The Ultimate Los Angeles Itinerary: 4-6 Days
Oh, Los Angeles. I sure do have a love-hate relationship with this magical, mesmerizing, infuriating city.
Before relocating to the East Coast when I became a flight attendant, I lived in Southern California for 6 years - Orange County for 4 of them and LA proper for the last 2. And as much as there were things about the place that drove me crazy, I certainly miss it now. What's that saying they have? Absence makes the heart grow fonder?
Anyway, I still have a large network of friends out there, so between work and pleasure I revisit the area quite often.
Drawing from my experience living there and my experience traveling as a tourist, I've created a 4-6 day itinerary for the city, providing visitors with the top places to play at, dine at, drink at, and experience in LA. Read on!
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Day 1
Hollywood & The Valley
Kick-start your LA visit in the San Fernando Valley, home to movie studios and like, some pretty notorious accents.
Have breakfast at Porto's in Burbank, a revered local haunt famous for its mouthwatering bakery items.
Then, immerse yourself in movie magic with a Warner Bros. Studio Tour. The 3-hour tour will take you around one of the busiest working movie lots in town, where you can step inside Central Perk Cafe, get an up-close look at props and cars from the DC and Harry Potter universes, and maybe even visit the sets of the Ellen Degeneres Show or Shameless. The classic tour is $69 for adults and $59 for children; purchase tickets ahead of time online.
Afterwards, head south on the 101 to hit up iconic Hollywood, with all of its storied history and eclectic characters.
Go for a drive down Hollywood Boulevard, scoping out glimpses of the Capitol Records building, the Pantages Theatre, and the Fonda.
Break for lunch at one of the neighborhood's stellar dining options: for pizza, there's Stella Barra. For some pad see ew action, hit up Luv2Eat Thai. Or, for some California classic quick fare, you can't beat In-N-Out.
Hop out of the car to stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Gaze at the famous handprints outside the TCL Chinese Theatre, and walk amongst cinematic history at the Dolby Theater. If you plan far enough in advance, you can snag tickets to see a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, or maybe just catch the latest Disney flick inside the gorgeous El Capitan Theatre.
At sunset, enjoy cocktails, dinner, and sweeping Hollywood views from the top of Mama Shelter, one of the best rooftops in LA. For less elevated digs but just as swanky dining experiences, Katsuya, TAO, or Beauty & Essex fit the bill.
By night, head up to the famous Griffith Observatory, nestled in the Hollywood Hills. The observatory is free to the public and open every day except for Mondays. You'll catch unparalleled views of the city in all its glamour and sparkle, stretching from the downtown skyline in the south, to the famed Hollywood Sign next door.
Feeling up for some late-night noms? Head back to Hollywood Boulevard to hit up 25 Degrees inside the Roosevelt Hotel. The swanky 24-hour eatery features boozy shakes and french fry flights amidst an ambience of high-backed red leather booths and dim lighting.
Alternately, head back into the Valley for Texas-sized margaritas, killer guac, and a front patio filled with partiers playing cornhole at North Hollywood's El Tejano.
Day 2
Fairfax, West Hollywood, & Beverly Hills
A trip to LA is not complete without a visit to The Grove, located just south of West Hollywood in the city's Fairfax district. Peruse any of the pop-up shops, browse the collections at Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble, or Sephora, and perhaps catch a movie at Pacific Theatres. And while you're at it, you can't miss the Dominique Ansel Bakery for some sweet treats!
Down the street, spend a few hours at LACMA. You definitely should see the iconic outdoor Urban Light exhibit, and it's worth exploring the intricate Pavilion for Japanese Art. Tickets are $25 for non-LA residents; some exhibits require additional, timed ticketing. Keep in mind that the museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Alternately, you can head next door to the La Brea Tar Pits to look at woolly mammoth fossils and imagine LA in its Ice Age glory. The tar pits are open daily; tickets cost $15 for adults at the museum, or $14 online.
Have lunch at nearby iconic LA eateries such as Lemonade, Urth Caffe, Toast, or Joan's on 3rd.
In the afternoon, explore famed Beverly Hills in all its glitz and glamour. Go shopping on Rodeo Drive, pick up a cupcake from the Sprinkles ATM, and enjoy every Prada boutique and shiny Lamborghini you can feast your eyes on.
Then, go for a scenic drive through the neighborhood, admiring the rows of gorgeous mansions and palm-tree-lined boulevards that positively scream LA.
