Itineraries
Three Days in Los Angeles: The Ultimate Itinerary
Three days, three neighborhoods, and a route that finally lets you slow down: Hollywood and the hills, Downtown and the arts, then the beach towns.
Three days, three neighborhoods, and a route that finally lets you slow down: Hollywood and the hills, Downtown and the arts, then the beach towns.
Three days is the sweet spot for a first real visit to Los Angeles. It's enough to see the headline attractions without the franticness of a single day, and enough to actually settle into a few neighborhoods rather than just photographing them from a car window. The key, again, is geography: each day in this plan stays in one part of the city so you're not burning hours crossing town.
Day one covers Hollywood, the hills, and the observatory. Day two is Downtown's museums, food, and architecture. Day three is the coast, from the Getty down to the beaches. Reorder them to match the weather, save the beach for the sunniest day, and you'll have a genuinely well-rounded picture of LA.
Day 1, morning. Start in the hills for skyline and Hollywood Sign views before the crowds. The grounds open early; the building opens later, so check the official website before visiting for hours.
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Day 1, late morning. A quick, popular hike with city views and a good chance of celebrity-spotting. Go early-ish to avoid midday heat; bring water and decent shoes.
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Day 1, afternoon. Walk the stars, see the TCL Chinese Theatre forecourt nearby, and soak up the (slightly chaotic) heart of tourist Hollywood for an hour or so.
Read more →Day 1, evening (seasonal). If your dates line up with the summer season, an outdoor concert here is a quintessential LA night. Check the official website before visiting for the schedule and bring a picnic and a layer.
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Day 2, late morning. Begin Downtown with brunch or an early lunch at this historic food hall, then walk it off exploring the surrounding blocks. Check the official website before visiting for vendor hours.
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Day 2, midday. Contemporary art with free general admission (reserve ahead) and the famous Infinity Mirror Rooms. Steps from the concert hall, so pair them. Check the official website before visiting.
Read more →Day 2, early afternoon. Tour the gleaming Gehry exterior and public spaces, ideally with the free self-guided audio guide, in under an hour.
Read more →Day 2, afternoon. A cavernous, photogenic bookshop in a former bank, perfect for a leisurely browse and the famous book tunnel before dinner in the Arts District.
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Day 3, morning. Start the coast day at the hilltop Getty, with world-class art, gardens, and architecture. Admission is typically free with paid parking; check the official website before visiting. Go early to beat afternoon beach traffic.
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Day 3, afternoon. Drop down to the coast for the classic pier, Ferris wheel, and beach. Park once and make this your base for the rest of the day.
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Day 3, late afternoon. Walk or bike south to Venice for the boardwalk circus, Muscle Beach, and the canals just inland. A great spot to catch your final sunset.
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Day 3, golden hour. A quiet, gorgeous surprise a few blocks off the boardwalk: footbridges over canals lined with charming homes. End the trip on a calm, scenic note.
Read more →Want this turned into a day-by-day plan?
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Three days is ideal for a first visit. It covers the major icons across Hollywood, Downtown, and the coast while still leaving time to slow down and enjoy a neighborhood or two. A fourth or fifth day lets you add day trips like Malibu, Pasadena, or a theme park.
For this itinerary, a car is the most efficient choice because the three regions are spread out. That said, much of it can be done by Metro and rideshare; see our guide to visiting LA without a car if you'd rather skip driving.
Swap one day. Universal Studios Hollywood pairs naturally with the Hollywood/hills day's region, while Malibu's beaches extend the coast day. Both are full commitments, so trade rather than cram.
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