California’s south coast rewards the curious and the active. In a single week you can jog the palm-lined path from Santa Monica to Venice, climb into the Santa Monica Mountains, and end your days with fish tacos and Pacific sunsets. Los Angeles and San Diego offer enough culture, cuisine, and coastline to fill a month—but this plan distills the best into a satisfying, fitness-forward 7-day itinerary.

Los Angeles grew from a Spanish pueblo into a modern mosaic of neighborhoods—Hollywood glamour, beach-town ease, and world-class art. San Diego, older by a century, keeps a relaxed pace wrapped around a spectacular natural harbor, Balboa Park’s Spanish Revival architecture, and La Jolla’s craggy coves.

Expect microclimates: mornings can be cool by the water even in summer; carry layers and sunscreen year-round. Reserve popular restaurants and museums ahead when possible. Fly into Los Angeles and out of San Diego to minimize backtracking, and use this itinerary to thread together hikes, calisthenics spots, surfy coffee shops, and unforgettable meals.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city of scenes: surfers at sunrise, food halls at noon, observatory lights at dusk. As you crisscross neighborhoods, note how the landscape shifts—from Art Deco towers downtown to the beach bungalows of Venice and the chaparral-draped canyons above Malibu.

• Don’t miss: Original Muscle Beach rings and bars (free), Venice Canals, Abbot Kinney boutiques, Griffith Observatory views, The Broad’s contemporary art, and a Malibu coastal hike.
• Where to stay: Base near the beach (Santa Monica/Venice) for morning runs or in West Hollywood for central access.
• Bookings: Search stays on VRBO Los Angeles or Hotels.com Los Angeles.
• Flights: Fly into LAX (or BUR if convenient). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Santa Monica Stroll, Pacific Sunset

Morning: Travel day. Hydrate on the plane and pack a light layer—coastal breezes can fool you even in summer.

Afternoon: Land at LAX and check in near Santa Monica or Venice. Shake off the flight with a gentle walk along Palisades Park to the Santa Monica Pier. Coffee at Demitasse Santa Monica or Goodboybob; both roast excellent beans and offer light bites.

Evening: Watch sunset from the beach, then dine at Gjelina (wood-fired vegetables, pizzas, and a lively room) or Cassia (French–Southeast Asian seafood; get the kaya toast and pot-au-feu). Finish with McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams on Main Street—Eureka lemon & marionberries is a local favorite.

Day 2: Venice Beach Fitness + Abbot Kinney + Griffith Observatory

Morning: Warm up with a jog or bike on The Strand between Santa Monica and Venice. Hit the Original Muscle Beach rings and parallel bars (free) for bodyweight work; if you want weights, the fenced Venice Muscle Beach outdoor gym offers day passes (~$10–15). Espresso at Menotti’s on the boardwalk or a more substantial breakfast at Gjusta (smoked fish platters, bialys, seasonal salads).

Afternoon: Wander the Venice Canals’ footbridges, then browse Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Lunch at The Win-Dow (excellent smashburgers and crunchy fries) or Great White (healthy bowls, fish tacos). If you crave art, pop into small galleries off Electric Avenue.

Evening: Drive up to Griffith Observatory before sunset for city-and-hollywood-sign views; exhibits are free, planetarium shows ~$10. Dinner options nearby: République (French-inflected California cooking; stellar pastry program) or L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele Hollywood (heritage Neapolitan pies). Nightcap at Bar Covell (wine bar) or grab tea at Alfred if you’re keeping it light.

Day 3: Runyon Canyon Hike, Downtown Arts + The Broad

Morning: Hike Runyon Canyon (loop 2.5–3 miles; bring water). Coffee at Alfred on Melrose or Maru in Los Feliz; breakfast at HomeState (breakfast tacos) or Joan’s on Third (scrambles, baked goods).

Afternoon: Head downtown. The Broad’s general admission is free (book timed entry in advance; special exhibits ~$15–25). Walk by Walt Disney Concert Hall’s steel curves and Grand Park. Lunch at Grand Central Market—try Tacos Tumbras a Tomas (al pastor and carnitas), Sticky Rice (Thai), and McConnell’s for dessert.

Evening: Eat in the Arts District: Bestia (house-cured salumi, handmade pastas) or Bavel (Middle Eastern flavors; lamb neck shawarma is a standout). Casual drinks at Angel City Brewery or a crafted cocktail at Death & Co. If you prefer a quiet evening, stroll the 6th Street Viaduct’s lit arches.

Day 4: Malibu Trails, Beaches, and Coastal Bites

Morning: Drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu. Hike Solstice Canyon (easy-to-moderate 3 miles; shaded creek, ranch ruins). Breakfast either before or after on the pier at Malibu Farm Café (egg sandwich, seasonal salads) or grab a legendary breakfast burrito at Lily’s Malibu.

