Los Angeles began as a Spanish pueblo in 1781 and has reinvented itself many times since—oil boomtown, aerospace hub, and the world’s entertainment capital. Today, LA is a tapestry of neighborhoods, each with its own rhythm: surf towns, hillside enclaves, and neon-lit boulevards where film history and modern creativity meet.

Beyond red carpets, LA is a city of mountains and sea. Hike to sweeping Griffith Park views in the morning, eat hand-pressed tortillas at lunch, and watch the Pacific turn gold at sunset. Art lovers can ping-pong between The Broad and the Walt Disney Concert Hall; design fans should not miss a moment at the Bradbury Building’s ironwork atrium.

Practical notes: traffic is real, so cluster your plans by neighborhood; rideshares and the Metro can shrink headaches. Reservations are wise for headline restaurants. The weather is mild year-round; evenings can be breezy near the coast. Always check hours—museums and observatory schedules vary weekly.

Los Angeles

From the Hollywood Sign to the Santa Monica Pier, LA’s icons are everywhere. But the city is most rewarding when you dive deeper: taco trucks in Highland Park, vinyl browsing in Echo Park, and coffee crawls across the Arts District.

• Top sights: Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Canals, The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Rodeo Drive.
• Film & TV: Backlot magic at Universal Studios Hollywood and insider sets on the Warner Bros Studio Tour.
• Where to eat: Langer’s Deli (legendary pastrami), Bavel (modern Middle Eastern), Bestia (wood-fired Italian), Holbox (exceptional seafood tostadas), République (bakery-by-morning, brasserie by night), Howlin’ Ray’s (Nashville hot chicken).
• Fun fact: The Griffith Observatory cameoed in Rebel Without a Cause, La La Land, and countless others—arguably Hollywood’s most filmed overlook.

Getting in: Fly into LAX (largest), BUR (Burbank, convenient for Hollywood/Studios), or LGB/SNA (smaller, calmer). Search and book flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Europe, compare options on Omio. Typical nonstop times: NYC–LAX ~6 hours (~$150–$450 roundtrip in shoulder seasons); Chicago–LAX ~4 hours; SF–LAX ~1.25 hours (~$60–$150 one-way).

Where to stay: Browse a broad range of hotels on Hotels.com or spacious suites and homes on VRBO.

• Icon status: The Beverly Hills Hotel (history, palm-lined glamour, serene gardens).
• Great value DTLA: Freehand Los Angeles (stylish rooms, rooftop pool with skyline views).
• Family-friendly steps from the Walk of Fame: Loews Hollywood Hotel (direct access to Hollywood & Highland).
• Beachfront splurge: Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (ocean views and an easy stroll to the Pier).

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Icons, and a Spirited Ghost Tour

Morning: Travel day. Book a flight that lands early afternoon via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. On landing, budget 30–60 minutes for rideshare pickup and the drive to your hotel (longer at rush hour). Check in and freshen up.

Afternoon: Head to Downtown LA. Grab coffee at Maru Coffee (Arts District) or Verve DTLA, then wander to the Walt Disney Concert Hall’s gleaming curves and The Broad’s honeycomb facade; free street-level viewing is great even without timed tickets. Pop into the Bradbury Building lobby for its 1893 skylit ironwork, then descend Angel’s Flight funicular to Grand Central Market for a late lunch—try Eggslut (soft-scramble egg sandwiches), Villa Moreliana (slow-cooked carnitas), and Sarita’s Pupuseria (griddled pupusas).

Evening: Lean into LA noir on the DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost Tour. It weaves true-crime lore, the Biltmore’s gilded history, and cocktails at storied bars into a memorable night out.

Post-tour dinner ideas nearby: Bavel (sumac-kissed hummus, lamb neck shawarma, date ice cream), Bestia (spelt fusilli, roasted marrow), or Redbird (cathedral-turned-restaurant with seasonal Californian plates). Nightcap at The Varnish (classic cocktails behind Cole’s) or rooftop at Perch for skyline views.

