique spot in the urban sprawl of Los Angeles.

Venice Beach

Mosy away from the canals and you will find the true draw of this neighbourhood – Venice Beach. This gorgeous stretch of soft, golden sand is one of the city’s top beaches but it is also well known for its iconic boardwalk.

Stretching for miles along the beach, the Venice Boardwalk is an expansive promenade that makes for some of the best people-watching you can find in the great Los Angeles area.

There is a lot to take in and explore in this area such as taking a food tour , however, you could also use this time to simply lounge on a beautiful Southern California beach.

Santa Monica

After enjoying Venice, it’s time to drive just a bit north to LA’s other incredibly famous beach neighbourhood – Santa Monica.

This upmarket area is well-known for the iconic Santa Monica Pier, a classic beach boardwalk amusement park that is filled with old-school carnival games, rides and a classic wooden roller coaster.

For those who don’t want to play at the pier, you can also opt to lounge on lovely Santa Monica Beach or take a surfing lesson . This is a beautiful soft sand beach that is perfect for sunbathing.

Away from the Pacific, the neighbourhood of Santa Monica itself is a great place to explore with plenty of great cafes, restaurants, bars and shops to browse.

Day 3 – Downtown LA

By this point, you’ve spent time in both Hollywood and exploring some of LA’s best beaches.

Now, on your third day, it’s time to head downtown and explore the urban centre of Los Angeles. If you love food, then you’re sure to love this day in LA. You can take a walking tour or a food tour of this area to learn more from a guide.

Arts District

Located on the edge of Downtown Los Angeles, the Arts District is a neighbourhood well worth exploring if you want to take in a bit of culture while visiting this Southern California city.

In a metropolis often derided in the US for lacking in culture, this is a neighbourhood that very much celebrates the incredible artistic nature of this city.

Whether you’re interested in taking in some incredible street art or murals or want to visit some museums, spend a few hours exploring the Arts District of LA. Not surprisingly, there are a number of galleries where you can explore some incredible art done by local artists, but there is more here than just that.

The Arts District is also home to some incredible restaurants, coffee shops and lots of craft breweries for those who fancy an artisan microbrew while on the trip to LA.

Little Tokyo

Located right on the cusp of the Arts District lies Little Tokyo, the historic heart of the Japanese-American community in LA. Home to what is actually the largest Japanese-American community in the entirety of the USA, this is a fascinating, historic neighbourhood to explore in Los Angeles and really outlines just how multicultural this incredible city is.

Those who want to learn more about this area and about Japanese Americans in general, then consider visiting the Japanese American National Museum.

And, if you’re looking for a more food-centric experience, then you’re certain to find some incredible food in this neighbourhood, as well. You may want to save some of your appetite for our next stop, however.

Grand Central Market

No time spent in Downtown Los Angeles is complete without visiting the Grand Central Market. First opened in 1917, this market hall is a foodie’s paradise.

Home to both fresh produce vendors and a range of different food stalls, you can get everything here from ramen to Berlin-style currywurst to barbecue to tostadas to wood-fired pizza and so much more.

Though this entire day really celebrates just how vibrant and multicultural LA is, you can really see it very tangibly for yourself just by browsing all of the stalls in the market.

End your day at the other side of Downtown LA in the Koreatown neighbourhood. Known locally as simply “K-Town,” this is the heart of the Korean-American population in the city and is actually one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in the entirety of the USA.

K-Town has it all and if you’re a fan of Korean cuisine, you’re sure to find something great to eat here. It can also be a great idea to learn a little bit about the history of this ethnically diverse neighbourhood, especially considering it was the epicentre of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots and it very much shaped the neighbourhood today.

There is a lot to offer in this neighbourhood and it is the perfect place to end your third day in LA.

Day 4 – Beverly Hills, Westwood & the Getty Center

If your visions of Los Angeles have to do with high-end homes and designer shopping, then you’re sure to love day four of this itinerary. And, if you’re looking to learn a bit, this day also includes a visit at one of the area’s top museums.

Rodeo Drive

Begin your day at Beverly Hills’ most iconic shopping street – Rodeo Drive. Whether you’re simply looking at doing some window shopping or are keen to splash the cash at the area’s countless designer shops, there is no doubt that this is a perfect place for an opulent LA experience.

You’ll notice a distinct change in atmosphere here compared to the other neighbourhoods you’ve explored and even if you’re not interested in the lives of the rich and famous of Beverly Hills, it can be worth having a stroll down Rodeo Drive just to experience the sheer diversity of LA neighbourhoods.

Explore Westwood

Not far from Beverly Hills and Bel Air lies the hip and cool Westwood neighbourhood. This is a young and vibrant area that is a fun place to explore. It has an especially youthful vibe as it is home to the UCLA campus.

There are lots of great cafes, restaurants, bars and shops to explore in this neighbourhood and, again, it can give you a bit of a different perspective on the city. And if you want to really see what this area is like, consider hopping in the car and driving through the winding streets of nearby Bel Air, where you can see some of the most opulent, giant houses in the city.

After spending the morning around Beverly Hills, it’s only a short hop over to the Getty — one of the top museums in Los Angeles. If you’re a fine arts fan, you will delight in visiting the countless exhibits in this beautiful museum.

The museum itself is worth visiting just for the incredible architecture and the great views you can get from there. The Getty is quite sizeable, so plan to spend a fair amount of time here really taking in all of the different exhibits of American and European art.

Day 5 – Day Trip or Universal Studios

If you’re spending 5 days in LA, then you can spend your final day on a day trip or, if you’re interested, enjoying all of the highlights at Universal Studios. There are countless options open for you depending on what exactly you’re after.

Universal Studios

If you want to head to a theme park but don’t want to leave LA proper, then make sure to head to Universal Studios. Here, you not only can go on a classic studio tour but you can also enjoy the sprawling theme park and have a blast on all of the rides and areas based on your favourite movies!

You need a whole day (at least) to devote to Universal Studios, so this is an excellent way to spend your final day exploring LA.

Santa Barbara

If you’re up for a bit of a drive, then consider heading to Santa Barbara , which is located about 2 hours from the centre of Los Angeles.

This lovely town is a perfect day trip destination an it has a lot to offer visitors. You can wander along the beach, explore the Funk Zone (the cool, downtown area) or enjoy the Urban Wine Trails.

Santa Barbara is the limit of where Southern California can merge into the Central Coast and it has a much more laid-back and relaxed culture when compared to Los Angeles. It is an excellent day trip option for LA.

If you want to head out to the beach once more, then you really cannot go wrong with driving out to Malibu. Located just north of Los Angeles proper, Malibu is home to several incredible beaches that are not quite as built up and a bit wilder than the beaches you will find within LA itself.

Malibu is also home to the Getty Villa, an offshoot of the Getty Museum in Beverly Hills. Here, you can view a wonderful collection of antiquities that were in the possession of oil tycoon J Paul Getty.

Orange County

If you’re keen to head south, then consider visiting Orange County. Now famous for the popular 2000s-era TV show The OC , Orange County is home to countless lovely beach towns and interesting places to visit. Huntington Beach is the closest to Los Angeles and is a perfect place to observe surfers catching the waves (or to try your hand at it yourself).

Other options in Orange County include swish Newport Beach – which is a great option for kids as you could also visit the classic theme park on Balboa Island.

And just a bit further south and about 1.5 hours from LA itself is Laguna Beach. This is a relaxed beach town with a ton of beautiful beaches to explore and wonderful shops and restaurants.

Catalina Island

Finally, if you’re looking for a unique day trip from LA, then consider heading to Catalina Island . Located off the coast of Southern California, Catalina is a lovely destination and it’s accessible via high-speed ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro, just south of the LA city centre.

Once in Catalina, you can spend your day wandering around the charming city of Avalon, touring the iconic Casino, hiking in the hills or, if you’d like simply lounging on the beach. Catalina is also a haven for those who like snorkelling, SCUBA diving or other watersports.

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

Hollywood Inn Suites Hotel – If you’re wondering where to stay in LA and are travelling on a mid-range budget then this modern hotel is a great choice. They have a number of rooms to choose from that are suitable for couples or families and there is a swimming pool for guests to enjoy.

Hotel Per La – This cool hotel located in downtown LA is the perfect place to stay if you’re after a bit of luxury when visiting the City of Angels. They have a central location and guests can enjoy a rooftop swimming pool with fantastic views of the surrounding area.

Freehand Los Angeles – If you’re travelling solo or prefer to save some money, then this hostel is a fantastic option Located in downtown Los Angeles, they have a range of both private rooms and dorms with facilities that you would typically only find in hotels such as a rooftop pool and fitness centre.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Los Angeles hotels!

Planning the perfect trip to Los Angeles is no easy task as this large and spread-out city has a lot to offer. Whether you’re looking to spot Hollywood stars, lounge on the beach or experience incredible world cuisine, you’re sure to find something to love about California’s largest city!

Are you planning to visit Los Angeles? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Essential California Packing List

The Ultimate Big Sur Day Trip Itinerary

10 Best Stops on a Los Angeles to Sedona Road Trip

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Hey Maggie I appreciate all the information you shared on here! My husband and I are headed to California from Canada here on Saturday and had no plans other then a rental car, hope to do some hiking, trying all the food and taking in all that California has to offer. We are starting in Los Angeles and were thinking of making our way up to Yosemite and Maybe San Francisco. We have 10 days so we will definitely be spending a good portion in Los Angeles because of the information you’ve given us here. If you have any other suggestions for our adventure around the state we are all ears!

I’m so happy you found this helpful! We have a lot of other great articles on California that should hopefully help you plan out your trip: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/california-travel-guide/

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A Los Angeles Itinerary Guide for First Timers: How to Spend 3-4 Days in La La Land

Planning a Los Angeles itinerary for the first time and feeling overwhelmed? Follow this guide below to make it easy!

You know, growing up on the East Coast, LA almost doesn’t feel real . You see it in so many movies and read about it so often with celebrities and actors and singers, but still. It’s some far off place where it’s always sunny and both glamorous and a little seedy! Weird to think, but I visited the big cities of Europe before I even thought of making my way over to the City of Angels!

My first trip happened for two reasons. Since I was teaching in Korea and coming home for summer vacation, I knew I’d be flying through California no matter what. And it just so happens my friend, Elissa, had the same summer vacation and is from Los Angeles! I joined her family on a little California trip that ended up back at their house and managed to get a local introduction to this famous city!

Since then I’ve been back twice. Once on my way home from Korea again where I crashed with Elissa’s family for a few days before getting my next flight to Philly. We did a few things, but mostly I was exhausted and we vegged on her couch watching the BBC miniseries “North & South”!

Recently, though, I returned with my friend, Sher, at the tail end of our California coast road trip! We had about two nights and three-ish days, and I had a list of spots I wanted to see! It was also Sher’s first time in LA, so I re-visited some spots and got to re-remember what I saw the first time.

Between all these visits, I’ve put together what I think is the perfect Los Angeles itinerary for any first time visitor. Before I get in exactly what to do and where to go, I’ve listed some tips below so you know what you’re getting into. LA is not like other cities, so there are some things you should be aware of beforehand!

Tips for Your Los Angeles Itinerary

You’re going to need to drive.

The one thing you have to know about LA, is that it is not a walkable city. Everything is very spread out and the public transportation is okay in the best of times and downright sketchy and unsafe during pandemic times. Even then, it doesn’t cover everything and you’ll still wind up taking an expensive Uber to cover the awkward distance in between.

Elissa obviously drove when I visited her, but when I did my road trip, Sher and I rented a car via RentalCars.com which landed us with Thrifty. I was hesitant to drive in LA but it actually was pretty okay as long as you’re used to driving in cities and on freeways.

Traffic is a guarantee

The downside to LA? The traffic. I mean I’m sure you’ve heard a late night show comedian joke about it, but it’s truly a guarantee. I would say we actually got pretty lucky on this recent trip and traffic was never horrible , but I remember it being pretty bad when I visited Elissa before!

Your best bet is to allot an hour to get anyway just in case, more if you find yourself driving during rush hour.

Where you stay is key

Because of the driving factor, where you stay is key. LA is massive and often expands beyond the city limits. I’ve stayed with Elissa’s family in Glendora and then in Downtown LA, which I honestly hated. I feel like unless you know you’re going out or going to the STAPLES Center, there are a million other nicer neighborhoods to stay in!

For this itinerary, I think the best spot is to stay in Beverly Hills as it’s the most central to all the places you’re going to want to go and the worst you can say about it is that it’s expensive. I’ve only been to The Grove, but it seems nicer than DTLA and is still fairly central.

For this itinerary, if you spend an extra day and want to do Venice Beach, it’s much nicer to just go over the evening before and stay the night! This way you don’t have to worry about packing up in the morning and driving over with traffic and instead can have the whole morning and early afternoon to enjoy the area. Plus parking is kind of frustrating, so it’ll be easier to leave your car at your hotel and bike from there.

It’s almost always hot and sunny (and often smoggy)

Listen, if you go to LA in November and the weather map tells you it’s going to be 50-60F, it’s lying. Chances are it’ll be 90F and if you only bring clothes appropriate for weather 30 degrees cooler, you will sweat your butt off. Take it from me!

Also keep in mind LA smog is a real thing, and probably added to my feelings of exhaustion by the end of our road trip. Shocker – a city where everyone drives and traffic is a guarantee is also home to some of the worst air quality in the country!

What to wear

LA is a very casual city. Unless you’re going to a fancy bar at night, it’s really all about easy, breezy outfits. Elissa joked that if you really want to blend in just wear athleisure everywhere. Each time I’ve been, I’ve always worn casual outfits and never once felt underdressed or overdressed. Keep in mind, LA is a tourist hotspot, so you’ll see everyone in all types of outfits no matter where you go!

How to Spend 3-4 Days in Los Angeles

And now for my LA itinerary guide!

Day 1: Arrival to LA

Hike to Griffith’s Observatory

I’m going to assume you’re not arriving to LA early in the morning but more towards the middle of the day! If this is the case, the first thing you do once you settle-in is to change into some hiking clothes and head over to Griffith’s Observatory for a little hike to stretch your legs. The observatory is on the south side of Mount Hollywood and is pretty iconic. You probably recognize it best from La La Land or, more recently, Adele’s comeback special.

The observatory itself was named after its benefactor, Griffith J. Griffith. While you can go inside, really the coolest part is wandering around outside and taking in the insane views over the LA skyline.

I wish we’d realized that you can still access Griffith Park and wander around the observatory even if it’s closed. The opening times are pretty narrow (Friday – Sunday) and of course the crowds are too much. In fact, I didn’t even get out of my car when we went! Sher just hopped out and ran around, and I circled until she was done. That’s how frustrating the parking was!

If you hike, though, it’s much easier. There are a few various trails (just check AllTrails) or you can book a guide with this hiking tour . You’ll have someone to lead you and tell you more about LA’s history.

Grab either Mexican or Korean for dinner

Once you’re done with Griffith’s Observatory, head back to your hotel get cleaned up and then head into the city for dinner! You could stick around Beverly Hills or La Brea or head more into the city around Koreatown. There are at least two types of cuisines you’ll want to try in LA – Korean and Mexican (I might just be biased). Either head to El Cholo for tacos or Ahgassi Gopchang for Korean BBQ. I haven’t tried either personally, but when I asked Elissa for some restaurant recommendations, she listed both of these spot.

Day 2: Major Sightseeing

See Hollywood Boulevard for yourself

One of the must-see spots on a first visit to LA? Hollywood Boulevard , aka the street with all the stars. I’m going to be honest – it’s not that great. Think of Times Square in NYC . You get there and it’s kind of cool for about a minute and then you’re like, “Ok what else?” Not to mention because it’s such a tourist hot spot, there are tons of tour operators vying for your attention and homeless people asking for spare change. It’s also frankly kind of dirty.

However , beneath this grimy exterior is a street teeming with Tinseltown history. Practically every building has multiple stories going back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, and it’s pretty fun to imagine what kind of craziness this street has seen.

With that said, go with a tour guide . I cannot recommend this enough. Go with someone who can regale you with stories about what went on in this building or how all the old time celebrities, decked out in their Oscars gowns, had dinner at this restaurant before the show. When I worked on my post about Hollywood Boulevard , I found myself wishing I wasn’t finding out all this information after the fact!

Here are some tours worth looking at:

• Hop-on hop off bus
• Hollywood Boulevard bus tour
• Tour Hollywood with an LA filmmaker

Parking: If you’re like us and drove over to Hollywood Boulevard, don’t worry. There are plenty of parking garages. Park at one by the Pantages Theatre as that’s a good starting point!

Get a cool view of the famous sign at Hollywood Lake Park

If you do a Griffith’s Hike on the first day, you’re probably going to encounter the famous Hollywood sign. But if not, or if you want to visit when you’re not sweat from a hike, then drive on over to Hollywood Lake Park! It’s not too long of a drive, and it gives you a few really cool views of the sign.

Just a warning – the street leading up gets very narrow and winding. When you park on the side of the road, don’t forget your emergency break! I’d say the best view is in the little grassy park area (so skip past the dirt area a lot of people will be taking photos from).

Get lunch at Guisados

Once you’ve gotten your pics at the Hollywood sign, find a Guisados on the way back to your hotel. We stayed in downtown LA, so the one we stopped at was on Sunset Boulevard. It’s nice but pretty small and had very limited parking with one of those lots that’s hard to pull out of if you can’t park anywhere. If you stay in Beverly Hills, there’s one on Santa Monica Boulevard and one on S Linden Drive.

Not a taco fan? There’s also a Din Tai Fung on Santa Monica Boulevard where you can get the most delicious xiao long bao!

Once you’ve eaten, relax and freshen back up at your hotel and leave your car with valet for the night!

Spend the evening in Downtown LA

Downtown LA is honestly one of my least favorite areas for now. There’s kind of a weird vibe going on as this part of town is gentrifying rapidly while not properly helping the equally rapidly growing homeless population. I don’t know. I feel like I ought to give it another chance someday but much more rested and wearing more weather-appropriate clothes.

Like Hollywood Boulevard there’s a lot of history and really cool architecture in this part of town that goes beyond Tinseltown history. So while I don’t recommend staying here, I do think spending at least an afternoon or evening is worth it.

Just take an Uber in so you don’t have to worry about parking and maybe do a tour so you have someone who can provide more cultural and historic insight!

Some tours that looked interesting:

• Old and New DTLA Walking Tour
• DTLA Architecture Walking Tour
• Private DTLA Architecture Tour
• DTLA Food Tour
• Private DTLA Foodie Tour

When we went, we hit three main areas in the evening:

Bradbury Building

When getting your Lyft or Uber, have them drop you off at this building from 1893. Its name comes from the gold-mining millionaire Lewis L. Bradbury and is still used for various offices and buildings. The real architectural gem is in the inside, and in normal times you can go in on the first floor to see the gorgeous cast-iron filigree balustrades that line the stairs and halls of all five floors. Unfortunately, things are still closed to tourists for now, so we only managed a peak through the window!

Grand Central Market

This is where you’ll get dinner! Right across the street from the Bradbury Building is Grand Central Market , which has been a mainstay in DTLA since 1917. Situated in a Beaux-Arts building, it’s full of various food vendors of just about any cuisine you could imagine. We pretty much beelined for Sticky Rice, a Thai comfort food stand, and then I tried the vegan ramen spot, Ramen Hood. Elissa also let me know The Donut Man opened up a stall there as well, but by the time I finished my ramen, I was too full for anything else.

I will note that when I posted about Grand Central Market on my stories, a friend replied disappointedly that she can’t believe how quickly the market has gentrified and how it used to be a mecca of Hispanic and Asian hole-in-the-wall vendors as little has half a decade ago but changed the minute Eggslut was added. There’s a really interesting article from LA Mag if you want to dive in more.

The Last Bookstore

I wish I had words to explain how obsessed I am with this bookstore. I mean, I’m a pretty big sucker for bookstores in general, but this has to be one of the coolest. This was the last thing we did on our last full day in California, and it felt like I’d been revived when I exited with my newly purchased book, Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa.

The Last Bookstore has been around since 2005 when it was initially founded by Jos Spencer in a DTLA loft. Today it’s two floors and sells over 250k books both used and new. There’s literally a whole wall of cheap used books that if you’d given me the whole afternoon, I’d probably have sat there and looked at every single one. Seriously do not skip!

Day 3: Beverly Hills

Morning – Getty Villa

After grabbing breakfast, drive over to the gorgeous Getty Villa on the Malibu coast! Hands down this is one of my favorite places in Los Angeles and I’ve been twice over my visits. (It helps that it’s also Elissa’s favorite place in LA, so she’s always down to go).

Not to be confused with the Getty Museum, the Getty Villa was designed after the museum ran out of room with his art collection. Its design is mainly based off the Villa dei Papyri in Italy and is absolutely stunning. Enjoy the various art collections as well as the gardens.

Just be sure to reserve your spot in advance . Even before these times, they limited the number of people so everyone can enjoy the grounds in peace. Tickets are free but parking is $20.

After the Getty Villa, head over to The Grove. Technically it’s just a shopping complex, but it’s really pretty and partially outdoors. I remember going on my first trip with Elissa and her sister, and it was just nice to stroll and do some window shopping. (Also why you guys are getting a circa 2015 style TSGA photo lol).

Plus this is a great spot to get lunch as it’s home to the historic Farmers Market, which has been around since 1880. On your way out grab some cupcakes from Sprinkles!

Parking: There are a few different parking options, but you’ll most likely want the self-parking option. The Grove has a parking structure off Fairfax Avenue that is $2 for the first hour all the way up to $30 for a daily maximum. Double check with restaurants or stores to see if they have complimentary parking. Also if you spend over $250, go to Caruso Concierge and you can get free parking as well.

LACMA & the La Brea Tar Pits

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is still one of those art museums still on my list! It’s just always slightly out of the way for my LA trips, so cross fingers next time I finally make it there and the famous La Brea Tar Pits.

LACMA itself is probably most recognizable from the Urban Lights exhibit at the Wilshire Boulevard entrance. This exhibit, which is an Instagrammer fav, comprises of 202 restored street lamps from the 20s and 30s. This exhibit is free but the museum itself requires tickets purchased in advance.

As for the La Brea Tar Pits, they just look so random and cool! There have been over a hundred excavation done at these asphalt pits, and these fossils, which range from mammoths to sloths and more, are all on display in the museum.

Parking: Parking for LACMA is at the Pritzker Parking Garage on 6th St. and is $18 or $10 after 8PM while parking for La Brea Tar Pits is between Curson Ave and 6th Street. There’s also metered street parking around, but watch the time limits! The two spots are literally a 6-minute walk from each other, so I’m assuming you can parking in one and walk back after you’ve done both sites. (If you go, let me know if they have time limits on parking!)

Drive over to Venice Beach

Once you’ve finished with LACMA and the main part of LA, head over to your Venice Beach hotel for your final night and day! I’m putting my main things to do in Venice Beach below, but feel free to adjust depending on how much time you have in the afternoon and evening on Day 3 and when you fly out on Day 4. Our flights were around 2/3 PM, so we were able to have most of the morning in Venice Beach.

Day 4: Venice Beach

This time about a 120 years ago, Venice Beach was founded as an independent resort town! It’s only about a 20-minute drive from the main areas of LA and a nice way to end your Los Angeles itinerary. The name is obviously inspired by the Italy’s Venice and the founder, Abbot Kinney, even had canals built. Though this was also for practical reasons as the land for Venice Beach was very marshy.

I recommend staying here your final night to have a little more quiet than what LA will offer on its own and to enjoy the area! There are a few ways to do it from walking to surfing and more, but here are some tips from my very brief morning there.

Tours for Venice Beach

• Ultimate Venice Beach experience
• Venice Beach Surf Lessons
• Santa Monica & Venice Beach Ebike Tour
• Venice Beach Private Walking Tour

Brunch at Great White

One of the fun breakfast spots in Venice Beach is Great White . It’s very popular, so I’d make sure to make a reservation, especially if you’re here on a weekend morning. Everywhere has a sizable wait time for weekend brunch times! Great White has a really delicious menu and focuses on seasonal, organic produce from California. Highly recommend the breakfast burrito as well as the salmon mezze board and the shaken iced latte!

Bike around the canals

We didn’t have enough time, so all I did was catch a quick glimpse of the Venice Canals . But if you have more time, I’ do some sort of boardwalk and canals tour !

Shop and eat along Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Afterwards I’d stop in at the different restaurants, cafes, and shop along the palm-tree-lined Abbot Kinney Boulevard named, of course, after Venice Beach’s founder. In normal times, there’s a fun food truck event every first Friday of the month! Keep an eye here for its return.

And there you go! All my best tips for planning a solid Los Angeles itinerary for first time visitors. It hits all the “must-sees” as well as some more underrated gems and, most importantly, hits all the best spots for food. Let me know if you have any questions or even more recommendations below!

For more California travel, read these posts next:

• How to Plan the Perfect Santa Barbara Weekend Escape
• 27 Unique Things to Do in Santa Barbara
• 18 Fun Things to Do in Truckee in the Summer
• Going to San Francisco for the First Time?

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Just wondering….when was this blog written?? I got burned last year following a blog recommendation to go to St John, New Brunswick but it was written before COVID and nothing like the blog when we went!! TIA….

Hi! I went in November 2021, so I probably wrote it end of 2021 or beginning of 2022; well after COVID kicked off.

Wonderful Blog !! It was so interesting to read as it had a lot of information about this amazing city. Would love to visit LA soon.

Thank you! It’s definitely a very cool city!

Your attention to details is one of the reasons why you are one of my favorite bloggers. Thank you so much for this awesome first time guide to LA. I’ve been several times but I need a dedicated weeklong trip to cover the ground I need to. The weather looked absolutely beautiful!

Awww thank you Millette!!!

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How to See Los Angeles in 3 Days – the Perfect Itinerary

Last Modified: May 5, 2024 //  by  Anda //   58 Comments

If you only have 3 days in LA and are wondering where to start, you’ve come to the right place. As a local, I can give you some good advice and tips for visiting the city. I can also help you plan the perfect 3 days Los Angeles itinerary that will leave you with lots of great memories. 

Table of Contents

About This Los Angeles Itinerary

L.a. itinerary day 1, l.a. itinerary day 2, l.a. itinerary day 3, how to move around l.a., best time to visit los angeles, how to save money on a 3-day trip to los angeles, need a place to stay.

It’s hard to know where to begin when you visit a large city like Los Angeles. Unlike other metropolises around the world, L.A’s attractions are spread all over. If you are coming  from a smaller place, you will most likely feel overwhelmed here.

One thing to consider when planning your Los Angeles itinerary is the notorious L.A. traffic which will limit your ability to cover a lot of ground in these 3 days. That means you probably can’t put together a list of 20 some-odd objectives and expect to hit them all.

With the itinerary below you’ll be able to see some of the L.A’s most iconic places, without rushing. Trying to squeeze more into these three days will only drain your energy and leave you tired and confused.

Some of the places that I included in this list are totally free, which is always a plus. So here is your Los Angeles trip plan:

3-Day Los Angeles Itinerary

Day 1: Santa Monica Pier, Malibu and Venice Beach Day 2: Getty Center and the Griffith Observatory Day 3: Hollywood and Downtown Area

Santa Monica is one of the most romantic getaways in California . The 72 miles of coastline and approximately 330 days of sunshine are a magnet for the visitors of LA. Besides, the coastal areas are among the most scenic places in Southern California.

In all, there are over 60 beaches on this incredible stretch of coastline. Therefore, I think it’s best if you start your Los Angeles itinerary at the beach. The closest and most popular ones to downtown LA are Santa Monica, Venice and Malibu.

Stroll on the Santa Monica Beach and Pier (free)

You can start your 3 days itinerary at the Santa Monica Beach, just a short 20-minute drive from Downtown Los Angeles. The beach stretches along either side of the historic Santa Monica Pier.

There is plenty of parking, restrooms and beach side cafés along the beach. The paved path that follows the shoreline all the way to Venice Beach is a paradise for rollerblading, biking, or walking.

There are many small shops where you can rent bikes, rollerblades, boogie boards, chairs, and umbrellas. You can either lay down on the beach, or grab a bicycle and cruise from the Pier to Venice Beach and back.

The most popular spot in Santa Monica is the Pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue. This bustling wooden wharf is where the action is. With its shops, small restaurants, arcade, roller coaster and giant Ferris wheel, the historic Santa Monica Pier continues to be the main attraction in Los Angeles for families with kids .

Walk (bike, or rollerblade) to Venice Beach (free)

Just South of Santa Monica is one of Los Angeles’s most popular and eclectic places: Venice Beach. However, this beach is a mixed bag that isn’t for everyone. If you want to experience the bohemian spirit of Los Angeles, you should definitely come here. There are so many things to do on Venice Beach!

Be advised however that the free-spirited Venice Broadwalk may shock you with its colorful graffiti, street performers, and funky shops. You will see some things that you’ve never seen before and will shake your head. But you may very well find all these very entertaining.

I love Venice Beach, always have. It has an indescribable vibe that I have only experienced here. When we were younger we used to rollerblade from here all the way to Santa Monica and back.  If you enjoy people watching, then this is the place to be. It is for sure one of the most unique beach-going experiences you’ll have.

Drive to Malibu (free)

Malibu is a must, no matter how many days you have in L.A. This is where the famous Pacific Coast Highway drive starts. Here is where you’ll see some of the most picturesque stretches of beach in Southern California.

The beaches in Malibu are however very different from the ones in Santa Monica or Venice. Some of them are private, so they allow alcohol on the beach (Paradise Cove), but they are notorious for the huge parking fees.

In Malibu you will find surf beaches and stretches of shore with tide pools, caves and strange rock formations (Leo Carillo). If you want to explore the caves and rock formations, you should come prepared with good shoes because you’ll have to walk down a big bluff. 

Malibu beaches offer a truly laidback experience where you can just lay in the sand and dip in the ocean. And if you are in Los Angeles when the whales migrate (Dec.-Jan, April-May) you’re likely to see some gray whales, dolphins and seals here. Especially if you visit Malibu early morning. 

TOURS WE RECOMMEND:

You should make your second day in Los Angeles a museum day. But not just any museum! The Getty Center is a more than just a museum and is a very impressive place to visit. You don’t have to be a huge art or museum devotee to fall in love with this iconic site.

The Getty Center (not at the same location as the Getty Villa) sits high up on a hill overlooking the city and is connected to the parking lot at the bottom by a funicular.

The museum has numerous galleries that spread out in multiple buildings. The Center holds the best and most valuable art collection in Los Angeles.

In addition to its extensive artwork collection and unique architecture, the Getty Center features an impressive garden. The Central Garden, designed by artist Robert Irwin, sprawls over 134,000 square feet of green space. You can easily spend an entire day here, admiring the outstanding art collections. 

There are several options for lunch at the Getty Center. If you’re looking for a substantial lunch, there are two on-site cafés and a fine dining restaurant.  Or you can just grab a bite between the exhibits at one of the several snack carts around the museum courtyard.

LACMA vs the Getty Center

I sometimes get asked whether I would recommend the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) or the Getty Center. This is a difficult decision to make since they are outstanding art museums. If you are strictly interested in art, then you should go to LACMA as it has a more comprehensive art collection. However, I would choose Getty over LACMA simply because it also has an outstanding location, beautiful gardens, and more varied art collections. Note that the Getty Villa is a separate museum where their antiquities are kept. 

Visit the Griffith Observatory (free!)

You can end up your 2nd day in L.A. with a sunset visit at the Griffith Observatory. The Observatory features space-related exhibits, star shows in the planetarium, and a telescope.

Admission to the Observatory building, grounds, and telescopes is always free. However, you will have to buy tickets for the planetarium show.

The grounds of the Observatory are very beautiful, featuring some terraces from where you get a bird-eye view of the entire valley. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Santa Monica from up here.

The best time to visit the Observatory is the late afternoon towards the evening when you can stick around to see the sunset and the city lights.

To get to the Griffith Observatory you can either rent a car , use public transportation, share a ride, bike, or walk via N Vermont Canyon Rd (2 miles). Parking near the Observatory costs $8.00 per hour, but is very limited. 

Don’t Miss the Hollywood Sign !

On the opposite hill, right across from the Griffith Observatory, you can catch an unobstructed view of the Hollywood Sign, one of the most iconic sights in Los Angeles.

The worldwide symbol of the U.S. movie industry has a very dull and uninteresting beginning. Many people believe the Hollywood Sign was part of a movie set, but it was actually an outdoor billboard for a real-estate development.

No Los Angeles itinerary would be complete without a visit to the famous Hollywood. As touristy as this place may be, it should be part of your L.A. list of attractions. Especially if this is your first time in the city! 

Hollywood enjoys an international reputation like no other place in the world. Although some parts of the area are undeniably derelict, Hollywood still sparkles with glamor. 

Walk the Sunset Strip (free!)

You can start your last day in Los Angeles with a walk on the famous Sunset Strip. The strip is the 1.5 -mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood. Sunset Boulevard extends from Hollywood all the way to Beverly Hills.

The Sunset Strip is home to flashy boutiques, high end restaurants and nightclubs, as well as huge, colorful billboards. And it’s not impossible to bump into a celebrity at one of the hotel bars in West Hollywood, or in one of the high-end boutiques on Rodeo Drive, in Beverly Hills.

Visit the Chinese Theater (free!)

The Chinese Theater became famous for being the venue of the  Academy Awards  ceremony from 1944-1946. But most visitors are lured here by the celebrity handprints and footprints in the concrete of the theater’s forecourt.

The tradition began during the theater construction, when one of the Hollywood legends at the time accidentally stepped into the wet cement outside the building.

Instead of covering the imprint, theater owner Sid Grauman encouraged other celebrities to repeat the “mistake.” And so it all began. The courtyard is usually cluttered with tourists trying to snap a shot of the famous imprints. 

In 2013, after extensive renovations, the The Chinese Theater was turned into a grandiose 923-seater IMAX auditorium that projects stunning quality movies. If interested, you can still watch a movie in this iconic landmark.

Tour the Dolby Theater

Right next to the Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard is Dolby Theater – the current and permanent home of the Academy Awards. Dolby Theatre opened its doors in 2001 as the Kodak Theatre . Its façade is at the front of the Hollywood & Highland Center, a nice shopping area with boutiques and souvenir shops.

You can take a guided tour of the theater all year round, except for the time leading up to the Academy Awards in February, when the Dolby Theater is off limits.

If the Oscars are your thing, you’ll find the tour very interesting. The guide will take you on the red carpet path that the celebrities follow from Hollywood Boulevard into the theatre. You’ll see the VIP Room, the Green Room and then you’ll go out onto the stage. You will also see where the actors seat while they wait to hear if their names will be called. 

Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame (free!)

The Walk of Fame is an internationally recognized Hollywood icon. It encompasses over 2,600 five-pointed stars made of terrazzo and brass and embedded in the sidewalks along Hollywood Boulevard. 

The stars bear the names of famous musicians, actors, directors and producers and are given in recognition to achievements in the entertainment industry. 

What began as a Chamber of Commerce marketing tactic, is today one of Los Angeles’s biggest magnets. It attracts an estimated 10 million visitors each year. You can read more about the history of the Walk of Fame  here .

Unfortunately, the Walk’s fame  (pun intended) ruins its appeal. It is always crowded with costumed characters offering to take pictures with the visitors, illegal street vendors handing out CDs and tickets, and shady characters.

Most people who ever visited the celebrated Walk of Fame will probably tell you it’s not worth your time. And truth be told, walking the entire 15 blocks (1.3 miles) from east to west on Hollywood Boulevard is not something I would recommend.

However, you shouldn’t skip this famous landmark if you are in Los Angeles for 3 days. Even if you only take a few steps up and down the street to see what the buzz is all about. 

Here are some more popular activities in Hollywood:

• Hollywood: Highlights Guided Walking Tour and Museum Visit
• Los Angeles: Hollywood Celebrity Homes Tour
• Los Angeles: The Official Hollywood Sign Hike

Tour the Disney Concert Hall (free)

Disney Hall has been one of L.A.’s top architectural landmarks since it opened in 2003. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the monumental structure resembles a sailing ship.

Audio tours are the most comprehensive way to explore the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The self-guided audio tour takes you through the concert hall’s history from conception to completion. The audio tour is complimentary for individuals or groups below 14 people and takes about 50 minutes.