Afternoon: Post-hike swim or relax at El Matador State Beach (stair access, photogenic sea stacks). Lunch at Broad Street Oyster Company (lobster rolls, uni on shells) at Malibu Country Mart. On the way back, optional stop at the Getty Villa for antiquities and hillside views (admission free; parking fee).

Evening: Back in the city, see a comedy set at The Comedy Store (book ahead) or a music show on the Sunset Strip. Dinner at Jon & Vinny’s (hand-tossed pies, spicy fusilli) or Night + Market (Thai drinking food; khao soi, nam khao tod). Rest up—tomorrow you change cities.

San Diego

San Diego trades sprawl for sea breezes. Neighborhoods hug canyons and coves, and nearly everything bends toward the bay. La Jolla’s cliffs, Point Loma’s sunsets, and Balboa Park’s arcades anchor days spent wandering between coffee, tacos, and beaches.

• Don’t miss: La Jolla Cove sea lions, Torrey Pines hikes, USS Midway Museum, Little Italy dining, Sunset Cliffs golden hour, and Balboa Park’s museums and gardens.
• Where to stay: Little Italy for walkability and dining; Gaslamp for nightlife; La Jolla for coastal calm.
• Bookings: Browse VRBO San Diego or Hotels.com San Diego.
• Getting there from LA: Morning drive via I‑5 (2–3 hours) or take Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner (~2h45; ~$35–60). If you’re flying out of San Diego, compare options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 5: Transfer to San Diego, Waterfront + Little Italy

Morning: Depart LA after breakfast to beat traffic. If driving, plan a stretch stop in San Clemente; if on the Surfliner, sit on the ocean side for the best views.

Afternoon: Check into Little Italy. Walk the Embarcadero past Waterfront Park and the Maritime Museum’s historic ships. Coffee at James Coffee Co.’s “co-lab” space (great cold brew) or Better Buzz (try the Best Drink Ever).

Evening: Dinner at Herb & Wood (wood-fired plates, handmade pastas) or Ironside Fish & Oyster (raw bar, lobster roll). Gelato at Bobboi in Little Italy (pistachio is deeply nutty). If you fancy a nightcap, Ballast Point’s Little Italy taproom pours San Diego classics with bay views.

Day 6: La Jolla Caves, Torrey Pines, and Sunset Cliffs

Morning: Breakfast in La Jolla at The Cottage (lemon ricotta pancakes) or Parakeet Café (wellness bowls, matcha). Consider a guided kayak tour of the La Jolla sea caves and ecological reserve (~2 hours; ~$80–95) or rent snorkel gear (~$20–30) to spot garibaldi and leopard sharks in summer.

Afternoon: Drive to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for the Beach Trail loop (about 3 miles with coastal bluffs; parking ~$15–25 per car). Lunch afterward at The Taco Stand (handmade tortillas, adobada shaved to order) or El Pescador Fish Market (poke bowls, grilled catch). Swing by Birch Aquarium if you’re traveling with kids or want tide-pool magic.

Evening: Golden hour at Sunset Cliffs—bring a light jacket and keep a safe distance from cliff edges. Dinner in Point Loma at Brigantine (local swordfish when in season) or head to Liberty Public Market to graze: Wicked Maine Lobster, Stuffed! burgers, and Parana for empanadas. Try Stone Brewing Liberty Station’s garden for a post-dinner beer.

Day 7: Balboa Park, Morley Field Fitness, and Departure

Morning: Warm up at the Morley Field Fitness Court in Balboa Park (free bodyweight circuit). Explore the park’s highlights: the San Diego Museum of Art, the Mingei International Museum’s design collection, Spanish Village Art Center’s studios, and the Botanical Building and Lily Pond. Brunch at Morning Glory (soufflé pancakes) or Panama 66 in the sculpture garden (sandwiches, local beer).

Afternoon: Grab a final coffee at Dark Horse in North Park or Communal Coffee’s flower-filled space, then head to SAN for your flight. Compare routes and fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Travel home with sand still in your shoes and a camera roll full of ocean light.

Additional Notes and Local Gems

• Active extras in LA: Griffith Park’s Fern Dell to Observatory loop (2.5 miles), Santa Monica Stairs in Pacific Palisades for a calf-burner, or paddleboarding in Marina del Rey.
• Active extras in San Diego: Mission Beach boardwalk run, Pacific Beach pull-up bars near the lifeguard towers, or a surf lesson in Mission Beach (~$95–120 for 90-minute group class).
• Budget tips: The Broad and Griffith Observatory are free; beaches are free; splitting a rental car reduces costs and maximizes flexibility.

Over seven days, you’ll trace Southern California’s coastline from Venice’s rings to La Jolla’s caves, weaving in hikes, museums, and meals that showcase the region’s range. Whether you came for calisthenics inspiration or sunshine, this LA–San Diego itinerary delivers both—and invites a return visit to dig even deeper.