Los Angeles is a sun-drenched mosaic of neighborhoods, cultures, and stories—a place where film history meets beach-town ease. Founded in 1781 as El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, it evolved from ranchland into the global capital of entertainment and pop culture. Today, its sprawl hides treasure after treasure: hilltop observatories, serious museums, taco trucks, and coastline boardwalks alive with buskers.

Expect microclimates and moods: marine layer mornings on the Westside, crisp sunsets above Griffith Park, art days in DTLA, and late-night noodles in Koreatown. Locals time life around traffic; you’ll balance must-see icons with neighborhood gems, using smart timing and a few strategic tours. Book popular restaurants and studio experiences in advance, and bring layers—LA days are warm, nights can be breezy.

This four-day Los Angeles travel guide blends marquee attractions—Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Universal Studios—with food stops locals actually love, from deli legends to new-wave taquerías. It’s designed for an afternoon arrival and afternoon departure, with precise morning/afternoon/evening moves to help you see more and stress less.

Los Angeles

LA rewards curiosity. One hour you’re tracing movie lore on Hollywood Boulevard; the next you’re biking the beach path from Santa Monica to Venice as the sun drapes the pier in gold. In between: world-class art at The Getty, street murals in the Arts District, and a taco crawl that could convert any skeptic.

• Top sights: Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Boardwalk, The Getty, The Broad, Sunset Strip.
• Iconic experiences: studio backlots, live TV tapings, rooftop sunsets, Malibu canyon drives, and Koreatown BBQ feasts.
• Fun facts: The Hollywood Sign began as a 1923 real estate ad (“Hollywoodland”). LA County has more museums per capita than anywhere in the U.S., and its food scene runs the gamut from Michelin stars to parking-lot institutions.

Where to stay (our picks):

• Search everything: Hotels.com: Los Angeles | VRBO: Los Angeles
• Hollywood hub (walk to TCL Chinese Theatre): Loews Hollywood Hotel — large rooms, pool with views, easy Metro Red Line access.
• Beachfront splurge: Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel — steps from the pier and beach bike path.
• Classic glamour: The Beverly Hills Hotel — old-Hollywood history under palm trees on Sunset Boulevard.
• Elegant Eastside retreat: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena — grand gardens, calm base for Griffith Park, Pasadena, and the Arroyo.
• Value near the Eastside: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles - Rosemead — handy to Pasadena and DTLA by car.

Getting there & around:

• Fly into: LAX (largest), plus Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), Orange County (SNA), or Ontario (ONT). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. Typical domestic one-way: ~$100–$350; international varies widely.
• Airport to hotel: Rideshare to Hollywood/Santa Monica runs ~$35–$90 depending on time of day; 35–90 minutes. Private transfer available (see Day 4). Renting a car costs ~$40–$80/day plus parking ($20–$50).
• Local tips: Avoid peak traffic (7–10am, 3–7pm). The Metro rail is useful for Hollywood/DTLA/Santa Monica; supplement with rideshares and walking. Sunscreen, water, and comfortable shoes go a long way.

Day 1 — Hollywood Hills welcome, DTLA after dark

Morning: Travel day. Land, check in, and shake off jet lag with an iced latte at Go Get Em Tiger (Larchmont) or Maru Coffee (Arts District)—both roast bright, clean West Coast profiles. If you’re peckish, grab a pastrami on rye at Langer’s Deli near MacArthur Park; their #19 is a civic treasure.

Afternoon: Head to Griffith Park for a gentle leg-stretcher. Tour the Griffith Observatory exhibits, then step outside for a panoramic sweep from downtown to the Pacific; golden hour paints the Hollywood Sign perfectly. Late lunch nearby: All Time (Los Feliz) for wood-fired plates and excellent salads, or Kismet Rotisserie (Los Feliz/Silver Lake) for saffron chicken and crispy potatoes.

Evening: Make your first night a noir-tinged romp in historic DTLA on the DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost Tour (about 2.5 hours; ~$59). You’ll trace true-crime lore from the Biltmore to Pershing Square and sip atmospheric cocktails along the way.