The places of interest in Los Angeles are as spread out, so you won’t be able walk between them. Whether you have one, two, or three days in L.A. you’ll either have to rent a car , or use public transportation.

The best way to explore the city is definitely by car, but  driving in L.A. may be quite challenging. If you don’t want to face the city’s infernal traffic and tricky parking signs, you will be better off using public transportation. Plenty of Los Angeles neighborhoods are not only walkable, but connected to one another by train. The L.A. Metro system works good and has many stops.

By Public Transport

To use the Metro, purchase a TAP card at any Metro station from one of the vending machines.  The Red Line , which begins at the Union Station in downtown L.A, will take you to Los Feliz, Hollywood, and to Universal City (home of Universal Studios). 

The Purple Line  will take you through Koreatown, and  the Gold Line  goes through neighborhoods like Chinatown, Highland Park, and Little Tokyo.  The Expo Line  goes all the way to Santa Monica, just a short walk from the famous Santa Monica Pier and the beach.

Planning a 3 Day Los Angeles Itinerary

There are some  facts about Los Angeles  that you probably already know. But the first thing you should be aware of is that Los Angeles is MASSIVE! This fact pervades nearly all the advice that follows and will definitely influence your Los Angeles itinerary.

Los Angeles’s points of interest are spread quite far apart from each other, so don’t assume that you can figure out an itinerary as you go. Chances of stumbling upon a great site accidentally are quite slim.

Another important thing to know is that Los Angeles is very eclectic. It’s made up of hundreds of neighborhoods that look and feel quite different from each other.

Deciding what’s the best area to stay in Los Angeles as a visitor may be difficult. While Downtown L.A. is modern and contemporary, neighborhoods like Altadena, or North Hollywood, are way calmer and laid back.

In case you are asking yourself what would be the best time to travel to California , you should know there is no good or bad time for your trip. The weather is perfect almost year round and no matter when you visit, you’ll always have plenty to do in Los Angeles (even in December) .

However, you should be aware that during July and August temperatures sometimes climb up to 100ºF (or over!). That may be a concern for spending too much time outside (except for the beaches).

The area around Los Angeles is also full of natural parks and attractions, like the Vasquez Rocks Park, or Mormon Rocks, so if you have more than 3 days I suggest adding them to your itinerary as well.

Visiting L.A. is on many travelers’ bucket lists, but the costs involved scare many people away. The good news is that 3 days in Los Angeles won’t break the bank.

The best way to save money on sightseeing is to buy the Go Los Angeles Card . You can buy an all-inclusive card, or build-your-own. The all-inclusive card saves you up to 50% of the gate price for the attractions.

All you have to do is just pick the number of days you are in Los Angeles and you are ready to do unlimited sightseeing. The build-your-own card will save you only 20% of the gate ticket price, but you can choose to see only what interests you.

I hope this guide will help you make the most of your three day trip to L.A. and go home with some good memories. If you have more than 72 hours in the city, there are some great getaways from Los Angeles to consider

I wrote an in-depth post about the best areas to stay in Los Angeles as a tourist, so if you need more insight information you should check out this insider’s guide . There are many inexpensive hotels in the suburbs around L.A. that you can choose from. You can also choose to rent an entire house, or an apartment through AirBnB, or VRBO . If you want to check hotel prices in L.A. using the box below:

If you found this information helpful, please pin it to help others find the best itinerary for first time visitors to Los Angeles.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Los Angeles How to Spend One Perfect Day in L.A. Hidden Treasures of Los Angeles Los Angeles County Arboretum

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

April 7, 2024 at 8:58 am

Thanks for informative blog

Shikha Sharma

January 10, 2024 at 9:38 pm

Well-Written article! Your post is commendable. I am a travel-loving person and also I like to know more about different places. I don’t know about this place. I searched travel blogs and found this blog. This place looks very beautiful. I would like to add it to my bucket list.

July 1, 2023 at 1:00 am

Los Angeles would be a dream to visit! I wish i could visit in one day!

March 24, 2023 at 5:09 am

It was a very nice introduction article, you explained it in every detail.

C.M. Chamber

March 9, 2022 at 10:05 am

This article is very helpful! We are headed out in a week. Just wanted to ask rent a car or Uber/Lyft? We’re staying in Hollywood at a hotel so I’m debating the cost of parking/rental vs. Uber/Lyft. Any info is helpful thanks!

March 9, 2022 at 11:32 am

Renting a car in L.A. is pretty inconvenient. Gas is expensive, parking fees are huge, traffic is a nightmare! Even if you break even with Uber/Lyft, it’s still worth saving yourself the hassle of driving in Los Angeles.

Go Wander Wild

August 24, 2021 at 12:48 am

This Los Angeles guide is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!

August 24, 2021 at 8:55 am

Thank you for your helpful feedback.

March 3, 2022 at 9:36 pm

This is very helpful, great little weekend guide to a great la. Vacation thank you so much.😊✌

November 20, 2020 at 1:41 am

I absolutely love this post! So many great places to visit in Los Angeles. I can hardly wait for my trip.

February 13, 2020 at 7:35 am

This is an amazing itenarary and I will be following this when I visit LA for the first time in April. I just wanted to ask if you recommend any hotel or Air BnB which is family friendly and local to using Hollywood and all these attractions? x

February 13, 2020 at 10:54 am

Hi Taj, thank you for your nice comment. I’m really glad if my information was helpful to you. I don’t have a specific recommendation for you, as Los Angeles is such a huge area. However, I always use VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) which is very similar to AirBnB. They have lower prices and don’t charge booking fees.For hotels and other resource recommendations, you can also check my Travel Resource Page . Hope you’ll find the information helpful.

October 26, 2019 at 9:33 pm

Hi I am going for the first time to LA for 3 days.In which area should i stay so that the itinerary listed above would be more convenient.i would be using public transportation. Any suggestion would be truly appreciated. Thanks.

Anda Galffy

October 28, 2019 at 5:05 am

Hi Sam, the best place for you is to stay in Santa Monica, or Pacific Palisades. It would be however more efficient if you could rent a car. While public transportation works all right, it’s more time consuming taking the bus.

Catherine Salvador Mendoza

September 19, 2019 at 3:53 am

Oh, Malibu! One of my dream beaches because of Rhianna! HAHA! Anyway, love the itinerary that the first day includes a beach. I’m a big fan of beaches and whenever I read posts and itis including beaches, makes me happy! LA is a place in the US I’ve been dreaming too, aside from New York! Great tips you got as well, I think having a car tho is the best way to be able to free roam!

September 18, 2019 at 6:54 pm

I didn’t realize that LA is so spread out, so it’s really helpful to have a suggested itinerary to focus on highlights. And it’s good to know that renting a car is the easiest to explore but that we should manage our expectations with it being very traffic heavy.

September 17, 2019 at 2:16 pm

I love the highlights of L.A. I love going to the beautiful beaches and shopping! LA is so fun! xo – Kam

September 16, 2019 at 10:37 pm

Great itinerary. Didn’t know there is a Venice beach there. Walk of Fame sounds interesting and makes me curious too. Thanks for highlighting the free things to do in LA.

Linda (LD Holland)

September 16, 2019 at 6:38 pm

This is a timely post. We are doing a cruise in and out of LA. So were wondering what to do when we arrive for a few days before the cruise. On our last visit we stayed in Santa Monica but it might be fun to return. We missed spending time in Malibu so maybe that would be a good place to visit. It would be great to head to the Griffith Observatory for a panoramic view. A good tip to head there at sunset. We will defiantly check out public transit. We really don’t want to drive in the city.

September 17, 2019 at 10:39 am

I strongly recommend driving up to the Observatory. It’s a great spot to admire the city from above.

September 16, 2019 at 1:58 pm

Great guide with all the LA highlights. It is a fascinating city with so much to do. When we first moved to Los Angeles, the size and scale of the city blew us away. Love how you have organized the itinerary into bite-sized chunks. Out of curiosity, is there any reason you left out the Hollywood Sign? This was on our to-do list when we first moved. Regardless, great post and agree driving is the best way to get around.

September 17, 2019 at 10:38 am

I didn’t leave it out. It’s actually included in the trip to the Griffith Observatory. You can see the sign from there. I don’t think it’s worth hiking to the actual sign itself if you only have 3 days in L.A.

September 15, 2019 at 8:31 pm

I need to get to Venice Beach and check out the free-spirited Venice Boardwalk. It does have such a bohemian vibe to it. I’ve only been to LA on a stopover so I haven’t seen many of these places except for the Walk of Fame.

September 17, 2019 at 10:40 am

Then it’s time for a return trip, Nicole.

September 15, 2019 at 7:39 pm

You got a great photo of downtown LA. I could spend weeks just hanging out at Santa Monica, Malibu and Venice. I went to Grad School in LA and would drive up to the Observatory and stare out at the city lights at night. LA is so big, It really is incredible

September 17, 2019 at 10:36 am

I didn’t know you lived in LA, Sherianne.

Elaine Masters

September 15, 2019 at 5:21 pm

Definitely some great advice here. I’m partial to some of the museums as there are many unique options. Love the idea of being a tourist in LA. Great pictures as always.

Nicole LaBarge

September 14, 2019 at 10:38 pm

I think the 72 miles of coastline is a big driver! I’ve only been to LA once but I want to go back to the the Santa Monica Pier and visit there. I loved the walk of Fame when I was there!

April 2, 2019 at 11:43 am

I haven’t been to the US yet, but I am sure when I make it to the US, I would like to visit Los Angeles. I didn’t know that renting a car is the best way to go around in LA. I also didn’t know how big LA is. It seems so huge. I usually see a lot of photos of Venice beach since many content creators live around by. Thanks for the piece. I found it so useful

April 2, 2019 at 3:09 am

It’s been nearly 20 years since my last visit to LA. I’d like to go back and do it properly. I didn’t realize that the Hollywood sign isn’t lit up at night and spent a lot of time trying to find it unsuccessfully in the dark after attending an awards show. So a return visit is due and I’d definitely like to see the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach and finally actually see the Hollywood sign.

April 1, 2019 at 10:19 pm

This is the most comprehensive article introducing LA for first timers. I have not been there but for me, public transport any day. Helps me to do other things than watching for the cars on road :). Except probably for places not well connected, if any.

April 1, 2019 at 4:51 am

Massive indeed, and patience is vital. I have not taken the Metro in LA but think that is a huge tip! This a great itinerary and the Griffith Observatory is not to be missed

April 1, 2019 at 9:33 am

If you can drive, is better.

March 31, 2019 at 11:30 pm

I live in LA and have done all the above but I must say, there is so much to see/do here in LA and you have put some of the must do things together in this beautiful post on what to see as a tourist. All the places you’ve listed are the MUST do things for everyone who’s visiting LA

March 31, 2019 at 1:25 pm

I’ve been to L.A. a few times, including my senior trip, many moons ago. My step brother actually lives in Santa Monica. I’ve seen all of these things except the Observatory. If I even went back, I would go there for sure. When I went to Venice Beach, I couldn’t believe everything I was seeing. I was just 17 at that time. There was an outside gym then, full of muscle bound people. The crowds in L.A. are quite overwhelming to me though. Thanks for the introduction to the Observatory.

April 1, 2019 at 9:37 am

The Griffith Observatory is quite interesting to visit and it’s famous for its gorgeous views.

March 31, 2019 at 4:35 am

What a great guide to LA for first-timers. I have only visited Santa Monica, but would love to get to the Getty Center and the hand and foot prints at the Chinese theatre. I’ve wanted to visit the Griffith Observatory since seeing La La Land!

March 31, 2019 at 2:57 am

I never done LA before but hope to do it in the near future but for me, I think I would like to check out the beaches more than the touristy stuff. I am more into nature. Can you still hike up to the Hollywood sign?

April 1, 2019 at 9:35 am

No, you can’t tile to the Hollywood sign.

Carol Colborn

March 30, 2019 at 4:35 pm

It’s good my granddaughter works and lives in Santa Monica. It’s also good that I have covered Day 2 except for the Griffith Observatory. I have also not gone to the Getty Center.

March 28, 2019 at 11:07 pm

I visited LA almost half a decade ago and it’s a pity that I didn’t rent a car and drive to Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach and Malibu. I’ve always regretted that. I don’t think I’d like to drive within the city itself, however, given the traffic and as you said, confusing parking signs! But it’s good that there’s the metro for that 🙂 I had some friends who were nice enough to take me around back then but they’re not there anymore. If I make it back to LA someday, I’d have to find my own way. Definitely making it to the beautiful coast next time!

blair villanueva

March 28, 2019 at 10:31 pm

Thanks for sharing your LA itinerary guide. My other family side lives in LA and some in Santa Barbara, and they all telling me how awesome living in there (even there are many challenges as well, cost of living isn’t cheap though). Someday I will visit my family in LA and have a trip using your guide!

March 28, 2019 at 4:45 pm

I’m yet to head to the American continent and when I do definitely I’d want to visit LA. I’ve heard so much about Malibu beach so definitely it would be in my list. The water is so pristine. I’ve not seen star fishes in wild before. I might just spend an entire day in Malibu.

March 28, 2019 at 6:33 pm

Hope you’ll make it here someday.

March 28, 2019 at 4:19 pm

I have not been to LA in years and years and I would really love to go back one day. The traffic in LA is however such a put off and whilst I would prefer to have the freedom of my own car, I’m not sure I can handle the traffic. Santa Monica Pier looks like so much fun despite the crazy crowds. I guess that just comes with the territory. Those muscle men still at Venice Beach? I’d love to go to the Getty Center….that is my kind of place. And shopping….. I could go crazy!

I agree, the traffic here is a nightmare.

Jane Dempster-Smith

March 27, 2019 at 4:12 pm

This is a perfect 3 day itinerary. In the past I have only spent a day in Los Angeles just passing through and I have really missed out on all the sights. At the top of my list would be the Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A great tip about going to the Observatory late in the afternoon to see the sunsets and the lights below.

Sinjana Ghosh

March 27, 2019 at 11:59 am

I have never visited Los Angeles so this is a great itinerary to begin with. Will keep in mind the vastness and not try to squeeze too much. I think the Santa Mobica beach itself will cover half of the day with all the activities. The sunset strip will be on my list for sure. I understand your point about the walk of fame, I will probably just walk around it for some time and then leave. I don’t find those places particularly interesting but I dont want to miss out on the most celebrated place in Los Angeles either.

March 27, 2019 at 6:43 am

Visiting the beach is one of our favorite things to do anytime our destination is nearby. Venice Beach most likely won’t shock me with its colorful graffiti, street performers, and funky shops. I’ve seen it all!

I’m also game for a laid back experience at Malibu beach, one of my favorite beaches.

March 26, 2019 at 7:55 am

Great post! As a local, I definitely think a car is necessary as our public transportation isn’t very reliable/safe and the city is just so spread out! The things you mentioned always top the list of our visitors and 3 days is the perfect amount of time to hit them all up.

March 26, 2019 at 6:09 am

Hello thanks, Anda for sharing such kind of valuable tips and the images you have used its really appreciable. LA is really a home to some of the USA’s best beaches and each one has its own unique character. I will definitely travel there!!

March 25, 2019 at 4:27 pm

Great tips for a first time visit. I’m passing this along to a friend who will be visiting in May for her first time.

March 25, 2019 at 10:07 pm

Thanks, Jill. Hope your friend will make some use of this information.

Rhonda Albom

March 24, 2019 at 1:38 am

I have been to L.A. many times yet I have not done it all. The Getty Center sounds interesting and it is one of the places I have never visited. I also never walked the Sunset Strip. Thanks for some good recommendations.

March 24, 2019 at 1:55 am

Next time you come here I’ll take you on the Sunset Strip, Rhonda.

March 22, 2019 at 9:33 pm

Great post! I just came back from LA myself. Did a two-day getaway and checked out Hollywood, Santa Monica, USC, Chinatown, and the LA City Hall. You are right about there being plenty of shady people in the Walk of Fame area. I’ll be writing about my visit there on my blog and how I fell for a scam there – come check it out in a few days!

July 24, 2023 at 9:39 am

Thanks 🙏🏼 for the great tips! I’d like to see comedy stand up gigs and drag queen gigs. But I heard LA is dangerous at night in the streets. Are these comedy places in downtown LA (where I plan to stay)? Would you recommend LACMA or Getty Center? Thanks again

July 25, 2023 at 11:58 am

I’m glad you found this information useful, Fabi. Downtown L.A. is overall a very safe area, but I would advise you to stay away from Chinatown at night. In regards to stand-up comedy places, I’ve heard there is a very good comedy theater in downtown called “The Nitecap,” but I didn’t go there personally.

As for LACMA vs the Getty Center, if you are strictly interested in art go to LACMA as it has a more comprehensive collection. However, I would choose Getty over LACMA simply because it also has an outstanding location, beautiful gardens, and more varied art collections. Note that the Getty Villa is a separate museum where their antiquities are kept. Hope this helps.

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The Emerald Palate

Seattle food tours & retreats

California , Travel Guides · February 7, 2023

The Perfect 4 Day Los Angeles Itinerary You’ll Want to Copy

I decided to put together my perfect 4 day Los Angeles itinerary after getting asked for recommendations multiple times. My style of travel is to stick to mostly non-touristy activities, maybe with a few popular attractions thrown in. And there’s always a heavy dose of eating.

So if you’re planning a long weekend in LA and want a mix of must-see spots, excellent food, and less-touristy experiences, use this 4 day LA itinerary as your guide!

This post has affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click on them and make a purchase. This is a small way I earn money to support this site. If links aren’t showing up for you , turn off your ad blocking software. Thank you for your support!

4 Day Los Angeles Itinerary

Feel free to swap the order of these days so that you avoid major attractions on weekends. Note, this itinerary assumes you’ll rent a car !

I’ll keep updating this as I find more fun things to do in LA during a long weekend, so save this to Pinterest for later!

Overwhelmed by the idea of trip planning?

Let me help. I’m a licensed travel planner with a knack of finding off-the-beaten-path adventures. I create custom itineraries for my clients so they can explore areas like a local. Learn more about my services and let’s chat!

Day 1: Santa Monica & Venice Beach

Kick off your 4 day Los Angeles itinerary exploring the beautiful Pacific Ocean and laid-back, hip vibes of LA’s coastal neighborhoods.

Get breakfast at Gjusta

website | 320 Sunset Ave ( get directions ) | price range: ~$15-$25 per breakfast item | best for: homemade breads and that quintessential California cuisine

Gjusta is a super popular spot in Venice Beach that is loved by both locals and tourists alike. It can get crowded, so consider ordering ahead for takeout or getting there around 7 AM when they open.

The menu consists of artisanal, homemade breads and classic California cuisine focused on simple local ingredients. Think bowls, simple egg dishes, etc. You can’t really go wrong, so choose what looks good that day!

Pro tip: Their sister takeaway restaurant, Gjelinda , is nearby. Hit up both spots to compare if you’re feeling adventurous!

Hike Inspiration Point at Will Rogers State Park

website | Rivas Canyon Trail ( get directions ) | length: ~2 miles, easy | best for: sweeping views of the city

No 4 day Los Angeles itinerary is complete without some nature. Will Rogers State Park is one of my favorite places to hike in Los Angeles because it’s in a residential area of Santa Monica that makes it feels like it’s just you and the locals.

When you arrive at the park you’ll see play fields, a paid parking lot, and public restroom. The trail you’re looking for is the Backbone Trail to Inspiration Loop Trail. You’ll notice a relatively steep incline right from the trailhead, but don’t fret. It smooths out to a more gentle incline after the first ~1/4 mile.

Once you’re on the gentler Inspiration Loop Trail, you’ll start getting uninterrupted views of LA from all directions. To the west you’ll see the Pacific Ocean. The city skyline will be to the east. As you meander north, you’ll see breathtaking views of the canyons with expensive homes tucked in between the foliage.

I recommend just doing the ~2 mile trail to the Inspiration Point vista and then heading back. However, if you’re feeling adventurous you can take an additional 2.1-mile hike to Temescal Gateway Park. In fact, there are 70 miles of trails in this canyon, so it’s a huge area to get some exercise and views!

Get lunch at John & Vinny’s

website | 11938 San Vicente Blvd ( get directions ) | price range: ~$15-$25 per appetizer and entree | best for: Italian food and natural wine | reservations accepted

The ex-east coaster in me swooned the first time I ate at John & Vinny’s. It’s an Italian spot serving excellent pizza, pasta, and salads. Plus there’s a natural wine bar concept inside called Helen’s that has a sommelier, wine flights, and all.

While they make good pizza, the must-get here is the spicy fusilli pasta and a side of meatballs. I love the vodka sauce on the pasta, particularly because you don’t often see that Italian-American classic in the Pacific Northwest.

Grab ice cream at Sweet Rose Creamery

website | 225 26th St ( get directions ) | price range: ~$7 for a scoop | best for: creamy ice cream in interesting flavors

Sweet Rose Creamery is a local ice cream shop with great texture and interesting ingredients. I typically only come for a scoop in a cup, but they’re known for making fun sundaes.

The seasonal menu changes, but if it’s available don’t miss the sweet potato sesame brittle flavor. It’s salty, sweet, and nutty!

Pro tip: You get an hour of free parking in the lot next door to the ice cream shop. After you park, make sure to grab a ticket from the attendant sitting at the exit.

Check out the Santa Monica waterfront

website | 200 Santa Monica Pier ( get directions ) | best for: ocean views and beaches

The Santa Monica Pier is an iconic destination right on the Pacific Ocean. While it’s fun to snap some photos, I usually skip the rides and attractions on the pier itself and head to the Oceanfront Walk hugging the Santa Monica Beach. It’s a great spot for people watching, and chances are you’ll see a ton of lazy squirrels splayed out on their tummies in the grass. So weird!

Pro tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, rent cruiser bikes for ~$20-$30/day to cover more ground along the coastline! If you have time, you can also do a biking tour of the area.

Explore Venice Beach and the Canals

website | Venice Beach ( get directions ) | best for: beaching and people watching

You’ve likely seen the iconic Venice Beach in movies. It’s pulsing with people and is a fun place to stroll, so make sure to visit during your 4 day Los Angeles itinerary.

Start at Venice Beach and walk along the oceanfront path. I tend to ignore all the tschocke shops and instead focus on the Venice Beach Skatepark and people working out on the public equipment (in a non-creepy way of course). Don’t forget to walk a few blocks up from the beach afterwards to snap a photo at the famous Venice Sign !

After you had your fill, head to the Venice Canals a few blocks away from the beach. It’s a pretty area that seems more fitting in Amsterdam, with cute bridges spanning serene waterways. I’m always amazed by the transition from the bustling beach to almost people-free canals. It’s the perfect escape to get some peace and quiet!

Shop along Abbott Kinney & Lincoln Blvd

website | Abbott Kinney Blvd ( get directions ), Lincoln Blvd ( get directions ) | best for: indie shopping

Abbott Kinney is a popular street in Venice known for having a lot of great boutiques all within a few short blocks. After you visit the beach, head to this area for some shopping and pop into whatever stores look interesting.

When you’ve had your fill, head north to Lincoln Blvd. for more shopping. While the road is a bit busier, some of my favorite stores are in this area.

Make sure to stop in General Store for a well-curated selection of home goods and women’s apparel. The Mart Collective down the street is a vintage mall full of curiosities.

Pro tip: Abbott Kinney hosts First Fridays where they invite food trucks for a party the first Friday of every month.

Get dinner at Night + Market Sahm

website | 2533 Lincoln Blvd ( get directions ) | price range: ~$17-$20 per dish | best for: Thai food

Night + Market is serving some of the best Thai food in LA. They have three locations around the city, with Sahm being in Venice.

You’ll find a lot of authentic dishes served on tables covered in bright vinyl tablecloths. My must-get here is the nam khao tod, a crispy rice salad served with a ton of ginger, pork, peanut, onions, and chili. It’s one of the best versions I’ve had in the US!

Day 2: Hollywood Hills & Silver Lake

Spend the day exploring central Los Angeles, home to the entertainment core of the city.

Get breakfast at République

website | 624 S La Brea Ave ( get directions ) | price range: ~$10-$25 per dish | best for: baked goods

Ask anyone where to find the best breakfast in LA and I’d bet République is on the list. It’s super Instagrammable and makes killer pastries, so there’s a lot to love.

You’ll immediately sense this place is special when you walk in. The restaurant is bright and airy thanks to a huge atrium anchoring the space. The historic detailing is evident, and you’ll be happy to know the story fits the aesthetics.

Charlie Chaplin built the property in 1928 alongside architect Roy Seldon Price. They dreamed of turning it into a mixed use space with offices above and shops below, all surrounding a picturesque courtyard.

République has returned the space to a lot of its former glory, but it’s not just looks. The restaurant is owned by husband-and-wife Walter and Margarita Manzke. Walter worked alongside chef greats like Ferran Adrià of the late El Bulli, while Margarita made a name for herself at famed restaurants like Spago.

You can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner at République, but daytime is the real draw given their pastry program. Margarita has earned multiple James Beard Award nominations for Outstanding Pastry Chef, so that’s what you must order.

The menu changes regularly, but if it’s on the menu get the creme brûlée doughnut. It has the most perfect vanilla custard and that burnt sugar crust thinly veiling supple brioche dough. However, if that’s not available, rest easy knowing their danishes, cakes, muffins, cookies, and more are all top notch.

Pro tip: This spot gets crowded, so arrive before 9:30 AM on a weekday to avoid a long wait. Order at the counter and grab a seat with your number so they can find you when your food is ready.

Hike Runyon Canyon

website | 2000 N Fuller Ave ( get directions ) | length: ~2.7 mi loop | best for: a workout and killer city views

Runyon Canyon is one of the most popular hikes in LA, so it’s a must when planning a 4 day Los Angeles itinerary. It takes about 1.5 hours to complete so it’s just enough time to get your heart pumping. However, you may not notice the exertion given the panoramic city views.

The park has 3 entrances: Fuller, Vista, and Mulholland Road. I entered via the Vista entrance after finding street parking and did the West Trail that veers left. I read that less people go this way because the path is a bit more treacherous.

I ended up going to the vista and returning back the way I came, so I can’t say if the other part of the loop is easier. However I can confirm the West Trail had less people. I can also say it wasn’t too scary. The most unsettling part is that the path is unpaved and can get slippery both when wet and dry. There’s also some light scrambling toward the top of the vista.

Since I was wearing Adidas with poor traction, I ended up not making it all the way past the scrambling. But that’s more so because I’m a baby…my partner and everyone else on the trail did it in comparable sneakers just fine, ha.

Even without going to the tippy top, I got epic views and would definitely do this hike again. Just make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen, plus bring a lot of water, as you’ll be in direct sunlight the whole way.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for another option, the Runyon Canyon to Indian Rock is said to be easier.

Get lunch at Burgers Never Say Die

website | 2388 Glendale Blvd ( get directions ) | price range: ~$12-$15 per burger | best for: smash burgers

Burgers Never Say Die in Silver Lake specializes in smash burgers, which as the name implies is a patty that’s been compressed to allow for better char. What makes Burgers Never Say Die special, though, is the fact that they keep the edges of the patty so thin, it’s crunchy. I’ve never had a smash burger like this and I’m here for it.

The pro move is to get the triple stack with an extra slice of American cheese. You may think 3 patties is way too much, but they’re so thin the whole sandwich will be about the size of your typical gourmet quarter pounder. Prepare to eat standing up or at the few outdoor tables, as this place is tiny.

Pro tip: Call in your order ahead so you can skip the line. They’ll text you a link to pay.

Seek out artsy staircases

Silver Lake is home to some super cool staircases covered in art. One of the most popular ones is the Micheltorena Heart Stairs , but there are actually a few others in the area!

Weekend Sherpa outlines a 1.5 mile excursion that takes you to other less-visited ones if you have time to a longer adventure. You can also check out the Painted Stairways of Silver Lake Facebook Group for more ideas.

Check out Griffith Park

website | 4730 Crystal Springs Drive ( get directions ) | price: ~$4/hr to park | best for: views upon views

Griffith Park is over 4,200 acres and a must visit during your 4 day Los Angeles itinerary. You’ll find golf, the LA zoo, Autry Museum of the American West, and a bunch of other attractions.

However, the most popular things to do in Griffith Park is check out the walking trails and Griffith Observatory . The observatory is a must visit if you love astronomy. It’s free to enter and has a bunch of exhibits, plus a planetarium with an admission fee. Parking can be dicey, so plan to find a spot on the street or take the $0.50 shuttle from the Greek Theater parking lot.

Even if you’re not interested in going inside, the observatory is a great spot for taking in stunning views of the city below. It’s also a congregation point for a bunch of different trailheads.

There are 53 miles of trails in the park . AllTrails has a list of popular ones, but here are a few to consider:

• Griffith Park Old Zoo Loop – This easy ~2.5-mile hike takes you to a small abandoned zoo! There’s also a vista for pretty views of the city below.
• Hollywood Sign via Canyon Drive – The quintessential thing to do at Griffith Park is scope out the Hollywood sign. This moderate ~6-mile hike gives you an interesting view of the sign’s backside, which makes for great photo opps with downtown LA in the background.
• Hollywood Sign via Innsdale Drive – This is an easy ~1.7-mile hike that gets you a front view of the famous sign.

Check out the La Brea Tar pits

website | 5801 Wilshire Blvd ( get directions ) | price: free entry to tar pits, ~$15 pp for museum | best for: taking a park stroll while learning about fossils

Did you know that fossils from the Ice Age are found everyday right in LA? Yeah, I didn’t either until I discovered the La Brea Tar Pits.

This public park is home to the only active urban fossil dig site in the world. You’ll find 6 different pit and dig sites skewed around the park, each turned into a free exhibit with interpretive signs explaining what the deal is with these stinky pits (yes, they smell like asphalt!).

If you’re curious, tar pits form when crude oil seeps to the surface through cracks in the Earth’s crust. Unsuspecting animals wander into what they think is just a pool of water, only to get trapped in the sticky tar below.

La Brea Tar Pit staff and volunteers discover fossils of saber-tooth cats, mammoths, dire wolves, and other animals and plants every single day. It’s extraordinary to see, especially if you’re there during an active dig.

If you want to get more up close and personal with the fossils, pay the admission fee to enter the museum. You’ll see the fossils pieced together to give you the full effect of the animal, plus a lot of interpretive exhibits.

Want to fit in as much food as possible? You’re going to want to be hungry for dinner at your next stop, but you’ll be really close to Mom Please La Brea . This spot makes amazing Ukrainian food like pierogies and cabbage rolls. Stop to try some if you can!

Get dinner at Park’s BBQ

website | 955 S Vermont Ave ( get directions ) | price range: ~$20-$70 per dish | best for: Korean grilled meats

I would have never discovered Park’s BBQ if it wasn’t for my Korean coworker who happens to live in LA, but dang am I happy she introduced me to it.

Park’s BBQ has some of the best Korean barbecue I’ve ever had. They serve quality meats, seafood, and veggies that they grill right in front of you at the table. My other Korean coworker who dined with us explained that this place is the type of place you were taken to when you got good grades. It’s not fine dining, but it’s higher tier than your everyday Korean BBQ joint.

The best move is to order a bunch of items family style and come hungry. There are a ton of sampler platters that are probably the way to go, but if you want to order a la carte, make sure short rib and bulgogi are part of your order.

You’ll get a bunch of banchan as part of your meal. If you’re not familiar, they’re little bowls of side dishes and condiments to go along with your grilled food. Standouts include the kimchi, acorn jelly, and mung beans, but you should really try it all!

Side dish wise, I recommend also ordering the tofu stew and steamed egg. Both are exquisite and worthy of your table.

Pro tip : The BBQ will make you smell after eating here, so wear clothes you can wash if you’re sensitive to smells like me. You can also ask them for plastic bags to put your bags and coats in.

Extra hungry? Koreatown is my favorite foodie destination in LA. If you want to make dinner this night a food crawl, add these spots before or after Park’s: Han Bat Sul Lung Tang – Hidden oxtail soup spot with the best kimchi ever Borit Gogae – Awesome barley rice spot known for its banchan variety Bumsan Organic Milk – Excellent Korean soft serve ice cream

Consider this a stretch goal since you’ll have had such a long day, but if you love theater end the evening with a show. Most Broadway plays come to LA, plus there are always fun music and theater performances to be seen.

I personally am a sucker for Broadway, so I always check out the Broadway shows playing in Hollywood. Last time I was in LA I saw Mean Girls and it was just as transformative as it was when I first saw the movie!

If you like other types of performances, check out Los Angeles Theater for concerts, plays, comedy shows, and more. Fever is another good resource for finding quirky exhibits, burlesque, and more.

If you want to pair a show with killer cocktails, check out Black Rabbit Rose . It’s a cocktail bar with a speakeasy theater hidden behind a grandfather clock where they host magic shows. If you don’t want to buy tickets to the show, you can experience some close-up magic from the magician roaming the bar.

Pro tip: I don’t know if this is true, but a local told me if you buddy up to one of the magicians you can get an invite to the famous and exclusive Magic Castle .

Day 3: Downtown & market hopping

Spend the day shopping and eating your way through the many great restaurants in LA’s historic city center and business district.

Note, if it’s Sunday and you want to fit everything on this list into your 4 day Los Angeles itinerary, start very early !

Get breakfast at Backyard Bowls

website | 3504 W Sunset Blvd ( get directions ) | price range: ~$10-$15 per item | best for: smoothies and healthy bowls

Backyard Bowls has a few locations around the city, a testament to how much people love their organic smoothies, acai and yogurt bowls, oatmeal, and toasts.

My favorite item on the menu is the Dune Day Crusher smoothie with cold brew coffee, cacao, cinnamon, dates, bananas, cashew mylk, and peanut butter. It’s the perfect way to fuel up for the day ahead.

Visit the Hollywood Farmers Market

website | 1600 Ivar Ave ( get directions ) | best for: souvenirs and snacks

Not a Sunday? No worries if you can’t get to the Hollywood Farmers Market. There are a ton of others around the city every day of the week.

The Hollywood Farmers Market runs every Sunday from 8 AM to 1 PM, so definitely plan a visit if you’re in LA on this day. It’s right along the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame , so you can see how many celebrities you recognize while walking from wherever you park to the market.

There are more than 160 vendors, so there’s a lot to explore. You’ll see a ton of produce vendors, especially those selling local oranges and avocados. Keep your eye’s peeled for stalls serving fresh squeezed OJ if it’s a hot day. Other places to seek out include:

• Cumin Chicken Express – You’ll smell their affordable rotisserie chicken and potatoes from for away!
• Bub and Grandma’s Bread – This popular pastry vendor sells out quick, so the trick is to pre-order if you’re determined to try their goods. Another option is to check out their brick & mortar.

If you’re feeling peckish, there’s also a ton of vendors selling food. Explore wherever your nose takes you!

If it’s Sunday, go to a flea market

Y’all know how much I love finding the best vintage clothing shops in Seattle and Seattle antique stores . So the first time I went to LA, I made it my mission to plan my trip when two of the most popular fleas are happening.

Rose Bowl Flea

website | 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena ( get directions ) | price: $12+ pp | best for: vintage and handmade decor

This huge flea market happens every second Sunday of the month, rain or shine, on the outskirts of LA. It runs 9 AM to 3 PM for general admission ticket holders, but VIPs who pay $20 instead of $12 get a 5 AM entry (that’s dedication!). Kids 12 and under are free with an adult and there’s free parking.

Since the flea takes place in the famous college football stadium, it’s huge. The sections are color coded so you can find different types of merchandise. There are new, vintage, and antique items, but I’d say the Rose Bowl Flea is most popular for antique furniture and decor. Don’t miss the orange area where you’ll find these one-of-a-kind items.

Pro tip: It can get very hot here because there’s barely any shade, so plan accordingly!

Melrose Trading Post

website | 7850 Melrose Ave ( get directions ) | price: ~$6 pp entry, kids under 12 free | best for: vintage clothing

Vintage clothing lovers must stop at Melrose Trading Post if in LA on a Sunday. This popular outdoor market is from 10 AM to 5 PM at Fairfax High School in LA proper. It offers free valet parking and over 100 vendors selling mostly vintage clothing. There are even a few handmade items, plus food vendors if you’re feeling peckish.

Melrose Ave is known for being a popular shopping street in general, so if you have time consider walking along the street between the Fairfax and Highland Ave cross streets.