Day 2: Choose Your Adventure—Theme Park Thrills or Citywide Icons

Option A — Universal Studios Hollywood (full day): Spend the day inside movie magic with a Universal Studios Hollywood General Admission Ticket. Go early; head straight to Super Nintendo World for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, then the Wizarding World for Forbidden Journey and Butterbeer. Ride the Studio Tour (trams through working sets and attractions like “Jaws” and “King Kong 360”).

Where to refuel: breakfast pastry and coffee at Joan’s on Third (Studio City) or Priscilla’s (Toluca Lake). For lunch, Three Broomsticks (fish and chips) or Toadstool Cafe (mushroom-themed plates) are crowd-pleasers. Wrap with ramen at Daikokuya (Little Tokyo, if you’re heading DTLA) or a Hollywood classic at Musso & Frank Grill (griddled steak, perfect martinis). For a lively night, try Good Times at Davey Wayne’s (1970s throwback) or Bar Lis (French Riviera vibes).

Option B — Full-Day City Sights (7.5 hours): Let locals connect the dots on the Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More. Expect curated stops and photo ops: Hollywood Sign views, Walk of Fame handprints, Rodeo Drive, the Original Farmers Market/Grove for lunch, Santa Monica Pier, and Venice’s murals and canals.

Afterwards, linger for sunset on the Santa Monica bluffs, then dinner at Rustic Canyon (hyper-seasonal California cuisine) or Cassia (wood-fired Southeast Asian brasserie). Drinks: The Bungalow (beachy bungalow house-party energy) or High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin (Venice) for Pacific panoramas.

Day 3: Warner Bros Backlots, Hollywood Hills Views, and Departure

Morning: Fuel up at Maru Coffee (Los Feliz) or All Time (Los Feliz; breakfast burritos, jammy eggs). Then go behind the curtain on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood—a guided spin through active sets, props and costumes from DC and Harry Potter, and that beloved “Friends” couch photo.

Afternoon: Time permitting before your flight, swing up to Griffith Observatory for sweeping city-to-ocean views (use the upper terraces if the museum level is busy). For lunch, choose Langer’s Deli (No. 19 pastrami on double-baked rye), Sqirl (ricotta toast, sorrel pesto rice bowl), or Osteria Mozza (mozzarella bar, fresh pastas) if you’re staying central. Aim to leave for LAX 1.5–2 hours before domestic flights (more at peak times). From Europe, compare returns on Omio; otherwise check Trip.com and Kiwi.com for best schedules and fares.

Insider food and coffee picks by neighborhood:

• Hollywood/Los Feliz: Maru Coffee; Musso & Frank Grill; Mother Wolf (handmade pastas); Jitlada (spicy Southern Thai).
• Arts District/DTLA: Bestia; Bavel; The Varnish; Damian (modern Mexican); Girl & the Goat LA (wood-fired plates).
• Santa Monica/Venice: Gjusta (smoked fish platters), Felix (fresh pasta), The Bungalow (drinks), Pasjoli (French technique, local bounty).

Hotel booking quick links: The Beverly Hills Hotel | Freehand Los Angeles | Loews Hollywood Hotel | Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel | Browse more on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Good to know (2025): Griffith Observatory is typically closed some Mondays; The Broad uses free timed reservations; popular restaurants and tours book out weeks ahead—lock them in early. Always pad extra transit time for rush hour, especially when crossing town to the airport.

Optional extra for nightlife lovers: If you want one more splashy night, consider the Hollywood speakeasies and rooftop circuit after dinner on Day 2—No Vacancy (Victorian house party vibe), Bar Lis (views and live DJs), or The Rooftop at The Highlight Room.

With studio backlots, coastal sunsets, and plates you’ll remember long after wheels up, this 3-day Los Angeles itinerary balances big-ticket sights with local flavor. You’ll leave with sand on your shoes, a phone full of movie-scene selfies, and a short list of places to return next time.