California’s West Coast has long been a beacon for dreamers: from the silent-film era in Hollywood to the birth of craft beer and beach culture in San Diego. In October, the weather is at its mellow best—warm days, cooler nights, and fewer crowds—perfect for a 5-day itinerary that hits the greatest hits and the local haunts.

This two-city plan focuses on Los Angeles and San Diego, linked by the scenic Pacific Surfliner and a ribbon of coastline where surfers and pelicans share the same view. You’ll mix hikes to Griffith Observatory with tacos in Boyle Heights, then swap LA’s neon for San Diego’s sea caves and Balboa Park’s Spanish Revival elegance.

Expect reliable sunshine (mid-60s to high-70s °F), a light marine layer in the mornings, and casual dress almost everywhere. Reserve top tables in advance, carry a refillable water bottle, and budget for rideshares or the train between cities. Book flights with Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and you’re off.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a mosaic of neighborhoods and microclimates: beachy Venice, refined Brentwood, art-forward Downtown, and glam-meets-grit Hollywood. The city rewards curiosity—walk the Venice Canals, browse MOCA after The Broad, and time your Griffith Observatory visit for golden hour.

Top sights include the Getty Center (free admission; pay to park), the Hollywood Bowl overlook on Mulholland Drive, the starburst of food stalls at Grand Central Market, and the Broad Museum’s contemporary art trove. Don’t miss the Arts District for street murals and pasta that will ruin you for all others.

• Where to stay: Search beach apartments in Santa Monica, lofts in the Arts District, or family homes in Los Feliz on VRBO (Los Angeles) or boutique and major hotels via Hotels.com (Los Angeles). Neighborhoods with easy sightseeing access: Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Downtown, Los Feliz.
• Getting in: Fly into LAX (most options) or BUR (closer to Hollywood). Typical October round-trip fares to LAX run ~$200–$450 domestically. Compare with Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Rideshare LAX→Hollywood: 45–75 min, ~$35–$70 depending on traffic.
• Local transit: The Metro is expanding; tap cards cap fares daily (about $5). Still, plan for some rideshares between far-flung spots.

Day 1 (Thu, Oct 8): Arrival, Santa Monica & Venice

Morning: Fly to Los Angeles. In-flight, bookmark The Broad and Getty Center ticket pages and snag any needed reservations.

Afternoon: Check in, then head for the ocean: stroll Third Street Promenade to the Santa Monica Pier and walk the beachfront path to Venice (rent bikes if you like). Coffee at Dogtown Coffee (original surf-skate vibes, honey latte) or Goodboybob (single-origin pour-overs).

Evening: Explore the Venice Canals at sunset. Dinner at Felix Trattoria (handmade sfoglino pastas; book early) or Gjelina (wood-fired vegetables and pizzas). Nightcap at High Rooftop Lounge in Venice for a Pacific panorama.

Day 2 (Fri, Oct 9): Hollywood Hills, The Broad, Arts District

Morning: Grab a city-best bagel at Courage Bagels (Los Feliz; hand-rolled, blistered crust) or seasonal toasts at SQIRL. Hike from Bronson Canyon or Griffith Park to the Griffith Observatory (allow 2–3 hours round-trip). The observatory’s exhibits are free; the view of the Hollywood Sign is the prize.

Afternoon: Head Downtown. See Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Room (if available) at The Broad (free tickets; limited standby). Cross to MOCA for West Coast contemporary art lineage. Lunch at Grand Central Market—try Tacos Tumbras a Tomas (heaped carnitas), Kismet Rotisserie (sumac chicken), or Eggslut (coddled-egg sandwich that started a trend).

Evening: Arts District crawl: dinner at Bestia (rustic Italian; famed bone marrow/spaghetti) or Bavel (Middle Eastern spice route, exceptional hummus and lamb neck). Cocktails at Death & Co. or agave-forward Bar Caló. Dessert at Salt & Straw on Abbot Kinney if you loop back west.

San Diego

San Diego is where the desert’s edge meets warm currents and a laid-back food scene. Spanish colonial roots show in Old Town, while Balboa Park’s 1915 fair architecture shelters museums, gardens, and one of the world’s best zoos.

Beyond downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter, each coastal pocket has its own mood: surfy Pacific Beach, upscale-yet-easy La Jolla, and sunset-hungry Ocean Beach. Seafood is a way of life—think local spiny lobster (in season), Baja-style fish tacos, and pier-adjacent oyster bars.