If it’s Sunday, eat around Smorgasburg

website | 777 S Alameda St ( get directions ) | price: free entry and parking | best for: sampling food from a bunch of small businesses

You’re probably noticing a theme here: Sunday is one of the best days to visit LA because there are so many markets. Smorgasburg runs 10 AM – 4 PM every Sunday and is a must visit for foodies.

You’ll find a bunch of food vendors selling amazing bites. The best thing to do is to do a lap and scope out what looks good, keeping an eye out both on the stalls and what everyone else is eating. A long line is usually a good sign, and I’ve found line lengths ebb and flow so don’t get discouraged.

If they’re available when you go, don’t miss Treme Kitchen and their homemade pralines and beignets. You’ll literally see them rolling out dough and shaping fluffy doughnuts. It’s worth the wait to get these delicate puffs doused in powdered sugar.

Smorgasburg is inside ROW DTLA , which is described as a city within a city because there are bunch of shops in a cool warehouse complex. If you’ve ever been to Brooklyn, it’s very similar to Industry City. So once you’re full, save some time to explore.

Pro tip: Pikunico is a Japanese fried chicken spot in ROW DTLA that draws huge lines. It’s worth the wait!

Feeling wild? Check out Grand Central Market for even more food. If you do, stop in the beautiful Bradbury Building across the street.

Visit The Broad Museum

website | 221 S Grand Ave ( get directions ) | price: free entry | best for: contemporary art

The Broad (pronounced “brode”) is a modern art museum that regularly sells out of tickets. You wouldn’t think a museum would be so popular, but people flock to their exhibits which include greats like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Yayoi Kusama (who is best known for her exhibit Infinity Mirrored Room).

Tickets are released on the last Wednesday of each month at 10 AM PST for admission the following month. Admission is free, but it’s highly recommended to reserve a ticket in advance because the walk-in line can get really long.

Pro tips: The MOCA is across the street from The Broad and is also free. Since it’s smaller, it’s easy to fit in a visit here after you visit The Broad.

Get dinner at Holbox

website | 3655 S Grand Ave ( get directions ) | price range: ~$15-$25 per dish | best for: cured and raw seafood

One of my favorite restaurants in all of Los Angeles is in an unassuming area south of downtown. It’s called Holbox and it’s inside a Spanish food hall called Mercado La Paloma.

Given the casual nature of the food stalls, you’d never guess that Holbox is Michelin recognize and has been nominated for a James Beard Award. What’s caught the foodie world’s eye, you may ask? Their expertise when it comes to seafood.

You’ll find a ton of raw, cured, and smoked items on the menu. I’ve rarely seen food hall vendors dole out beautiful avocado flowers elegantly placed on supple scallops, but Holbox is proving you can have elevated food in even the most casual of places.

Don’t miss their ceviche de pescado and smoked kanpachi tostada. Both have some the freshest fish you’ll ever have, seasoned beautifully with salt, acid, fat, and heat.

Pro tip: Holbox hosts fancier multi-course dinners Thursday and Friday nights. Reservations are required.

Enjoy dessert at Millet Crepe

website | 330 E 2nd St ( get directions ) | price range: ~$9.50 per crepe | best for: stuffed crepe cones

Hopefully you saved room for dessert because not too far away from Holbox is Millet Crepe. You may be thinking, “Meh, crepes,” but this place is serving them in a unique way. Rather than eating them on a plate with a fork and knife, these crepes are rolled like an ice cream cone and overstuffed with creative Asian-inspired ingredients.

They’re most famous for their creme brûlée crepe, so don’t skip that. You can get it stuffed with additional fillings like matcha, strawberries, and mochi. If you’re feeling extra, top it off with a cute, Instagrammable animal ice cream scoop on top!

Pro tips: You don’t ever come in contact with staff to order. Instead, place your order at the pad to the right of the counter.

Also, there’s another Millet Crepe location closer to Venice Beach if you prefer to visit on the first day of your trip.

Day 4: Spend the day at Universal Studios

Spend the day at one of the best amusement parks in the country. The hours change with the season, so check the park’s calendar online. In general the park opens at 9 or 10 AM and closes at 6 or 7 PM, sometimes 10 PM on weekends.

You can do the whole park from 10 AM – 6 PM, so that means you can get good meals flanking your visit!

Disneyland is another great choice for an amusement park. However, it’s farther away in Anaheim and bigger, so it’s harder to fit into one day. If you have little ones in tow, though, Disney may be a better choice (as I’d say Universal is more for kids around 10 and up).

Get breakfast at HomeState

website | 4624 Hollywood Blvd ( get directions ) | price range: ~$3.50-$12 per dish | best for: tacos

HomeState is a Texas-style burrito place loved by locals. You can stop at their storefront or order delivery. Either way, it’s going to be good.

I recommend getting the Tijuana Panther taco with shredded brisket, queso, potatoes, and pico de gallo. If you want to make it feel more breakfast-y, add eggs. The Don’t Mess with Texas taco is also great. It has refried charro beans, bacon, potatoes, and cheddar.

Pro tip: I chose the Hollywood location assuming it’s near where you’re staying, but HomeState has a bunch of locations .

Spend the day at Universal Studios

website | link to get tickets | 100 University City Plaza ( get directions ) | price: ~$100-$200 pp | best for: amusement park attractions

No 4 day Los Angeles itinerary is complete without a trip to Universal Studios. Given that you’re in the movie capital of the world, immersing yourself in how movies are made and some of the biggest IP out there is super cool. Here are some tips for making the most of your day:

• Definitely invest in the Universal Express ticket : Yes, it’s almost double the cost at ~$200 per person, but it pays for itself by the first ride because it lets you skip the line. They’ll ask you if you want to be able to skip the line an unlimited amount of times, but get the cheaper one that only let’s you skip the line once per ride. That’s all you need. Pro tip: Purchase online beforehand for the best deals and to save time at the park!
• Go on as a single rider if needed: If there are new attractions when you go, they sometimes won’t let you use your Universal Express pass. If that’s the case, split up your group and ride as a single. For example, we waited in a 15-minute line instead of an hour by doing this for the Super Nintendo World attraction when it first opened.
• Make sure to leave about an hour for the Universal Studios Tour: This is one of the best experiences at the park so make sure you have enough time for it! You’ll see memorabilia from popular movies, drive through real movie sets, and learn how entertainment is made. So cool!
• Only bring a small cross body bag: If you want to be able to bring bags on rides, leave your backpack at home. Many attractions make you check them at the start of the ride. A few rides have little bags by your feet for loose items like water bottles. There are also lockers at the entrance of the park if you need to stow luggage.

If you’re wondering why I don’t have any tips about food, the reason is because I’ve never eaten well at Universal Studios. So I usually fill up before and after the park day and survive on snacks.

Lastly, if you’re curious what my favorite rides are, I absolutely love The Mummy roller coaster, Transformers 3-D ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, and the Universal Studios Tour. All the attractions at the park are fun, but I think these are the best!

Pro tip: If you don’t make it to the Universal Studios Tour, the other famous movie producing brands also provide tours. Check out the Warner Bros Studio Tour , Paramount Studio Tour , and Sony Studio Tour .

Get dinner at Saffy’s on Fountain

website | 4845 Fountain Ave ( get directions ) | price range: ~$10-$65 per dish | best for: Middle Eastern food | accepts reservations and walk-ins

After your jam-packed day at Universal Studios, relax at a restaurant worthy of being your last meal of the trip. Saffy’s is owned by the same people behind Bestia and Bavel , two of LA’s buzziest restaurants. All of their spots are a good choice, but I like the slightly more casual ambiance Saffy’s offers.

You’ll find Mediterranean staples like hummus, falafel, tabouleh, tagines, shawarma, and kebabs. You can’t go wrong with anything here, so order what looks good!

Pro tip: They have a tiny coffee shop attached selling great baked goods daily from 8 AM to 3 PM. On weekends starting at 9 AM they also serve Arabic breakfast of shakshouka, challah, clotted cream and honey, olives, and salad. Their baked goods are fantastic, so consider stopping here again during the day if you have time to spare! Don’t miss the Swedish cardamom roll and potato curry bourekas during your visit.

Where to stay in LA

There are a ton of great places to stay in LA. For this 4 day Los Angeles itinerary, I think West Hollywood , Fairfax , Silver Lake , and nearby areas are the best neighborhoods because they’re centrally located for seeing everything. Here are some of my top picks in those areas.

Kimpton Everly Hotel

link to book | 1800 Argyle Ave ( get directions ) | price range: ~$250+ per night | best for: posh vibes at a lower cost than other spots

I often stay at the Kimpton during my frequent trips to LA. It’s in a quieter area of Hollywood right off the highway, so it’s well located for exploring the city. The rooms feel modern, particularly in the bathroom where you’ll often find huge soaker tubs. The lobby has a happening bar and there’s a pretty good restaurant attached to the hotel (where you can get yummy coffee for free in the morning). During the warmer months you can even relax at the rooftop infinity pool overlooking the city.

Pro tip: Make sure to book a city view room. The Hollywood sign rooms sound attractive, but they face the highway.

I Hotel West Hollywood

link to book | 8490 Sunset Blvd ( get directions ) | price range: ~$450+ per night | best for: luxury vibes and a stunning pool

One of my colleagues who lives in LA recommended this hotel. She said it’s pricey, but it makes up for it with super swank vibes. The rooms are some of the most luxuriously decorated I’ve ever seen, the pool area has sweeping views of the city, and there’s even an onsite rooftop restaurant, spa, and gym. All in all, I am definitely booking this spot the next time I’m in the city!

Modern Silver Lake House

link to book | near Bacari, a cool outdoor restaurant ( get directions ) | price range: ~$560+ per night | best for: larger groups

If you want a more residential feel and bigger space for a group, this light and airy Silver Lake home is the perfect choice. It fits 5 people with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, plus it has plenty of space to spread out. I’m absolutely obsessed with the different garden nooks around the property perfect for cozying up as a group when you’re back from sightseeing.

Best time to visit LA

Los Angeles is a great place to visit year round given it’s sunny climate. However, if you don’t like extreme temperatures (like me), avoid the summer months. I went to LA once in August and literally thought I was going to die.

My preferred time to visit is October through May . My last trip was the end of January and it was lovely. Sure, I was a bit chilly at night, but it was sunny the whole time and I’d take being cold over hot any day!

Important travel tips

Lastly, let me leave you a few tips for making the most of your 4 day Los Angeles itinerary.

Fly Into Burbank Airport

If your hometown has direct flights to Burbank, fly there instead of LAX. It’s a much smaller airport so you’ll be in and out of security in no time! Plus it’s close to Hollywood, so it’s conveniently located if you’re staying in that area.

Definitely rent a car

LA is huge so ride shares will cost a fortune and public transit will take forever. To do this whole 4 day Los Angeles itinerary and explore the main areas of the city, you really need to rent a car .

Prepare for homelessness

Unfortunately there are a lot of unhoused people in LA. You’ll see tents set up on sidewalks and people asking for money outside food stores. It’s quite sad, but also harmless. If you’re from Seattle, I’d say it’s very similar and in a lot of ways better than our homeless crisis given LA is more sprawling.

Bring Shoes to Hike in

If you plan to do any of the trails I recommended on this 4 day Los Angeles itinerary, definitely bring a pair of shoes with good traction that you don’t mind getting dirty. LA is very dry, so most of the trails are slippery due to dusty gravel.

Pack layers & Sun Protection

Especially if you’re traveling in the winter months, make sure to pack warm clothing. I was freezing at night when it hit the high 40s in January. However, it was really sunny during the day, so I had to make sure to cover up with hats, sunscreen, and light jackets.

More ideas for a 4-day LA itinerary

There is so much more to do in LA, particularly when it comes to eating and hikes! Here’s my Google Map where I keep a running list of places to try. Use this to customize your 4 day Los Angeles itinerary!

Ideas for road trips from LA

After you make your way through this 4 day Los Angeles itinerary, check out these other places to visit nearby!

• How to Spend the Weekend in Santa Barbara
• Everything You Must Do in San Luis Obispo
• The Only 3-Day San Diego Itinerary You Need
• San Diego Road Trips
• The Ultimate San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip
• How to Spend the Perfect Day in Phoenix
• Unique Scottsdale Restaurants
• Scottsdale Weekend Itinerary
• Best Arizona Wineries

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One week in Los Angeles: the best 7 days itinerary

7 days in los angeles: the best one week itinerary + where to stay.

You’re planning to spend one week in Los Angeles  and you’re looking for the best itinerary?

You’re in the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay , I have prepared for you this 7-day itinerary in Los Angeles.

During your trip, you will discover all must-see attractions of the city such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame , Santa Monica Pier , Universal Studios  and a lot more.

In addition to the best places to visit and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So,  how to spend 1 week in Los Angeles? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

1. The Los Angeles Pass

7 days in los angeles: must-see attractions:, one last tip for a perfect 7-day stay in los angeles, los angeles in 1 week: the best itinerary, a. beverly hills and rodeo drive, b. sunset boulevard / sunset strip, c. hollywood walk of fame, d. hollywood sign, e. griffith observatory, day 2 in los angeles: universal studios hollywood, a. helicopter tour above la, b. the getty center, c. santa monica pier, d. venice beach and venice canals, a. warner bros studios or paramount pictures studio, b. the original farmers market, c. the grove, d. visit some museums, e. evening at the comedy store or the hollywood bowl, a. natural history museum of los angeles or grammy museum, b. bradbury building, c. grand central market, d. optional visit: the museum of contemporary art or the broad, e. walt disney concert hall, f. los angeles city hall, g. olvera street, h. dodger stadium, a. battleship uss iowa museum, b. long beach and the aquarium of the pacific, c. newport beach / whale watching cruise, option 2: disneyland park, option 1: hiking at topanga state park + visit malibu, option 2: day trip to santa barbara, option 3: visit joshua tree national park and palm springs, option 4: san diego, where to stay in los angeles, one week in los angeles with your family, more ideas of things to do during your 7-day stay in los angeles, map of your 7-day itinerary in los angeles, flight prices to los angeles, you’re traveling in the us these articles will help you, how to avoid waiting in line (and save a lot of time) at los angeles tourist attractions.

As you know it, Los Angeles is one of the top touristic destination in the world.

Every year, million of tourists like you, wants to discover the amazing attractions and activities the city has to offer. 

Unfortunately some of them are very popular and can be as crowded as the Empire State Building in New York or the Colosseum in Rome .

But don’t worry: I have 2 solutions that will allow you to save a time (and money!) during your one week trip to Los Angeles.

Your first option to save money is to get the Los Angeles All-inclusive pass by Go City.

With this pass, you will have access to more than 40 tourist attractions . This will allow you to do a lot of activities during your 7 days itinerary in Los Angeles! 

Here is a summary of the most popular activities included in the Los Angeles pass:

• Universal Studios Hollywood (only if you get a 3 or more days pass)
• Hollywood Sign guided tour
• Ticket for the Hop on Hop off bus
• Bus tour in Beverly Hills
• Warner Bros Studio Tour
• Aquarium of the Pacific
• Grammy Museum
• Battleship IOWA Museum
• Madame Tussauds
• Whale watching tour at Newport Beach

Since all these attractions are among the best things to do in Los Angeles in one week, this City Pass is really perfect for you visit!

Once you have ordered the pass, you will receive an email with your City Pass. No need for a physical card or anything, you will just have to show the pass on your phone at the entrance of each attraction. It’s super convenient!

Along with the pass, you will also get a digital guide with useful information to organize your visits, such as up to date opening hours and instructions to atttend each visits and activities.

To purchase your Los Angeles All inclusive pass , simply click on the green button below:

2. Buying online tickets for Los Angeles best tourist attractions

If you don’t want to buy the Los Angeles All inclusive pass to visit Los Angeles in a week, you can also buy tickets for each attraction and activities separately.

Almost everything can be booked online. And you can also book guided tours in advance!

If you book your tickets and activities through the links I give you in this guide , you will  avoid a lot of unnecessary waiting and save money .

Here is the list of the best skip-the-line tickets for your one-week stay in Los Angeles:

To check prices and to book,  simply click   on the orange links below  (you will also find them throughout the article):

• Celebrities homes guided tour in Beverly Hills
• Get your own Star at Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Guided walk to the Hollywood Sign + Pictures
• Full-day guided tour of LA
• Priority ticket for Universal Studios Hollywood (very important!)
• Battleship Uss Iowa Museum
• Whale watching cruise
• Helicopter tour
• Warner Bros Studios
• Paramount Pictures Studio
• Petersen Automotive Museum
• La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
• Natural history museum of Los Angeles
• Museum of Contemporary of Art
• Dodger Stadium
• Bus Hop-On Hop-Off
• Half-day guided bus tour + photo stops
• Full-day guided bus tour of L.A
• Gastronomic guided tour with food tasting
• Guided tour of the Dolby Theatre
• Ticket for Madame Tussauds Hollywood
• Ticket for the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
• One-hour or 2-hour horse ride in Griffith Park 
• Surf lesson at Venice Beach or Santa Monica
• Guided kayak or paddle tour of Marina del Rey
• Cruise in L.A marina with aperitif

If you want to book other activities in Los Angeles, you should always use these 2 reliable and safe websites:

• GetYourGuide: Official entrance tickets and activities in Los Angeles .
• Tiqets: Skip the line tickets in Los Angeles

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!) , you should really book your accommodation.

As Los Angeles is one of the most touristic cities in the world , the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in Los Angeles by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at  traveler’s favorite hotels in Los Angeles.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in Los Angeles, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

Let’s now start your 7-day Los Angeles itinerary.

For each day, I will tell you everything you need to know about the places you will visit + give you a map that will help you visualize the itinerary a bit better.

I’m assuming you will be staying in Los Angeles for a full week , and that you have bought the Los Angeles All inclusive pass or skip the line tickets online in advance.

It’s the best way to save time and see as many tourist attractions as possible during your one week stay!

If, after reading this article, you still have questions (or need help organizing your holiday), you can ask me in the comments section at the very end of this article. I will be glad to help you plan your stay!

So,  what are the best places to visit in Los Angeles in 7 days?

Day 1: What to do in Los Angeles

Day 1 visits:

A. Beverly Hills / Rodeo Drive B. Sunset Boulevard / Sunset Strip C. Hollywood Walk of Fame D. Hollywood Sign E. Griffith Observatory

Your one-week itinerary in Los Angeles begins in the neighborhood of Beverly Hills , a must-visit for anyone dreaming to see the L.A. lifestyle.

As you wander through Beverly Hills, you’ll be surrounded by luxurious mansions and perfectly manicured gardens. Don’t forget to snap a photo at the Beverly Hills sign in Beverly Gardens Park.

And if you want to see the most famous celebrity’s home , you should take a guided minibus tour. 

There is one included in your Los Angeles Explorer Pass ,  but if you don’t have it, you have to book the tour online, by clicking here:

You can also take a stroll around Rodeo Drive.

This world-renowned shopping street is lined with high-end brands and designer stores. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, the window displays themselves are worth to see!

On Rodeo Drive, you will also see the Beverly Wilshire Hotel , famous for being a filming location of the 90’s classic “Pretty Woman” , starring  Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.

Next on your itinerary is the famous Sunset Boulevard, and more particularly the bustling Sunset Strip.

This stretch is legendary, known for its rock ‘n’ roll history and vibrant nightlife . The Strip is lined with an array of historic music venues, comedy clubs, boutiques, and restaurants.

You will also pass by The Roxy Theatre. If you love music, you’ll appreciate the history of this legendary music venue. It has seen some of the world’s greatest artists!

While there, you should also go to the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Known as ‘The Pink Palace’, this iconic hotel has been a celebrity hotspot for decades. You can stop by for a coffee or a meal at one of its restaurants.

Of course, during your one-week trip to Los Angeles, you will want to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame .

This famed sidewalk celebrates the stars who have made significant contributions to entertainment. Strolling along the Walk of Fame, you’ll find over 2,600 brass stars embedded in the sidewalks, each bearing the name of a celebrity.

Take your time to find the stars of your favorite actors, musicians, directors …

While you’re here, don’t miss the TCL Chinese Theatre. You can see the handprints and footprints of various movie stars embedded in the concrete outside the theatre.

Did you know that you can even have your own star with your name on the Walk of Fame?

And, of course, have your photo taken in front of it!

It’s one of the best things to do during your 7 days itinerary in Los Angeles.

You need to book the “Get your own Star” activity in advance by clicking on the button below:

During your one week trip to Los Angeles, you will also want to see one of its most iconic symbols: the Hollywood Sign.

This legendary landmark, perched high on Mount Lee , is visible from many parts of the city, but getting a closer view is a special experience.

For a great view and a bit of exercise , you can take a hike in Griffith Park leading up to a viewing area near the sign. The hike isn’t too strenuous, and the scenic views of Los Angeles along the way are absolutely worth it.

If you’re not up for a hike, there are several spots in the city that you can reach by car or public transportation and where you can get a good view of the sign.

The best ones are Lake Hollywood Park, the Hollywood and Highland Center and the Griffith Observatory (more about it below).

For the best photos of the Hollywood Sign, visit during the late afternoon, when the lighting is perfect.

Note that a 90-minute tour to the Hollywood sign is included in the Los Angeles Explorer Pass.

If you don’t have the city pass, you can opt for a guided walk.

Your guide will tell you interesting facts and anecdotes about L.A and will take you to the best viewpoints for superb photos.

Click here to book your guided hike and get more information!

At the end of this first day, make your way to the Griffith Observatory .

It offers one of the best views of Los Angeles.

Inside the observatory , you’ll find exhibits about space and science, and the planetarium . If you’re spending 7 or 8 days in Los Angeles with your family, you can be sure that they will love that visit!

But the real highlight here is the observatory’s terrace.

You get a panoramic view of the Los Angeles basin, including downtown L.A., the Hollywood sign, and on clear days, even the Pacific Ocean.

It’s a beautiful sight, especially at sunset or during the early evening when the city lights begin to twinkle.

For the 2nd day of your one week trip to Los Angeles, get ready for a day filled with adventure at Universal Studios Hollywood , one of Los Angeles’ most thrilling theme parks.

Known for its immersive worlds and attractions based on some of Hollywood’s biggest movies , this park offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

This is  one of the major attractions in the city , so you really need to go there during your week in Los Angeles!

Start your visit with the Studio Tour , a signature attraction of Universal Studios.

It’s a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at real movie sets. You’ll see famous sets from movies and TV shows like Jaws, King Kong and Fast and Furious.

Also, don’t miss the Wizarding World of Harry Potter !

Even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, the attention to detail in this area is truly impressive. You can stroll through Hogsmeade, try a Butterbeer, and even experience ‘Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’ ride.

For thrill-seekers, the Jurassic World – The Ride is a must. This exciting water ride takes you through a lush jungle complete with animatronic dinosaurs.

Fans of The Simpsons will love exploring Springfield. From Krusty Burger to the iconic Simpsons Ride, it’s a fun-filled experience with lots of laughs.

Perfect for families, Minion Mayhem is a lively and colorful world where the Despicable Me Minions bring laughter and chaos.

Now, let’s talk about the newest addition: Super Nintendo World , where you will discover the world of Super Mario!

This new area brings the beloved Nintendo game to life with colorful, interactive experiences.

You’ll feel like you’ve jumped right into the game, with familiar sights, sounds, and characters all around .

1) Plan to spend a full day at Universal Studios to fully enjoy all the attractions.

2) Arriving early can help you beat the crowds, especially for popular rides.

3) You should invest in a Universal Express Pass to skip the long lines. It will allow you to save a ton of time and ensure you get to experience all the major attractions of the theme park in a day!

You need to book your ticket by clicking on the green button below.

Admission to Universal Studios is included in the 7-day Los Angeles pass , but please note that this is a normal ticket. It doesn’t give you priority access to the attractions.

Day 3: Tourist attractions and activities in Los Angeles

Day 3 visits:

A. Helicopter tour B. The Getty Center C. Santa Monica Pier D. Venice Beach

Begin your third day in Los Angeles with an unforgettable helicopter tour over the city.

This is a unique way to see L.A . from a completely different perspective. It’s indeed one of  the best thing to do in the city , you can’t miss it if you spend a week in Los Angeles.

As you soar above the city, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of iconic landmarks and stunning landscapes. I highly recommend choosing the tour that flies over the Hollywood Sign, downtown L.A., and along the coast.

You need to book your helicopter tour in advance  by clicking on the button below:

If you prefer doing this activity at the end of the day, you can alternatively opt for a night helicopter flight by clicking here!

After your helicopter ride, head to The Getty Center , one of Los Angeles’s best art museums.

Nestled in the hills, the Getty Center is not only known for its impressive art collection but also for its stunning architecture and gardens.

As you explore the galleries, you’ll find a diverse collection of art ranging from medieval times to the present.

The museum houses European paintings, decorative arts, and photography . The collection of impressionist paintings is one of the best in the world.

Don’t miss the museum’s gardens. The Central Garden especially, is a masterpiece of landscape design, with its natural ravine and tree-lined walkways. It’s the perfect place to relax during your one week itinerary in Los Angeles, after exploring the galleries.

Admission is free, but you need to book a time slot by clicking here.

Your Los Angeles adventure continues with a visit to the Santa Monica Pier .

The Pier is home to an amusement park, complete with a Ferris wheel and roller coaster , providing stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Stroll along the pier and enjoy the lively atmosphere, filled with street performers and local vendors.

Don’t forget to try some classic amusement parks food like funnel cakes or churros . For seafood lovers, the nearby restaurants serve up some delicious dishes.

You should visit the Pier in the late afternoon to enjoy the attractions and, if you wish to, stay for the sunset. It’s also less crowded during weekdays , which allows for a more relaxed experience.

Next, make your way to Venice Beach .

Famous for its bohemian spirit , Venice Beach is a lively mix of street performers, skateboarders, and colorful murals. The bustling boardwalk is lined with shops and cafes, it’s really a great place to explore and participate to the local life.

Take some time to relax on the beach or enjoy a bike ride.

The Muscle Beach outdoor gym , another famous spot, is worth checking out. It’s impressive to watch the athletes work out!

Don’t leave Venice without visiting the tranquil Venice Canals .

These charming canals, inspired by the ones in Venice, Italy , offer a peaceful escape. I really loved walking along these picturesque waterways while admiring the beautiful homes .

It’s a great way to end this third day of your one week trip to Los Angeles.

Day 4 – Continue exploring L.A

Day 4 visits:

A. Warner Bros or Paramount Pictures Studio B. The original Farmers market C. The Grove D. Museums E. The Comedy Store or the Hollywood Bowl

On the 4th day of your 7-day stay in Los Angeles, discover the world of Hollywood film-making with a tour of Warner Bros Studios or Paramount Pictures Studio .

Both offer a behind-the-scenes look at how movies and TV shows are made, and each has its unique history.

At Warner Bros Studios , you can explore sets from famous shows like ‘Friends’ and ‘The Big Bang Theory’. The studio tour also includes a visit to the prop department and sound stages.

I also really enjoyed the interactive exhibits where you can learn about the filmmaking process.

Be sure to book your studio tour in advance , as spots can fill up quickly. The Warner bros studios tour is included in the Los Angeles Explorer Pass.

If you don’t have the pass, you need to book the Warner bros Studios tour here:

Alternatively, Paramount Pictures Studio offers a glimpse into the oldest operating studio in Hollywood. You’ll see iconic movie sets and learn about the studio’s history.

You can choose between different tour options, from a general studio tour to a VIP experience. Book it in advance by clicking here!

After your studio tour, head to The Original Farmers Market for a culinary adventure.

This historic L.A. spot, established in 1934, is a bustling marketplace with over 100 vendors , offering a wide variety of foods and goods. You can find everything from fresh produce to artisanal cheeses, exotic spices, and gourmet treats.

The Farmers Market is also home to a number of eateries serving up delicious meals – from classic American fare to international cuisine.

Visit the Farmers Market during lunchtime when all the stalls are open. It’s also a great place to pick up unique L.A. souvenirs and gifts.

Continue your exploration of Los Angeles at The Grove , a famed outdoor shopping complex located next to the Farmers Market.

Known for its beautiful, open-air setting , The Grove offers a range of retail stores, dining options, and entertainment facilities, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

The Grove is also home to a movie theater , showing the latest releases.

Also, don’t miss the dancing fountain, which offers a water show set to music.

You can take the vintage trolley that runs between the Farmers Market and The Grove.

It’s the perfect way to travel between these two iconic spots to see during your 1 week itinerary in Los Angeles and it’s free!

Los Angeles is also a city with a rich cultural scene.

Spend the latter part of your day visiting one of the renowned museums like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), La Brea Tar Pits and Museum or the Petersen Automotive Museum .

LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States and boasts an impressive collection. Highlights include modern and contemporary works, Asian art , and an outdoor sculpture garden. I really loved the Urban Light installation – it’s super impressive, especially at night!

For car enthusiasts , the Petersen Automotive Museum showcases an extensive collection of cars and motorcycles, both classic and modern. Exhibits also tell the story of the automobile’s impact on society and culture.

Tickets to visit the Los Angeles Automobile Museum need be purchased here:

After your visit to the Petersen Automotive Museum, I recommend exploring the fascinating La Brea Tar Pits and Museum , located within walking distance.

This unique site offers a glimpse into ancient Los Angeles, where mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and other Ice Age animals once roamed.

The Tar Pits are one of the world’s most famous fossil sites , where tar has been seeping up from the ground for thousands of years.

This natural trap has preserved the bones of animals that wandered into it, providing invaluable insights into prehistoric life. You can see the tar pits themselves, where excavations are still ongoing, and it’s super interesting to watch the scientists at work.

Inside the museum, you’ll find a wide range of fossils extracted from the pits, detailed exhibits about the Ice Age, and even life-sized models of some of the extinct animals.

The museum does a fantastic job of making prehistory accessible and engaging for all ages.

And if you want one more reason to visit La Brea: the entrance is included with the Los Angeles Explorer Pass. But if you don’t have it, you can still book your tickets by clicking here .

To end the 4th day of your Los Angeles visit in style, you should enjoy an evening filled with laughter or music, depending on your preference, at either The Comedy Store or The Hollywood Bowl .

If you’re in the mood for some comedy, The Comedy Store on Sunset Strip is the perfect destination.

This comedy club has seen the rise of many famous comedians and continues to host some of the best live comedy shows in L.A. There’s always a good mix of well-known and up-and-coming comedians performing.

Alternatively, for a more musical evening, head to the Hollywood Bowl, one of the most famous outdoor music venues in the world.

Nestled in the Hollywood Hills , this venue hosts a variety of performances, ranging from classical music and jazz to rock concerts and movie screenings with live orchestral accompaniment.

Check the schedule in advance and book tickets for a performance that interests you. Many visitors bring a picnic to enjoy in the park areas outside the Bowl before the performance.

Day 5 – More places to visit in Los Angeles

Day 5 visits:

A. Museums B. Bradbury Building C. Grand Central market D. MOCA or the Broad E. Walt Disney Concert Hall F. Los Angeles City Hall G. Olvera Street H. Dodger Stadium

Start your 5th day in Los Angeles with one of these 2 museums, depending on your interests: the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles or the Grammy Museum .

The Natural History Museum offers an incredible journey through time. From dinosaur fossils to rare gemstones, the museum’s exhibits are both educational and awe-inspiring.

One of my favorite parts was the Dinosaur Hall , where you can see a T-Rex skeleton up close. The museum also features an extensive collection of wildlife and nature exhibits that showcase the diversity of life on Earth.

It also has a beautiful Butterfly Pavilion, which is a hit, especially if you’re visiting with kids.

For music lovers, the Grammy Museum is a must-visit. This dynamic space celebrates the history and winners of the Grammy Awards.

There, you will find interactive exhibits, recording booths , and a rich collection of musical artifacts . I really loved the hands-on areas where you can mix your own tracks or sing along to famous songs.

Entrance of both of this museums are included with the Los Angeles All inclusive Pass.

As usual, if you don’t have the pass, you can buy your tickets for the Natural history museum here and for the Grammy by clicking here!

Next, head to the Bradbury Building , one of L.A.’s architectural gems.

Located in downtown Los Angeles, this historic building is known for its unique interior , characterized by ornate ironwork, open cage elevators, and a skylit atrium. You may recognize it from various movies and TV shows.

While the building is primarily used for office space and not all areas are open to the public, you can still visit the first floor and the lobby.

After exploring the Bradbury Building, make your way to the Grand Central Market .

This food hall, located in downtown Los Angeles, is a culinary hotspot that reflects the city’s diverse cultural scene . With over 30 vendors serving an array of cuisines, it’s a paradise for foodies.

You can find everything from gourmet coffee to artisanal cheese, authentic Mexican tacos, and freshly made pasta.

The atmosphere in the market is lively and welcoming, making it a great place to mingle with locals and other travelers.

In the afternoon, you have the option to visit one of two remarkable art museums: The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) or The Broad . Both are located downtown.

MOCA is dedicated to contemporary art and features an impressive collection of works created since 1940.

The museum showcases paintings, sculptures, and photography by emerging and established artists. The exhibitions are thought-provoking and often focus on challenging topics or innovative artistic techniques.

Alternatively, visit The Broad .

This museum offers free general admission to its permanent collection, which includes works by some of the most prominent figures in contemporary art.

The building’s architecture is itself a work of art, with a unique honeycomb-like exterior.

Inside, you’ll find installations, paintings, and sculptures that are both visually stunning and intellectually engaging. Don’t miss the Infinity Mirror Rooms by Yayoi Kusama, but be prepared for a separate queue as these are extremely popular.

While admission is free for both, it’s recommended to reserve tickets in advance to avoid long wait times:

Then, you should head to the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

This architectural marvel, designed by Frank Gehry, is a landmark of downtown Los Angeles and home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Even if you’re not attending a concert, the building itself is worth a visit . You will for sure love its striking design, featuring flowing stainless steel curves.

Take a stroll around the building to appreciate its unique structure.

You can also take a guided tour of the hall to learn about its architecture and history. The tours often include a visit to the beautiful garden on the building’s roof.

If you can, I highly recommend booking tickets for a performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall during your one week trip to Los Angeles.

The acoustics inside the concert hall are very impressive!

Continue your stroll through downtown L.A with the Los Angeles City Hall .

This iconic building, with its distinctive tower , has been an emblem of the city since 1928.

You can visit the public areas of the City Hall and even go up to the observation deck , which offers panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles.

The City Hall is open to the public on weekdays.

It’s now time to pass by Olvera Street , known as the birthplace of the city.

Located in El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic district , Olvera Street is a colorful Mexican marketplace . Stroll through the narrow, tree-lined market filled with traditional Mexican crafts, souvenirs, and delicious food.

You can find everything from handcrafted leather goods to beautifully painted ceramics.

And be sure to try some authentic Mexican street tacos or tamales.

End your day with a typical American experience at the Dodger Stadium , a baseball park and the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Whether you’re a sports fan or not, attending a baseball game here is about more than just the sport – it’s about experiencing this iconic American sport!

Even if you don’t catch a game, consider taking a tour of the stadium. You’ll get to see behind-the-scenes areas like the dugout, press box, and the field.

The views of downtown Los Angeles from the stadium are also impressive.

Day 6 – Exploring Los Angeles’ surroundings

Day 6 visits:

A. Battleship USS Iowa B. Aquarium of the Pacific C. Whale watching cruise

Begin Day 6 of your 7-day stay in Los Angeles with a visit to the Battleship USS Iowa Museum , located at the Los Angeles Waterfront in San Pedro.

This historic battleship, also known as the “Battleship of Presidents,” offers a glimpse into American naval history.

The self-guided tour allows you to explore the ship at your own pace, visiting areas like the command center, crew quarters, and the gun turrets.

Access to the battleship is included with the Los Angeles All inclusive Pass.

If you don’t have it, don’t hesitate to book your ticket in advance here!

After exploring the USS Iowa, head to Long Beach for a relaxing afternoon by the ocean.

Long Beach is known for its beautiful waterfront, diverse dining options, and its arts scene.

Take a stroll along the shoreline, enjoy the harbor views, or explore the shops and restaurants in the area.

A highlight of Long Beach is the Aquarium of the Pacific , one of the largest aquariums in the United States.

The aquarium is home to over 11,000 ocean animals representing nearly 500 species. It showcase the diverse marine life of the Pacific, from the sunny shores of Southern California to the icy waters of the Northern Pacific.