Some of the drinks on offer atop sceney E.P. & L.P.
At sunset, hit up West Hollywood's E.P. & L.P., a notable stop on the city’s rooftop bar circuit. The swanky terrace features sweeping views of Melrose Avenue, the Sunset Strip, and the Hollywood Hills, and a menu chock-full of mezcal, froze, and alcoholic boba.
For dinner, snag a rezzie at glam Toca Madera, a spot that's as known for its opportunities to see and be seen as it is for its unreal Mexican cuisine (you can't miss the guac with plantain chips!) Alternately, the just-as-hip Gracias Madre serves exclusively plant-based Mexican affair, in an artfully styled ambience that blends a boho-chic interior with an airy al fresco lounge. You cannot pass up their marg menu.
If you're in the mood to dance, WeHo's share of Santa Monica Blvd. is overflowing with bars and lounges to keep the party going all night, from Lisa Vanderpump's assortment of scenes (TomTom and SUR) to the internationally famous gay bar The Abbey. For a sweaty but dancey night of fun, head to Russian-themed Bar Lubitsch, or hit up Melrose Umbrella Co. for dim lights and craft cocktails.
Day 3
Venice & Santa Monica
Begin your third day in quirky Venice. Check out the shops, restaurants, and galleries along Abbot Kinney Boulevard, or maybe meander along the canals reminiscent of the town's Italian namesake.
Afterwards, head to the beach to explore Venice's bohemian boardwalk. Admire the street art donning the buildings, gawk at the beautiful beach houses, and stop by the skate park or infamous Muscle Beach gym to get in on all the action.
Then, head north to beautiful and busy Santa Monica. Stop for lunch at The Misfit (you can't pass up the mac and cheese or sangria!), then kill a few hours shopping along 3rd Street Promenade.
Afterwards, head down to the world-famous Santa Monica Pier. Check out the Last-Stop Shop commemorating the pier's role as the final stop of Route 66, scout for sea lions or surfers down in the water, and maybe test out the rollercoaster or Ferris wheel in the amusement park. With the street performers, food court French fries, and crazy crowds, it's as touristy as it gets, but it's a must for any LA first-timer!
View from The Bungalow
At sunset, toast to a day well spent at The Bungalow. This bougie little bar, located on the grounds of the Fairmont Miramar hotel and just steps from the ocean, feels like partying at someone's beach house on the first day of summer. Featuring multiple rooms, boho bars, and a large outdoor patio, it's the perfect spot to unwind with a cocktail as the sun sinks behind the Pacific and the sky bleaches pastel and gold.
Keep in mind that on Fridays and Saturdays, the line can get crazy long to get inside - and the crowd leans heavily towards the Instagram model and agency bro types. If you're looking to experience The Bungalow during its more low-key hours, try to visit on a weekday.
Day 4
Malibu
Keep the beach bliss going with a day spent in stunning Malibu, home to movie stars, beach bums, and surfing addicts alike.
Go for a drive up scenic Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 1. The PCH takes you for a winding ride, past the terra-cotta tiles of Pepperdine University, beside sun-drenched piers, and over picturesque cliffs looming above the sea.
Start your day with a hike along Point Dume. The 1.4-mile out-and-back hike is more of a stroll, but features absolutely stunning panoramic views of the Malibu coastline. Keep an eye out for whales or sea lions in the distance, and wildflowers all along the trail. Then hit up the beach down below for some fun in the sun.
Alternately, sign up for a Malibu Wine Safari. Explore Saddlerock Ranch's 1,000 acres of rugged hills home to zebras, alpacas, and movie star Stanley the giraffe, all while sampling some of the region’s best wines. If slots are sold out for the day, visit the Malibu Wines tasting terrace instead. You won’t get the chance to feed a giraffe, but you’ll have ample opportunity to wine the day away to the tune of live music and wedding-worthy scenery.
If you’re looking for a spot to lunch at, trendy Malibu Farm features fresh, healthy Californian cuisine atop a scenic fishing pier setting.
For dinner, try Duke's Malibu. The California outpost of the popular Maui restaurant will have you chowing down on freshly caught seafood with a front-row seat to the waves crashing along the shore, teeming with sea lions and surfers. For a higher-end oceanside experience, snag a reservation at celeb favorite Geoffrey's or the incomparable Nobu.
