Planning a trip to Los Angeles? This LA itinerary will help you make the most of the city – whether you have 3 days for a focused highlights trip or 5 days for a more relaxed exploration. Los Angeles is enormous, sprawling, and wonderfully diverse: a city where you can hike to Hollywood Sign views in the morning, eat world-class tacos at lunchtime, watch the sun drop into the Pacific from Santa Monica Pier in the evening, and see a live show in West Hollywood at night.
This day-by-day Los Angeles itinerary covers iconic landmarks, the best beaches, Universal Studios, downtown culture, and the choice between Malibu or Beverly Hills for your final day. It is designed for first-time visitors but works equally well for repeat travellers discovering new sides of the city.
Tip: rent a car. Los Angeles is extremely spread out – a car is not just convenient, it is the only practical way to follow this itinerary without spending half your time in expensive rideshares or waiting for infrequent buses.
LA Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign
Day 2: Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and the Coastal Bike Path
Day 3: Universal Studios Hollywood
Day 4: Downtown LA – Grand Central Market, Arts District, and Culture
Day 5: Malibu or Beverly Hills (your choice)
Shorter trip? 3-day visitors should prioritize Days 1, 2, and 3. 4-day visitors add Day 4. The itinerary is designed so each day is geographically focused, minimizing driving time between morning and evening activities. For more inspiration for your LA trip see our guide to what to see and do in Los Angeles.
Day 1: Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign
Start your Los Angeles trip where LA’s mythology begins – Hollywood. Day 1 covers the city’s most iconic landmarks in a logical geographic loop that keeps driving to a minimum. Begin on Hollywood Boulevard in the morning, hike or drive to Griffith for the afternoon, and stay for one of the finest sunsets in Southern California.
Morning: Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame
Arrive at Hollywood Boulevard by 9am before the tourist crowds peak. The Hollywood Walk of Fame stretches along both Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street – over 2,700 stars embedded in the pavement honouring legends of film, television, music, and theatre. Browse at your own pace, find your favourite stars, and take the mandatory photograph in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre with its famous handprints and footprints forecourt.
Hollywood Walk of Fame: free, open 24 hours – best in the morning
TCL Chinese Theatre: forecourt free; guided interior tours available (approximately $25)
Nearby: El Capitan Theatre, the Hollywood & Highland complex, Madame Tussauds Hollywood
Coffee and breakfast: Republique on La Brea Avenue is one of the finest cafes in Los Angeles for breakfast – a 10-minute drive from Hollywood Boulevard but worth it for the extraordinary pastries and coffee.
Afternoon: Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Sign Views
Drive or rideshare to Griffith Park for the afternoon. The Griffith Observatory is one of the finest free attractions in Los Angeles – a spectacular Art Deco building on the south-facing slopes of Mount Hollywood, offering extraordinary panoramic views over the entire LA Basin from Downtown to the Pacific Ocean. Inside, the observatory’s exhibits on astronomy and the planetarium shows are excellent.
Griffith Observatory: free entry to the main building. Open Tuesday-Friday 12-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-10pm.
Hollywood Sign views: the observatory terrace offers one of the best views of the Hollywood Sign in the city – particularly photogenic in the afternoon light
Hiking option: the Hollyridge Trail from Bronson Canyon (approximately 3 miles round trip, moderate) gives the closest Hollywood Sign views accessible on foot. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Planetarium shows: tickets required, approximately $8-$10 per person. Check the schedule at griffithobservatory.org
Evening: Sunset at Griffith Observatory
Stay at the Griffith Observatory for sunset – the view of the LA city lights coming on as the sun drops behind the Santa Monica Mountains is genuinely spectacular, and the terrace fills with a wonderful mix of locals and visitors sharing the moment. Sunset at Griffith Observatory is one of the finest free experiences in all of Los Angeles.
Dinner: head to Los Feliz or Silver Lake below Griffith Park for an excellent neighborhood dinner – both areas have outstanding independent restaurants, bars, and a very local LA character.
Day 2: Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and the Coastal Bike Path
Day 2 is for the beach – and the spectacular Southern California coast at its most iconic. Begin at Santa Monica Pier, cycle south along the famous beach path to Venice, explore the Venice Boardwalk and Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and end with sunset over the Pacific. This is one of the finest days Los Angeles can offer.
Morning: Santa Monica Pier and Beach
Arrive at Santa Monica by 9am for the best morning light and before the beach crowds build. The Santa Monica Pier – with its 1920s carousel, Pacific Park amusement rides, and the famous ‘End of Route 66’ sign – is one of LA’s most beloved landmarks. Walk the pier, watch the surfers, then descend to the beach itself for a morning walk along the water.