Access to the aquarium is included with the Los Angeles All inclusive Pass.

If you don’t have it, you need to buy your skip-the-line ticket here.

For an unforgettable ocean adventure, head to Newport Beach and embark on a whale watching cruise.

Newport Beach’s coastal waters are rich in marine life, offering one of the best places in California to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.

Most cruises also offer the chance to see other marine wildlife , such as sea lions and various sea birds .

The best times for whale watching are typically between May and November.

You absolutely need to book your whale watching cruise in advance.

The boat tour is included with the Los Angeles Explorer Pass. If you don’t have the pass, you need to book the cruise by clicking on the button below:

Alternatively, for a day filled with fun, consider spending Day 6 at Disneyland Park .

Disneyland offers a wide range of attractions and entertainmen t for all ages, from thrilling rides to enchanting parades and shows.

Explore the various themed lands, meet your favorite Disney characters, and enjoy the classic rides like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion.

Don’t miss the iconic Cinderella Castle and the spectacular nighttime fireworks show!

Day 7 around Los Angeles

For the last day of your one week itinerary in Los Angeles, you can choose from 4 differents options:

Option 1. Topanga State Park + Malibu Option 2. Santa Barbara Option 3. Joshua Tree National Park + Palm Springs Option 4. San Diego

Start your final day in Los Angeles with a hike at Topanga State Park.

The park offers a variety of trails suitable for all levels, each providing spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Monica Mountains , and even the Los Angeles basin on clear days.

Popular trails include the Eagle Rock Trail and the Musch Trail, which lead you through beautiful landscapes of oak woodlands and lush greenery.

After your hike, head to the city of Malibu. Known for its beautiful beaches and celebrity homes, Malibu offers a relaxed and luxurious atmosphere.

Visit Zuma Beach for a sunbathing session or a swim in the Pacific Ocean.

Don’t miss the Malibu Pier for a leisurely stroll, where you can enjoy ocean views and maybe spot some dolphins.

You can also explore the Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum to learn about Malibu’s history.

For wine enthusiasts , a visit to one of Malibu’s vineyards is a must, where you can enjoy wine tasting in picturesque settings.

For lunch or dinner, Malibu Seafood is a local favorite, offering fresh and delicious seafood with an ocean view.

Alternatively, consider a day trip to the charming city of Santa Barbara, known as the “American Riviera.”

Santa Barbara is really nice, whit its  Mediterranean-style architecture.

Start your visit with a walk along the Santa Barbara waterfront and Stearns Wharf, where you can enjoy beautiful beach views and visit local shops and restaurants.

The Santa Barbara Mission is another must-see, known for its architecture and historical significance.

Explore the downtown area, especially State Street, to do some shopping. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a highlight for its beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and the panoramic views from its clock tower.

Also, Santa Barbara’s wine country is nearby, offering an opportunity to enjoy some of California’s finest wines in beautiful vineyard settings.

For an unforgettable experience of California’s desert beauty , take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park and Palm Springs .

Joshua Tree , known for its otherworldly landscapes, offers incredible opportunities for hiking, photography, and simply soaking in the desert atmosphere.

Explore the unique rock formations, marvel at the iconic Joshua trees. Popular spots include Skull Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, and Keys View – each offering a unique perspective of the park’s diverse ecosystems.

After exploring Joshua Tree, head to the nearby city of Palm Springs.

Known for its mid 20th century modern architecture, luxurious resorts, and art scene, Palm Springs is the perfect place to relax.

Enjoy a stroll down Palm Canyon Drive , explore the art museums, or indulge in some fine dining.

Alternatively, consider a trip south to the city of San Diego, known for its gorgeous beaches, rich history, and cultural diversity.

Start your visit at Balboa Park, a large urban cultural park home to museums, gardens, and the renowned San Diego Zoo .

Don’t miss exploring the historic Gaslamp Quarter, where you’ll find a lively scene of shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

For beach lovers , a visit to La Jolla Cove offers a chance to relax by the ocean and possibly see sea lions and seals up close.

The USS Midway Museum, a historic naval aircraft carrier turned museum, provides an in-depth look at naval aviation and military history.

San Diego is known for its craft beer scene , so consider visiting one of the many breweries in the area.

Also, if you’re traveling with family, a trip to SeaWorld or LEGOLAND California might be a fun addition to your itinerary.

Click here for all the best things to do in San Diego!

Now that you know everything about the best things to do in Los Angeles in 7 days, you have still one thing to do: book your hotel!

In order to help you out, I have selected for you the best hotels of the city, each in a different price category.

And as always, to get the best prices, you should book your hotel as early as possible. 

Here is my selection of the best hotels to stay in Los Angeles:

• HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica Hostel: Located 200 meters from Santa Monica beach. Dormitory beds from €50. Strong points: cleanliness, location next to the ocean. The perfect hostel if you’re looking for a cheap accommodation in Los Angeles.
• El Royale Hotel – Near Universal Studios Hollywood: Located close to Universal Studios, comfortable and spacious double room from €190, breakfast included. Strong points: friendly staff, free parking, comfortable beds.
• Park Plaza Lodge: Located close to LACMA and Farmers market. Modern and comfortable double room from €190. Benefits: swimming pool, parking, convenient location for sightseeing.
• citizenM Los Angeles Downtown: Located in Downtown Los Angeles, 400 metres from City Hall. Brightly decorated contemporary double room with large window overlooking the city, from €260, breakfast €19. Strong points: design, friendly staff, panoramic view of LA.
• Loews Hollywood Hotel: Located next to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Beautiful double rooms, some with views of the Hollywood sign, from €255, breakfast €33. Strong points: heated swimming pool, geographical location, direct access to the shopping centre with lots of restaurants and a casino. My favorite hotel in L.A for its excellent value for money!
• Pendry West Hollywood: This 5-star hotel on Sunset Boulevard offers sublime, elegantly decorated rooms with large picture windows. From €620 per night, breakfast €56. Strong points: the rooftop pool, the view over Los Angeles, the design of the hotel.
• Shutters On The Beach: Magnificent 5-star hotel located directly on Santa Monica beach. Rooms with balcony and some with ocean views from €880, breakfast €46. Strong points: the view, the good restaurant, the style of the hotel, the swimming pool, the attentive staff. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Los Angeles!

You can easily do this suggested one week itinerary in Los Angeles with your kids.

Here are the best things to do in Los Angeles with your family:

• The bus guided tour to see the impressive houses in Beverly Hills
• Visit the Griffith Observatory and its planetarium . And if you have time, go to the Los Angeles zoo located nearby.
• Spend the day at Universal Studios Hollywood
• Discover the marine animals at the Aquarium of the Pacific
• Enjoy a ride at Pacifik Park , on Santa Monica Pier.
• Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs, gems, and the Butterfly Pavilion are highlights at this renowned museum.

If you want more information about the best places to visit and activities to in Los Angeles, you should also read my other articles:   The 45 best things to do in Los Angeles !

To help you visualize your  daily itineraries during your 7 days in Los Angeles,  I have created this map with  all the places to visit day by day . You can view the map’s legend by clicking on the top left button, the one with a little arrow.

You can thus see the suggested itineraries for each day.

As always, you should book your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best prices.

To check the rates and schedules for flights to Los Angeles, you can use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner:

You need help to plan your one week trip to Los Angeles?

Don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments section below, I will be glad to help you plan your 7-day itinerary.

Discover all my articles about USA : All my articles to help you plan your trip to USA are listed there.

• Itinerary: 10 days USA West coast – How to visit Western USA in 9, 10 or 11 days
• Itinerary: 2 weeks USA West coast – The perfect 14-15 days road trip!
• Itinerary: 3 weeks USA West coast – An epic 20-21 days road trip!
• Las Vegas: Top 30 Best things to do and must-see attractions
• Los Angeles: The 45 best places to visit
• New York: The 57 best things to do
• San Francisco: The 27 epic must-see attractions
• 2 Days in Los Angeles – How to visit L.A in 48h
• 3 Days in Los Angeles – The perfect itinerary to discover the city
• 2 Days in New York – The best itinerary to visit the Big Apple in 48h
• 3 Days in New York – All the best places to visit + Detailed itinerary
• 4 Days in New York – The perfect itinerary for your visit
• 5 Days in New York – Itinerary + Best things to do + My Tips
• One Week in New York – The perfect 7-day itinerary
• Where to stay in New York ? My guide of the best hotels for an EPIC stay!

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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Home » North America » Los Angeles

INSIDER LOS ANGELES ITINERARY for (2024)

Los Angeles is a vibrant, diverse, and creative city. Boasting the perfect balance of scenery, activities, and attractions, there’s something for everyone.

Nicknamed the ‘city of angels’ due to its Spanish roots, this multicultural city has many unique layers and caters to a diversity of tastes, preferences, people, and budgets.

Located in the southern region of California, LA is the epicenter of fame, fortune, and showbiz. There are plenty of other attractions that draw people to this destination each year.

The sprawling metropolis offers something for everyone. From stylish shopping boutiques to massive amusement parks and picturesque beaches, LA is sure to make for a memorable vacation!

Whether you’re spending two days in the city of angels or more, our Los Angeles Itinerary will guarantee the perfect getaway.

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Best Time To Visit Los Angeles

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LA is alive with tourism all year! This city doesn’t experience extreme high or low temperatures – the weather stays comfortable year-round. No matter the season, there’s always something to do in LA.

The summer months (June – August) produce the warmest temperatures. This is a great time to travel to LA to enjoy the beaches and long summer days!

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Fall (September – November) is also a great time to plan a trip to Los Angeles. The crowds thin out and the weather is still very enjoyable.

You’ll want a jacket during the winter months (December – February). Although temperatures never get too cold, the air does get a bit chilly. LA’s limited rainfall is generally seen in the winter months, but it’s rarely intense enough to inconvenience, and the cityscape looks beautiful in the rain!

Spring (March – May) produces warm days and blue skies. If you’re trying to decide when to visit Los Angeles, this is another great time! Really, you can’t go wrong.

With a Los Angeles City Pass , you can experience the best of Los Angeles at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

If you’re planning a trip to LA, you’re going to want to stay in a location that will make your Los Angeles itinerary as accessible as possible. This sprawling city is full of culturally rich neighborhoods, and there are plenty of great areas to stay in!

If you want to be close to all the action, Hollywood is the place to stay . The symbol of entertainment, this area houses many of the city’s iconic landmarks. From the Hollywood walk-of-fame to the Dolby Theatre, this is the postcard city of LA!

There are also plenty of retro-cool bars, shopping venues, and vibrant night-clubs. This larger-than-life district is perfect for first-time travelers, especially. Here, you’ll find plenty of vacation rentals to suit all budgets!

Venice Beach is another great area of the city to stay in. Buzzing with bohemian spirit, this beach town has everything from funky shops to stylish boutiques. If you’re looking for cool and unique things to do in LA, Venice offers a vibrant mix of activities and attractions.

Spend a day exploring Venice’s iconic beach and boardwalk. Marvel at colorful murals and interesting street performers, or hit up one of many outdoor farmer’s markets. If you’re spending a weekend in Los Angeles make sure to check out the drum circle at the end of the Venice Beach Boardwalk by Brooks Avenue.

You could easily spend a week or more in LA, which is why I always recommend looking at vacation rentals such as VRBO in LA, because they come with all the facilities you would need to make your accommodation a home away from home.

Best Hostel in Los Angeles – USA Hostels Hollywood

USA Hostels Hollywood has all the components to make your stay in LA as memorable as possible! Enjoy a real hostelling experience and community lifestyle when you stay here.

From the friendly staff to the regularly scheduled hostel events, you’ll feel right at home! Ideally located between Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Strip, it’s close to all the main attractions.

If you prefer hostels, explore even more LA hostel options here.

Best Airbnb in Los Angeles: Private Studio near the Hollywood Sign

If location is your top priority, then this Airbnb is a winner. Adjacent to Griffith Park where you can hike to see the Hollywood Sign and Thai Town, where you can taste various authentic Thai cuisine. This studio apartment is conveniently located near the 101 highway, just a 10-minute drive to Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, Walk of Fame and a few blocks from Franklin Village.

Best Budget Hotel in Los Angeles – Ramada by Wyndham Marina del Rey

Located in Venice Beach,  just a five-minute drive to the beach and the Boardwalk, this hotel is perfect for travelers wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center.

All rooms feature a coffee/tea maker, cable TV, and free toiletries. Guests will also enjoy free WIFI, parking, and a continental breakfast served daily! It’s great value for money!  

If you need some more inspiration for places to stay, check out these awesome motels in Los Angeles .

No matter how many days you’re spending in Los Angeles, you’re going to need to figure out how to get around! Luckily, this city has a few transportation options to choose from, and they’re all relatively easy and convenient.

The easiest way to get around LA is by car. Fortunately, car rentals in the city are well-priced. Major car rental companies can be found at the airports and can easily be reserved ahead of time.

The Los Angeles Metro is affordable, relatively easy to use, and services most of Los Angeles.  It consists of Metro Buses, DASH Buses, and Metro Rail Trains. Use the metro trip planner to help you plan your route around the city.

Uber and Lyft are popular ride-sharing services and offer travelers an easy and convenient form of transportation. Simply plug-in where you want to go and a driver will pick you up right at your door-step. This app will make getting to every point on your Los Angeles itinerary as convenient as possible! Just don’t forget to tip your driver.

If you want to head offshore and stay in Catalina Island , there are great ferry connections from Long Beach and San Pedro.

Walking in Los Angeles is also a great option in certain areas. There are lots of walkable shopping and beach areas in Hollywood, Downtown LA, Venice Beach, Santa Monica.

Hollywood Walk of Fame | TCL Chinese Theatre | Griffith Park | Griffith Observatory | The Getty Museum | Sunset Boulevard

Spend your first day in Los Angeles checking out the city’s most iconic sights and cultural attractions!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – Hollywood Walk of Fame

• Why it’s awesome: This is one of the most famous sidewalks in the world! Walk along the sidewalk and see if you can spot your favorite celebrity.
• Cost: Free!
• Food recommendations: Check out Hollywood Burger for a quick bite to eat. This gastropub mainly serves gourmet burgers, sandwiches, milkshakes, and beer. Fast service, affordable prices, and large portions. Vegetarian options are available too!

This iconic Los Angeles attraction is a must-see when visiting the city. Walk along the sidewalk stars and check out the names of Hollywood’s elite, past and present. You’ll see everyone from Elvis to The Beatles. Great for a one-of-a-kind LA photo opportunity!

There are more than 2,600 stars embedded in the sidewalks.  The stars are spread throughout fifteen blocks on Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks on Vine Street in Hollywood. This free attraction has been around since the 1960s. Spend as much time as you’d like exploring the stars and taking pictures!

The long strip of stars is complemented by malls, cafes, restaurants, and an endless number of souvenir shops. It’s also bustling with street vendors and performers.

You’ll find plenty of tour companies on this street covering everything Hollywood related. Cruise Hollywood in comfort on a guided tour, see where celebrities live, and find out more Hollywood history and scandal. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is the perfect place to start your Los Angeles itinerary!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – TCL Chinese Theatre

• Why it’s awesome: Iconic and historic movie-theatre located on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• Cost: $25.00 USD
• Food recommendations: Pokinometry offers fresh and healthy Japanese and Asian inspired meals. They serve build-your-own style poke bowls. Customize your poke-bowl with your favorite veggies, rice, and seafood! This casual eatery delivers the highest quality of ingredients possible and is perfect for a quick and healthy meal!

The TCL Chinese Theatre is a historic Los Angeles attraction. This impressive movie-palace theatre is styled in Chinese design, gorgeous from the inside out. It opened in 1927 and is steeped in Hollywood history. Today, you can watch a show or take a tour of the theatre.

The theatre has hosted countless premieres, including the 1977 original Star Wars film premiere! It has also hosted the Academy Awards from 1944 – 1946.

Learn the theatre’s fascinating history on a guided tour. Hear fun facts about all things Hollywood, including celebrity stories. See the nearly 200 handprints, footprints, and autographs of famous movie stars. The most popular handprint being that of Marilyn Monroe!

This old theatre has converted to modern times. Today, it possesses the world’s largest IMAX auditorium as well as state-of-the-art IMAX laser projection. Watch modern movies while enjoying the sharpest, brightest, and most vivid digital movie experience possible!

A fun experience for all ages! Experience old Hollywood by taking a trip to the TCL Chinese Theatre.

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Griffith Park

• Why it’s awesome: A beautiful park in Los Angeles offering a break from the busy city. There are lots of activities to choose from and fun for all ages!
• Cost: It is free to enter the park, and prices vary depending on attractions selected.
• Food recommendations: Pine and Crane is a trendy Taiwanese restaurant. They specialize in tapas-style Taiwanese food in a casual environment. There are lots of menu options including alcohol and beer.

Perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, Griffith Park is a large municipal park located in Los Angeles. There’s so much to see and do in this spacious outdoor area.  

Watch a show in the open-air at the Greek Theatre. This outdoor venue features a number of live musical performances, comedy shows, and plays throughout the year.

Visit the LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Perfect for families traveling with children, check out the native plant species and exotic wildlife, including elephants, tigers, and hippopotamus!

Griffith Park also offers fifty-three miles worth of hiking trails! One of the most popular hikes starts at the Griffith Observatory (our next stop) and summits Mount Hollywood. Take this hike for spectacular views of the LA basin and the Hollywood sign!

Alternatively you can just relax and have a picnic. There are loads of grassy areas in this park, perfect for enjoying the peaceful ambiance of nature. Grab a blanket and enjoy a quiet reprieve from the busy city.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – Griffith Observatory

• Why it’s awesome: Great for photo opportunities and scenery, you’ll see wonderful views of the Hollywood Sign, Downtown Los Angeles, and the Pacific ocean!  
• Food recommendations: The Trail’s Cafe is nestled inside Griffith Park. The location offers scenic views and a relaxed vibe. They have a simple menu mainly featuring sandwiches, pastries, and coffee. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.

This facility sits on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park. It provides some of the best views you can find in LA. The Griffith Observatory is a fun place to go and learn about the planets and the solar system; it’s California’s gateway to the cosmos!

This popular tourist attraction has an extensive array of space and science-related displays. Look through telescopes, explore the exhibits, and enjoy panoramic views of LA!

You can check out a Planetarium show in their state-of-the-art dome theater. Take a cosmic journey of exploration and discovery! Tickets to watch a show are $7.00 USD for adults and $3.00 USD for children. They can be purchased at the main box office inside the Observatory.

Day 1 / Stop 5 – The Getty Museum

• Why it’s awesome: A gem in the heart of Los Angeles. The Getty is one of the premier art museums in the world with a vast collection of precious artifacts curated from around the globe!
• Food recommendations: Restaurant at The Getty Center offers American style dishes in an elegant dining space adjoining the museum. At this restaurant, you’ll receive top-level service, artfully presented meals, and fabulous views! Their menu does lean toward the pricey side, but the portions are plentiful and the food comes highly rated!

A cultural highlight of LA, the Getty Museum houses a fabulous collection of paintings, photographs, sculptures, and much more! The permanent exhibits at this museum include European and American art from medieval times to present.

See Van Gogh’s Irises , and Rembrandt’s An Old Man in Military Costume . There are rotating special exhibitions on display throughout the museum. The architecture of the building is impressive and the museum’s layout is very well curated. A must-see when touring Los Angeles.

Self-guided audio tours are available for free, just submit a form of ID at the front desk in exchange for your device. Walk around the museum at your leisure and enjoy the artwork, sculptures, and artifacts.

This museum also has a large picturesque garden, which is a work of art in itself. Symmetric and well-manicured lawns and flowerbeds form patterns and designs that compliment the masterpieces found inside the museum.

Step outside and you’ll be greeted with relaxing scenery and beautiful panoramic views of Los Angeles.

Day 1 / Stop 6 – Sunset Boulevard

• Why it’s awesome: This iconic street is full of great places to eat, shop, listen to live music, and people-watch.
• Food recommendations: For old Hollywood glamour make sure to check out Chateau Marmont. Movie-stars are known to frequent this intimate restaurant. This is the place to go for fine dining and top-notch service. Just make sure to book a reservation before-hand, this place is always busy!

This twenty-two-mile-long road stretches from Hollywood to Malibu, while winding past Beverly Hills and Bel Air. Sunset Boulevard is one of the most famous stretches of pavement in the world, and the options for entertainment along this strip are in abundance!

If you’re in the mood for live music make sure to check out the Roxy Theater. The iconic venue is small and intimate. It has amazing acoustics and has hosted several legends including Frank Zappa and Bob Marley.

Today, you can catch a performance from some of the top indie rock bands! This is the perfect place to go for some instrumental delight and a memorable night.

Or swap a concert for some comedy and check out a show at The Comedy Store. Famous alumni include Jerry Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, and Dave Chappelle! See up-and-coming comedians at this historic comedy club, open every day.

For shopping make sure to check out the area of Sunset Boulevard called the Sunset Strip. You’ll find options to suit all budgets and styles.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

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Warner Brothers Studio Tour | Los Angeles County Museum of Art | The Groove and Original Farmers Market | Venice Beach Boardwalk | Santa Monica Pier

Spend day two of your Los Angeles itinerary checking out a few more iconic Hollywood attractions before making your way to the coast!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Warner Brothers Studio Tour Hollywood

• Why it’s awesome: Get a behind-the-scenes look into how your favorite movies and TV shows are made, a unique Hollywood experience.
• Cost: $69.00 USD to $79.00 USD
• Food recommendations: Head to Don Cuco for fresh and authentic Mexican food. This colorful and upbeat family-run restaurant is great for a casual sit-down meal. The service is friendly, the portions are large, and the margaritas are divine!

For a one-of-a-kind Hollywood experience, take a Warner Brother Studios Tour . Glimpse behind the scenes of one of the oldest and most popular film studios in the world!

Tours are guided by knowledgeable and entertaining guides. Most tours last approximately three-hours and run every half hour from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm.

If you’re a fan of the sitcom Friends , you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the Central Perk Set, including the Friends couch! Fans of Harry Potter will love seeing authentic props used in the movies, including the sorting hat and Dobby the House Elf.

Experience the golden age of cinema by booking a Classic Tour. This tour focuses on classic-themed Film and TV, from the early days of the studio up to the 1970s.

Walk around the different sets and prop rooms as your favorite movies and TV shows are brought to life! Get the full Hollywood experience by taking a Warner Brothers Studio Tour, a great addition to your Los Angeles itinerary.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Los Angeles County Museum of Art

• Why it’s awesome: This museum houses modern and ancient works of art. It is well organized and has an eclectic range of artwork.
• Cost: $25.00 USD for adults, children 17 and under are free!
• Food recommendations: Ray’s and Stark Bar is located on LACMA premise and offers Mediterranean fine dining and handcrafted drinks. They have happy hour specials, outdoor seating, and are kid-friendly.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the western United States! There are lots of different exhibits to check out, including several interactive exhibits.

This museum houses more than 150,000 works of art spanning the history of ancient times to present. There are permanent installations as well as temporary exhibits, so you can see something new each time you visit.

See famous paintings from Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera. The museum itself has five different buildings. You could easily spend half a day admiring each piece and reading the information shown next to each piece.

Before you enter the museum you’ll see the Urban Light exhibit at the entrance. This is arguably the most popular exhibit on display. The large-scale assemblage consists of restored street lamps from the 1920s and 1930s. Many of these street lamps were once used to light the streets of Southern California. Great for a unique photo-op!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The Groove and Original Farmers Market

• Why it’s awesome: Large retail complex with endless options for shopping, food, and entertainment.
• Food recommendations: Be sure to stop at See’s Candy and Sprinkles Cupcakes. Both of these sweet shops were founded in Los Angeles and have gone on to franchise across the United States.

This large outdoor mall and farmers-market has endless options for entertainment. It features high-end and budget shops as well as fine and casual dining options. Its modern and artistic architecture ties in perfectly with its pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

You’ll find all major clothing outlets here, from H&M to Nordstrom. There are ever-changing pop-up shops offering even more shopping options. This is your one-stop destination for clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, and beauty products!

The Grove features a large fourteen-screen movie theater. Enjoy a comfortable movie experience with wall-to-wall oversize screens and immersive surround sound. Check out the full-service bar located in the theatre lobby to enjoy a pre or post-movie cocktail, beer, or wine.

You’ll find varying events at the Grove including fitness workshops and family activities. Check out their summer concert series where you can enjoy live music outside in the warm afternoon air.

If you’re hungry, you’ll find a wide range of options to choose from. There’s everything from chocolate shops to cafes to sit-down eateries. Your dining options will be as diverse as your cravings!

The Farmers Market is located directly next to the Grove. This area has food stalls, sit-down eateries, prepared food vendors, and fresh local produce. You’ll find everything from seafood, to wine, to sweets! It has a lively atmosphere and options for everyone.

First opened in July 1934, it is a permanent installation and is open every day of the week. Featuring more than 100 vendors, this is a historic Los Angeles landmark and a big tourist attraction!

This massive complex feels like a city within a city! It’s fun for all ages and has options to keep everyone entertained.

Day 2 / Stop 4 – The Venice Beach Boardwalk

• Why it’s awesome: This lively boardwalk is filled with performers, vendors, and storefronts. It has an upbeat vibe with lots of activities to keep you entertained.
• Food recommendations: Venice Ale House is the place to go for great views and great food. They specialize in organic American fare and craft beers. There are options for everyone, from meat-eaters to vegans! The outdoor seating makes it the perfect place to soak up the Venice ambiance.

There’s never a dull moment at this iconic Los Angeles landmark. The Venice Beach Boardwalk is quintessential California.

The beach offers a 1-mile stretch that runs parallel to the ocean. Peruse this path for the full Venice Beach Boardwalk experience. Walk or rent a bike and cruise down the coastline. Electric bikes and scooters are available too!

Make sure to check out Muscle Beach Gym while you’re there. People of all skill levels frequent this iconic ocean-side gym. Back in the day, Arnold Schwarzenegger himself used to pump iron here. People-watch or partake in a gym-sesh. A day-pass to workout is $10.00 USD.

If you want to pick up a unique California keepsake the Venice Beach Boardwalk is filled with anything and everything you could imagine. From clothing to jewelry to recycled trash turned into art, you’ll find it all here.

Watch the most eclectic range of street performers you could image. From singing and breakdancing to performers eating fire and juggling knives, this is an awe-inspiring kind of place.

Make sure to bring an appetite when you visit. From roof-top bars to sidewalk cafes to ice cream stands, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Insider Tip: You can walk from Venice Beach to the Santa Monica Pier and vice versa. Just follow the two and a half mile Ocean Front Walk and you’ll be there in roughly fifty minutes!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – The Santa Monica Pier

• Why it’s awesome: Located right on the beach, this lively Pier has everything from amusement rides to an aquarium. Soak up the sun and stunning views at one of the most popular Los Angeles landmarks!
• Food recommendations: Head to Big Dean’s Ocean Front Cafe for a casual beach-side dining experience. This sports bar has a long history of providing seafood pub-grub and cold beer. The prices are reasonable and there’s plenty of outdoor patio seating!

The historic Santa Monica Pier is entertaining in so many ways. From the amazing views of the ocean to the Pacific Park amusement park, to the street entertainers, it’s a non-stop show!

The Pier itself is free to walk across and you’ll find stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and sandy coastline. Take a towel and lay out on the beach, or have a dip in the cool Pacific water. A little beach time is, after all, a must for any Los Angeles itinerary.

Pacific Park is an amusement park located on the Santa Monica Pier and looks directly out to the Pacific Ocean. The park rides are pay-as-you-go, so you can ride as many, or as few as you’d like. Check out the iconic Ferris wheel for stunning views of Santa Monica in every direction. This oceanfront amusement park is vibrant and full of life!

The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is located directly under the Pier. This public aquarium operates nonprofit and charges $5.00 USD for admission, kids 12 and under are free!

There are countless restaurants and food stands in and around the Pier. Dine at a restaurant on the beach or grab some fair-food and people-watch. At any time of day you’ll find the air buzzing with live music and lively crowds!

Head to the Santa Monica Pier for some fun in the sun, or watch as the sun sets and the amusement park rides light up the night! This stop is a must if you’re planning a trip or are backpacking through Los Angeles . The views are beautiful any time of day and the open-air activities are fun for all ages!

USA Hostels Hollywood

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Los Angeles Itinerary: Day 3 and Beyond

Disneyland Park | Universal Studios Hollywood | Hollywood Bowl | The Queen Mary | Paradise Cove Beach

If you’re spending three days or more in Los Angeles, you’re going to want to check out a few more of the city’s main attractions! Here are a few extra things we think are great additions to your Los Angeles itinerary:

Disneyland Park

• The original Disney Theme Park, built under the construction of Walt Disney himself.
• Open long hours and every day of the year.
• Firework shows Friday- Sunday night, or every night during summer.

A trip to Disneyland Park is a truly magical experience. It has something for everyone, young and old. From rides to fun-themed eateries, to parades with all your favorite characters, a trip to Disney will make for a nostalgic and spellbinding experience.

There are numerous rides to choose from that combine stimulation with visualization. Each ride tells a story and the attention to detail in every aspect of the park is impressive and enchanting.

This is one of the most popular Los Angeles points of interest and it’s recommended to spend at least a whole day here to get the full experience.

Insider Tip: Download the Disneyland app to see the wait times for all the rides!

Universal Studios Hollywood

• World-famous film studio and theme park.
• Perfect for families, thrill-seekers, and movie-lovers.
• This theme park has state-of-the-art special effects on every ride, show, and attraction!

A trip to Universal Studios is sure to make for an action-packed day full of fun and entertainment. From rides and shows to dining and shopping, this theme park has something for everyone.

Enjoy a world-famous studio tour where you’ll go behind the scenes of iconic Hollywood sets . This sixty-minute narrated tram ride goes through four acres of historic studio lots. Check out the Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho , see the plane crash-site from Stephen Spielberg’s War of the Worlds , and look out for more from your favorite films.

Immerse yourself in the wizarding world of Harry Potter! Visit Hogsmeade and have a butter-beer, soar over the castle grounds of Hogwarts, and visit the room of requirements!

Insider Tip: Make sure to check out Citywalk Universal, located next door to the park, right before the entrance. Here you’ll find even more shopping, dining, and entertainment options!

Hollywood Bowl

• Outdoor amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills.
• Watch a live performance or concert!
• Wine and dine as you enjoy great acoustics and lively entertainment.

The Hollywood Bowl is a great place to watch a live performance or concert. This outdoor venue has lots of seating options and wonderful views of the Hollywood Hills.

There are many food and drink stands inside the venue to choose from. Pre-order a picnic basket and wine. Hit-up a street food vendor for an easy meal to take back to your seat, 0r simply pack your own snacks to bring along.

This casual venue is the perfect place to go for entertainment and a laid-back vibe, especially in summer. Spend a few hours watching a show and enjoying the wonderful LA weather!

If you don’t have time to catch a show, it is free to go inside and walk around the amphitheater during certain hours of the day.

The Queen Mary

• Beautiful retired British ocean liner from the 1930s.
• This large vessel is now open for tourism.
• Rumored to be haunted, there is a large number of recorded incidents of paranormal activity in the ship’s logs!

The Queen Mary is an iconic vessel stationed on Long Beach, California, twenty-six miles from Downtown Los Angeles. Once an active sailing vessel, today it is permanently docked and open for tourism. The beauty and grandeur of the ship have been well maintained. It invites guests aboard in several capacities.

You can book a room onboard this historic vessel! There are several hotel options to choose from, each offering modern amenities with original 1930s designs. Enjoy casual or fine dining at one of the ship’s restaurants, or have a drink at the Observation Bar, styled in sophisticated 1930s fashion.

You can take a guided tour and hear more about this magnificent ship’s history and a few ghost stories. There are several tour options to choose from that cover everything from the ship’s mechanics to haunted encounters.

The Queen Mary is full of history and mystery, paranormal-enthusiasts and history-lovers will especially love this addition to their Los Angeles itinerary!

Paradise Cove Beach

• Small public beach located beneath the cliffs of Malibu.
• Rentable private terraces, beach beds, and loungers.
• You are allowed to bring in your own alcohol, but only beer, wine, and champagne.

No trip to Los Angeles is complete without some beach time, and Paradise Cove Beach is our pick for the best beach in LA! The seclusion of this beach combined with the ability to rent out beach terraces and bring your own alcohol makes for the perfect beach day.

The beach has lifeguards on duty, clean facilities, and a private pier. Paradise Cove sits in front of a privately-owned restaurant, Paradise Cove Beach Cafe, where you can enjoy tropical drinks and American fare. The sandy coastline and pristine ocean waters make this beach perfect for your vacation in Los Angeles.

A trip to Paradise Cove can be pricey, especially if you plan to rent out beach amenities. However, if you are willing to spend a little extra to feel some vacation vibes, this is the place to do it!  

Insider Tip: The beach is public, but you have to pay for parking. Parking price Monday – Friday is $35.00 USD and weekends and holidays $50.00 USD. If you eat at the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe, located next to the beach, most of your parking-fee is comped.

Whether you’re exploring Los Angeles in three days or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind. Generally speaking, most of Los Angeles is considered safe , especially tourist areas and places on the western and northern sides of the city.

The areas of LA that are not considered safe are Skid Row, South Central, and Compton. Not to worry, no places mentioned in your LA itinerary are located in these areas.

Like any big city, crime does occur. Watch out for pickpockets, who are skillfully experienced in taking things undetected. Keep your valuables hidden and try to travel with bags and purses that you can securely close.

If you are traveling solo, make sure to keep to the tourist areas. Try to blend in as much as possible, especially if you’re going out at night. Don’t wear anything that looks expensive (jewelry, cameras, handbags) and again, keep your valuables hidden.

If you are traveling with a car in Los Angeles, never leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle. Keep them locked in your trunk, or even better, in your accommodation. Car break-ins are known to happen, especially if things are left in view.

Follow these simple guidelines and you should have nothing to worry about. Keep your wits about you and enjoy your time in LA!

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Los Angeles

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Day trips from Los Angeles are a great way to pack even more action into your vacation. These trips are a great addition to your Los Angeles itinerary, and there are lots of options to choose from!

Palm Springs Day Tour and Outlet Shopping from Los Angeles

On this full-day tour, you’ll visit the desert oasis of Palm Springs! Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 5,000 feet up the cliffs of Chino Canyon. At the top, you’ll be greeted with spectacular views of the Palm Springs Valley.

Visit the Living Desert Zoo where you’ll learn all about the desert ecosystem! Enjoy lunch in El Paseo, where you’ll have a break to eat, shop, and relax.

Next, enjoy a bus-tour where you can see the homes of Hollywood stars! Finish up with a trip to Desert Hills Premium Outlets before being transferred back to LA.

California Coast Day Tour from LA: Santa Barbara & Solvang

On this fourteen-hour trip, you’ll discover the coastal town of Santa Barbara and the Danish town of Solvang. You’ll drive north as you expand your Los Angeles itinerary. Witness the stunning California coast and enjoy the spread-out scenery as you leave the city.

Walk along Santa Barbara’s harbor and visit a Spanish Mission Station. Explore charming Solvang, filled with unique European architecture and quaint local shops and bakeries.

Lastly, you’ll visit Hearst Castle, built by newspaper baron William Randolph Heart. Tour this grand and extravagant mansion, a truly magnificent and unique residence.

San Diego Zoo Tickets and Transfer from LA

On this nine-hour tour, you’ll visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo! Discover some of the most exotic creatures from around the globe.

Home to over 4,000 animals, the San Diego Zoo has one of the largest collections of exotic wild animals found anywhere in the world. Check out a show, featuring various species found in the zoo. Take a leisurely guided bus tour or ride the Skysafari tram for aerial views of the animals.

This trip offers convenient round-trip transportation from Los Angeles to the Zoo’s entrance.

Round-trip Transportation to SeaWorld San Diego From L.A.

On this nine-hour day trip, you’ll explore the underwater world of SeaWorld San Diego! Experience a full-day of endless entertainment as you see and learn about underwater creatures.

SeaWorld makes learning fun and engaging. Get close enough to touch a dolphin’s fin, watch the penguins play, and stare down a fearsome shark. Watch a theatrical aquatic show where you’ll be mesmerized as you watch Orcas flip through the air and perform high-energy tricks.