Before or after, choose dinner in the neighborhood: Bestia (Arts District) for handmade pastas and wood-fired lamb neck; Bavel for Levantine spreads and slow-roasted meats; or Sonoratown for mesquite-grilled carne asada wrapped in supple flour tortillas. Nightcap options include The Varnish (classic cocktails) or Perch (rooftop views of the skyline).

Day 2 — All-Access LA: Icons, beaches, and the Hills

Full day: Maximize ground covered with the Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More (about 7.5 hours; ~$99–$129). It’s a locally guided loop that stitches together Hollywood Boulevard (Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre), panoramic Mulholland Drive pullouts, Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive, and the coast—Santa Monica Pier to Venice Boardwalk—without you worrying about parking.

Fuel up beforehand with a kouign-amann and cold brew at République Bakery (La Brea) or a chorizo-and-egg burrito at Cofax (Fairfax). Many routes pause at The Original Farmers Market, where you can graze at Gumbo Pot (Creole), Singapore’s Banana Leaf, or Michelina for fresh pasta.

After drop-off, linger on the Westside. Dinner picks: Gjelina (Venice) for charred pizzas and market veg; Felix (Venice) for handmade sfoglia; or Cassia (Santa Monica) for Southeast Asian flavors and wood-grilled seafood. Stroll the beach path as the sun drops behind the pier.

Day 3 — Universal Studios Hollywood thrills

Full day: Devote the day to rides, shows, and backlot lore with a Universal Studios Hollywood General Admission Ticket (from ~$119; consider Express to skip lines on busy days). Start with The World-Famous Studio Tour, then zigzag to Jurassic World—The Ride and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Catch the WaterWorld stunt show for peak spectacle.

Breakfast is easy at CityWalk—Voodoo Doughnut for a maple bacon bar, Sparky’s for coffee-on-the-go. For lunch, hit Three Broomsticks (solid fish & chips) or Krusty Burger for theme-park classics. Post-park dinner back in Hollywood or Koreatown: Musso & Frank Grill (since 1919—flannel cakes, martinis, and film lore), Jitlada (Thai heat, Southern Thai specialties), or Park’s BBQ (expertly marbled short rib grilled at your table). If you’ve got a second wind, peek at the neon history along Sunset Boulevard.

Day 4 — Studio secrets, last bites, and wheels up

Morning: Dive deeper into moviemaking on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood (2–3 hours; from ~$70–$75). You’ll explore active backlots, iconic sets, and prop archives with a pro guide—catnip for film and TV fans.

Pre-tour coffee and guava pastries at Porto’s Bakery (Burbank) will put a smile on everyone’s face. If you have extra time after, pop up to Lake Hollywood Park for a close, relaxed view of the Sign.

Afternoon: Wrap with a food-lover’s farewell at Grand Central Market: Eggslut for the Fairfax sandwich, Villa Moreliana for carnitas, and Sarita’s for pupusas. If time allows, swing by The Broad (free timed entry) to glimpse contemporary art before you head out.

Departure: Aim for the airport 2.5–3 hours before an international flight (2 hours domestic), padding for traffic. For a stress-free ride, book a Private Transfer to Los Angeles Airport (LAX). Otherwise, rideshares are plentiful; expect 45–90 minutes to LAX depending on time of day.

Extra coffee, snacks, and neighborhood bites to sprinkle in: Menotti’s (Venice) for a flat white before a beach walk; Gjusta (Venice) for smoked fish plates and baklava; Leo’s Tacos Truck (various) for al pastor shaved off the trompo; Mariscos Jalisco (Boyle Heights truck) for a crisp shrimp taco dorado; and Helen’s Wines at Jon & Vinny’s (Fairfax) if you want a bottle for the hotel.

Booking pointers: Reserve studio tours and popular dining early (weekends book out). Bring a light jacket for coastal evenings and hilltop viewpoints. If you’re driving, validate parking whenever you can, and use garages over street meters in busy districts.

Flight searches: Compare options and times via Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com Flights. For lodging across neighborhoods and budgets, browse Hotels.com: Los Angeles or apartment-style stays on VRBO: Los Angeles.

In summary: This 4-day Los Angeles itinerary blends movie magic, coastal air, and real-deal neighborhood flavor. You’ll hit Hollywood’s headline sights, breathe in Pacific sunsets, and taste why LA sets the national conversation on food. Expect a city that rewards planning—and serendipity—every hour you’re here.