Los Angeles began as a Spanish pueblo in 1781 and grew into the world’s entertainment capital—a sprawling mosaic of neighborhoods, languages, and cuisines. Movie magic is real here: studio backlots sit minutes from mountain trails, and you can watch the sunset over the Pacific after a morning in a museum.

Expect dazzling contrasts: art deco icons in Downtown LA, palm-lined boulevards in Beverly Hills, taco trucks that locals revere, and the breezy bike path linking Santa Monica and Venice Beach. The city rewards curiosity—dip into different districts and you’ll see why Angelenos are so loyal to their favorite pockets.

Practical notes: Distances can be deceiving; plan for traffic and build in buffers. Book studio tours and popular restaurants ahead; many top museums offer timed entry. Weather is mild year-round, but mornings on the coast can be foggy (“June Gloom”), and desert heat can creep into the valleys by afternoon.

Los Angeles

Why go now: New Metro extensions ease access to museums and beach towns, while classic draws—Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood Boulevard—remain timeless. The food scene is electric, from Koreatown barbecue to seafood shacks and inventive bakeries.

• Top sights: Griffith Observatory, The Broad and Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre, Santa Monica & Venice Beach, Beverly Hills’ palm canopies, the Arts District’s murals and galleries.
• Eat & drink: Taco trucks (try al pastor and shrimp dorados), Koreatown barbecue, Thai Town heat, and farmers-market-driven Californian cooking. Coffee is serious—seek out roasters across DTLA, Silver Lake, and the Westside.
• Fun facts: LA County has the nation’s largest population of museums per capita and more Native plant diversity than most states. The “marine layer” can make mornings gray by the beach even on hot valley days.

Getting there: Fly into LAX (largest), BUR (Burbank, convenient for Hollywood/Studios), or LGB (Long Beach). Compare fares and times on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: West Coast 1–2.5 hours, Midwest 3.5–4.5 hours, East Coast 5–6 hours; one-way fares often $120–$450 depending on season.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Hollywood (easy to sights): Loews Hollywood Hotel — steps to the Walk of Fame with a pool and views.
• Santa Monica (beach vibes): Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel — oceanfront, walkable to the pier and bike path.
• Beverly Hills (classic glamour): The Beverly Hills Hotel — an Old Hollywood legend on Sunset Boulevard.
• Downtown LA (culture-forward): Freehand Los Angeles — rooftop pool and great access to The Broad and dining.
• Eastside retreat: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena — grand gardens and calm, a short ride from museums.
• Value near the San Gabriel Valley’s eats: Comfort Inn Monterey Park and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles - Rosemead.

Browse more stays on Hotels.com: Los Angeles or consider apartments and homes on VRBO: Los Angeles.

Day 1: Arrival, DTLA Icons, and a Griffith Sunset

Morning: Travel day. Aim for a late morning or midday landing at LAX or BUR. If you arrive early, grab a quality coffee at Maru Coffee (Arts District) or Verve (DTLA) and a pastry at Clark Street Bread to power up before check-in.

Afternoon: Check in, then explore Downtown’s architectural gems: snap the Walt Disney Concert Hall’s gleaming curves and peek into The Broad (timed free entry; book ahead). Hungry? Head to Grand Central Market—try Villa Moreliana’s carnitas, Sari Sari Store’s Filipino rice bowls, or Sticky Rice’s Thai comfort. Prefer a guided tasting and stories of early LA? Book the Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour (about 2.5–3 hours, ~$75–$95).

Evening: Drive or rideshare to Griffith Observatory for golden-hour city views and the Hollywood Sign (DTLA to Griffith: 25–45 minutes depending on traffic). Park below and shuttle up if lots are full. Dinner nearby in Los Feliz or Thai Town: Little Dom’s (cozy Italian), Kismet (modern Middle Eastern), or Jitlada (beloved Southern Thai—order the crispy morning glory salad and green mussel curry). Nightcap at The Dresden, a classic lounge with old-school vibes.

Upgrade tonight: See LA sparkle from above on the Downtown LA Lights: Private Sunset and Night Helicopter Tour (~30–45 minutes; typically $250–$350+ per person depending on aircraft and time).

Day 2: Studio Secrets, Hollywood Legends, and Koreatown After Dark

Morning: Go behind the scenes in Burbank on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood (plan ~3 hours, from ~$70–$79). You’ll see active sets, backlots that morph into cities, and famous props. Pre-game with coffee at Priscilla’s in Toluca Lake or breakfast at Porto’s (guava pastries and potato balls are local favorites).

Afternoon: Head to Hollywood Boulevard for the Walk of Fame and the forecourt handprints at TCL Chinese Theatre. Then cover more ground with the Big Bus Los Angeles: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour (~$54–$65 for 1-day), which loops Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the Westside with live commentary—great for first-timers. Lunch picks: Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood history since 1919—sand dabs, steak frites), L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele (Neapolitan pies), or Luv2Eat Thai (bold Southern Thai flavors).

Evening: Feast in Koreatown—Park’s BBQ for top-grade meats grilled tableside, or Sun Nong Dan’s bubbling galbi-jjim (add cheese for the Insta-famous melt). Follow with a craft cocktail at The Normandie Club or karaoke at The Venue. If you want a night hike, catch sunset colors from Runyon Canyon or the Hollywood Bowl Overlook on Mulholland.

Day 3: Santa Monica & Venice—Beach Day and Departure

Morning: Start with Huckleberry Bakery & Café (legendary pastries and scrambles) or Sidecar Doughnuts (buttermilk drops) in Santa Monica. Rent bikes at the beach and cruise the Marvin Braude Bike Trail to Venice—watch surfers at the breakwater and skaters at the park. Coffee stops: Goodboybob or Demitasse for serious beans.

Afternoon: Wander the Venice Canals’ charming footbridges, then shop along Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Lunch options: Gjelina (wood-fired vegetables and pizzas), The Win-Dow (smashburgers), or The Butcher’s Daughter (vegetarian, bright and breezy). Leave 60–90 minutes for the LAX transfer from Santa Monica or Venice (traffic can spike mid-afternoon).

Evening: If your flight’s later, savor a final pier stroll—grab a cone at Salt & Straw and a sunset photo over the Pacific. Or book an oceanview early dinner at Water Grill Santa Monica for pristine seafood before you head out.

Local Logistics & Tips

• Getting around: Rideshares are abundant; parking runs $2–$4 per 15 minutes in busy areas. The Metro A/E lines link DTLA with Santa Monica and the Arts District; consider a day pass if you’ll be hopping between neighborhoods.
• Timing: Plan 30–60 minutes between most neighborhoods; add more at rush hour (7–10 a.m., 3–7 p.m.).
• Reservations: Book Warner Bros. tours, in-demand restaurants (Bestia, Bavel, n/naka), and The Broad’s free timed entry in advance.

Optional Add-Ons (if you extend your stay)

• Universal day: General admission or Express for shorter lines: Universal Studios Hollywood General Admission Ticket or Skip the Line: Express Ticket.
• Coastline overview without driving: Full-Day LA Tour: Santa Monica, Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Wherever you roam—Hollywood hills, beach boardwalks, or neon-lit boulevards—LA rewards explorers who mix icons with neighborhood flavor. With this 3-day plan, you’ll see the headlines and the hidden corners, eat superbly, and leave plotting your return.