Santa Monica Pier: free to walk. Pacific Park rides open from 11am (weekdays) and 10am (weekends)
Third Street Promenade: a pedestrian shopping street three blocks from the pier – excellent for breakfast cafes and morning coffee
Palisades Park: the clifftop park above the beach with palm trees and Pacific views – one of the most scenic morning walks in LA
Midday: Cycling the Coastal Bike Path to Venice
Rent a bike at Santa Monica Pier – multiple rental operators are located at the pier and along the beachfront (approximately $15-$25/hour). Then cycle south on the Santa Monica Bike Path (The Strand) toward Venice Beach. The path is flat, scenic, and runs directly along the Pacific – on a clear morning it is one of the most enjoyable urban cycling experiences in the world.
Cycling time Santa Monica to Venice Beach: approximately 20-30 minutes at a relaxed pace
Venice Beach Boardwalk: the famous stretch of street performers, muscle beach outdoor gym, skate park, and street vendors
Abbot Kinney Boulevard: one block inland from the beach – consistently described as one of the coolest streets in the USA, lined with independent restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and excellent coffee
Lunch on Abbot Kinney: Gjelina or Gjusta are two of the most celebrated restaurants on the street – arrive early or expect a wait
Afternoon and Evening: Beach and Sunset
Return to Santa Monica by bike or rideshare for the afternoon. Sunset at Santa Monica Beach – watching the sun drop directly into the Pacific from the pier or the beach – is one of the most iconic LA experiences. The light on the water in the hour before sunset is extraordinary.
Bike rentals can usually be returned at either Santa Monica or Venice Beach locations – confirm with your rental operator
Dinner: Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and Montana Avenue have excellent dinner options at all price points. Rustic Canyon is one of the finest farm-to-table restaurants in LA.
Day 3: Universal Studios Hollywood – A Full Day
Devote Day 3 entirely to Universal Studios Hollywood – one of the finest theme parks in California and an unmissable LA experience for movie fans and families. The park combines genuine working film studio infrastructure with world-class theme park attractions, creating an experience that is uniquely available in Los Angeles. A full day is necessary and recommended – there is far more to see than most visitors anticipate.
Morning: Arrive Early and Hit the Must-Do Rides First
Arrive at Universal Studios Hollywood when the gates open – typically 9am or 10am depending on the season. The first 90 minutes are the lowest-queue period of the entire day: use this window to experience the most popular attractions before lines build. In 2026, the top priority attractions are:
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – the immersive Hogsmeade village and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.
Jurassic World – The Ride – the park’s most popular thrill ride, with a spectacular drop finale. Queue times reach 60–90 minutes by midday.
Transformers: The Ride-3D – a spectacular 3D multi-sensory ride with impressive visual effects
Midday: The Studio Tour
The Universal Studios Tour – a 45-minute tram journey through the actual Universal Studios backlot – is the park’s signature and most unique experience, and is genuinely unmissable. You travel through real working film sets and production facilities, with encounters including the Fast & Furious experience, King Kong 360 3D, the War of the Worlds set, and the streets of New York. The tour gives an extraordinary behind-the-scenes perspective on how films and television shows are made.
Studio Tour tram: board at the lower lot. Ride time approximately 45-60 minutes.
The tour runs throughout the day – midday is a good time as morning rush crowds have moved on
Afternoon: Remaining Attractions and Springfield
The Simpsons Ride and Springfield area – a brilliantly realized recreation of the TV show’s fictional town, with themed food and drinks (try the Duff Beer and the Krusty Burger)
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – excellent for families with younger children
Horror Make-Up Show – a live show demonstrating film special effects techniques. Entertaining for all ages.
Lower lot exploration – the lower lot houses several of the most intense attractions and is connected to the upper lot by escalators
Tickets: from approximately $109-$149 per person – book online in advance for best prices. Universal Express Pass (approximately $80-$199 per person) allows priority access to most attractions and is worth considering during busy periods.
Day 4: Downtown Los Angeles – Food, Art, and Urban Culture
Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) has transformed dramatically in recent years from a largely corporate district into one of the most interesting and culturally vibrant urban neighborhoods in the city. Day 4 explores the best of it – excellent food, independent bookshops, street art, and the distinctive character of the Arts District.