Enjoy round-trip transportation from Los Angeles to SeaWorld San Diego. Sit back and relax as your professional driver takes you from LA straight to SeaWorld’s entrance!

Santa Barbara: Wine Country Tour with Picnic Lunch

On this seven-hour tour, you’ll enjoy a relaxing wine country experience. Travel by air-conditioned bus to the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County.

You’ll visit three wineries and enjoy a private wine tasting at each. Learn about the different wineries and wine from the friendly staff. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch from a private chef at one of the wineries. Cold beverages are also included.

Before heading back, explore the small towns of either Los Olivos or Solvang. Wine-lovers especially should make sure to add this day-trip to their Los Angeles itinerary!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Los Angeles itinerary.

How many days do I need in Los Angeles?

Exploring Los Angeles can be done in two full days, but we’d recommend adding at least 1-2 more to your trip. That way, you get to see the city without any stress or fear of missing out, plus you can add half a day of just chilling to your itinerary.

What are the most popular attractions in Los Angeles?

The Hollywood sign and the Hollywood Walk of Fame are probably the most popular attractions in Los Angeles, but if you ask us, also totally overrated. We’d recommend seeing the Venice Beach Boardwalk instead.

What should I not miss when visiting Los Angeles?

Don’t miss out on these attractions in Los Angeles: – The Venice Beach Boardwalk – Santa Monica Pier – Los Angeles County Museum of Art

What is the best family itinerary for Los Angeles?

Families will love these attractions in Los Angeles: – Warner Brothers Studio Tour Hollywood – The Groove and Original Farmers Market – The Santa Monica Pier

Los Angeles is a popular vacation destination offering the best mix of entertainment, good weather, and iconic attractions. Pulsing with style and energy, it’s a gathering place where people from around the world spend whole days shopping, dining, relaxing, and thrill-seeking.

LA is a coming-together of cultures, cuisines, and scenery. There’s nothing quite like it.  There are so many places to visit in Los Angeles and each one is filled with plenty of sunshine and excitement!

From world-class museums to trendy shopping malls, to quirky beaches, to Hollywood hallmarks, there’s something for everyone. If you’re backpacking California , make sure LA is on your itinerary!

Blessed by an endless coastline and infused with a seductive spirit, it’s no wonder thousands of people travel to Los Angeles every year. Whether you’re spending three days in LA, or more, this itinerary will make sure you make the most of your trip!

Ashley Ryan

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The Mindful Traveller

Eco Travel Blog & Photography

Los Angeles City Guide: Perfect 3-Day Itinerary

18 October 2023 · In: City Guide , Los Angeles , USA

Are you looking for the ultimate  Los Angeles 3-day itinerary ? You have come to the right place! From walking down  Hollywood Boulevard  to shopping on  Rodeo Drive  or taking a surfing lesson in  Venice Beach , this travel guide is perfect for  first-time visitors  or a  long weekend getaway with friends . It will show you all the  unique things to do and see  to make the most of your city break in California.

I visited Los Angeles in October when my brother was living there. It was my first time in North America , and I loved it! The City of Angels is an  eclectic city full of hidden gems  where there is always something to do, any time of year. 

Hunt for stunning  street art , hike to the  Hollywood Sign  or enjoy breathtaking views from the  Griffith Observatory : a trip to LA will create unforgettable memories.

So, are you excited? Keep reading this  city guide  to discover the perfect  Los Angeles 3-day itinerary  covering the top things to do and enjoy your vacation stress-free – and without rushing. You will also find  practical eco-friendly tips  for  responsible travel  at the end. Enjoy!

Disclosure : Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, we will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information,  read our full affiliate disclosure .

6- Visit the Third Street Promenade

6- stop at the getty museum, 6- unwind in silver lake, overview: how to see los angeles in 3 days.

DAY 1 – THE COAST

• Marina del Rey
• Venice Canals
• Venice Pier
• Venice Beach Boardwalk
• Santa Monica Pier
• Third Street Promenade

DAY 2 – THE HILLS

• Griffith Observatory
• Hollywood Sign
• Hollywood Boulevard
• Beverly Hills
• Getty Museum

DAY 3 – DOWNTOWN

• Arts District
• The Last Bookstore
• Walt Disney Concert Hall
• Grand Central Market
• Silver Lake

3 days in Los Angeles – Map

Click on the top left of the map to display the list of stops and locations.

Detailed Los Angeles 3-day itinerary

This Los Angeles guide covers all the  best things to do and see in 3 days  and is perfect for travelling with family, friends or as a couple, whether it is your first time in the city or you have been there before.

On the other hand, remember that this itinerary is  only a guide with recommendations . You can spend more days in the Californian city or add other stops to your city break.

READ MORE: 5 Days in Los Angeles: Complete Itinerary

Day 1: Marina del Rey, Venice & Santa Monica 

1- discover marina del rey.

You will begin your first day in Los Angeles with Marina del Rey, a beautiful  coastal community  known for its  stunning harbour ,  water sports  and  family-friendly activities  on and off the water. 

Take time to  stroll along the promenade , watch the boats and enjoy the  panoramic views . And if you are feeling adventurous, you can even  rent a kayak or paddleboard ( Kayak and Paddleboard Tour with Sea Lions ) or  go sailing  to explore the coastline and maybe spot dolphins or sea lions.

Unfortunately, it was quite cloudy and cold on the day I explored Marina del Rey, so I did not get the chance to do any water activities, but I recommend it on a sunny and hot day!

Here are other ideas of what you can  do and see in Marina del Rey :

• Relax in Burton W. Chace Park
• Rent a bike and explore the coastal path
• Taste fresh seafood with a view
• Visit the Fisherman’s Village
• Stop by Marina Beach (Mother’s Beach)
• Enjoy outdoor concerts, events or festivals 

2- Explore the Venice Canals

You will continue your discovery of Los Angeles with the Venice Canals, a  historic district and picturesque area  within the Venice Beach neighbourhood filled with  man-made wetland canals  built in 1905, inspired by the canals of Venice in Italy.

Although many of the original canals were eventually filled in to make way for roads,  a few remain today  and offer a  peaceful escape  from the bustling and eclectic setting of Venice Beach (your next stop). 

The Canals provide a lovely place for a  leisurely stroll . You will find many  wooden bridges and beautiful houses  lining the water, making it a popular spot for  photo enthusiasts ! 

I personally loved the area and taking photos of the houses, which were reflected in the water. It felt very peaceful. I even thought that if I ever lived in LA one day, I would live in this area (although I can not imagine how expensive these houses are).

Here are other things you can  do and see in Venice Canals :

• Explore on a kayak or paddleboard 
• Stroll along Abbot Kinney Boulevard
• Watch out for public art and street art
• Enjoy a picnic in a tranquil setting

3- Enjoy the views from the Venice Pier

Before reaching the Venice Beach Boardwalk, take a detour to the Venice Pier for  fantastic views of the colourful Los Angeles  – something I recommend for another perspective on this iconic city.

It is a  popular tourist attraction  and historic structure that  extends into the Pacific Ocean , offering a beautiful panorama and a perfect spot for fishing and photography.

Once on the Pier, enjoy the sea breeze,  watch surfers  catch waves and admire the  natural beauty   of the coastline . At the end of it, there is also an  observation deck  with an elevated vantage point for a better view of the ocean or to watch the sunset.

Walking on the Venice Pier was something I truly enjoyed! It was the perfect way to get a first glimpse of the coastal part of Los Angeles and take lovely photos.

4- Stroll along the Venice Beach Boardwalk

You will finally reach one of the most  famous neighbourhoods in LA : Venice Beach and its  emblematic Boardwalk , a lively stretch of beachfront known for its  eclectic and bohemian atmosphere  – one of the top attractions in Los Angeles! 

You will find many  fun things to do and see  in the area, as it is the perfect place to experience  local culture, art and entertainment  whilst enjoying the  beautiful seaside setting .

Take a stroll along the coast, go to the beach, watch impressive street performances or discover stunning street art, such as the  iconic angel wings !

Venice Beach was my favourite neighbourhood in LA. I visited it twice as I loved the atmosphere of the promenade. I spent time watching skaters and surfers, relaxing on the beach, doing some shopping, eating at local restaurants and enjoying the sunset.

Here are some of the  best things to do and see  on the Venice Beach Boardwalk:

• Watch street performers and artists
• Stop by shops selling locally-made products
• Visit the iconic Muscle Beach gym
• Skate at the Venice Skate Park
• Explore the Venice Art Walls
• Rent a bike or rollerblades for a fun time 
• Take a photo in front of the Venice Sign
• Relax on the beach
• Try surfing:  Group Surfing Lesson

5- Have fun on Santa Monica Pier

Continue your walk along the coast to head towards  Santa Monica , a charming city located west of Los Angeles. Your first stop will be Santa Monica Pier,  one of the most iconic landmarks  in Southern California and a  popular destination  for travellers and locals alike.

One thing you should not miss on the Pier is its  Pacific Park , an  amusement park with a Ferris wheel , roller coaster and other rides that provide stunning views of the ocean – a great place for  families with children !

But Santa Monica Pier is not only a hub of fun and entertainment, it is also the ideal spot to  enjoy the scenery with a sense of nostalgia , a  must-visit location  on your 3 days in Los Angeles.

Exploring the Pier and its amusement park was such a fun thing to do! I even hopped on the wheel at sunset to enjoy the views of the ocean and LA in a peaceful setting: it was fantastic. Something I also highly recommend to couples looking for a romantic escape. 

Here are the top  things to do and see  on the Santa Monica Pier:

• Hop on a roller coaster
• Relax on Santa Monica Beach
• Shop for souvenirs
• Play arcade games
• Look out for street performers
• Visit the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
• Watch the sunset

Your next and final stop of the day will be the Third Street Promenade, a  bustling pedestrian street  located in the heart of Santa Monica, just a short walk from Santa Monica Pier and the beach. 

It is a  popular shopping, dining and entertainment district  with a lively atmosphere, perfect for ending your first day in Los Angeles. 

And for all the  shopping enthusiasts  out there, you have come to the right place! The Third Street Promenade is known for its  many shops and boutiques , from markets selling local goods to luxury designer stores. It is an excellent place to  indulge in a shopping spree  and bring back a souvenir for a loved one or yourself.

Here are a few other things you can  do and see on the Third Street Promenade  and nearby:

• Watch street performers whilst you stroll
• Stop by a movie theater
• Explore art galleries and exhibitions
• Look out for events and live entertainment
• Enjoy the nightlife scene at a club

Finally, if you have time, return to the coast to  watch a spectacular sunset over the Pacific Ocean . Take a stroll along the promenade or sit on the bench and admire the beautiful scenery: it is  one of the best things to do in the area . You will not regret slowing down and enjoying this moment.

Day 2: Griffith, Hollywood & Beverly Hills

1- visit the griffith observatory.

Your second day in Los Angeles will begin at the Griffith Observatory, one of its  most iconic landmarks  and a  must-visit destination  for anyone interested in astronomy, space science, or simply enjoying some of the  best views of Los Angeles , the Hollywood Sign and the Pacific Ocean.

Located in Griffith Park, the building offers a unique blend of  science and space education  through its shows, lectures, special events and stargazing programs with  breathtaking panoramas  and  architectural beauty .

And if you have time to return  in the evening , you will be able to enjoy  free public telescope viewing , allowing you to get a closer look at the Moon, planets, stars and other celestial objects.

I absolutely loved exploring the Observatory and its exhibits and enjoying the views over LA and the Hollywood Sign! It was a cloudy day, but we could still see most of the city, and it was perfect. It is a great place for science lovers and photo enthusiasts. 

Book a  guided tour :  Los Angeles: Griffith Observatory Guided Tour .

Here are a few  top things to do and see  at the Griffith Observatory:

• Marvel at the stunning architecture
• Admire the 360 panoramic view
• Visit the astronomical exhibitions
• Enjoy a telescope viewing in the evenings
• Visit the Samuel Oschin Planetarium
• Go on a scenic hike to the Hollywood Sign

2- Climb up to Hollywood Sign

Next on your LA bucket list is the famous Hollywood Sign, an  internationally recognised symbol  of glamour and entertainment and a  must-see attraction  for anyone exploring Los Angeles.

Located in the Hollywood Hills, there are  diverse ways to enjoy the Sign and its surroundings . Whether you hike, drive, or simply admire the view from a vantage point, the Sign offers a  unique and memorable experience  you should not miss. 

If you decide to  hike , you will find  plenty of hiking trails in Griffith Park  that provide great views of the Hollywood Sign. The most popular trail is the  Mount Lee Trail , which takes you close to it. Other paths include the Canyon Drive Trail and the Hollyridge Trail. You can also book a  guided walking tour :  Hollywood Sign Walking and Pictures Tour .

I started my walk from Sunset Ranch, and it was great. However, I recommend to come prepared and bring a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle. There is not much shade on the way up, and it is (very) hot. Once on top, you will arrive behind the giant letters and have a breathtaking view of the city.

If you prefer to  drive , you will come across different viewpoints perfect for photographing the Sign. Some of these viewpoints include  Beachwood Drive, Lake Hollywood Park and Griffith Observatory . However, keep in mind that parking can be challenging.

Finally, for an unusual experience, some local stables offer  guided horseback riding tours  ( Mulholland Trail Horseback Riding Tour ) which take you close to the Hollywood Sign, providing a unique perspective on the landmark.

IMPORTANT NOTE – it is not possible to drive and park near the Hollywood Sign. If you want to reach it, you will do so by walking, biking or horse riding. Therefore, be sure to follow the rules, stay on designated trails and respect the natural environment to help preserve the local ecosystem.

3- Wander Hollywood Boulevard

It is time to head to  another famous street  in Los Angeles, Hollywood Boulevard and its Walk of Fame, known for its association with the  entertainment industry ,  historical landmarks  and  vibrant atmosphere .

Stroll along the boulevard,  stop by the stars of your favourite artists  and enjoy a  wide range of   attractions and activities  along the way. Whether you are interested in the film industry, celebrity culture, or simply exploring the heart of Hollywood,  there is something for everyone .

However, also keep in mind that  the area is highly popular among tourists , so be prepared for crowds, especially in the daytime.

Hollywood Boulevard was a fun thing to do, but I did not find it particularly special. We strolled around, stopped at a few stars and did some shopping.

Here are a few  top things to do and see  on the Hollywood Boulevard:

• Stroll down the Walk of Fame
• Stop at the TCL Chinese Theatre
• Catch a movie at the Dolby Theatre 
• Visit  Madame Tussauds Hollywood
• Enjoy the nightlife at local clubs

4- Tour the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

You will continue your 3-day Los Angeles itinerary with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art ( LACMA ), the largest art museum in the western United States and one of the  most prominent cultural institutions  in the city.

Located in the Miracle Mile district, it is a  must-visit for art enthusiasts , as it features an extensive collection of artworks spanning various periods and cultures, providing a  rich cultural experience for all ages .

The museum also hosts  special exhibitions  showcasing works from renowned artists and themes. And, of course, do not miss the  Urban Light installation  at the entrance, made up of 202 vintage street lamps arranged in a grid, creating a dazzling spectacle.

5- Discover Beverly Hills

No Los Angeles itinerary would be complete without a stop at the world-famous city of Beverly Hills, known for its  elegance, luxury, exclusivity and upscale lifestyle . 

This city is the ideal destination for travellers who appreciate  high-end shopping, fine dining and a taste of the glamour  associated with the entertainment industry. 

Whether you are interested in strolling down  Rodeo Drive , exploring beautiful green parks or indulging in spa treatments, Beverly Hills has a lot to offer for a  memorable detour .

Beverly Hills is a lovely city to explore and immerse yourself in luxury. I spent some time exploring the area and its wide roads lined with palm trees and upscale boutiques. You will also have the chance to admire stunning houses. 

Here are some of the  best things to do and see  in Beverly Hills:

• Indulge in shopping on Rodeo Drive
• Relax in Beverly Gardens Park
• Take photos of the Beverly Hills Sign
• Tour the Greystone Mansion and Park
• Visit the Museum of Television and Radio
• Stop by the Farmers’ Market (Sunday only)

Your last stop of the day will be the Getty Museum, an  art museum and cultural institution  located in the Brentwood neighbourhood. It is one of the most renowned art museums in the United States, famous for its  impressive collection ,  stunning architecture  and  picturesque hilltop location . 

Not only a repository of exceptional art, it is also a remarkable destination for its architecture, gardens and cultural experiences. And, of course, it is a  must-visit for art lovers , as it boasts a  fantastic collection  of European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, manuscripts and photographs, including works by artists such as  Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Monet .

Please note that  admission to the museum is free , but  parking requires a fee , and it is recommended to book it in advance.

You can also  book a guided tour :  Getty Center Museum Guided Tour .

Day 3: Downtown LA

1- ramble through the arts district.

Your last day in Los Angeles will begin at the Arts District, a  vibrant and creative neighbourhood  known for its artistic community, historic industrial buildings and thriving art scene. It is located just east of downtown LA and offers a  wide range of activities and attractions . 

With its  distinct and avant-garde character  that sets it apart from other areas of the city, the Arts District is an excellent place for art lovers, foodies and anyone interested in exploring an edgy urban location .

Check out this guided tour :  Arts District Bike Tour & Urban Adventure .

Here are a few  things to do and see  on your wander through the Arts District:

• Visit one of its art galleries and studios
• Chase vibrant street art and murals 
• Join an art walk each month on the 2nd Thursday
• Enjoy locally brewed beers 
• Stop at a trendy coffee shop
• Explore the Box Yard
• Tour the Institute of Contemporary Art
• Catch indie films at local theatres

2- Stop at The Last Bookstore

You will continue exploring downtown LA with The Last Bookstore, an  iconic independent bookstore adorned with local art . Not only a place to find a wide selection of new and used books, it is also an  immersive and visually captivating space , making it a favourite spot for photographers and Instagram enthusiasts.

Of course, it is also an excellent place for  book lovers  to explore, engage with a creative community and lose themselves in the  world of literature and art . 

Whilst you can find there a  diverse collection of books of all genres , you will also be amazed by the  Labyrinth of Books , the most famous feature of the shop, an art installation that creates a maze of books, tunnels and arcades, providing an even more  memorable experience .

3- Visit the Walt Disney Concert Hall

Your next stop on this final day in Los Angeles will be the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a  concert venue  renowned for being a  prominent hub of classical music  and a  stunning masterpiece  for its architect-designed stainless steel exterior by Frank Gehry.

Not only the ideal place to explore for  music lovers , it is also an  architectural gem  that attracts travellers from around the world, offering a range of experiences, from  classical music performances  to  architectural exploration  and beautiful outdoor spaces. 

Make sure to check out the concert hall schedule in advance for  upcoming performances and events . 

Guided tours are also available , allowing you to explore the spectacular building and learn more about the history and acoustics of the venue.

4- Treat yourself at the Grand Central Market

If you are looking for the perfect lunch, look no further than the Grand Central Market, a  historic and bustling food hall . It is one of the  most iconic culinary destinations  in the city, offering a wide variety of cuisines and dining experiences. 

Whether you are looking for a  quick bite to eat  or a  full meal for a well-deserved break  on your day of sightseeing, you will find a broad range of options to satisfy your taste buds. It is a beloved location for both locals and travellers who want to explore the  diverse flavours of Los Angeles .

Also check out this  guided tour :  Downtown Food Tour .

5- Explore Echo Park

You will now continue your journey to Echo Park, a  vibrant and diverse neighbourhood  known for its picturesque lake, multicultural influences, historic architecture, lively cultural scene and strong sense of community. 

The district offers a perfect mix of  outdoor relaxation ,  cultural exploration  and opportunities to discover unique local businesses and artwork. Whether you are interested in  nature, art or food , Echo Park has something for everyone.

Here are a few  things to do and see  in Echo Park:

• Relax around Echo Park Lake
• Pedal on the Lake:  Swan Pedal Boat Rental
• Look out for street art and murals
• Stop at the iconic Dodger Stadium
• Explore Elysian Park
• Sip a latte at a cosy café
• Take part in the annual Lotus Festival 

You will end your final day in Los Angeles and your 3-day itinerary in Silver Lake, a  trendy and eclectic neighbourhood  located on the east side of the city, known for its  artistic and bohemian culture , hip shops and vibrant food scene.

Whether you are interested in  exploring the arts , savouring  diverse cuisines  or  enjoying the outdoors , Silver Lake offers a welcoming and enthusiastic atmosphere for all travellers.

Here are some of the best  things to do and see  in Silver Lake:

• Relax around Silver Lake Reservoir
• Enjoy the nightlife at a live music venue
• Visit the L.A. Mill Coffee boutique
• Walk up the Silver Lake Stairs
• Explore its Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays

Shop the printable travel itinerary

Plan your perfect LA city break & live a unique green experience.

If you have more time

If you have more time in Los Angeles or would like to switch things around, I recommend adding a few theme and amusement parks, such as:

WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR

As a movie buff myself, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour was one of my favourite things to do in LA! I recommend booking a guided tour as it will take you through some famous film sets and decor, and you will even have the chance to sit on the iconic Friends sofa. 

Book your guided tour :  Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood .

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Universal Studios was also a fun thing to do, but I only visited the theme park and not the studios. The Simpson attraction was my favourite! It is something very special to do with kids.

Book your entrance :  Universal Studios Ticket with Easy Cancellation .

DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA 

Ah Disneyland, a dream for children and adults! If you get the chance, plan a day trip to Disneyland California to immerse yourself in the land of fairytales. I did not have the chance to visit it, but I visited Disneyland Paris many times and never got tired of it. 

Book your entrance   here .

SIX FLAG MAGIC MOUNTAIN

Finally, if you are into thrilling roller coasters, I can not recommend Six Flags Magic Mountain enough! They have the craziest roller coasters in the world, so you will not get bored. 

How to get to Los Angeles

The best way to get to Los Angeles will depend on where you come from and your budget, but there are many options to reach the City of Angels.

One of the quickest ways to get to Los Angeles is by plane . If you are travelling from another country or a distant city, you will likely arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), one of the busiest airports in the US. But please, try to prioritise direct flights to reduce your carbon footprint – if flying is the only option.

One of the most convenient ways to get to Los Angeles is by car . If you are driving from California or nearby states, you can use the interstate highways by planning your route based on your starting location.

One of the most eco-friendly ways to get to Los Angeles is by train . Thanks to its main train station, the Union Station, the Californian city benefits from a vast railway network connecting other states and cities in the US. For example, you will find Amtrak which offers regular train services.

Finally,  the most affordable option for getting to Los Angeles is the coach . It is a great way to reach the City of Angels if you are exploring the US on a budget, but it may take longer. You can take a long-distance bus with Greyhound and other bus companies which operate regular routes connecting different cities to LA.

How to get around Los Angeles

Once in Los Angeles, you will find many options for getting around the city. However, keep in mind that getting can be a bit challenging due to its vast size and infamous traffic. 

TRAVEL BY CAR

The easiest way to get around Los Angeles is by car , as the city is vast and not easily accessible on foot. You can rent a car at the airport (but try to reserve it ahead of time), but be prepared for traffic jams, especially during rush hours.

To find the best rental deals, I recommend using  Rentalcars.com  to search and compare the car that suits you best. From affordable to luxury, they make it easy to choose and have a great selection of rental agents.

Renting a car is an excellent option to freely explore the city and its surroundings. However, as mentioned above, traffic in Los Angeles is terrible! To get the most out of your time, I recommend focusing on a specific area each day and using a GPS to help you save time when navigating around.  

USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The second best option to get around Los Angeles is by public transport . Los Angeles has an extensive and easy-to-use public transportation system consisting of buses and subways. The Metro system connects various parts of the city, including Downtown LA, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. And for a better experience, buy a reusable TAP Card, available at vending machines at bus or metro stations.

Although the public transportation system in Los Angeles is not the best, it can still get you around faster than walking. And if you are travelling between distant neighbourhoods, the Metro Rail will help you avoid congested highways.

HOP ON A BIKE

The most eco-friendly (and fun) way to get around Los Angeles is by cycling . Los Angeles is becoming more bike-friendly, with a growing network of bike lanes and bike-sharing programs. You can easily rent a bike online, at different stations or use your own to explore the city.

Plus, it is a fantastic way to get around the city whilst reducing your carbon footprint! However, I also recommend being careful of cars and traffic if you are travelling with children.

Additionally, walking is another option once you are in the area you would like to explore. You will be able to discover shops, restaurants and attractions on foot whilst soaking up the local atmosphere. 

BOOK A RIDESHARE

Finally,  another easy way to get around Los Angeles is by taxi and rideshare . To schedule a pick-up, download the Curb app or use popular rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, which are easily accessible and relatively inexpensive. This can be a convenient option for getting around, especially if you want to avoid parking and driving in traffic jams.

Traditional taxis also remain available in Los Angeles, although they are less commonly used compared to ridesharing services.

And since LA has heavy traffic, consider allowing yourself extra time to travel and reach the main tourist attractions during rush hour.

Where to stay in Los Angeles for 3 days

The best neighbourhoods in los angeles.

Are you looking for the  best place to stay in Los Angeles  for 3 days? Here is an overview of the  top neighbourhoods  in the Californian city:

• Hollywood : the   best neighbourhood  for first-timers  due to its central location and buzzing attractions. From there, you can discover the Walk of Fame and access many other LA areas. 
• Santa Monica : the best area to stay in Los Angeles  for families  seeking tranquillity and easy access to the beach. You will also find nearby plenty of family-friendly activities, shops and restaurants. 
• Downtown LA : the best place to stay in Los Angeles for visitors  on a budget or short trips . As a commercial epicentre, it is well-connected and contains everything you need for quick transit.
• Silver Lake : a popular area  for experiencing local vibes , offering a mix of trendy restaurants, dynamic nightlife, quirky boutiques and independent cafés – perfect for soaking in the local culture.
• Beverly Hills : for those looking for elegant hotels, high-end boutiques and world-class restaurants, Beverly Hills is the place for you. It is the best area  for a luxurious stay .
• West Hollywood : the best district in Los Angeles  for   nightlife , vibrant atmosphere and thriving community. This lively hub is perfect for living the best of LA and connecting with locals.
• Venice Beach : if  beach life and bohemian vibes  are what you love, look no further than Venice Beach. With pristine beaches, street performers and art shops, the area is ideal for a peaceful stay.

I suggest using  Booking.com  to search, compare and reserve your accommodation, and if possible, select a place with flexible cancellation – in case of emergency or if things do not go as planned. 

And if you can, prioritise an eco-friendly hotel or guesthouse! Use  Bookdifferent  or  Ecobnb  to help you decide.

MY EXPERIENCE

My friend and I booked an Airbnb in the Palms area, which was great! A young couple, Kylie and Andrew, welcomed us and were so kind to us. They gave us plenty of advice and made us feel at home. The apartment was also conveniently located close to Venice Beach and Santa Monica, making it easy to get around. (Unfortunately, Kylie & Andrew’s Airbnb is no longer available).

Best time to visit Los Angeles

The best times to visit Los Angeles are generally in spring, from  March to May ,   and autumn, from  September to November ,   when the temperatures are mild, the air is more breathable, and there are fewer crowds.

In any case, Los Angeles benefits from a  sunny and warm Mediterranean climate , making it a year-round destination! So do not worry too much. The season you choose will mainly depend on the activity you want to do and what you want to experience.

And  if you want to avoid crowds as much as possible , try not to book your trip during major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, as accommodation prices may increase and popular attractions may have longer queues – making it harder to enjoy!

I visited Los Angeles at the end of October during Halloween, and it was so much fun! To my surprise, the weather was still incredibly sunny and warm, and I even struggled to hike to Hollywood Sign and almost collapsed aha. Regarding the crowds, I did not find them excessive, even in popular places. 

How to reduce your impact in Los Angeles

Sustainable travel  means exploring the world whilst being aware of your surroundings and having a positive social, environmental and economic impact on the places you visit.

Being a responsible traveller in Los Angeles is possible! Here are some  eco-friendly travel tips  for reducing your carbon footprint:

• If you need to take the plane, book direct flights  (which require less fuel than indirect flights)  and  offset your carbon footprint . But, do not use carbon offsetting as a complete solution. Combine it with other sustainable practices, like avoiding single-use plastic on the plane and mindfully packing your suitcase for your green holiday. 
• Select an eco-friendly accommodation . It is not always easy to determine whether a hotel has eco-conscious practices, but try to look on their website for green credentials and ask questions. You can also use  Bookdifferent  or  Ecobnb  to help you decide.
• Use public transport  as much as possible. Los Angeles transportation network is not the best, but you can easily access the main highlights and attractions with buses, trains or subways. So take advantage of these services to reduce your impact! And if you prefer to rent a car,  choose an electric or hybrid . Not only will you save money on gas, but you will be doing the local air a favour. Finally, if you are staying near the coast, do not hesitate to  rent a bike .
• Eat at local restaurants and markets  that use produce from the area and emphasise organic and sustainability. It will contribute to the local economy and reduce your carbon footprint by supporting restaurants where food does not come from long distances.
• Wear reef-safe sunscreen  to protect your skin from the sun, especially during water activities. But be careful about the cream you choose.  Zero-waste and reef-safe sunscreens  are an excellent alternative to chemical creams and are incredibly beneficial for many reasons: they protect the environment by reducing plastic waste and preserve your health by eliminating harmful components.
• Always respect the local heritage . Treat people and their surroundings with respect. Sustainable travel is not only about the environment but also about the local communities. So, always be respectful, smile and immerse yourself in the LA local vibe.

More inspiration for your green vacation:

• Best Travel Apps for Exploring Sustainably
• 15 Travel Books to Inspire Your Next Eco-Adventure
• Best Ecotourism Activities Around the World

Eco-friendly gear you might love:

• 10 Best Sustainable Backpacks for Travel & Hiking
• 10 Best Reusable & Eco-Friendly Travel Mugs
• 8 Best Filtered Water Bottles for Travel & Hiking

Check out  this page  for more inspiration on eco-friendly products & gear.

Los Angeles travel planning guide

🚑 Should I buy travel insurance to travel to Los Angeles? Yes, buying insurance is always valuable when travelling abroad. Enjoy your 3 days in Los Angeles stress-free with one of my favourite providers,  Nomad Insurance .

💧 Can you drink the water in Los Angeles? Yes, tap water is safe to drink all over Los Angeles. However, I also recommend travelling with the  UltraPress Purifier Bottle , a lightweight filtered water bottle perfect for reducing plastic and staying hydrated.

🚗 Is it easy to rent a car in Los Angeles? Yes, renting a car in Los Angeles is easy. However, note that the traffic can be terrible! But it is also a great way to explore the surroundings. I recommend booking yours with  Rentalcars.com  – they offer a variety of operators for all budgets.

🏨 How to book accommodation in Los Angeles? The best way to book your accommodation in Los Angeles is with  Booking.com  – my favourite platform to compare and reserve places to stay each night, from affordable guesthouses to luxury hotels.

✈️ What is the best site to buy a flight to Los Angeles? I recommend booking your plane with  Skyscanner . It has been my favourite platform for years, as it allows me to book the cheapest flights whilst lowering my carbon emissions.

3 days in Los Angeles – FAQ

3 days in Los Angeles is short but enough to give you a first taste of the local culture and lifestyle. You will be able to discover the main attractions and highlights of the city by planning your itinerary beforehand, but also leave room for the unexpected!

Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but it is not impossible to explore it on a budget. Save in advance and be mindful of your spending once you arrive. For example, walk as much as possible, eat at local markets or stay in an Airbnb.

The best months to visit Los Angeles are March to May and September to November when the temperatures are mild, the air is more breathable, and there are fewer crowds. I visited LA at the end of October during Halloween, and it was really fun!

Yes, you can travel around Los Angeles without a car by walking, biking or using public transport. However, the city is quite vast, so I recommend focusing on a specific area each day to reduce travel distances. And if you need a car, you can easily rent one, even for a day.

And you, have you ever visited Los Angeles or would you like to go one day?  Let me know in the comments below!

With love ♡ Lucie

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5 Days Los Angeles Itinerary + Complete LA Guide & Insider Tips

February 13, 2023

Paula Martinelli

If you are planning a trip to LA and wondering where to start, you are in the right place! I have visited the City of Angels on different occasions and lengths of time. Now, I am happy to share with you this 5 days Los Angeles Itinerary, plus you will find great tips and helpful information to make the best of your LA Itinerary.

The first thing to know is that Los Angeles is a huge city and is very spread out , and visiting with an itinerary in mind, understanding the best things to do and the areas is your smartest choice.

With this 5-day Los Angeles Itinerary, you will be able to visit the bucket list places in LA without rushing and really have the best experience.

This guide is packed with tips that will help you to discover the best of Los Angeles, the best areas to stay , tips on how to save money, and the best options to get around LA Here you can also find the best ways to get around in Los Angeles.

So without further ado, I hope you enjoy this Perfect Los Angeles Itinerary in five days!

You will also love:

• Best Places to Saty in Los Angeles + Top Hotels
• The Ultimate Los Angeles Bucket List
• 20 Cool Things You need to do in Venice Beach

4. Go on a Sunset boat cruise at Marina Del Rey

Marina del rey: for a quieter stay but, but walking distance to the buzz of the venice beach.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide for Los Angeles Bucket List

5-Day Los Angeles Itinerary Overview

If you are wondering, how many days you need to explore the best of Los Angeles , here is my honest answer for you:

Given the size of the city, and how spread out it is, I recommend a 5-day Los Angeles Itinerary. In 5 days in LA, you can avoid spending your visit running around from sight to sight, without time to really enjoy the unique atmosphere of the city.

Just because there is so much to do and see, I highly recommend coming to Los Angeles with a well-defined itinerary , in order to maximize your time. Some areas are walkable, for example, you can walk from Venice to Santa Monica in 1-hour. But in other areas such as Hollywood and Malibu, you will need a car or Uber .

Lastly, make sure you choose accommodation in a good area , where you can walk to the areas you want to visit. Making your reservations in advance is also part of a well-planned Los Angeles Itinerary.

• LOS ANGELES ITINERARY OVERVIEW:
• DAY 1 | Explore Venice Beach, walk Venice Boardwalk, visit Venice Canals, go shopping at Kinney Boulevard, grab a sunset at Venice Beach
• DAY 2 | Explore Santa Monica, enjoy the beach, stroll the Santa Monica Pier, and have a nice dinner at the Ocean Avenue
• DAY 3 | Take a road trip to Malibu, drive the Pacific Coast Highway, head to the Beaches in Malibu, go hiking, and visit a winery in Malibu
• DAY 4 | Visit the Griffith Observatory, hike the Hollywood Sign, walk the sunset strip, visit Beverly Hills
• DAY 5 | Relax by Marina del Rey, go kayaking or paddleboarding, visit the Fisherman’s Village, go on a sunset cruise

How to Save Money on a 5-Day Los Angeles Itinerary

If visiting Los Angeles is on your bucket list, but the costs may scare you away – I have great advice and tips here for you! Yes, it is possible to visit Los Angeles for 5 days without breaking the bank!

You can find inexpensive hotels, there are some restaurants and cafes that have reasonable prices. I also recommend getting the Go Los Angeles Card or  Los Angeles Sightseeing Flex Pass as these passes start at $83 for one-day grant access to a variety of different attractions. Each pass has slightly different terms and attractions on offer so check carefully to see which will suit you better. This card offers 2 options:

• All-Inclusive Card: This is the best option as you can save up to 50% of the gate prices for the main attractions in Los Angeles.
• Build-Your-Own: With this option, you can save up to 20% of the gate prices, and you can choose to see only what is in your interests.
• Hop-off-Bus Ticket: This is a good option too, with options of 24, 48, or 72-hour passes. The tour is narrated and takes you exploring Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Santa Monica Pier and Beaches.

A Perfect 5-Day in Los Angeles Itinerary

Day 1 los angeles itinerary: explore venice, 1. grab a coffee and an egg sandwich at the egg slut.

• Suggested start time: 9 AM
• Address: 1611 Pacific Ave – Los Angeles, CA

Start your first day of your 5-day Los Angeles itinerary with a hearty and yummy egg sandwich at the Egg Slut. I know right? This name – if you wonder why just like I did here we go: The name refers to a chef who simply adds an egg to everything to make it better. The first public use of it was by chef Anthony Bourdain in season 5, episode 5, of his show No Reservations, which aired on February 2, 2000 .

