Los Angeles rewards visitors who accept one truth early: this is a city of distinct neighborhoods stitched together by freeways, not a compact downtown you can walk in an afternoon. Try to do everything and you'll spend your trip on the 405. The plan below groups attractions geographically so you spend less time driving and more time actually in LA. A rental car (or generous rideshare budget) makes everything easier, though the Metro can cover a few of these stops.
Day 1: Hollywood, the Hills, and Griffith Park
Start in the morning while the air is clear and the crowds are thin. The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre are worth a quick look, but be honest with yourself: this stretch of Hollywood Boulevard is touristy and gritty, and 30 minutes is usually enough. The real magic is up in the hills.
Drive or rideshare to Griffith Observatory, one of the best free attractions in the city. The building itself is gorgeous Art Deco, the views over the LA basin are sweeping, and on a clear day you can see the Hollywood Sign framed perfectly to the west. Parking near the observatory fills up fast, so arrive early or be prepared to walk uphill from a lower lot. Admission to the grounds and most exhibits is typically free, though the planetarium shows usually carry a small fee.
For lunch, head down into Los Feliz or Thai Town for something casual. In the afternoon, choose your own adventure: hike one of the Griffith Park trails for a closer view of the sign, or drive over to the Getty Center in Brentwood, where world-class art sits inside Richard Meier's travertine campus with gardens and skyline views. The Getty's general admission is typically free, but you usually pay for parking.
Evening
End the day in West Hollywood or along the Sunset Strip. Grab dinner, then catch a show or simply walk and people-watch. If you'd rather slow down, the rooftop bars downtown offer a glittering city view.
Day 2: The Beaches and the Westside
Day two belongs to the coast. Begin in Santa Monica, where the Santa Monica Pier and its small Pacific Park amusement area mark the end of historic Route 66. Walk south along the beach path toward Venice, about a mile and a half, and you'll hit the Venice Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, and the canals just inland, a genuinely lovely and often-missed pocket of waterways and footbridges.
For a different flavor, drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu. The beaches here, including El Matador State Beach with its sea stacks and sea caves, are some of the most photogenic in Southern California. Pack water and check the tide before you go, since the best coves shrink at high tide.
Afternoon and dinner
Loop back toward Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice for boutique shopping and standout restaurants, or settle into Santa Monica for a sunset dinner. Watching the sun drop into the Pacific from the pier or the bluffs of Palisades Park is one of those simple LA pleasures that never gets old.
Day 3: Downtown, Culture, and Food
Save your last day for Downtown LA, which has transformed over the past decade. Start at Grand Central Market, a century-old food hall packed with everything from heirloom egg sandwiches to fresh pasta and Mexican classics. Across the street, ride the Angels Flight funicular, a charming restored railway, then walk up to The Broad museum of contemporary art. Admission to The Broad's general collection is typically free, but Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms and special exhibits often require timed reservations, so book ahead.
Nearby, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry, is worth circling for its stainless-steel curves. From there, wander to the Arts District for murals, coffee, and breweries, or explore the historic core and Little Tokyo.
Where to eat
LA's food scene is the real headliner. Beyond Grand Central Market, you can't go wrong with tacos from a respected truck, Koreatown barbecue, or Thai food in East Hollywood. Ask a local for their current favorite, because the scene moves fast.
Practical Tips
- Budget for traffic. The 10, the 405, and the 101 slow to a crawl during rush hours, roughly 7 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.
- Layer your clothing. Coastal mornings can be foggy and cool (locals call it the marine layer) while inland afternoons turn hot.
- Reserve timed tickets for The Broad, the Getty, and any studio tour well in advance.
- Always confirm hours and prices on official websites before visiting, since they change seasonally.
Three days won't let you see all of Los Angeles, and that's the point. Pick the version of the city that excites you most, leave room to linger over a long lunch or an unplanned beach walk, and you'll leave already planning your return.