Morning: Grand Central Market
Start Day 4 at Grand Central Market on Broadway – a historic covered food hall open since 1917 and one of the finest food experiences in Los Angeles. Dozens of vendors serve everything from Mexican tacos and Guatemalan eggs to cold brew coffee, artisan charcuterie, ramen, and fresh-squeezed juices in an atmosphere that is genuinely alive with the food culture of the city. It is the perfect Los Angeles breakfast and mid-morning stop.
Grand Central Market: open daily from 8am. Free entry.
Must-try: Eggslut (egg sandwiches), China Café (Chinese-American classics), G&B Coffee (excellent espresso), McConnell’s Ice Cream
Location: 317 S Broadway, Downtown LA – adjacent to the Bradbury Building
Midday: Bradbury Building and The Last Bookstore
Two blocks from Grand Central Market, the Bradbury Building is one of the most beautiful and historically significant buildings in Los Angeles – a 19th-century office building with an extraordinary Victorian-era iron atrium that has appeared in dozens of films, most famously Blade Runner. The public can enter the ground floor lobby for free.
Directly across the street, The Last Bookstore is one of the most remarkable independent bookshops in the United States – a sprawling labyrinth of books and vinyl records in a former bank building, with an extraordinary second-floor art installation of books arranged to form tunnels and archways. Free to browse, genuinely extraordinary.
Bradbury Building: free lobby access Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm
The Last Bookstore: open daily. Free entry. The book tunnel on the upper floor is unmissable.
Afternoon: Arts District and Street Art
Spend the afternoon exploring the Arts District – the most creatively vibrant neighborhood in Downtown LA, a former industrial zone of warehouses and railway buildings now home to galleries, restaurants, coffee roasters, and some of the finest street art in Southern California. The area around Mateo Street and Traction Avenue is the heart of the district.
Walk the Arts District streets looking for murals and street art – new pieces appear regularly and some are extraordinary in scale and quality
Coffee: Verve Coffee Roasters and Go Get Em Tiger are two of LA’s most respected specialty coffee roasters, both with Arts District locations
The Broad Museum (open Tuesday-Sunday): a free world-class contemporary art museum on Grand Avenue, a 10-minute walk from the Arts District. Home to major works by Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Free timed entry – book in advance at thebroad.org
Dinner: the Arts District has excellent dinner options including Bavel (Middle Eastern, one of LA’s finest restaurants) and Bestia (Italian, another LA institution – reserve well in advance).
Day 5: Malibu or Beverly Hills – Choose Your Adventure
For your final day in Los Angeles, choose between two very different but equally memorable experiences: the wild, rugged beauty of the Malibu coastline or the polished glamour of Beverly Hills. Both are excellent options – the choice depends on whether you prefer a beach and nature day or a shopping and celebrity-spotting finale.
Option A: Malibu – Wild Coast and Perfect Beaches
Malibu stretches 21 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway northwest of Santa Monica – a dramatically beautiful stretch of coastline with mountains descending directly to the sea, world-class surf breaks, celebrity estates, and some of the finest beaches in Southern California. A Malibu day is a perfect counterpoint to the urban intensity of the previous four days.
El Matador State Beach – a spectacular hidden gem of rocky coves, sea stacks, and dramatic coastal scenery about 30 miles north of Santa Monica. Far less crowded than central Malibu beaches and arguably the most beautiful stretch of LA coastline.
Zuma Beach – Malibu’s largest and most accessible public beach, with excellent surf conditions and stunning mountain backdrop
Malibu Lagoon State Beach – adjacent to the Surfrider Beach, one of the world’s most famous surf spots. The Malibu Colony area is where the celebrity estates are concentrated.
Lunch at Nobu Malibu – one of the most celebrated sushi restaurants in California, directly on the beach. Expensive but iconic. Reserve in advance.
Point Dume State Beach and Preserve – a spectacular headland above the ocean with panoramic coastal views and whale-watching potential in season
Option B: Beverly Hills – Glamour and Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills is the most glamorous neighbourhood in Los Angeles and one of the most recognisable addresses in the world. A day in Beverly Hills combines celebrity culture, world-class shopping, beautiful tree-lined streets, and the finest hotels in California into a distinctly LA experience.
Rodeo Drive – the world’s most famous luxury shopping street. Even if designer shopping is not on your agenda, walking the three blocks of Rodeo Drive and the surrounding streets is a quintessential LA experience. Window shopping, celebrity spotting, and the architecture of the flagship stores are all worth the visit.