The egg sandwich is loaded with cheesy soft scrambled scallion eggs, sriracha mayo, crispy bacon, and a buttery toasted brioche bun. It’s the perfect sandwich for hangovers, brunches, or mornings when you need a little something extra to start your day. One of their specialties is the “slut” – a cage-free coddled egg on top of a smooth potato purée, poached in a glass jar – it is just yummy!

2. Visit Venice Beach Boardwalk

• Address: Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach, California 9029

After grabbing your breakfast (or egg slut sandwich), walk to Venice Beach to enjoy the vibe. This eclectic and buzzing oceanfront playground for Southern Californians, and is one of my favorite things to do when I am visiting L.A. The beach here offers prime surfing, and you can also work on your tan if you feel like taking an easy morning.

But with so much to do, see and explore, I suggest you just walk around and make some stops along the way for a cocktail, pictures, or shopping. Now, talking about my favorite thing: active travel – this is paradise.

Here you can find a boardwalk that runs parallel to the ocean and many attractions line in including tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, bike, and rollerblading trails, a skatepark…

PRO-TIP: Take advantage that you are at one of the most famous beaches and join a Venice Beach 2-hour group surfing lesson , also recommended for beginners. Or you can join a fun gui ded bike tour to explore some of the best sights such as Venice Beach, Santa Monia, and the Venice Canals

4. Stop for a workout at Muscle Beach

• Address: Long Beach, CA 90802
• Price: $10 for a day pass or yearly membership is $200

Now we are talking about – as a bodybuilder athlete myself , I don’t have to say how much I love this place! This is the “Home of Bodybuilding” nestled right in the heart of Venice Beach since 1963.

This is the complete outdoor gym to work out. Some of the biggest names in bodybuilding and film including Franco Columbu, Lou Ferrigno, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Frank Zane have all been called Muscle Beach Venice home, and you can also work out here during your Los Angeles itinerary.

PRO-TIP: Muscle Beach Venice is open 7 days a week except for major holidays and rainy days and you can pay $10 for a day pass.

4. Walk and take some pictures from the Pier in Venice Beach

• Address: 1600 Harbor Dr. S, Venice, FL 34285
• Hours: open from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Located on the southern part of Venice Beach , there is a the1,300-foot concrete fishing pier, built-in 1963. The pier offers great views, including watching the surfers which is my favorite thing to do. Enjoy a stroll while you appreciate the breathtaking views, and take some beautiful pictures here. Occasionally you can see dolphins too.

PRO-TIP: If you feel hungry, grab a fish taco at the Venice Whaler , which is just a few minutes’ walks from the pier.

3. Visit the Venice Canals

• Address: The intersection of Pacific Avenue and Washington Boulevard
• Must read: 20 Cool Things to do in Venice Beach

This is how the Venice name started – these canals were designed in 1905 to turn this area into a cultural center and create an Italian-inspired “Venice of America”. At one point the canals were home to gondolas imported from Italy.

Nowadays, the gondolas are gone, but it offers a beautiful and relaxing place to take a walk, away from the buzzing of the Venice Beach oceanfront.

6. Go shopping at the Kinney Boulevard

This is a mile-long strip of the latest fashion, art, and food and it is just minutes walking from Venice Beach . This is the place if you are searching for a truly eclectic shopping experience during your 5 days Los Angeles Itinerary. This is a bustling district, which stretches from Venice Boulevard to Pacific Avenue, and it is a popular destination for Joho Chip Shoppers. Here you can find one-of-a-kind local products, as well as internationally recognized brands.

If you are looking for a great place to eat, the Felix Trattoria is a temple with hand-made pasta and the traditional menu has a range of delicious antipasti, and second and vegetable contorini.

If you are looking for a great coffee or a small snack, you need to stop at The Butcher’s Daughter   with a delicious menu with plant-based versions of popular favorites, and a beautiful patio.

PRO-TIP: Every first Friday of the month at 5 pm the street becomes a festival, filled with live music and the L.A. Premier Food Truck Event, with dozen of food trucks.

7. Grab Happy Hour and enjoy the sunset

The best way to relax after this busy Los Angeles itinerary is to grab a cocktail and enjoy the magical sunset in Venice Beach. A great place to go is the Hotel Erwins’ Rooftop Lounge. – a stylish and open-air deck where you grab a drink and they also serve small plates. This is a cool place to hang out, with DJs both, night and day, and stunning views. They also offer brunch on the weekends from 11 am to 3 pm.

My personal preference is the Venice Whaler , and also, it is a very laid-back place. I just love the atmosphere, the world-famous fish tacos, and the fantastic margaritas – but the sunset is what makes it even more remarkable. The Whaler has been welcoming locals and celebrities since 1944 – such as the Doors, Beatles, and Beach Boys.

Don’t forget to check for the Los Angeles Hotels with rooftop pools , to take full advantage of the beautiful weather, and pool party scene.

Day 2 Los Angeles Itinerary: Explore Santa Monica

Start day 2 of your 5-Day Los Angeles Itinerary by exploring Santa Monica. It is one of the most scenic places in southern California, one of my favorite places in Los Angeles , offering 72 miles of coastline and sunshine for approximately 330 days in the year. With over 60 stunning beaches to explore, lots of amazing restaurants, and of course, the famous Santa Monica Pier for some fun!

1 . Have a Coffee or Brunch at Urth

Suggested start time: 9 AM Address: 2327 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90405

Every time I visit Los Angeles, this is a must-stop for me. Founded in 1989, this cafe is widely considered the first coffee roasting company in America to offer exclusively organically grown, heirloom coffees. If you love coffee like me, they offer exclusive signature blends from light to dark roasts – from americano to latte, cappuccinos, and all between.

They also have a large selection of one tea. And the bakery is to die for! From a large variety of rich and creamy cheesecakes to amazing pies, and exquisite cakes. You have to try the chocolate hazelnut cake – layered with Nutella and hazelnut icing, and covered in chocolate hazelnut ganache. O-M-G!!! and don’t feel guilty, because, with all the walks on the second day of your Los Angeles itinerary, you will burn it all 😉

2. Go shopping or a stroll at the Third Street Promenade

After you grab an amazing breakfast at Urth, take a walk to the Third Street Promenade. This is a pedestrian-only stretch in Santa Monica, offering many stores between chains and locals, and the most important thing here, the dinosaur fountains.

PRO-TIP: On Wednesdays and Saturdays morning, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Arizona Avenue, you can visit the Santa Monica Farmers Market – where big-name chefs go to stock up on products for their restaurants in Los Angeles.

3. Enjoy the Beach

There is a paved path that follows the shoreline all the way to Venice Beach , and it is a paradise for runners, rollerblades, biking, or walking. If you wish, you can rent a bike and or rollerblades and cruise from the Pier to or from Venice Beach. You can also rent boogie boards or umbrellas and beach chairs at one of the small shops, and just enjoy the beach.

I recommend stopping by Perry’s Cafe for a refreshment or lunch and spending a few hours here. It is a very laid-back restaurant on the sand, with lounge chairs where you can just sit down, relax and enjoy some people-watching. Here you can also find a beach chair and umbrella for rental.

Santa Monica Beach is a very active place and one of the best areas to stay in LA . Here you will find volleyball courts, surf lessons, rent a bike, and ride the 22-mile-long Marvin Braude Beach Trail. Also, Santa Monica Beach is the home to the original Muscle Beach, and today it features gymnastic equipment. including parallel bars, rings, and ropes, that can be used by adults and also kids.

PRO-TIP: If you are driving, there are plenty of parking lots. Here you can also find restrooms and beach cafes along the beach.

4. Stroll the Santa Monica Pier

Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

This is the most popular spot and it symbolizes the heart of Santa Monica. This pier has been around since 1909, and it is considered one of the landmarks in Los Angeles . It was originally built as a public utility for the city of Santa Monica. Considered a National Landmark, the pier remains a nostalgic past day and remains a fun icon today.

I love coming here at sunset for pictures, and just staying for dinner at one of the amazing restaurants in the area. The historic Santa Monica Pier is where all the action is, with shops, small restaurants, cafes, and locals selling arts. The highlight is the Pacific Park , the amusement park on the pier featuring roller coasters, and the Ferris wheel.

PRO-TIP: You can walk here all the way from Venice Beach, which is about 1 hour (2.6 miles). Another great option is to go on a 3-Hour Electric Bike Tour . This is a cool tour as the bicycle allows you to choose your own comfort level between pedaling with 6 gears, using the electric motor power which puts the power completely in your control, or both

5. Have dinner at Water Grill

Address: 1401 Ocean Ave 90401

You will find an infinite of options for great bars and restaurants in Santa Monica. One of my favorite places is the Water Grill – especially if you love fresh seafood.

This is an oceanfront restaurant overlooking beautiful Santa Monica. The outside patio isn’t that big and gets filled up pretty fast during the weekend – so I would recommend making reservations if you are dining here on the weekend.

Bring your jacket because the ocean breeze can make you cold especially when the sun is down. The service is very good, and the inside of the restaurant looks very nice and classy.

Day 3 Los Angeles Itinerary: Take a road trip in Malibu

On the third day of this amazing 5-day Los Angeles Itinerary, you will discover all the magic about Malibu. The famous Pacific Coast Highway starts here, offering some of the most picturesque stretches of beach in Southern California. And then, there are the beaches in Malibu, I recommend spending at least a few hours exploring one of the beaches in Malibu. I have listed a couple of great options below for you. And if you are a wine lover like me, head to one of the amazing wineries in Malibu – with great quality local wine!

1. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu

Suggested start time: 9 AM Start Point: This drive starts at the end of Interstate 10 in Santa Monica

This part is if you have a car if you want to hire a private driver, or even better if you join a Vintage VW hippie sightseeing to tour this beautiful route. The drive to Malibu is an attraction itself.

You will want to stop in some spots to take pictures and appreciate the views. The total distance is about 49 miles and it takes one to two hours, depending on the traffic. Your driving experience will be a little more enjoyable if you drive the route south from Oxnard toward Santa Monica. You’ll be on the ocean side of the highway, with better views. It will be easier to make a beach or photo stop because you won’t have to cross traffic.

2. Head to the Beach in Malibu

The beaches in Malibu are very different from Venice Beach and Santa Monica, including private beaches where alcohol is allowed – but they are also notorious for the huge parking fees. You will find surf beaches, caves, and incredible rock formations.

The beaches in Malibu offer a laidback experience, where you can relax and lay in the sand. Or at least take a walk and enjoy the beauty and take some amazing pictures. Between Dec-Jan and April-May is when the whales migrate, and you have a high chance to see some gray whales, especially in the early morning. Some of the most popular beaches are:

• El Matador State Beach: This is one of the best-kept-secret. Here you can find caves and massive rock formations.
• Paradise Cove: This is a public beach where you and enjoy walking down the coast and marvel at the enormous mansions.
• Surfrider Beach: This is a great beach for surfing due to the long right-hand break. This is a perfect beach for taking the views and watching the action onshore.

3. Hiking in Malibu

If you are looking to go hiking, Malibu offers amazing hiking trails with views of the Pacific Ocean. Some of the best hikes in Malibu are the Escondido Canyon (3.7 miles), The Solstice Canyon Loop Trail (3.2 miles), and MASH Hike (4.85 miles).

Whatever hike trail you choose, you will be served with a beautiful landscape, with a seascape, mountains, and even waterfalls. Malibu hikes cover all difficulties from the easy hikes to difficult hikes for the expert and you can also customize your trail because some trails are linked to each other.

4. Go for a wine taste in Malibu

Location: Rosenthal Wine Bar is at 18741 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265.

Yes, you can (and should) go on wine taste in Malibu too – it is one of the coolest things to do in LA . You can find hidden in the canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, a couple of great wineries, producing some pretty tasty (and affordable) wines. Some famous wineries are Cornell Winery & Tasting Room, Cielo Winery, and Rosenthal .

I visited Rosenthal, the oldest winery in Malibu. But even if the winery is not open to the public, the wine tasting bar in Malibu is the place to hang out. If you’re looking to taste Malibu wines at a beach party, this is the next best thing. Across from the Pacific Ocean, this Malibu tasting room can get quite crowded and lively. They serve Rosenthal Estate wines by glass, bottle, or flight.

PRO-TIP: If you love wine and are interested on experience some of the top vineyards with spectacular views, the best option is to join the Malibu Wineries Private Group Tour . The tour is a great experience to visit 3 wineries on a private luxury vehicle and with a local expert guide, that will share all about wine, the region, and the history of the area.

Day 4 Los Angeles Itinerary: Hollywood and Beverly Hills

On the fourth day of this 5-day Los Angeles Itinerary, you will explore the famous Hollywood and Beverly Hills area. I only recommend this part of the Los Angeles itinerary, for first-time visitors.

If you are staying in Venice Beach or Marina Del Rey, I recommend taking an Uber to this area. You can also hire a private guide to drive you to the Beverly Hills Celebrity Homes – I know it sounds a little cheesy, but I have to confess that I drove there on my first visit to Los Angeles, and I had fun “hunting” for the amazingly rich and famous mansions.

1. Griffith Observatory

Suggested start time: 9 AM Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Observatory features space-related exhibits, star shows in the planetarium, and a telescope. Enjoy the grounds of the Observatory, it is beautiful and it features some terraces from where you get a birdseye view of the entire valley. If you happen to visit on a clear day, you will get to see all the way to Santa Monica from up here.

On the opposite hill, right across from the Griffith Observatory, you can catch an unobstructed view of the Hollywood Sign – that is the next destination of your 5-day Los Angeles itinerary.

PRO-TIP: Admission to the Observatory building, grounds, and telescopes are always free. However, you will have to buy tickets for the planetarium show . The best time to visit the Observatory is late afternoon towards the evening when you can stick around to see the sunset and city lights.

2. Hike the Hollywood Sign

Did you know that you can hike from Griffith Observatory to the Hollywood Sign? It is a 4.4-mile hike each way, The trailhead and the summit are separated by 575 feet of elevation, but because this route crosses a mountain in between, the hike actually has two ascents of 425 feet and 525 feet. If you decide to hike to the Hollywood Sign, you can check here for all the details .

The worldwide symbol of the U.S. movie industry has a very dull and uninteresting beginning. The Hollywood Sign was created as an outdoor billboard for real estate development, and today, it is the most well-known landmark in the city of Los Angeles .

PRO-TIP: If you don’t want to hike, you have the option to take a shuttle to the summit Hollywood summit. Driving to the Hollywood Sign is not allowed.

3. Walk the Sunset Strip

You can continue your fourth day in the Los Angeles itinerary with a walk on the famous Sunset Strip. The strip is the 1.5 -mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood. Sunset Boulevard extends from Hollywood all the way to Beverly Hills. This is very touristy, as you can imagine, but no Los Angeles itinerary would be complete without a visit to the famous Hollywood.

Here is home to flashy boutiques, high-end restaurants, and nightclubs, as well as huge, colorful billboards. Go shopping (or window shopping) at the famous Rodeo Drive , and walk among some of the world’s well-known fashion icons. 

Another thing you want to do during your first time visiting Los Angeles is to walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame . The internationally-recognized Hollywood landmark . It encompasses over 2,600 five-pointed stars made of terrazzo and brass and embedded in the sidewalks along Hollywood Boulevard.

4. Visit the Chinese Theater

Price to visit: FREE Address:   6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

Stop by another famous landmark in the city of Los Angeles , the Chinese Theater. it became famous for being the venue of the  Academy Awards   ceremony from 1944 to 1946. But most visitors come here because of the celebrity handprints and footprints in the concrete of the theater’s forecourt. The tradition began during the theater construction when one of the Hollywood legends at the time accidentally stepped into the wet cement outside the building.

5. Visit some Celebrity Homes in Beverly Hills

Finish your Los Angeles Itinerary today by strolling through this tranquil green space filled with landscaped hedges, cascading fountains, and colonnaded walkways in Beverly Hills. While the city offers beautiful green spaces, a jog through  Beverly Gardens Park   offers ample space and a chance to sightsee as well.

If you are curious and want to dive into the “celebrity world” I recommend grabbing a map with the celebrity’s homes, or joining a local tour for a 2-hour fun time around Hollywood and Celebrity homes tour .

Day 5 Los Angeles Itinerary: Relax by the Marina Del Rey

You must be exhausted from this busy itinerary – I know I was after I have done this itinerary myself. And I also consider Marina Del Rey one of the best areas to stay in LA since it is quiet with excellent restaurants, and it is also within walking distance to Venice Beach.

So finish your dreamy 5-day Los Angeles Itinerary by chilling a bit, and here is the best place! The Marina Del Rey is a man-made marina in Los Angeles dating back to the 1960s. Today it is home to approximately 5,000 boats, offering opportunities for paddle-boarding, kayaking, yachting, cycling, and whale watching.

1. Start your day with a Brunch at the Marina Del Rey

Suggested start time: 10 AM Address: 4175 Admiralty Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292

The last day of this 5-day Los Angeles itinerary can start with a relaxing and enjoyable brunch at the stunning Marina Del Rey. My favorite place for brunch is the Jamaica Bay Inn . The brunch here is simply phenomenal, and the views make it a dreamy place you want to be when you visit Los Angeles for 5 days.

It has a great outdoor dining place with nice patios near the beach. It’s the kind of place LA has to offer. I ordered the avocado toast, and it was truly the best I ever had in my life.

PRO-TIP: If you plan to come on the weekend, you will need to make reservations in advance. In this article, you can find the best places to stay in Marina Del Rey .

2. Go for a Walk / Run / Kayaking or Paddleboard on Marina Del Rey

• Address: Parking lot, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

After that brunch, you can pick and choose some of the many activities to do at Marina Del Rey. You can rent a paddleboard or join a stand-up paddle-boarding lesson for all experience and skill levels. This is a fun activity, where your guide will provide information about the local environment and marine life, kayaking/paddle-boarding techniques, and safety while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the Los Angeles boater’s realm.

Then board your kayaks and paddle towards the main channel of the Marina. On the way, observe the beautiful and extraordinary boats. Begin your search for sea lions, birds, dolphins, and other marine life. You will love to just spend a few hours exploring this sanctuary during your Los Angeles Itinerary.

PRO-TIP: You can book this Kayak and/or paddleboard tour to see sea lions , and explore the beauty of the biggest marina in Los Angeles. You have the option to rent a double kayak or a paddleboard, and if you haven’t done it before, the guide will help you to feel comfortable and enjoy the most of this stunning scenario.

2. Visit the Fisherman’s Village

This replica of a New England seaport and the fish town is a quiet harbor front with beautiful views of the Marina, where you can enjoy the sailboats and some wildlife. You can find many restaurants, the Marina del Rey Historical Society exhibit space, and a smattering of shops. There is a lighthouse, and an abundance of bougainvillea to complete the charm of this place.

PRO-TIP: I recommend grabbing a drink and watching the sunset at the SALT Restaurant & Bar. Or take a cruise boat for sunset with wine and cheese.

What a perfect way to end your 5-day Los Angeles itinerary – you can go on a sunset cruise a relaxing ride onboard an electric boat, while you enjoy the beauty of the biggest marina in Los Angeles. Keep an eye out for the local wildlife while you celebrate sunset with a glass of wine and a yummy selection of meat, cheeses, and fruit. Oh, life is good!

How to Get Around Los Angeles in 5 Days

You can get a 15% off your rental car when you book through this site . I use and recommend RentalCar because it is the most reliable rental car source, and it allows you to compare the prices of different places.

Best Places to Stay during your 5 Day in Los Angeles Itinerary

The best decision you will make to have the best time during 5 Days in Los Angeles, is the area you choose to stay in, especially if you don’t have a rental car. As I said before, Los Angeles is a huge city, and very spread out.

Make sure you choose your accommodations close to the attractions you want to visit – You must check Where to Stay in Los Angeles, 6 best areas + Hotel Gide. Below is a quick guide for some of the best recommendations:

Downtown Los Angeles: Best for first-time visitors

Good Value Hotel | Freehand Los Angeles is a great option as it offers a combination of styles and is on a budget in the city of L.A. The decoration is to look like you have walked directly into the 60s with shabby chic furniture and colorful print tiles.

Mid Range | Hotel Indigo is a great option for midrange accommodation, offering stylish rooms and spaciousness when compared with the majority of the hotels in this area. With the Metropole Bar and Kitchen on site, and a cool penthouse bar called 18 Social is here too. You will love the pool at this hotel!

Luxury hotel | Conrad Los Angeles is the place for you if you are looking to spoil yourself. This hotel is stunning and it features a bar, restaurant, an amazing pool and a terrace, and incredible views of L.A. It is rated as Superb (9.0) by the guests for a reason.

Santa Monica: If you want to stay close to the beach

Good Value Hotel | The Georgian Hotel is an affordable accommodation, with an exceptional location, just a few steps away from the Santa Monica Pier. With 84 rooms with an ocean view, and a rooftop bar and restaurant.

Mid-Range | The Palihouse Hotel is an excellent option, located only 5-minutes from the beach. This is an iconic hotel that has been around since the 1900s. All the rooms come with kitchenettes, which allow you to prepare your own meals.

Luxury hotel | Casa Del Mar is a luxury hotel and one of the only beachfront hotels in Los Angeles. Here you can enjoy the pool that overlooks the beach, while you enjoy your favorite cocktail and live music. The rooms are lavishly decorated, and the spa offers amazing facials and massages.

Good Value Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn is where I stayed during my last visit to L.A. and I recommend this hotel. Featuring an outdoor pool and hot tub, it is only a 2-minute walk to the beach, and 1 mile from Venice Beach Boardwalk. Very comfortable bed and good size rooms.

Mid-Range | Jamaica Bay Inn is a beautiful collection by Hilton. Of all the hotels in Marina Del Rey, this is the best boutique hotel, right on Marina’s beach, with an outdoor pool, and it is the best option for families to stay in too.

Luxury hotel | Ritz-Carlton, Marina Del Ray One of the highlights of this incredible hotel is the fresh-caught seafood plates at the restaurant Cast and Plow. Also, you can get spoiled with an 80-minute bliss-fest massage, or chill in the poolside cabana, with complimentary sparkling wine and refreshments on tap.

What to Pack for your 5 Day Los Angeles Itinerary

• Los Angles Sightseeing Pass: I also recommend getting the Go Los Angeles Card or  Los Angeles Sightseeing Flex Pass as these passes start at $83 for one-day grant access to a variety of different attractions.
• Comfortable Pair of Shoes: That is the first thing you should pack for your trip to L.A.. you will walk a lot, and you maybe add some hiking too. I love my Nike Air Force as I find it ideal to wear with my gym clothes or a cute dress for a casual dinner.
• Summer dresses: I recommend at least one summer dress as they are versatile to walk during the day or going out in the evening
• Leggings: You will need at least one pair. Leggings are your best friend in L.A., as you can wear them pretty much every day (and night too;-))
• Workout outfit: Dressing in layers and comfortably is the best rule to explore Los Angeles.
• Long sleeves shirt and light sweater: It can get chilly in Los Angeles, even during the summer months. It is always wise to dress in layers!
• Sunscreen : While you are out exploring, make sure to protect yourself from the sun. I recommend the Stream 2 Sea Sunscream and they are reef-safe
• Sunglasses and hat: Don’t forget to pack your pair of sunglasses , you will need them!
• Swimsuit: The water may be chilly, but I recommend planning at least a half-day at the beach, so pack that travel beach bag !
• Beach Towel: This travel towel is a must to be used at the beach, on a picnic, or even as a blanket.
• Day Backpack: This is a must on your packing list – I have a whole article on the best backpack for traveling that I recommend you to check!
• Reusable water bottle: Never travel anywhere without a  reusable water bottle . Remain hydrated without wasting single-use plastic bottles!

5-Day Itinerary Los Angeles Itinerary Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this 5-day Los Angeles Itinerary, and that you have found it very helpful for your trip planning to the city of angels. With so much to do, see and experience, Los Angeles is a must destination for any adventure, outdoor, and art lover.

If you have any further questions, just leave me a comment below and I will be happy to get in touch with you. I have visited Los Angeles many times, and any time I come back, I feel in love with this city again. And I am sure you will also love Los Angeles and will want to come back to continue exploring.

If you love this article, I also recommend:

• The Best Los Angeles Bucket List
• Where to Stay in Los Angeles
• The Top Things to do in Venice Beach, Los Angeles
• How to rent an RV for a Dream Road Trip

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Where to Stay in LA: 6 Best Los Angeles Areas + Hotel Guide

The Ultimate LA Bucket List: 22 Best Things to do in Los Angeles

20 Cool Things to do in Venice Beach, California + Insider Tips

7 thoughts on “5 days los angeles itinerary + complete la guide & insider tips”.

Wow, I definitely didn’t fully experience LA last time I was there—there is so much to do! I’d love to do a road trip around the area some day 🙂

What a fantastic, lively city! The sunset strip looks gorgeous. I’d love to explore LA, the coast, and I’d also love to visit Koreatown.

Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood are high on my list when I finally see more than just the airport in LA. I’m looking forward to it & saving your tips for later!

This is such a great and detailed itinerary, Paula! I still have yet to visit LA. I’d love to check out the Venice Canals, as per your recommendation.

Looks like you had an amazing time! I’ve been to San Diego a few times, but never Los Angeles! I’m clear across the country in Virginia, but next time I visit I plan to visit LA. Thank you for the great list of suggestions!

It looks like you had a great time, and wait to try Egg Slut next time I’m in town!

I visited Venice before the pandemic. It was so fun to see the beach scene. I loved the skater park. And it is free!

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3 Days in Los Angeles: The Perfect Itinerary

Los Angeles is a city with many sides to it. There are the beautiful Southern California beaches stretching along the Malibu coast, the mansions of Beverly Hills, and the bright lights of the Sunset Strip. Beyond the well-known sights, this city is a true melting pot of cultures, where there are restaurants from all corners of the globe and plenty of unique cultural sights that allow you to get different glimpses of the city. A good introduction can definitely be done in a long weekend. Here’s a list of highlights that should cover a Los Angeles itinerary for three days . If you have more than 3 days in LA, check out my 5 Days in Los Angeles itinerary .

Best Time To Visit Los Angeles

Los Angeles has some of the best weather in the country, where it doesn’t rain often and the winters are mild. That being said the best time to go is during early autumn when the summer crowds have gone home. Early summer weather can also be quite foggy (especially on the coast), so keep that in mine as well.

How To Get Around Los Angeles

LA is massive and it’s recommended that you rent a car, if you want to cover a lot of ground. Ride share companies are plentiful, and a great option if you want to go out at night and don’t want to worry about parking. Public transportation isn’t very reliable, but there is a Metro that has a limited route around the city and was recently expanded to Santa Monica.

3 Day Los Angeles Itinerary

Santa monica pier and beach.

It’s often quite crowded and touristy, but the view of the pier and the adjacent beach is a classic LA sight and not to be missed when you’re on the Westside. There are walking/biking paths along the beach where you can rent a bike or an electric scooter via an app and make your way all the way to Venice Beach for some prime people watching.

Venice Canals

For a quiet spot that’s away from the boardwalk crowds, these residential neighborhood homes are a perfect place to go. Most of the houses are on the water and there are plenty of walking paths that you can wander around on. After you’ve worked up an appetite make sure to go to nearby Gjusta for solid sandwiches and baked goods, or skip straight to dessert and go to Salt and Straw for their popular artisanal ice cream.

Read: Where to Eat in Los Angeles

Reserve at least a half-day for this iconic beach town. It feels like a whole different world, but is really just 45 minutes from LA (without traffic). The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades is worth a stop on the way. Point Dume beach is a personal favorite and can get crowded, so make sure to come early. Malibu Seafood is a great stop for lunch where you can have your fill of fresh seafood in the form of fish and chips and clam chowder.

Downtown LA

Head inland to the cultural center of the city, and choose from many different sights to see. Japantown is a great historical neighborhood to wander around in and find delicious treats. City Hall has an excellent observation deck that’s free, where you can take in the city for miles and miles. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is also free and worth taking a self-guided tour of for its whimsical architecture. For food, head to Grand Central Market , where many good food options await, including Wexler’s Deli and Tacos Tumbras A Tomas .

Griffith Observatory and Park

Speaking of views, to really get an idea of how large the city is, make your way up to the Observatory, and take in the stunning city panorama below. Wander inside the observatory itself and learn about its impressive history and function. Don’t forget to take a picture with the Hollywood sign in the distance out on the Observatory deck.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

As one of the oldest cemeteries in the city, this is the final resting place for a lot of individuals who helped shaped the entertainment industry, including Judy Garland and quite a few silent film stars. It’s a scenic park that provides a nice escape from city life and is well kept. Pick up a map for a self-guided tour or join a guided tour. Frequent outdoor movie screenings and concerts on the grounds are also worth checking out.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

As one of the biggest art museums in the western U.S., you can easily spend half a day or more wandering through the various exhibits that range from ancient to contemporary art. There are also films and performances that take place at the museum as well, and it’s fun to go there at night when all the lamps in the front are lit. It’s located on Museum Row, and the La Brea Tar Pits nearby are worth checking out if you’re into ice age fossils.

Rodeo Drive

If you want to get a taste of how the rich and famous live, head over to this ritzy street where wealth is on full display. Even if you cannot afford anything, it’s fun just to people watch those who can. For a bit of relief from the madness, stop by the Paley Center (free entry with donations accepted), is a great place to learn more about the TV and radio industry with informative rotating exhibits.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

It’s hugely overrated, but if you haven’t been before you should go just to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theater. There’s not much to see beyond that, but there’s the nearby Sunset Boulevard that is worth driving down, where you can spot legendary Old Hollywood landmarks like the Chateau Marmont. Afterward, head to the east end of Sunset Boulevard to eat at Kismet , a Mediterranean restaurant in Los Feliz.

Universal Studios Hollywood

For a more satisfying Hollywood experience and one of the best things to do in LA with kids , head to Universal Studios where you can witness a bit of movie magic. Make sure to hop on the studio tour that brings you through well-known film and TV show sets. For thrill seekers, there are plenty of roller coasters that are modeled after big blockbusters like Jurassic Park and Transformers. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter land is worth it alone for the visit. If you want to forgo the lines, there’s a Front of Line pass for the park, that’s pricey but is worth it for all the time saved.

Echo Park Lake

Get a great view of downtown LA from this scenic park, and enjoy a stroll around the grounds or take a paddleboat out on the lake. It’s especially magical at dusk when the city lights are twinkling in the distance. Afterward you can head to dinner nearby at Silverlake to restaurants like Pine & Crane , Silverlake Ramen , or Night + Market Song .

Known as the Little Osaka of LA, this is a great spot to go for dinner with its array of excellent Asian eateries. Tsujita is the most popular spot here with its tsukemen ramen, but there is also Nong La Café , which serves up delicious Vietnamese comfort food. Make sure to save room for dessert in the form of frozen yogurt at Honeymee’s or cream puffs at Beard Papa’s .

Julia is freelance writer and founder of the California travel blog Small World This Is. You can follow her adventures on Instagram .

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. The Savvy Globetrotter travel blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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savvyglobetrotter

There are so many things to do in Los Angeles, it feels impossible to see it all! I guess that’s what makes the city so fun ? I especially love Griffith Observatory and Park for the views.

I visited LA in January and did many of the things in this post! I’ve been craving a trip back!

I have loved multiple visits to Los Angeles now, and there is so much to see and do that I feel like I have only just touched the tip of the iceberg. Thanks for inspiring me to visit again in the future!

Great list, I’ve done lots of these things, except Griffith Observatory. We circled that parking lot FOREVER and couldn’t get a spot. I think we gave up after an hour. I was so sad that I didn’t get to check out the view!

Such a great post <3 Hope that one day I could have a chance to visit Malibu and others destination in Los Angeles. I love this country because it is the country of football and many beautiful attractions. I`m sure that my experience there will be one of the most memorable moments in my life. Thank you

We had a week in LA however we still ran out of time to visit Santa Monica Pier and Beach. Hopefully, if and when we return, we will make this top priority.

Cheers Nathan…

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The Ultimate So Cal Guide: 25 ‘Very LA’ Things to Do in Los Angeles, California

last Updated: September 12, 2020 california city guide Los Angeles USA

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

If you’re looking for things to do in LA, you’ve come to the right place!

When you think of Los Angeles, you probably think of the Beach Boys, surfing, and celebrities. While this is all true, LA is much more than that! Any Angeleno will tell you that LA is a melting pot for all kinds of activities, food, cultures, and spots to explore.

You can get to the beach, mountains, desert, and the forest within an hour, which makes your vacation filled with possibilities! Put visiting Los Angeles as your next #bucketlistitem- you won’t regret it!  I’m visiting LA next week, so I’ve asked my friend Karina from Spot the Red Head to share her favorite LA must-do’s with me! Enjoy!

But first things first: Where to Stay in LA

When deciding where to stay in LA, all the options can make it somewhat daunting. However, there are a few main areas I recommend:

1. Santa Monica:

Located on the western edge of LA and steps from the beach, Santa Monica’s your best bet if you want to wiggle your toes in the sand every morning. With tons of restaurants and shopping nearby on Third Street Promenade, and the eclectic Venice Beach Boardwalk a quick bike ride away, I can promise you you’ll never get bored here.

$ – If you’re on a budget, your best bet is to stay at HI Hostel Santa Monica . Literally around the block from the beach, the largest hostel lockers I’ve ever seen, and free daily breakfast, lack of cash is no excuse here!

$$ – Ocean views calling your name? Check out the Le Meridian Delfina Santa Monica . California-inspired decor and an outdoor pool await! Prefer to be on the beach (ok fine, a 3 minute walk), you may like The Hotel California- Santa Monica . And with quirky rooms featuring surfboard headboards, who wouldn’t want to stay here?!

$$$ – With chic public areas, posh balcony rooms, and ocean view dining, there’s no better place to stay than  Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel . Super upscale and super awesome. Check out the Hotel Shangri-La Santa Monica if you’re looking for more of an art-deco feel (complete with a rooftop bar and poolside cabanas).

See all hotels in Santa Monica.

2. Beverly Hills and West Hollywood (WeHo):

Stay in Beverly Hills if you’re looking for luxury (this is where Rodeo Drive is located), and West Hollywood if nightlight and culture/hot trends are more your thing. There’s really no wrong option here, with my top recommendations below:

$ – Super stylish and sophisticated, on a (kind of) budget- The Orlando is just minutes from The Grove (a must-do) and plenty of top eateries. Unfortunately you won’t find many low-cost options here.

$$ – Sofitels never disappoint, and the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is no exception! Get a room with views of the Hollywood Hills, and make sure to try out the onsite restaurant serving classic French cuisine.

$$$ – Afternoon tea and spa/rooftop dining sound like your jam? Check out the Peninsula Beverly Hills , a super chic 5-star hotel surrounded by tropical gardens. Rather pricy, but worth the money for a special occasion.

See all hotels in Beverly Hills.

See all hotels in West Hollywood.

I honestly don’t recommend staying in either Hollywood or Downtown LA, as they are overly congested with both tourists and locals headed off to work (aka say hello to massive traffic jams). If you want to explore these areas, they’re easy to get to via public transportation from either Santa Monica or WeHo.

Things to do in LA:

First and foremost, if you want to do a bunch of activities in LA, it’s definitely worth it to get the Go Los Angeles Card , which gives you entry to over 37 attractions and will save you loads of money.  I’ve used these passes in various cities around the states, and have always been grateful that I bought them in advance.

1. Get Wild- Animal Style at IN-N-OUT

Anyone from California will tell you that the FIRST thing you should do after touchdown in LA would be to get an In-N-Out Burger! LA has TONS of amazing food options, but if we are being honest, In-n-Out is a staple. Try a Double-Double with Animal Style fries! You can’t get it anywhere else and a belly full of in-n-out is the fuel you’ll need for adventure.

2. Get Lit at Lacma Lights

The Urban Lights exhibit by Chris Burden is a classic art piece that has made it into many Hollywood movies, like ‘No Strings Attached’ with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman. The light poles are refurbished from the 1920s and they make for a beautiful photo backdrop. If you make it here early in the morning, you may have them all to yourselves!

3. Stargaze at Griffith Observatory

If you want a night full of magic, take a drive up to the Griffith Observatory around sunset. It’s a bit of a winding road up the hill, but you’ll spot the BEST view of LA from the Observatory. Stay until nightfall to see the city light up like the night sky. So romantic!