Day 5
Downtown, Echo Park, & Silver Lake
If you have time to spend a few more days in LA, devote one of them to downtown and the East Side - namely, Silver Lake and Echo Park. The upbeat atmosphere of DTLA will energize you, while the hipster, eclectic vibes akin to the East Side will inspire.
Start downtown with breakfast at Grand Central Market. The sprawling marketplace takes all of LA's best vendors and puts them together under one roof - with options ranging from the raw juices on offer at Press Brothers Juicery to the famous egg brioche sandwiches of Eggslut.
Down the street, explore the Instagram-friendly bookshelves of The Last Bookstore, the largest new and used bookshop in the state.
For a culture fix, admire the Frank Gehry-designed walls of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, home to the LA Philharmonic. Or, perhaps spend the remainder of your morning wandering through the contemporary art exhibits inside The Broad. General admission is free, but must be ticketed. Book your slot in advance online, or try to snag walk-up entry via the onsite standby line.
Break for lunch with a visit to salad and sandwich haven Mendocino Farms, or poke bowl outpost Sweetfin.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
In the afternoon, head to Echo Park Lake for a pedal boat rental. Soak up the fresh air while simultaneously enjoying some serious views of the DTLA skyline.
If you've got time to spare, head to Silver Lake's Sunset Junction to browse the selections of vintage, bespoke, or just downright chic shops.
For dinner, chow down on some of the best Northern Thai food in the city at Night + Market Song, or snag a table at Ma'am Sir for some unreal Filipino dishes.
Looking for a night on the town? Airy Tenants of the Trees is an eternal mood, while the dance floor's nearly always at capacity at nearby Echoplex or The Satellite.
Day 6
Theme park
Let's just say when it comes to theme parks, you're not exactly short of options in LA - after all, it is the entertainment capital of the world! Spend your final day in the city catching all the thrills you can.
There's Universal Studios Hollywood, where you can tour the film studio's working backlot, get cozy with zombies in the Walking Dead Attraction and cast a spell in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
And, of course, there's the mighty and magical Disneyland Resort down in Orange County (so technically not in LA...but close enough for a day trip!) I went to college 15 minutes away, which meant I was an Annual Passholder for years (before I'd go on to work for Disney Corporate, which meant lots of visits down to the parks on weekends.) As a result, I know this resort pretty well and it is definitely one of the highlights of Southern California!
Close by, Knott's Berry Farm holds court as a Wild West escape, with rides, stage shows, a water park, and - of course - fried chicken and boysenberries. The park even features residencies from the likes of Snoopy and friends.
Finally, there's Six Flags Magic Mountain up in Valencia. Not for the faint of heart, the "Thrill Capital of the World" features nearly two dozen roller coasters in addition to bumper cars, a log flume, go-karts, and more.
No matter which theme park you choose to visit, you'll end your visit to Tinseltown with a bang!
Where to stay
There are so many amazing neighborhoods to explore in Los Angeles, and they all offer a little something different.
Given that this itinerary takes you on a world tour of the city, you may want to consider staying in multiple areas: WeHo or Hollywood for the first few days, Santa Monica/Venice/Marina Del Rey/elsewhere on the West Side for the middle two, and DTLA for the last. The biggest upside to this is you avoid having to trek around too much to get to/from your hotel to/from the day's activities.
If hotel hopping isn't your thing, it's best to stay as central as you can to the items on your itinerary; in this case, West Hollywood or Beverly Hills is probably your best bet (plus they're both just sooo LA!)
When to go
Southern California is famous for its weather for a reason - it's amazing pretty much year-round! It does get quite hot during the summertime, and there's a thing called June Gloom which basically means a month of overcast skies and smoggy weather. Keep in mind that on the rare occasions it rains, the entire city loses its mind; this typically happens in January.
For the absolute best temps, October-November and March-May are your best bets.
Getting into the city
The city is serviced by multiple major airports; of course there's Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but you've also got Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Ontario International Airport (ONT), and John Wayne Airport (SNA) down in Orange County.
Getting around the city
You'll definitely need a car. Think of it this way: whereas New York is built up, LA is built out. The city's public transit is inconsistent, and as a whole it's not walkable (save for certain neighborhoods.) Be prepared for some quality time behind the wheel - the traffic is gnarly.
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Inspired to get a trip to Los Angeles on the books? I can make it happen! Get in touch and let’s get started on an incredible itinerary.
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The First-Time Visitor's Guide to LA