Beverly Hills Hotel (The Pink Palace) – the most iconic hotel address in Los Angeles. Even if not staying, the polo lounge is excellent for lunch and the bungalow pool area is one of the most atmospheric spaces in California.
2 Rodeo / Via Rodeo – a beautifully designed European-style shopping street adjacent to Rodeo Drive, with excellent cafes and people-watching
Greystone Mansion and Park – a magnificent 1928 Tudor Revival mansion with beautiful formal gardens, open to the public for free. Extraordinary architecture and peaceful grounds in the heart of Beverly Hills.
Sunset Strip (West Hollywood) – just minutes from Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip offers excellent dinner options and one of LA’s best evening atmospheres along the famous boulevard
Where to Stay During Your Los Angeles Itinerary
The best base for this LA itinerary depends on your priorities:
Santa Monica – the best overall base for this itinerary, offering beach access, walkability, and a central position between Malibu and the rest of LA. Well connected by car or rideshare to all other day destinations. Hotels from $180–$600+/night.
Hollywood – convenient for Day 1 (Hollywood attractions) and Day 3 (Universal Studios is nearby). Good range of mid-range and boutique hotels. From $120–$300/night.
Downtown LA – ideal for Day 4 (the downtown neighborhood itself). Offers excellent hotel value. From $100–$250/night. Requires driving or rideshare to beach days.
For a full hotel guide and neighborhood breakdown, see the complete guide to where to stay in Los Angeles.
Getting Around Los Angeles
A rental car is strongly recommended for this LA itinerary. The days are geographically spread across the city, and many destinations (Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios, Malibu) are not practically accessible by public transport. Book your rental well in advance – particularly for weekend visits when demand is high.
Car rental: budget $40–$70/day for a standard vehicle. Pick up from LAX or from a city-centre branch if arriving without a car.
Uber and Lyft: good for evenings when driving is less desirable and for the Universal Studios day if you prefer not to drive
LA Metro Expo Line: useful specifically for Santa Monica days – the Expo Line runs from Downtown to Santa Monica in approximately 45 minutes
Tip: plan your daily routes to minimize driving during rush hour. LA traffic on the I-405 and I-10 between 7-9am and 4-7pm can add an hour or more to any journey. Build flexibility into your daily start and end times.
Practical Tips for Your Los Angeles Itinerary
Plan days by location – group activities in the same geographic area to avoid unnecessary driving. This itinerary is structured to minimize cross-city travel.
Avoid rush hours – LA traffic between 7-9am and 4-7pm is significant. Schedule driving between destinations outside these windows where possible.
Bring sunscreen – Los Angeles has over 280 sunny days per year and UV levels are consistently high. Apply SPF 50+ daily.
Wear comfortable shoes -this itinerary involves substantial walking on all five days. Broken-in footwear is essential.
Book in advance – Universal Studios tickets, The Broad Museum (free timed entry), Griffith Observatory planetarium shows, and popular restaurants should all be booked before your trip.
Keep a flexible buffer in your schedule – traffic and parking can add unexpected time to any LA day. Don’t schedule too tightly.
Your Perfect Los Angeles Itinerary
This 3-5 day Los Angeles itinerary gives you the perfect mix of iconic Hollywood history, Pacific coastline beauty, world-class entertainment, urban food culture, and the flexibility to choose between wild Malibu beaches or Beverly Hills glamour for your final day. Los Angeles is a city of extraordinary contrasts and depth – every neighborhood has its own character, and the best LA visits are those that venture beyond the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions: Los Angeles Itinerary
How Many Days Do You Need in Los Angeles?
3 to 5 days is ideal for a first Los Angeles trip. Three days covers the essential highlights (Hollywood, beaches, Universal Studios). Four days adds Downtown culture. Five days allows a full Malibu or Beverly Hills day. Longer visits reward neighborhood exploration, day trips to Palm Springs or Santa Barbara, and a deeper experience of LA’s extraordinary food and arts scene.
Is Los Angeles Easy to Explore?
Yes – with a rental car, Los Angeles is very manageable. The main destinations in this itinerary are straightforward to reach with clear navigation, and parking is available at all major attractions. Without a car, the city is significantly more challenging – public transport covers only a fraction of the destinations on this itinerary.
What Is the Best Area to Stay in LA?
Santa Monica is the best all-round base for this itinerary – beach access, walkability, and a central position. Hollywood works well for visitors prioritizing sightseeing and nightlife proximity. Downtown LA offers the best hotel value and is excellent for food and arts-focused visitors.