• Where to stay: For beach time choose La Jolla or Pacific Beach; for museum access pick Bankers Hill or Little Italy. Browse homes on VRBO (San Diego) or hotels across budgets on Hotels.com (San Diego).
• Getting there from LA: Take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from LA Union Station to San Diego Santa Fe Depot: ~2h45–3h, typically $35–$60 one-way; sit on the right for ocean views. Driving via I-5 is ~120 miles, ~2–3.5 hours depending on traffic. Flying (LAX–SAN) takes ~45 minutes in the air but is often slower door-to-door; if you need to compare fares, use Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 3 (Sat, Oct 10): LA to San Diego, Balboa Park & Gaslamp

Morning: Depart Los Angeles on the Pacific Surfliner (aim for an 8–9 AM train). Pick up pastries and a flat white at Maru Coffee (Arts District) before you roll. Train arrives at Santa Fe Depot downtown; walkable or quick rideshare to many hotels.

Afternoon: Spend the day in Balboa Park. Choose two: San Diego Museum of Art, Museum of Us, Japanese Friendship Garden, or the San Diego Zoo (plan 3–4 hours; adult tickets around $72). Lunch at Panama 66 (courtyard sandwiches, local beer) or Craft Cafe for a quick bite.

Evening: Stroll the Gaslamp Quarter. Dinner at Juniper & Ivy (creative, market-driven; famous for their yodel dessert) or Born & Raised (swanky steakhouse with rooftop). Post-dinner, sip a West Coast IPA at Ballast Point Little Italy or cocktails at Noble Experiment (speakeasy-style; reservations recommended).

Day 4 (Sun, Oct 11): La Jolla Coves, Torrey Pines, Sunset Cliffs

Morning: Coffee at James Coffee Co. (Little Italy flagship) or Better Buzz (Original Buzz). Head to La Jolla to watch sea lions near the Children’s Pool. Consider a sea caves kayak tour (1.5–2 hours, ~$80–$100; operators cluster on Avenida de la Playa) or visit the Birch Aquarium for hands-on marine science.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Cottage La Jolla (coastal brunch classics) or Duke’s La Jolla (poke and hula pie with a view). Walk the clifftop paths, then drive north to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for an easy bluff hike; trails drop to the beach if tides allow.

Evening: Head to Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach for a glowing horizon. Dinner nearby at Ironside Fish & Oyster (Little Italy; oysters, lobster rolls) or Puesto (La Jolla or Seaport Village; blue-corn tortillas and crispy cheese tacos). Nightcap at False Idol (tropical speakeasy) if you snag a slot.

Day 5 (Mon, Oct 12): Old Town, USS Midway, Departure

Morning: Breakfast in Old Town—try Café Coyote for fresh tortillas or Old Town Mexican Café for machaca and cafecito. Wander the historic adobe buildings to trace San Diego’s early Californio period.

Afternoon: Tour the USS Midway Museum (allow 2–3 hours; adult tickets about $32) for flight deck views and docent stories. Quick lunch at Mitch’s Seafood on Point Loma (order the local-catch fish tacos). Depart from SAN in the afternoon; compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If your flight is later, stroll Little Italy for gelato at Pappalecco or a final espresso at Caffe Italia. Pick up beans at James Coffee Co. as a souvenir.

Practical Tips & Nice-to-Knows

• Weather in October: LA 65–80°F, San Diego 60–76°F. Pack layers, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes.
• Driving vs. train: The Pacific Surfliner is the stress-free, scenic option between cities. If driving, avoid peak Friday rush (3–7 PM) through Orange County.
• Budgeting: Museum tickets average $15–$25 (The Broad is free); zoo ~$72; dinners $20–$40 per person mid-range; top restaurants more. Coffee $4–$7.
• Reservations: Book Felix, Bestia/Bavel, Juniper & Ivy, and Born & Raised 2–3 weeks out. Many spots hold some bar seats for walk-ins.

This 5-day California coast itinerary gives you a greatest-hits tour with local flavor: hilltop views over Hollywood, art and pasta Downtown, sea lions in La Jolla, and history aboard the USS Midway. You’ll leave with sand in your shoes, a camera roll of sunsets, and a shortlist of places you’ll want to return to.