4. Go to Universal Studios

Not just for kids anymore!  This park will have you smiling from ear to ear all day long, with its action packed entertainment – thrilling rides, numerous shows, tour a real working movie studio, and visit LA’s best shops, restaurants, and cinemas at CityWalk.  

My advice – get Universal Studios Front of the Line Tickets .   Make sure to use the button below to score your front of the line tickets, and skip wasting time at the beginning of your day.

4. Play with The Puppies at Dog Beach

If you’re wondering how a day at the beach can get any better, let me tell you: ADD PUPPIES! Grab a pup and head to either Rosie’s Dog Beach, Huntington Dog Beach, Point Fermin Park, or Leo Carrillo State Park Beach. Not only will you enjoy some of California’s best beaches, your dog will love you too.

5. Airplanes and Bacon at Maniac Mikes

A quirky breakfast cafe on the outskirts of LA is perfect for pilots and plane-lovers alike. You’ll eat breakfast and watch cable planes take off and land. The food there is traditional eggs, pancakes, and fresh biscuits and the people are very warm. You’ll even meet a pilot or two and get offered to take a ride on their planes! This airplane cafe is a local favorite, so go now before everyone finds out about it!

6. Hike the Hollywood Sign

You cannot visit Los Angeles and skip the Hollywood Sign- It’s iconic! The best way to see the Hollywood sign is to hike it! Park on Beachwood Dr. and follow the signs. You’ll be hiking up on the backside of the sign, but you’ll get an amazing 360-degree view of Los Angeles!

If you’re worried about not being able to find the start of the hike, or are traveling solo, I highly advise you to book a group hike , as its never safe to hike alone, no matter how old or experienced you are. 🙂

If you don’t feel like hiking, there are great views of the Hollywood sign on the third floor of Hollywood and Highland Center Mall.

7. Stroll Down the Santa Monica Pier

Cue the Beach Boys music and take a stroll down the Santa Monica Pier. You’ll pass under the iconic entrance that is over 100 years old! You’ll see beautiful vistas of the beach and the city from the end of the pier that will have you saying ‘pinch me, I must be dreaming’. Munch on classic burgers and shakes, ride the Ferris wheel, and enjoy the amusement park rides. You could spend a whole day enjoying Santa Monica Beach.

8. Catch Some Waves at Newport’s Wedge

If you’re coming to California to surf, there is no better place than ‘The Wedge’ at Newport Beach. ‘The Wedge’ is classic Californian slang for THE SPOT to go surfing. This place was popular even back in the 1960’s because the swells can get up to 30 feet high! Right between the jetty and the sand, on the easternmost point of Balboa Peninsula, is the place to be on a hot summers day.

9. You’ll Shut Your ‘Pie Hole’ When You Taste How Good This Is!

LA Natives know that any sweet craving will be conquered at ‘The Pie Hole.’ Located in the Art District of LA, across from cool street murals, this heavenly spot has all the goods. Indulge in sweet and savory pies, breakfast empanadas, lattes and more! The Earl Grey and the Mexican Chocolate Pies are must-haves!

10. Walk through LA’s Art Walk

If you’re an art buff or a savvy instagrammer, you’ll enjoy walking through the 2 miles of street art that line the Art District of LA. Just off 4 th street and Colyton, you’ll find warehouses covered in art that is sure to inspire. Grab a coffee at the cute shops downtown and stroll along the walk! Don’t miss out on the super-instagrammable angel wings.

11. Embrace Culture on Calle Olvera

Multicultural is a great word to describe Los Angeles. Grab your camera and explore the Mexican Pueblo on Olvera Street, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, and many more. Calle Olvera has handmade jewelry, leather bags and belts, musical instruments, clothing, delicious Mexican food restaurants, and bands that play music in the plazas. The atmosphere is so friendly and warm, you’ll never want to leave.

12. Nom on Tacos, Taquitos, and Burritos

LA is a melting pot- and that pot is full of beans, cheese, and rice! LA has some of the best Mexican Cuisine in the entire United States- so make sure you have some before leaving. Cielito Lindo on Olvera St. has delicious taquitos with homemade avocado salsa. Patty’s Tacos has some of the best tacos and burritos in the outskirts of LA. Wash it down with an Horchata or Jarritos, and don’t forget to ‘gram it!

13. Try Delicious Sausages at WurstKuche

Locals love the Rattlesnake, Jalepeno, and Rabbit Sausages at WurstKuche! Located in the Art District of LA, the menu is so varied and the line is almost always out the door. This place is solid for satisfying any hot-dog cravings you might have. Vegetarians listen up: They also have 3 delicious vegetarian options to try! Try the Louisiana Hot Links, Belgian fries, and the German beer! Best. Day. Ever.

14. Bike down the boardwalk

Nothing says California Dreamin’ like biking down the boardwalk on a cruiser. Sport your tank tops (even in winter!), your sunscreen, and sunnies to enjoy a cruise down the boardwalk. You’ll pass by muscle beach and spot locals hula-hopping and tightrope walking on the sand. Soak up the sunshine before you head home!

15. Urth Café

If your goal is to catch celebrities on their off-duty days, eat lunch at Urth Café. Located all over LA, this restaurant is always poppin’. Grub on their amazing green tea latte with boba, their sprout sandwich, the Eggs Benedict with Salmon, or the Matcha Tiramisu. You can’t go wrong!

16. Take Awesome ‘Grams Under The Pier

Walk under any pier in California and you’ll see photographers, models, and beautiful views of the ocean. The lighting is magic under the pier and when you go down there, you’ll see. If you’re looking to meet photographers, models, or locals, the pier is where it’s at. Bust out the selfie stick or ask a friend to take your new LA Profile Pic.

A fun Saturday afternoon activity is to visit the LA Zoo! You’ll see everyone’s favorites: Monkeys, Giraffes, Elephants, Lions, and Zebras! Spend a relaxing day among the animals and enjoy California’s sunny weather. The LA Zoo even puts on holiday events, so check and see if you’ll be lucky enough to catch one!

You may be grown, but you can still be a kid! Bar 82 in the Art District of LA is a perfect place to take a date or to play retro arcade games with your friends. Located secretly behind this black gate, you can order your favorite drinks and play pinball machines all night long.

19. Art District Brewery

Have you ever been to a BARCADE? The positive vibes and great beer selection make this place a 5 star joint. Wash away the worries of work or an ending vacation with a brew and a game at the Art District Brewery. There’s a little something for everyone: Sports buffs will love their sports lounge and gamers will love their old-school arcade games. Bring cash for the machines!

20. Hiking LA

LA natives are all about #WildernessCulture. Hiking is our greatest form of exercise, so be sure to join in early on the weekends. Lace up your kicks and choose between Runyon Canyon (watch out for celebrities), Eaton Canyon, The Claremont 5 Mile Loop, and Escondido Canyon! There are many more but these are the ones I recommend for easy/moderate hiking. As Miley Cyrus sings ‘These are the moments you’ll remember most. It’s the climb!’

21. Walk Of Fame and Hollywood

Everyone in the world knows that Hollywood is the epitome of glitz, glamor, and movie stars. If you’re a huge movie-buff, I suggest walking up and down the Walk Of Fame and seeing the TCL Theater entrance. You’ll see stars like Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, Alfred Hitchcock, Harry Potter and even Winnie The Pooh. Be sure to bring cash to take photos with the costumed characters that walk up and down the Walk Of Fame.

If you’re really interested, you can even book a movie stars’ homes tour !  I did this when I was little and am dying to do it again since I’ve actually heard of some actors and actresses now! Something still on my LA bucket list.

Another tour worth checking out: the 75 minute behind the scenes Hollywood walking tour ! Explore Hollywood’s landmark theaters, stroll along the “Walk of Fame”, see the famous Hollywood sign, and learn about the past 100 years of Hollywood history!

22. Last Bookstore

Hi Book Lovers! Snuggle up at the Last Bookstore and enjoy the cozy ambiance. You’ll meet other book-lovers and gab all day over the newest books. They divide their sections by genre and have rows and rows of every kind of book imaginable. There’s no better way to describe it than a whimsical labyrinth of books!

23. Catch a Baseball game

LA has a fierce rivalry between the LA Dodgers and the LA Anaheim Angels, but whichever game you attend, you’ll have a great time. Sit down with a Dodger Dog, a beer, and enjoy America’s past-time. The best part about enjoying a baseball game in California is that you can enjoy the sunshine!

24. Disneyland

Get your Mickey Ears on because the most magical place in the world is only a 30 minute drive from Downtown LA! Visiting Disneyland is an all-day event, so plan accordingly. Kids and adults alike will have the time of their lives here riding the rides and enjoying Disneyland’s magical foods!

Quick Disney Tips: Stay to watch the World of Color, try the Clam Chowder Bread bowl in New Orleans Square, and collect fast passes for all your favorite rides first thing in the morning!

25. Take A Day Trip To Palm Springs

Only an hour away, Palm Springs is the quirkiest desert town that has a rich Hollywood history. The greatest Hollywood Starlets from the golden age of Hollywood have vacationed here. From Frank Sinatra to Dean Martin to Loretta Young, you’ll be walking through history when you walk through the historic downtown. Palm Springs is famous for it’s nightlife, desert dinosaur museums, and delicious restaurants like ‘Las Casuelas.’ Take a whole day to visit Palm Springs!

See more things to do in LA here.

While you’ll need a week or so in the city to exhaust this list, it’s possible to see a whole lot in just one day in LA .  I can promise you that!

If you want to make sure you hit all the highlights, I highly recommend this LA small group sightseeing tour .   See the historic buildings in the downtown area and mega mansions in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. Drive along the Sunset Strip and experience the good life on Venice Beach.  Just a few of the many many stops you’ll make on this day tour.  Plus, you won’t get lost! Double bonus!

Other posts you might like:

A Weekend in Sunny Southern California

The Best Way to Spend a Day in LA

The Mini Guide to Mendocino, Northern California

The Ultimate Weekend Guide to Half Moon Bay

7 Spectacular Day Trips from San Francisco

The First Timer’s Guide to San Francisco

The Ultimate San Francisco Food Bucket List

Further Reading and Resources for a Trip to Los Angeles:

Los Angeles is a very popular destination, and because of that, there’s certainly some very valuable resources to read when planning your trip.  A few of my favorite resources include:

• Fodor’s Guide to L.A. , which gives you a complete guide to the area and surrounding areas, including Disneyland and Orange County (2 other spots you should definitely check out)
• The Lonely Planet Los Angeles, San Diego, and Southern California Guide , which is great for finding things to do in LA, places to eat, and places to stay
• A US road atlas if you’ll be roadtripping to Los Angeles! You never know when you might lose service on your GPS!
• Discover Los Angeles page , the official tourism website of the area, which will give you lots more sound advice and will be able to answer so many of your questions
• Viator and GetYourGuide for a plethora of additional activity suggestions while in town, just make sure to search for LA!
• 20 Best Things to do in LA via US News
• Thrillist’s  LA Bucket List: 45 Things to do Before you Die

Tips for Getting the Right Accommodation for Your Budget

Whether your budget is quite large or you’re hoping to visit with minimal expenses, finding the best deal on accommodation is super important.  One of the most important parts of travel planning, actually!

• If hotels are your thing, I highly suggest you check out HotelsCombined in order to find the best deal.  Unlike many other booking websites, they scour the web for the best deal from a multitude of booking sites all in one place.  You can be sure you’re getting the best price.   Try them out and see !
• Prefer an apartment?  I highly recommend you take a look at AirBnB .  You can choose from entire homes, apartments, or private rooms – depending on your preference.  AirBnB has the greatest number of options and are usually less expensive than staying a hotel.   Sign up with this link and you can earn $40 off your next stay!
• Last minute travel plans?  Check out Hotel Tonight to score a last-minute hotel stay!  Use my promo code JKLEINER for a free $25 towards your first booking.
• HI Santa Monica Hostel  – I stayed here and LOVED it! Right next to the beach!
• Banana Bungalow Hollywood
• Samesun Venice Beach

Have you been to LA before?!  What would you add to this list?

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Los Angeles Travel Guide — 3-Day Itineraries for Hollywood fans, Thrill-Seekers, and Avid Sightseers

Los Angeles has loads to keep you entertained! Besides Hollywood, the city has many famous beaches and thrilling theme parks to boot. Our three-day Los Angeles Travel Guide suggests three ways to explore the city, and 21 things to see-do-eat too!

There’s something about Los Angeles (LA) that sparks excitement. It’s glitzy, it’s glamourous… it’s Entertainment Capital of the World for good reason! So despite the severe jet lag, I was wildly excited when I stumbled off the plane, feverishly fantasising: Will I meet a celebrity? Will I get discovered by Hollywood?  Will I become famous? 

The short answer is no. None of those dreams came true. Yet, I wasn’t too disappointed. I found myself too busy enjoying LA’s attractions to chase after stardom. After all, LA is packed with many sun-kissed beaches, fascinating museums, and (of course!) the star-studded Hollywood industry.

But with so much to see in LA, it can get daunting when you have limited time. To help you out, o ur Los Angeles Travel Guide provides three sample itineraries based on your interests. We’ve  also included 21 things to eat, see and do so you’d never get bored in LA!

Pre-trip Essentials

Connectivity: We shared a 4G pocket WiFi , which you can use instantly once you arrive in LA, and connect up to five devices.

Getting around LA:  Purchase a TAP card from any Metro station for US$2 (~S$2.70). Thereafter, you can add a one-day Pass for US$7 (~S$9.50), which can be used on all Metro services.

GO LA Card:  This nifty all-inclusive card grants you admission to over 30 LA attractions for one low price, with one to seven-day flexi options. The GO LA Card can only be used from 9:30AM – 5:30PM, but you can stay at the attraction past that timing. All you need to do is scan the card on your phone, and you’re in!

3-Day Los Angeles Itineraries

The GO LA Card includes entry to a diverse range of attractions from theme parks to museums, and guided tours around film studios or celebrity homes. We’ve drawn up three-day Los Angeles itineraries for these categories: Hollywood fans, thrill-seekers, and avid sightseers. Attractions listed with asterisks (*) are covered by the GO LA Card.

1) Hollywood Fans

Highlights: Sony Pictures Studio Tour* — Universal Studios Hollywood* — Warner Bros. Studio Tour* — Griffith Observatory

2) Thrill-seekers

Highlights: Six Flags Magic Mountain* — Universal Studios Hollywood* — Pacific Park*

3) Avid Sightseers

Highlights: Whale Watching Cruise at San Pedro* — OUE Skyspace* — Warner Bros. Studio Tour* — Madame Tussauds*

21 Things to See-Do-Eat in LA

If you’re staying for longer or want a greater variety of activities, ths Los Angeles Travel Guide has listed more exciting places, fun activities and lip-smacking eats to spruce up your LA adventure! 

What to See in LA

1) hollywood boulevard.

Photo credit: LA Insider Tours

One of LA’s most popular sites, Hollywood Boulevard features dazzling attractions that line the short road like the iconic Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and cement hand and footprints of famous celebrities.

How to get there: Take the Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Vine Station.

*Pro-tip:  Avoid taking photos with costumed people who roam around Hollywood Boulevard. They’ll “ask” for a tip afterwards, sometimes starting from US$10 (~S$13.60).

2) Venice Beach

Photo credit: Sergio Ruiz

Venice Beach is the perfect place to get that golden tan and soak in the chill vibes. There’s plenty to explore along the gorgeous stretch, from the famous Muscle Beach where bodybuilders work out, to quirky shops along the Broadwalk and the nearby Santa Monica Beach.

How to get there: From Downtown LA, take bus 33 from Spring/7th bus stop to Main/Grand bus stop.

3) OUE Skyspace LA

The OUE Skyspace is the tallest observation deck in LA, and is hands-down a must-go to capture breathtaking vantage views of the city.

Entrance Fee: US$25 (~S$33.80,  free with GO LA Card) Opening Hours: 10AM – 10PM How to get there:  Take the Metro Line to 7th St/Metro Center station, then walk 500m.

4) LA County Museum of Art

Chris Burden’s Urban Light installation. Photo credit: U.S. News

The world-class LA County Museum of Art houses thousands of international art pieces, including brilliant works from Picasso and Andy Warhol.

Entrance Fee: US$25 (~S$33.80) Opening Hours: Varies How to get there:  Take the Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland station, then take bus 217 to Fairfax/Wilshire, and walk 320m.

5) Griffith Observatory

Seeing stars doesn’t just refer to celebrities; Actual stars count too! Located on Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory is a massive observatory. It offers telescopes for public use, an impressive planetarium, and panoramic views of the city and the Hollywood sign.

Entrance Fee: Free Opening Hours: 12PM – 10PM (Tue – Fri), opens 10AM on weekends, closed on Mon How to get there:  Take the Metro Red Line to Vermont/Sunset station, then take the DASH Observatory bus .

6) Natural History Museum of LA

Showcasing dinosaurs, mammals, and even human and Neanderthal skeletons, nature lovers are in for a fun time at LA’s Natural History Museum .

Entrance Fee:  US$15 (~S$20.30,  free with GO LA Card) Opening Hours:  9:30AM – 5PM How to get there: Take the Metro Expo Line to Expo Park/USC station, then walk 160m.

7) Battleship IOWA Museum

Ever wondered how the inside of a naval warship looks like, or what the naval flags mean? The Battleship IOWA Museum answers your curiosity. Open to the public, you’ll embark on a fascinating self-guided tour around the historical battleship that was used in WWII, the Korean War, and the Cold War.

Entrance Fee: US$19.95 (~S$27, free with GO LA Card) Opening Hours: 10AM – 5PM (Last entry 4PM) How to get there: Take the Metro Silver Line to Beacon/1st station, then walk 320m.

Things to Do in LA

8) disneyland.

This Los Angeles travel guide loves everything Disney so Disneyland  (and its “big sister” Disney California Adventure ) can’t be missed. Once you enter, you’ll find yourself immersed in elaborate themed worlds with exciting rides and fantastical parades. Don’t forget to have your happy ending with a wonderful fireworks show!

Cost: From ~S$147 Opening Hours: Varies How to get there:  Take bus 460 from Spring/7th bus stop in Downtown LA.

Read also:   The Ultimate Disneyland California Guide for Tourists in 1 Day — Discounted Tickets and 25 Hacks to Maximising Your Experience

9) Cruise Around in San Pedro

When you tire of the city, sail out to open waters! The LA Waterfront Cruises offers enjoyable daily harbour cruises, and whale watching tours (weekends only).

We went on the whale watching tour, hoping to spot migrating grey whales. Although we didn’t manage to see any, we had a great time watching many playful dolphins porpoising near our boat.

We recommend calling ahead to make a reservation as walk-ins are based on availability.

Cost: From US$30 (~S$40.60,  free with GO LA Card) Cruise Timings: Harbour cruis e varies ; Whale watching tour operates at 10AM, 12:30PM, and 3PM How to get there: Take the Metro Silver Line to Beacon/1st station, then walk 1.1km to the ticketing office.

10) Warner Bros. Studio Tour

You wouldn’t really know how heavy an Oscar is (3.8kg!) until you hold it.

One of my personal favourites from this Los Angeles Travel Guide; This is a must-do for anyone enamoured with Hollywood!

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour  brings you behind the silver screen to discover over 90 years of movie magic. Wicked highlights include touring working sets and soundstages, learning interesting facts about the Hollywood industry, and even holding a real Oscar trophy!

Cost: US$69 (~S$93.40, free with GO LA Card) Tour Timings: 12PM or 2PM ( call in advance to make reservations) How to get there:  Take the Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland station, then take bus 222.

11) Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Clowning around like Charlie Chaplin is a specialty of ours.

If you’re determined to meet celebrities, Madame Tussauds is the next best (legal) option. You can take fun photos with numerous wax figures of celebrities and musicians from different eras like Charlie Chaplin, Elvis Presley and Lady Gaga.

Entrance fee: US$30.95 (~S$42,  free with GO LA Card) Opening   Hours: 10AM – 8PM, closes 10PM on weekends (may vary ) How to get there:  Take the Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland station, then walk 320m.

12) Hike to the Hollywood Sign

It’s easy to admire the iconic Hollywood Sign from afar, but hiking to it is a whole new experience that you won’t forget or regret! Once you’ve reached the top, you’ll be rewarded with an vast, sweeping view of LA — well-worth the time and effort.

There are three routes of varying difficulties to the sign. For us, we went on the shortest but hardest route: the  Wonder View Trail . It was a challenging uphill hike, but doable with  the right gear.

13) Universal Studios Hollywood

A magical must-do for movie fans and theme park lovers alike! Universal Studios Hollywood dunks you into the worlds of Harry Potter and Despicable Me (to name a few), where you can pick out your wands or dance with Minions. There’s also the world-famous studio tour that brings you on an interactive, behind-the-scenes journey of live studios and hair-raising simulations.

Cost:  US$129 (~S$175,  free  with the 3, 5 and 7-day GO LA Card) Opening Hours: Varies How to get there: Take the Metro Red Line to Universal City station, then cross the street and take a shuttle bus that runs every 10–15mins.

Read also:   Insider’s Guide to LA Theme Parks

14) Pacific Park

Located on Santa Monica pier, the carnival-like Pacific Park offers many gripping rides and game booths that will thrill all ages. While we recommend getting an unlimited ride wristband as it’s much more worthwhile than buying individual ride tickets. Go forth and ride on!

Do note that some rides may be closed during low season (Nov – Feb).

Cost: US$32.95 (~S$44.60,  free with GO LA Card) Opening Hours:   Varies How to get there:  Take the Metro Expo Line to Downtown Santa Monica station, then walk 800m.

Places to Eat in LA

15) hard rock cafe.

You don’t have to be a rock ‘n roll fan to enjoy classic American grub at Hard Rock Cafe ! We got a meal voucher that includes the full deal: A burger/sandwich, drink, dessert as well as tips and gratuities. Big eaters can go for the Atomic Burger and Guinness Cheeseburger, both of which were incredibly juicy, tender, and huge.

Cost: ~S$44 Opening Hours: 11AM – 11PM, closes 12AM on Fri and Sat How to get there:  Take the Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland station, then walk 140m.

16) Grand Central Market

A historical landmark in Downtown LA, the Grand Central Market parallels an exciting buffet that will leave you spoilt for choice with its wide variety of international cuisines. We recommend having Salvadoran pupusas, a thick tortilla stuffed with delicious toppings like beans and cheese (US$3.65, ~S$5) — something you’d hardly find in Singapore! 

Opening Hours: 8AM – 10PM How to get there: Take the Metro to Pershing Square station, then walk 100m.

17) San Pedro Fish Market

The San Pedro Fish Market is well-known for its world-famous shrimp tray (starts from US$39, ~S$53). No lies here — it’s a literal tray stacked with freshly-cooked shrimps and vegetables in butter and herbs. If that isn’t enough, you can add a huge slab of garlic bread to soak up the leftover sauces.

Opening Hours: 8AM – 8PM How to get there:  Take the Metro Silver Line to Beacon/1st station, then walk 1.3km.

18) In-N-Out Burgers

When in California, you’ve just got to eat at In-N-Out Burgers . It’s quinteseential in this Los Angeles travel guide! This Californian fast food chain is renowned for its inexpensive burgers, and animal-style sauce (a savoury concoction of secret sauce, cheese, onions and grilled pickles). If you’re feeling adventurous, order the interesting stuff from their not-so-secret menu !

Cost: From US$2.10 (~S$2.85) Opening Hours: 10:30AM – 1AM, closes 1:30AM on Fri and Sat How to get there: Take the Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland station, then walk 650m (and other locations ).

19) La Isla Bonita

Nearby Venice Beach sits La Isla Bonita , a famous taco truck that serves cheap eats like tacos and burritos. Their ceviche tostadas (US$3, ~S$4.10) is said to be the best in LA, and was refreshingly delicious on a warm day. You probably won’t catch Madonna flamenco dancing here, though.

Cost: US$2 – US$8 (~S$2.70 – ~S$10.90) Opening Hours: 11:30AM – 6PM, closed on Thu How to get there:  Take bus 33 from Spring/7th bus stop in Downtown LA to Main NB & Sunset FS bus stop, then walk 500m.

20) Bruxie 

Nothing screams soul food louder than some good ol’ fried chicken and waffles! Bruxie  serves up a crispy Original Chicken Waffle Sandwich (US$10.50, ~S$14.30) that’s both heavenly and sinful.

Cost: US$8.45 – US$21.95 (~S$11.50 – ~S$29.80) Opening Hours: 10AM – 9PM (Mon – Thu), 10AM – 10PM (Fri – Sat), 9AM – 9PM (Sun) How to get there: Take the Metro Expo Line to Downtown Santa Monica station, then walk 650m.

21) Dirt Dog

Imagine a jacked-up version of the American hot dog — that’s what Dirt Dog dishes out! The small eatery turns the simple street fare into a flavourful medley of soft breads, freshly-grilled sausages, and generous toppings like fries and chili.

Cost: From US$6.50 – US$8.50 (~S$8.80 – ~S$11.50) Opening Hours: 10:30AM – 10PM, closes 11PM from Thu – Sat How to get there: Take the Metro Expo Line to LATTC/Ortho Institute station, then walk 320m.

The Best Way to Experience Los Angeles

LA is packed with gorgeous scenery and riveting adventures like Universal Studios Hollywood and OUE Skyspace. However, you don’t need to blow a hole in your wallet to experience the glitz and glamour of the city. We got a  GO LA Card , which included access to many of LA’s attractions, and visited eight attractions in three days. Compared to paying at the gate, we saved a total of ~US$40 with this card.

We got even more bang for our buck when we purchased our cards via Klook , which saved us an extra ~10%! On top of the huge discounts the card already has, it’s pretty worthwhile if you ask us.

The GO LA Card helped us save time as it allowed priority access to some attractions. We skipped queues and headed straight into the attraction after scanning the cards on our phones. The card also offers users flexibility like open-dated theme park tickets — perfect for those who want some spunk and spontaneity on their trip!

Do note that some attractions like the Warner Bros. Studio Tour require prior reservation, so we recommend booking these activities in advance. In the meantime, you can visit other attractions that don’t require them.

As we packed up and readied to leave LA for our road trip to San Francisco , I felt a twinge of sadness. Not only were we leaving one of the world’s most prominent cities that gave us such fond memories, I was leaving without being discovered by Hollywood and becoming famous. 😢 I’ll just have to continue writing for The Travel Intern instead of signing autographs (I’m kidding, please don’t fire me).

We hope our travel guide is helpful in planning your LA trip. Maybe your luck will be better than mine, and you’ll spot a celebrity or two!

Did we miss out on anything in our Los Angeles Travel Guide? Tell us in the comments below!

This post was brought to you by Klook .

For more travel inspiration, follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram , Telegram and YouTube .

  A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Aug 14, 2018 at 3:08am PDT

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Thank you for recommending interesting places! I will be here in just two days, but I will have a rental car for this, I hope to visit as many places as possible

I found the best travel guide to Los angels Thanks for informative Blog!

I have just been to LA for ten days last September and I’m definitely going back next year. There’s just so much to see and do. There really is something for everyone.

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The Top 14 THINGS TO DO in LOS ANGELES in 2024

Brie Greenhalgh Last Updated: October 26, 2023

Los Angeles, the City of Angels, where the sun is usually shining, the palm trees are swaying, and the traffic is crazy. Los Angeles, or LA, forever holds a top spot for west coast destinations. You can watch for celebrities, visit iconic landmarks, enjoy an afternoon on the beach, or book one of many tours to learn more about this rich and diverse city. Get to know Los Angeles with our list of things to do in LA.

Top 14 Things To Do, See, And Eat In Los Angeles California

You can get lost wandering endless shopping malls, strolling beachfront paths, or exploring museums. You’ll also find some of the most amazing boutique and one-of-a-kind hotels here. Since “LA” is a huge area, you’ll probably end up exploring beyond Los Angeles city since it’s centrally located. Southeast of LA, you can head to Disneyland or Huntington Beach. Malibu is off to the west, but you can also find things to do in Pasadena, Studio City, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, and many more suburbs.

You can explore the Getty Museum, Griffiths Observatory, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Hollywood Walk of Fame, La Brea Tar Pits, and on and on. There’s an infinite number of things to do in LA, which makes it hard to narrow down our list. Check out this starter list of fun and unusual things to do in LA.

14. Get Lost In The Original Farmers Market

On the west side of LA near the swanky Grove Mall, you’ll find a permanent farmers market. It’s full of restaurants, grocery stores, gifts, jewelry, clothing, specialty stores, and much more. Don’t go home with a cheap trinket from a souvenir shop when you can look for a special or custom treasure in this amazing farmers market.

Fill your belly with barbecue, sushi, churros, gumbo, or tacos to keep your strength up as you meander through row after row of shops.

Address: 6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA

13. Delight Your Taste Buds At Wax Paper Chinatown

You won’t regret trying one of these unique, masterpiece sandwiches at Wax Paper. It’s a culinary experience in carefully paired flavor explosions to surprise your palette. Try the Ira Glass as a starter or jump right into the Garth Trinidad paired with a Dole Whip float or cold brew coffee.

As a bonus, this fresh cafe is located in Chinatown, so you can grab lunch and explore the sights and sounds of a unique cultural area in LA.

Address: 736 N Broadway STE 106, Los Angeles, CA

12. Go Back In Time At The Madcap Motel

Travel “Elsewhere” at the Madcap Motel. It’s not a motel but an experience of other dimensions. Part alien, part 50s diner, part bizarre and weird. But totally magical and surprising. The best way to experience this inter-dimensional interactive exhibit is to leave all expectations at the door—but not your phone! You’ll want pics of all the weird and wonderful things you’ll find here.

Most of all, make sure to interact with the hosts and characters you meet along the way. They’ll make your exploration of this time capsule all the more fun as they spin the story line of the art around you.

Address: 940 East 4th St, Los Angeles, CA

11. Chill At Santa Monica Beach

A trip to LA isn’t complete without a stop at the beach. Santa Monica State Beach remains one of the most popular beaches close to Los Angeles since it has long stretches of wide, sandy beaches. Dip your toes into the Pacific Ocean, collect seashells, and watch for roving pods of dolphins in the distance.

When you’re ready for a little action, head over to the Santa Monica Pier. You’ll find the iconic Ferris wheel waiting to take you for a sunset ride, carnival games to impress your partner with your skills, and food options to satisfy your cravings. To get to the beach, make your way towards Santa Monica and get onto the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). You’ll find $10, all-day parking lots all along the beachfront.

Address: Santa Monica Beach

10. Watch A Concert At The Hollywood Bowl

There’s just no place like this historic amphitheater. Since 1922, big names like the Beatles and Yo-Yo Ma to John Williams and Radiohead have performed here. It seats 17,500 people, and you can even bring your own wine and snacks for the evening—an unusual and welcome option!

The shell has been redesigned a few times to offer listeners the best acoustics possible. Check the upcoming performance list to catch a live singalong or concert by your favorite artist.

Address: 2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA

9. Stay At An Inspiring, Art-Filled Hotel

As part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Hotel Figueroa captures the ambiance and luxury of a high-end hotel that delights in sharing the wonders of art and architecture with its guests. Every corner you turn in this richly decorated hotel will keep you inspired and wowed. Each item is tastefully selected to compliment the energy of the room and hearkens back to its original Spanish design—but with a modern upgrade.

We also love the tranquil outdoor pool and the amazing restaurants and bars located in this luxurious hote l. As a bonus, it’s centrally located downtown just three minutes from the Staples Center, seven minutes from the Fashion District, and across the street from the LA Live Entertainment Complex.

Location, photos, and booking

8. Try The Burrito Challenge At El Tepeyac Cafe

Mexican food is a staple diet of Californians. Some of the best Mexican restaurants keep their recipes simple and pure without all the extra fluff of micro greens and fusion flavors. That’s why we love El Tepeyac Cafe. It’s rich, hearty, food with huge portions.

Which brings us to their claim to fame: the Manuel Special. It’s a gut-busting burrito that brings grown men to their knees trying to finish the massive, tasty, burrito filled with flavor and calories. Since it’s a menu favorite, we won’t judge if you want to order it and share with friends. You won’t regret it.

Address: 812 N Evergreen Ave, Los Angeles, CA

7. Stop In At The New Museum-Like Apple Store

The original 1927 Tower Theatre lives on as a new flagship Apple Store in downtown LA. This stunning architectural masterpiece has been thoughtfully redesigned to house an Apple Store while keeping the original structures, architecture, and gallery seats. It just opened this summer and is already making waves.

You can test drive Apple iPods, iPhones, and other tech at their immersive learning centers. If you’re an Apple fan, or you just love stunning old buildings, make sure to stop in and see how they’ve renovated this beautiful old soul.

Address: 802 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA

6. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth At Wanderlust Creamery

Here at Wanderlust, they encourage trying as many flavors as possible to enjoy the delightful options they create. You can combine half scoops of ice creams to pack more flavors into your cup or cone. We definitely recommend the ube cone though. What sets Wanderlust apart from other ice cream shops is their recipes inspired by international cuisines. With a scoop of each flavor, you’re transported from Britain to Thailand, the Philippines, or Brazil.

These flavors have a lighter sweetness than traditional rich American ice cream, and you may notice it tastes more subtle, but both are also odes to how many other countries create their sweet treats. The sticky rice and mango creation is a top favorite, however, don’t be afraid to try their limited seasonal flavors too!

Address: 609 Lincoln Blvd suite b, Venice, CA ; or near Beverly Hills 7920 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA

5. Book A Haunted Ghost Tour Of The Queen Mary Ship

Have you heard of the huge ocean liner docked at Long Beach? The Queen Mary is a functioning hotel complete with state rooms and dining services that transport you back to life in the early 1900s. What’s even more fun is that you can book a haunted ghost tour to explore the paranormal events on this mysterious ship.

Time Magazine calls it one of the top ten most haunted destinations, so if you book this tour, you’ll be led by a paranormal expert to areas that are off limits to other ship guests to find where these spirits lurk. Or you can book a fun interactive dinner with the spirits. There are half a dozen kinds of tours available on this cool ship, which is why it’s a top thing to do in LA.

Address: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA

4. Wander The CityWalk At Universal Studios

Just north of LA in Universal City, you’ll find the one and only Universal Studios. After you spend the day enjoying the theme parks of Harry Potter , Despicable Me , or Fast and Furious , head over to the CityWalk. It’s a small outdoor walking mall filled with shops, restaurants, live concert stages, and a movie theater. (Of course, since it’s Universal.) We like heading here in the evenings when bands set up on the stages to entertain shoppers.

Grab dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and check out the unbelievable collection of memorabilia they have. Alternatively, you can eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp for a good old-fashioned fish fry. Then be sure to stop at IT’SUGAR where you can stock up on bulk candy of every kind.

Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA

4. Join The Venice Electric Light Parade

If you’re in LA over the weekend, we highly recommend joining in the fun with Marcus, the founder of the Venice Electric Light Parade. The cool summer evenings of coastal southern California are the perfect way to spend an evening on a bike, which is what inspired Marcus to start this Sunday evening tradition. Anyone can join in the parade with their bike or scooter—lights not required.

But if you want to go all in, then click here to reserve one of his totally rad bikes and rent a bike and get some extra swag. It’s a fun, family-friendly way to enjoy a sunset ride along the Venice and Santa Monica biking path, complete with throwback 80s and 90s music and LED lights.

If you bring your own bike, you can meet them at the Windward Plaza near the flag poles (double check the most up-to-date info on their Facebook page ), otherwise you’ll receive instructions of where to pick up your bike when you rent it.

Address: 1 Windward Ave, Venice, CA

2. Wander The Trails At Griffith Park

High above the city, you’ll find miles of hiking, running, and equestrian trails in Griffith Park. As one of the largest urban parks in the U.S., it’s the perfect place to get some exercise and enjoy a sunrise or sunset over the LA basin. But that’s not all.

This area is also home to the Los Angeles Zoo, the Greek Theatre, the Autry National Center, the Travel Town museum, and the infamous Hollywood Sign. Oh, not to mention the incredible Griffith Observatory. Locals also take advantage of the tennis courts, soccer fields, golf courses, and other activities. Basically, you’ll find plenty of things to do in this amazing urban park. The trick will be deciding what to do first.

Address: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA

1. Explore The Warner Brothers Studios

Warner Brothers Studio is home to some of the most iconic street backgrounds of all time. Their backlot sets have been used in countless movies and shows, such as Bewitched, Lethal Weapon, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, WandaVision, and many, many more. Beyond that, the studio tour takes you through interactive exhibits, iconic sets like The Big Bang Theory , and several walk-through exhibits featuring DC superheroes, Harry Potter, and others.

Be sure to check out the more deluxe tours where you can explore their prop shop and the stunning Edith Head costume shop. It’s worth every extra penny.

Address: 461 S California St, Burbank, CA

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

With Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica nearby, there are no shortage of great places to stay in the Los Angeles area. Use our guide to help you decide which hotel to book on your trip to LA.

About Brie Greenhalgh

Writer, editor, teacher, hiker, traveler, dreamer. With a book or pen in hand and a majestic sunset on the horizon, life is never short of fulfilling moments for Brie. She has a background in history and writing, and enjoys writing and editing for BobVila.com, The Tour Guy, and her own business.

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33 Best Things to Do in LA

Los Angeles has an exhaustive array of fun things to do, from the family-friendly La Brea Tar Pits and the must-visit Natural History Museum to a behind-the-scenes studio tour at Universal Studios or Warner Bros. Out-of-towners love the palm-lined

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Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park free

Griffith Observatory sits on the south face of Mount Hollywood and overlooks the Los Angeles basin. Its location gives visitors impressive views of the surrounding area, which many rave about. But there's more than just a pretty photo-op here. The observatory hosts fascinating exhibitions and features a top-notch planetarium.

Most recent visitors cited the beautiful setting as Griffith Observatory's main draw, though the free entry was certainly a bonus. However, you will have to pay between $6 and $10 to see the planetarium shows. A gift shop and cafe can be found on-site as well. For information about parking, public transportation and other information to plan your visit, check out Griffith Observatory's  website .

The Getty Center The Getty Center free

The Getty Center is one of the most impressive architectural achievements in the United States – and it also contains some of the finest works of art in the world. The circular concrete-and-steel structure was designed by renowned architect Richard Meier, and it houses an abundance of art from various ages and nations. Here you'll find Renaissance paintings, 20th-century American photography, Baroque sculptures, historic manuscripts and more, all housed inside a sprawling, modern campus amid the Santa Monica Mountains. The museum also offers spectacular views of Los Angeles on clear days.

Recent travelers loved the museum for its vast collection and beautiful grounds and views, with some stating that they enjoyed the tram ride to get to the museum. Many visitors suggest taking a guided tour, noting that the volunteer guides were very knowledgeable. Tours of the Getty Center's architecture and gardens are available, as well as a Collection Highlights tour and tours of art in specific eras. Tour times and days vary depending on tour type. Check the Getty Center's website for a complete calendar . Visitors can also download the GettyGuide app for self-guided tours.

Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre free

U.S. News Insider Tip: In this area, you'll find people dressed as celebrities and Hollywood characters, such as Spiderman, Shrek, Marilyn Monroe and Darth Vader. Have some cash on hand as a tip if you want to take photos with any of them. –  Sharael Kolberg, Contributor, Travel

One of Hollywood's most iconic and memorable sites, the TCL Chinese Theatre (originally Grauman's Chinese Theatre) opened in 1927 and represents the excess of Hollywood's Golden Age. You can take a 30-minute walking tour of the theater for $16; tours are offered daily at multiple times. Because of this attraction's popularity, it's best to reserve your spot online in advance. This working theater also shows various newly released films throughout the year.

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Santa Monica Pier and Beach Santa Monica Pier and Beach free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Don't miss trying the classic (and yummy!) funnel cake, a kind of fried waffle topped with powdered sugar and your choice of toppings, such as strawberries, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, whipped cream and ice cream. They are big enough to share. –  Sharael Kolberg, Contributor, Travel

West of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica contains one of the most legendary beach scenes in the United States. It also boasts an abundance of great restaurants and excellent nightlife spots. Its more than 3 miles of shoreline are renowned as some of the best in the area thanks to the soft sands, ideal weather and bevy of attractions. "State Beach," as it's known, has more than 300 days of sunshine a year and acted as the backdrop for the popular TV series "Baywatch."

Zuma Beach Zuma Beach free

Malibu has a reputation for excessive wealth and exclusivity, yet all of the town's beaches are public – everyone's welcome. If you're seeking an LA beach spot for sunbathing and swimming, look no further than Zuma. This 1.8-mile beach is far cleaner than those at Santa Monica or Venice Beach .

Malibu's Zuma Beach is considered one of the finest beaches in the Los Angeles area. Locals and tourists laud Zuma for its awesome waves, ample parking and easy access to beachside snacks. Plus, there are a plethora of lifeguard stations and bathroom facilities. Beach wheelchairs and a beach mat (from April to October) are also available.

Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard free

One of the most iconic thoroughfares in the United States, Sunset Boulevard continues to live up to its legend. In the old days, it represented the classic and glamorous Hollywood lifestyle and became the setting of several famous films, including the obvious classic "Sunset Boulevard." Today, the palm-lined street (which connects downtown LA to Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the Pacific Coast Highway) retains its cinematic appeal, and the Sunset Strip portion has become a popular nightlife spot. The strip is also home to many classic music venues, including the Rainbow Bar & Grill and The Roxy Theatre .

Recent visitors loved driving along this famous boulevard, adding that gorgeous sunsets can be enjoyed during late afternoon drives. But like other parts of LA, this thoroughfare gets congested with traffic.

The Original Farmers Market and The Grove The Original Farmers Market and The Grove free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Kids will love riding the free, open-air, double-decker trolley that runs through The Grove and connects to The Original Farmers Market. It runs daily from 1 to 8:45 p.m. – Sharael Kolberg, Contributor, Travel

Sitting south of West Hollywood is one of LA's most beloved landmarks: The Original Farmers Market. Founded in 1934, this cream-colored facility reels in both residents and tourists with the promise of fresh produce and the aroma of ready-to-eat snacks. You can visit throughout the week, although hours vary depending on the day. Entry is free, but you'll want to have some cash on hand should any of the treats whet your appetite. You can park for free for up to 90 minutes at the market's two lots, provided that your ticket is validated at the market. (Fees apply for parking after the allotted 90 minutes and for non-validated tickets.) For a little help navigating the market, you can also take a guided foodie tour  (one of the best California tours ).

Los Angeles County Museum of Art Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Next door to the La Brea Tar Pits sits the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the linchpin of the Los Angeles museum district. Since its 1965 opening, LACMA has showcased thousands of pieces, from Islamic artifacts to European impressionist paintings to modern art. With constantly shifting exhibitions and unique architecture, LACMA offers a rewarding experience for both serious art buffs and casual travelers.

Currently, the museum is constructing a new building for its permanent collection, called the David Geffen Galleries, which is scheduled to open in 2024. For now, pieces will be on display in the BCAM and the Resnick Pavilion. The Urban Light and Levitated Mass exhibits remain open to visitors. There is a restaurant and grab-and-go eatery on-site. Many visitors appreciated both the indoor and outdoor art exhibits and were impressed with the size of the collection of modern and contemporary art.

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The Broad The Broad free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Two of the most popular exhibits that have blown up on social media are Yayoi Kusama's "Infinity Mirror Rooms." You have to book tickets online for timed entry to these exhibits, but they are free and include general museum admission. – Sharael Kolberg, Contributor, Travel

Philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad founded The Broad museum in 2015 and the structure made for a stunning addition to downtown Los Angeles. The eye-catching, honeycomb building, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, is home to an expansive collection of contemporary art dating from the 1950s to the present. The collection includes works by Jean Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, Kara Walker and Andy Warhol. In addition to the permanent collection, temporary exhibits showcase new and emerging artists. The museum gets high marks from recent visitors who loved both the artwork and the architecture.

Runyon Canyon Park Runyon Canyon Park free

Just two blocks from Hollywood Boulevard, Runyon Canyon Park is an often-overlooked urban park that offers some great views. The park boasts several hiking trails and is a popular spot for celebrities to exercise. During your hike, you'll see plenty of palm trees. Atop the canyon, you'll be treated to sweeping views of the San Fernando Valley.

Hikers recommend bring plenty of water and going later in the day since it can get hot on the trails. Some recent visitors lamented the lack of facilities, while others raved about the views.

Paramount Pictures Studios Paramount Pictures Studios

Since 1912, Paramount Pictures Studios has showcased the talents of film's all-time heavyweights, including Mae West, Alfred Hitchcock, Eddie Murphy and Meryl Streep. The notable site has been home to everything from classic television shows like "I Love Lucy" to modern favorites like "Glee" to box-office hits like "Mission: Impossible" and "Titanic." Today, Paramount Pictures is the only remaining film studio in the Hollywood area.

For an authentic Hollywood experience, set aside some time to tour the grounds . On the 2-hour studio tour, a guide will take you around the site's 65 acres in a golf cart, and you'll also be able to hop off and explore sound stages and recognizable studio sets from many current TV shows and movies. Previous visitors praised the friendly and knowledgeable tour guides, although some felt the tours offered at Warner Bros. Studio were better. Also, keep in mind the tours' age restrictions. Studio and VIP tours permit visitors ages 10 and older.

Hollywood Bowl Hollywood Bowl

If you can catch a gig at the Hollywood Bowl , LA's beautiful amphitheater, don't pass it up. Since its inaugural season in 1922, this unique stage, set in the Hollywood Hills, has entertained thousands of fans and hosted some of the biggest names in music, including Stevie Wonder, Igor Stravinsky, Madonna, Elton John and Tina Turner.

Many travelers praise the Hollywood Bowl, touting everything from the sound quality to the scenic overlook. Several also add that all of the seats offer great views and suggest arriving early with a bottle of wine and a picnic basket.

Walt Disney Concert Hall Walt Disney Concert Hall free

This Frank Gehry-designed concert hall's curvaceous, stainless-steel façade is an imposing structure in downtown LA. The hall helped revive this particular section of downtown, which was once dominated by mundane office buildings and lackluster entertainment options. Now, nightlife and culture burgeon in the area and the concert hall is at the forefront. Music-loving travelers will want to catch one of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's performances here. (For ticket and price information, visit the Los Angeles Philharmonic's website .)

You don't have to invest in concert tickets to experience this performance venue: You can follow  a self-guided audio tour of the exterior and interior (though the actual concert auditorium is off-limits). Past visitors recommend the free hourlong audio tours; self-guided tours are also offered daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For a full tour schedule, visit The Music Center's website .

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Hollywood Homes Tours Hollywood Homes Tours

Once you've seen where the stars shop, where they eat, where they surf and where they party, you'll want to see where they live. A variety of Hollywood homes tours provide ample opportunities to spot homes owned by the rich and famous. You probably won't see the celebs themselves, but you can snap pics of the homes affiliated with A-listers like Sandra Bullock, Tom Cruise, Bruno Mars and Halle Berry. Also, expect to see facades that once housed the likes of Lucille Ball, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. Along with the stars' abodes, buses usually make stops at the Hollywood Walk of Fame , the Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive .

Some recent travelers were disappointed because many homes are at the end of long driveways or behind hedges. Be sure to check the weather for the day: Extreme heat or a sudden shower can put a damper on an open-top bus ride.

Rodeo Drive Rodeo Drive free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Stop for lunch at the hidden Mexican steakhouse, The Hideaway, on the subterranean level of the Rodeo Collection. – Sharael Kolberg, Contributor, Travel

Immortalized by Julia Roberts' "Pretty Woman" shopping spree, Rodeo Drive is an upscale shopping street in Beverly Hills that features world-class designer stores and small private boutiques. The area is popular with wealthy shoppers, sunglass-wearing celebrities and tourists hoping to see fashion icons.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Forever Cemetery free

As morbid as it may seem, your best chance of spotting a celebrity in LA is at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Here, you'll find the final resting places of Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, Judy Garland, Cecil B. DeMille and other stars who once worked at the adjacent Paramount Pictures Studios . Maps detailing the celebrities' gravesites are available at the cemetery's flower shop or on its website . A 2 ½-hour walking tour is also available starting at $25.

Recent visitors described the cemetery's quiet grounds as "peaceful," adding that the grounds are well-maintained. Some recommend doing a walking tour to learn the stories of famous people buried there. The venue also offers cultural events, such as outdoor classic film screenings, concerts and author evenings. Visit their events calendar to find out more.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

You could spend an entire day at this property that includes a research library with 11 million items, an art museum with more than 42,000 pieces and a 130-acre botanical gardens with more than 12 themed gardens. The Huntington opened in 1928 and is a nonprofit that provides humanities scholarships, fellowships, special exhibitions and hosts more than 800,000 visitors a year. Ongoing exhibitions feature items such as Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" manuscript, replicas of Pacific Electric Railway Company's "red cars," rock slab art in the Japanese Garden, contemporary art and so much more. There are also temporary exhibits that rotate regularly. The Botanical Gardens include themed gardens – such as the California garden, jungle garden, rose garden and Japanese garden – botanical living collections and is the site for botanical conservation and research. Most visitors enjoyed touring the gardens the most and said that the gardens alone can be a full-day excursion.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is open from Wednesdays to Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are recommended from Monday to Thursday and required for weekend visits.

Angeles National Forest Angeles National Forest

In about a half-hour, travelers can trade busy downtown LA for the serenity of nature at the Angeles National Forest. The almost 700,000-acre forest is an easily accessible place for locals and visitors to hike, bike, ski, ride horses, swim, fish and even camp. Encompassing the San Gabriel Mountains, terrain ranges from desert to dense forest. Perhaps one of the most visited sites is Mount San Antonio (nicknamed Mount Baldy), which is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains at 10,064 feet. There you will find a variety of hikes, from moderate to challenging. Recent visitors loved the views and found the range of trail options perfect for different types of hikers.

Visitors to the Angeles National Forest must purchase a National Forest Adventure Pass. It’s $5 for a daily pass or $30 for an annual pass; the pass is good at other national forests in the area. There are visitor and information centers in different areas of the forest, which offer general information, activities and educational events. Visit the forest's website for specific hours and details.

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La Brea Tar Pits La Brea Tar Pits

If your kids go crazy for dinosaurs – and really, what kid doesn't? – then a visit to La Brea Tar Pits is sure to be the highlight of their trip. Although the pits look like the set of a cheesy PG movie, hot tar has been bubbling from the earth at this spot along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile for about 50,000 years. And from the gooiest part of LA, more than 3.5 million fossils have been discovered. The adjoining museum houses many of the artifacts found at the tar pits; consequently, it is home to one of the largest collections of Ice Age fossils in the world. Recent visitors said the site was very educational and the amount of fossils was impressive.

The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, though it closes the first Tuesday of the month. The tar pits and the adjoining park are open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

California Science Center California Science Center free

A world of fun and exploration await kids, as well as curious adults, at the California Science Center. In the permanent "Ecosystems" exhibit, museumgoers will learn about everything from islands to rivers to forests across ten different zones via interactive displays. In "Life! Beginning," visitors learn about reproduction, mating and genes. Many recent visitors were impressed with the museum's "Air & Space" section that includes the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the Gemini 11 Capsule. An IMAX theater is also on-site. Recent visitors say the center is wonderful, lots of fun and especially great for kids.

The center is free to visit (including the Endeavour) though special exhibits and IMAX screenings incur a fee. Timed tickets for IMAX and special exhibits are required and can be purchased online .

Dodger Stadium Dodger Stadium

Baseball fans should enjoy a visit to Dodger Stadium, which is home to the LA Dodgers and is Major League Baseball's third oldest continually used park. The stadium is carved into Chavez Ravine and overlooks downtown LA to the south and the San Gabriel Mountains to the north, making this ballpark quite unique. If the Dodgers aren't playing when you're in town, you can still see the stadium on a guided tour. Tours of the 56,000-seat stadium last approximately 90 minutes. During the tour, visitors will learn about the stadium's history and may get to go on the field, look at the Dodger Dugout or peek into the Yaamava' Dugout Club (the VIP restaurant and lounge located behind home plate), which houses the team's World Series trophies and various other awards. Additional specialty tours, such as a Jackie Robinson tour, are also offered. Recent tour-goers say the guides are knowledgeable and engaging.

The Dodger Stadium Tour is offered on the hour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (on game days ) or 3 p.m. (on nongame days). Tickets cost $30 for adults and $25 for kids 14 and younger. Specialty tours are also available for varying fees. Parking is $25 in advance and $30 to $50 at the gate, with no in-and-out privileges and no refunds. Tickets to baseball games are seasonal and prices vary.

Greystone Mansion and Park Greystone Mansion and Park free

Greystone Mansion is one of the largest mansions in Beverly Hills and an important landmark for American cinema. The nearly 13-acre parcel of land was a wedding gift from oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny to his son, Ned, in 1926. Construction on the mansion began in 1927 and took almost three years to complete. Greystone now represents a golden age in American cinema. Many films, including "The Big Lebowski" and "Ghostbusters," and television shows like "General Hospital" and "Gilmore Girls" have been shot on these gothic-inspired grounds.

Visitors can walk around the property and self-guided tours of the inside of the mansion are offered monthly. Many visitors say Greystone Mansion has stunning grounds with picturesque views. Travelers describe the park grounds as spectacular and enjoy learning which of their favorite movies and shows used Greystone as a backdrop.

Venice Beach Venice Beach free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Rent an e-bike at the boardwalk and spend the day riding along "The Strand" (aka the Marvin Braude Bike Trail) to the Santa Monica Pier. Enjoy delicious Mexican dishes at MariaSol, which sits at the end of the pier. – Sharael Kolberg, Contributor, Travel

Developed in the early 20th century, Venice Beach is modeled – canals and all – after its  namesake city in Italy . Admittedly, the experiment didn't live up to its Italian inspiration, but the neighborhood has become distinctly Californian, embodying the spirit of the wealthy, the alternative and the just plain bizarre. Rather than towering churches and intimate pizzerias, you'll find canal-side mansions near funky boutiques and restaurants.

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Explore the Arts District in Downtown L.A. Explore the Arts District in Downtown L.A. free

If you're looking for a trendy hot spot, heed the advice of recent visitors and head to the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles. Formerly an urban artists' colony in the 1970s, the area is now filled with restaurants, cafes and bars serving creative cuisine and craft cocktails. Popular favorites include Angel City Brewery, Bestia, Girl & the Goat and EightyTwo, a bar that features vintage pinball and arcade machines. The neighborhood is also home to art galleries featuring a variety of genres showcasing inspiring art, art shops and art classes. One example is Art Share L.A., a 28,000-square-foot creative art space featuring community art classes, art exhibits and live performances.

According to past visitors, parking in this area can be challenging. Though there is street parking, it's limited. Travelers advise leaving your car in a public parking garage.

Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Studios Hollywood

One of the most popular attractions in the Los Angeles area, Universal Studios Hollywood features rides and amusements based on some of the most popular scenes and characters from film and television. You can take the tram Studio Tour past the creepy Bates Motel from "Psycho" and get caught up in a high-speed chase with the "Fast & Furious" cast. Kids can shake hands with cartoon favorites like The Minions and Scooby-Doo. Of course, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is another huge hit, as is Jurassic World – The Ride. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, a new attraction opened in 2023, features a Super Mario-themed ride, interactive games, a restaurant and shop.

If thrills are your thing, there are plenty of hair-raising coasters and rides. On Transformers: The Ride-3D, riders join Optimus Prime in his battle against the Decepticons; meanwhile, youngsters will love the 3D ride Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (complete with a Minion dance party).

Abbot Kinney Boulevard Abbot Kinney Boulevard free

Shoppers will love this retail mecca that stretches for a mile from Washington Boulevard to Main Street. Located a half-mile inland from Venice Beach , the boulevard features popular chain stores, such as Lululemon, Birkenstock and Warby Parker, as well as local boutique shops, including Ananda Venice, Satine and The Stronghold. In between shopping, stop for a bite to eat at The Butcher's Daughter, Plant Food + Wine or Gjelina. Or, plan your visit for the first Friday of every month, when starting at 5 p.m. dozens of food trucks serve up casual craft meals along the street.

Recent visitors suggested you stroll along Abbot Kinney Boulevard if you're in the Venice Beach area, praising its hip collection of boutiques and restaurants. In addition to the shops and eateries, reviewers also admired the colorful murals and street art. 

Grand Central Market Grand Central Market free

U.S. News Insider Tip: For something fun and unique near the market, check out the Angels Flight Railway. Built in 1901, the funicular takes passengers between Hill Street and Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill. One-way tickets cost $1. – Sharael Kolberg, Contributor, Travel

Grand Central Market, or foodie heaven according to visitors, is located in downtown Los Angeles by the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad . The venue features high ceilings and an open layout, with food vendor stalls offering different cuisines that represent cultures from the Los Angeles area and beyond. The market has been in operation since 1917 and serves everything from coffee and pressed juices to deli fare, egg sandwiches, falafel, tacos and chow mein.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Whether you're interested in the deep sea, dinosaurs, insects or gems and minerals, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County offers hours of exploration of all things related to natural history. Ongoing exhibitions include the impressive Dinosaur Hall (where you can view more than 300 fossils and see 20 life-sized dinosaur skeletons), Nature Lab, Hall of Birds and Visible Vault, which houses artifacts from Aztec, Maya and Inca civilizations. Visitors said that the museum is great for all ages, with the Dinosaur Hall being the most popular attraction. There are also special exhibitions that are on display for a limited time. Kids will love the Dinosaurs Encounters Show that features juvenile dinosaur puppets. The shows are offered Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 per person.

Guests can also explore the nature gardens with more than 600 varieties of plants and a plethora of garden wildlife. Free guided tours are available daily. If you want to dive deeper into natural history, special programs are available for children, adults and families. Check the events calendar online for more info.

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Battleship USS Iowa Museum Battleship USS Iowa Museum

A visit to the iconic Battleship USS Iowa Museum includes access to both interior and exterior areas on seven decks. The self-guided tour lets visitors see what life was like on the ship. You'll also view the officer's wardroom, senior officer's cabins, admirals bridge, navigation bridge and crew's quarters. Recent visitors enjoyed the multiple exhibits along the route that tell the story of the Battleship USS Iowa, as well as the U.S. Navy, through artifacts, photographs, artwork and equipment. Kids can participate in the "Vicky the Dog" scavenger hunt to get a more in-depth look at the ship through the eyes of its canine mascot.

The ship is open daily at 10 a.m. and closes around 4 p.m. (or whenever the final guided tour ends).

Shop along Olvera Street Shop along Olvera Street free

Stroll this historic street in Downtown Los Angeles for authentic Mexican culture, music and cuisine. Along the block-long, brick-lined street, you'll find strolling mariachi bands, taco shops, Aztec and Mexican folkloric dancers and vendors selling handcrafted souvenirs, such as pottery, leather goods and traditional clothing. The street also hosts various traditional events throughout the year, including the Blessing of the Animals (Saturday before Easter), Cinco de Mayo, Fiestas Patrias (Mexican Independence Day), Dia de los Muertos and Las Posadas.

This Mexican marketplace is part of the El Pueblo Historic Park, the "birthplace of LA," which also includes historic sites, such as Avila Adobe (LA's oldest house), Pico House and the America Tropical Interpretive Center. 

L.A. Live L.A. Live

L.A. Live is the hub of entertainment in Downtown Los Angeles. It's features the Crypto.com Arena, home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers basketball teams, the Los Angeles Kings hockey team, as well as the Los Angeles Sparks women's basketball team. It's also where music fans attend world-class concerts by some of the biggest names in the industry. Other entertainment includes the interactive GRAMMY Museum, a Lucky Strike bowling alley and a Regal movie theater, as well as smaller event venues like the Microsoft Theater, The Novo and The Conga Room.

There are more than a dozen eateries to choose from, including Yard House and Katsuya. After a night of entertainment, stay over at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE or The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles.

Petersen Automotive Museum Petersen Automotive Museum

Car enthusiasts will be thrilled with a visit to the Petersen Automotive Museum as it houses a range of impressive cars, from high performance to historic. In the permanent galleries, travelers can try an exhilarating racing simulator, see the “Commutercycle” from the HBO documentary "The Lady and the Dale" and participate in hands-on activities with a Disney "Cars" theme. Featured exhibitions rotate frequently. There are an additional 250 cars that are stored in The Vault. The museum also hosts a variety of events, from exhibition openings to hands-on workshops. Visit its online calendar for more info.

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Warner Bros. Studio Warner Bros. Studio

Located in Burbank, California – a city that sits just 5 miles north of Hollywood – Warner Bros. Studio gives visitors a close-up look at iconic movie and TV sets and props, such as the original Batmobiles, costumes from the "Harry Potter" movies and a replica of the cafe featured in "Friends." Travelers will also drive around the studio's 110-acre backlot, where 30 soundstages are used for producing shows like "Young Sheldon," "Bob Hearts Abishola," and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

Previous visitors loved exploring this property and appreciated their "fun and knowledgeable" tour guides. Additionally, many enjoyed getting out of their golf carts to go inside a working set and other buildings used for filming, citing this as the main reason to tour this studio instead of others like Paramount Pictures Studios . But keep in mind, children 7 and younger are not permitted on any tour.

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Los Angeles Weekly Roundup

Waldorf astoria’s rooftop by jg debuts new all-day menu.

One of my favorite rooftops in Los Angeles, the Rooftop by JG, welcomes you to dine al fresco with mouthwatering offerings from their new spring all-day menu. Highlights include the  Burrata, Arugula, Asparagus & Manchego Salad, Spaghetti with Fava Beans & Pistachios, Grilled Lamb Chops, Seared King Salmon with Spring Peas, and my personal two favorites, the Warm Maine Lobster Roll and Grilled Octopus.  And don’t forget to pair your meal with one of the bar’s delightful cocktails, like the  Cool As a Cucumber or Ginger Margarita.   $32+ ; Mondays – Fridays, 12 – 10:00 pm; Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – 9850 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210; 310.860.6666

PARIS AT NIGHT  – House Tuesdays at Bootsy Bellows

David Arquette’s decadent nightclub Bootsy Bellows welcomes you to  PARIS AT NIGHT , the hottest night for house, EDM, and tech-house music in Los Angeles. Dress to impress for you never know which A-list celebrities may show up to this lavish hot spot.  Free (at the door’s discretion) – $80 (fast lane at the door’s discretion) ; Tuesdays, 11:00 pm – 2:00 am; 9229 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069; 310.859.1011

Chris Stapleton Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Country music fans rejoice! The legendary Chris Stapleton is bringing his electrifying “All-American Road Show” to the iconic Hollywood Bowl for two magical nights. Get ready for an unforgettable night under the stars as Stapleton’s soulful vocals and signature outlaw country sound fill the legendary venue. $199+ ; Wednesday – Thursday, 7:00 pm; Hollywood Bowl – 2301 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068; 323.850.2000

Beachside Bistro Patio del Mar Returns for the Summer Season

Hotel Casa del Mar’s outdoor bistro Patio del Mar, has reopened for the summer! The outdoor restaurant, located on the strand, offers a variety of fresh seafood and land options. Enjoy  Oysters, Shrimp Ceviche, Wagyu Burgers, Fish Tacos ,  Lobster Rolls,  and more. Make sure to sip on an  Aperol Spritz  or a crisp glass of  Champagne  while taking in the ocean breeze. And for those with a sweet tooth, the Sweet Rose ice cream cart is there on Fridays and Sundays!  $22+ ; Thursdays – Mondays, 12 – Sunset; Hotel Casa del Mar – 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405; 310.581.5533

On Sale Now (6/28): Modern Day Wife Hosts Soirée en Blanc – VIP Parisian Picnic Rooftop & Helipad Experience at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Calling all LA social butterflies! Modern Day Wife is hosting the ultimate summer beauty event: the Soirée en Blanc at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Pose for breathtaking photo ops and gain access to the star-studded main event with shopping, beauty bars, speaker panels, and a dazzling fashion show. For those who want to elevate their experience, upgrade your ticket to the VIP Parisian Picnic Rooftop & Helipad Experience, featuring an exclusive rooftop champagne lunch before the main festivities. Tickets are selling fast, so snag yours and get ready for a night of Parisian elegance!   $40+ ; 6/28, 4:30 – 9:00 pm; Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – 8555 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90048

On Sale Now (6/30): Rib Fest is Back! Lucques’ Historic Family-Style BBQ Returns to A.O.C. with Ribs, Wings, All the Sides Plus Cowboy Cocktails

Get your boots on and giddyup! Rib Fest is coming to A.O.C. for one night only and it will be  smokin’ hot!  A.O.C. will be suited up for the rib rodeo and Suzanne’s family-style feast of  slow-cooked ribs, hot wings, and sides  which has become a Goin/Styne summer tradition since 2000. A week of preparation goes into the smoking of  beef brisket, pork and lamb ribs , spreading the lure of wood smoke throughout both neighborhoods and attracting a growing swell of Rib Fest Groupies for this BBQ celebration. Guests are invited to wear their Stetsons, chaps and boots and join the party. The menu features Suzanne’s  Saint Louis-style pork ribs; braised Westholme beef brisket; spiced lamb spare ribs  and  too-hot-to-handle chicken wings . Mouth-watering sides are included –  coleslaw & baked beans; long-cooked collard greens; buttered corn-on-the-cob; tomato and watermelon salad;  served with  grilled cornbread & Wonder Bread . Finish with a summery dessert of  warm peach cobbler with strawberries and buttermilk ice cream.  Don’t miss some foot-stomping  cowboy cocktails  to enhance the menu.  $110.27 ; 6/30, Please contact A.O.C. directly for seating times; 8700 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 310.859.9859

On Sale Now (7/13): The Concern Foundation’s 49 th  Annual Block Party Returns to Paramount Studios Hollywood in Support of Cancer Research!

The Concern Foundation is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated 49 th  Annual Block Party, returning to the historic backlot of Paramount Studios Hollywood, bringing together 4,000 guests for an unforgettable evening dedicated to raising vital funds for cancer research. This year’s Block Party theme, MISSION CONCERN – CONQUERING CANCER THE FINAL FRONTIER, pays tribute to the  Stanley and Joyce Black Family Foundation  for their outstanding contributions to the community and 3 GENERATIONS – A LEGACY OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP. The event promises a galactic extravaganza of culinary delights, top-notch beverages, and captivating live entertainment across multiple stages. Attendees can indulge in a culinary journey through the streets of Paramount’s Backlot, sampling an array of gourmet food tastings, desserts, spirits, cocktails, wines, and beers. Musical performances by the Tom Nolan Band on the Main Launch Pad, D’ City Sound & Events presented by the Hirsch Family Foundation, and the Vibrato Intergalactic Cantina featuring the Jason Goldstein Sextet with Lilli Passero, and other special artists will set the tone for an electric atmosphere. Guests will find themselves celebrating the wonders of the cosmos and hope for a cancer-free future while experiencing  Brian Kramer Photography   Digital Photo Studio  sponsored by  Northern Trust ,   Casino Style Gaming for Prizes  presented by  Agua Caliente Casinos ,  Photo Booth  by   SnapItStudio.com ,  Specialty Lounge  areas provided by  Souza Insurance ,  Shuttle Services  at the event sponsored by  Motev ,   Spa Services  provided by  Fairmont Spa Century Plaza , and  Glamour Makeovers  by the  Beauty Bus Foundation .  The highlight of the evening will be the Online Silent & Live Auctions featuring exclusive items and extraordinary packages, offering attendees one-of-a-kind opportunities to support cancer research.  $500+ ; 7/13, 6 – 11:00 pm; Paramount Pictures – 5555 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90038

On Sale Now (7/20): First Annual Venice Beach Run

Registration is now open for the first annual Venice Beach Run taking place on Saturday, 7/20 starting and finishing at the Venice Beach Pier! Proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Parks Foundation (to support the Venice Beach Recreation Center. The race is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, and participants can sign up for a 5K or 1 Mile Race/ Walk with the 5K starting at 7:00 am. All participants will receive a commemorative die-cast VB 5K & 1 Mile Finisher Medal, premium beach t-shirt, and string bag along with access to sampling and exhibitor booths.  $45+ ; 7/20, 7:00 am; Venice Beach Pier

The post Los Angeles Weekly Roundup appeared first on hoopLA .

What are your secret tips and hacks for living in L.A.?

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In Los Angeles, the sprawling 502-square-mile, second-most-populated city in the country, there’s one thing that makes the difference between surviving and truly thriving (once you’ve gotten the whole paycheck thing figured out, anyway): our stash of life hacks.

These are all the myriad micro-enhancers to navigating daily life; the hassle-minimizing, efficiency-maximizing tips, tricks and strategies that shave minutes off our commutes, land us the best seats in the restaurant, help us stock our pantries for pennies on the dollar and make life all-around more manageable.

10 ways to embrace L.A. as a bus city instead of a car city

Open your mind to seeing L.A. as a bus city instead of a car city. Here’s how one writer thinks about the many bus trips he takes to tennis matches and more.

March 25, 2024

Life-hacking L.A. is part art form, part social currency and all a “Hunger Games”-style battle for survival, where the winners are the ones who have mastered the vagaries of city parking , learned how to score a last-minute campsite and studied up on how to make the most of Disneyland .

While the tendency might be to guard this life-enriching advice jealously, passing it along only in hushed tones to a small circle of trusted besties, I think that’s exactly the wrong approach. The best life hacks are the ones that don’t just help you make the most of the city around you but also help those around you do the same.

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That’s why I’m asking you to share your most-prized L.A. life hacks, the one or two pieces of advice that every Angeleno should know when it comes to maximizing the happy in the City of Angels.

I’ll compile the best of the bunch and publish them in a future ultimate guide to life-hacking Los Angeles. So if you have advice on where to find things like super-clean public restrooms, tree-shaded summer walking routes or the perfect parking spot downtown, share your L.A. life hack by filling out the form below. Be sure to include your first and last name so you can get all the glory your selfless act deserves.

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Senior features writer Adam Tschorn is a former small-town newspaper editor, game-show question-and-answer man and fashion scribe who joined the Los Angeles Times in 2007. He currently covers a wide range of pop-culture topics with a focus on cannabis culture. Holding a B.A. in philosophy and an M.A. in journalism, he feels perfectly suited to looking at things, asking “why?” and writing down the answers.

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METROLINK NEWS

Metrolink’s New ONT Connect Ticket Option Simplifies Travel to and from Ontario International Airport

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LOS ANGELES — Metrolink and local transportation partners are making car-free travel to and from the Ontario International Airport (ONT) more convenient for travelers. Beginning today, customers can purchase Metrolink tickets with ONT Connect as an origin or destination to enjoy seamless train-to-plane connections via a direct and free shuttle. This new ticketing enhancement creates a more convenient travel experience for passengers transferring between Metrolink’s San Bernardino Line and the ONT Connect shuttle service, which is operated by Omnitrans . The shuttle, free with a Metrolink ticket, provides non-stop service between Metrolink’s Rancho Cucamonga Station and ONT Terminals 2 and 4.

With this new through-ticketing integration, Metrolink is simplifying the customer experience from beginning to end. Travelers can use any Metrolink ticket machine or the Metrolink Mobile App to purchase fare to or from the Ontario Airport, designating ONT Connect as either their point of origin or destination, and will be able to board both services using a single ticket. Metrolink’s online interactive scheduling tool will also display transfers to ONT Connect shuttles to help travelers plan.

"The Metrolink and ONT Connect ticketing integration marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity and accessibility for travelers in our region,” Metrolink Board Director, City of Ontario Councilmember and President of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners Alan D. Wapner said. “We are excited to elevate the Ontario International Airport's visibility as a premier destination, improving the overall travel experience for people traveling through San Bernardino County and reinforcing our commitment to offering transportation solutions and increasing customer satisfaction."

ONT Connect was launched by Omnitrans and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) in August 2022 to improve public transportation access to the Ontario Airport. Metrolink also connects passengers directly to the Hollywood Burbank Airport and to the LAX FlyAway ® service through L.A. Union Station. FlyAway® buses run daily, including every 30 minutes during peak hours.

To learn more about Metrolink’s airport connections, visit metrolinktrains.com/airports .

About Metrolink  ( metrolinktrains.com )

Metrolink regional passenger rail service offers reliable, safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable transportation throughout an interconnected six-county network. Metrolink has 545.6 total service line miles and 67 stations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties, connecting people, communities, and businesses and serving as an essential link in the region’s mobility landscape. Metrolink also operates the Arrow service, a nine-mile extension of the San Bernardino County Line linking the cities of San Bernardino and Redlands