Los Angeles grew from a Mexican pueblo founded in 1781 into a sprawling, sunlit mosaic of neighborhoods and cultures. It’s where missions and modernism meet, and where movie backlots neighbor tide pools and mountain trails. With 300+ days of sunshine, it’s a city built for outdoor time—beaches, canyon hikes, and al fresco dining abound.

Beyond Hollywood’s glitter, LA is a family-friendly playground: Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, the California Science Center, the La Brea Tar Pits, and the Los Angeles Zoo. Food is a highlight—from old-school delis to taco trucks, Korean BBQ, and Japanese noodles in Little Tokyo. Coffee culture thrives too; excellent roasters and cafés punctuate nearly every block.

Practical notes: LA traffic is real, so cluster activities by neighborhood. The Metro is expanding, rideshares are plentiful, and parking apps help. Book timed tickets for popular museums and studio tours in advance. For flights into LAX (or smaller Burbank and Long Beach airports), compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pack layers—coastal mornings can be cool even in summer.

Los Angeles

LA is a collection of villages: surfy Santa Monica and Venice, glitzy Beverly Hills, creative Silver Lake, historic Downtown, laid-back Long Beach, and studio-packed Burbank. Mornings bring coastal bike rides; afternoons call for museums and studio tours; evenings glow at Griffith Observatory or on the Santa Monica Pier.

• Top sights: Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, The Getty Center, La Brea Tar Pits, The Broad, DTLA Historic Core, Hollywood Boulevard.
• Food & coffee: Grand Central Market, République, Jon & Vinny’s, Porto’s Bakery, Gjusta, Marugame Monzo, Go Get Em Tiger, Menotti’s, Alfred Coffee.
• Fun facts: LA County has 75+ miles of coastline; the iconic Hollywood Sign originally read “Hollywoodland”; the city is one of the world’s most diverse dining capitals.

Where to stay (family-friendly picks):

• Beachfront comfort: Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (walk to the pier, bike path, and playgrounds).
• Walk-to-sights: Loews Hollywood Hotel (steps from the Walk of Fame and Metro access).
• Value-chic DTLA: Freehand Los Angeles (suite-style rooms and a rooftop pool; great for older kids/teens).
• Icon status splurge: The Beverly Hills Hotel (legendary bungalows and a serene pool scene).
• Resort feel (Pasadena day-base): The Langham Huntington, Pasadena (grand gardens and afternoon tea).

Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Los Angeles or family apartments on VRBO – Los Angeles.

How to get here: Fly into LAX (most options), BUR (closest to studios), or LGB (easy in/out). From LAX to Santa Monica is ~25–50 minutes by car in non-peak traffic; to Hollywood ~35–60 minutes; to DTLA ~30–60 minutes. Compare fares and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, DTLA Icons, and Grand Central Market

Afternoon: Land and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs on a self-guided loop around Walt Disney Concert Hall’s stainless-steel curves, the Broad’s striking “honeycomb” facade, and historic Angels Flight (the 1901 funicular—kids love the 298-foot ride). Coffee pick-me-up at Verve DTLA or Blue Bottle.

Evening: Eat your way through Grand Central Market. Try Eggslut’s Fairfax sandwich, Tacos Tumbras a Tomas for carnitas, Sticky Rice for pad see ew, and Sarita’s for pupusas. Finish with McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream. Walk to The Last Bookstore’s whimsical book tunnels before calling it an early night.

Day 2: Hollywood Highlights and Griffith Observatory Sunset

Morning: Classic Hollywood stroll: TCL Chinese Theatre’s handprints, Dolby Theatre, and the Walk of Fame. Breakfast at Clark Street Diner (fluffy pancakes, patty melts) or a quick cappuccino at Maru Coffee in Los Feliz.

Afternoon: Explore the city aboard the hop-on hop-off bus—easy with kids and great for first-timers. Use it to shuttle between Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the Grove/Farmers Market.

Big Bus Los Angeles: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

Evening: Drive up to Griffith Observatory for displays on space and astronomy, sweeping city views, and golden-hour photos with the Hollywood Sign. Dinner options nearby: Little Dom’s (Italian classics) or HomeState (Texas-style breakfast tacos all day). Note: Griffith Observatory is typically closed Mondays—swap days if needed.

Day 3: Universal Studios Hollywood (All-Day Fun)

Rope-drop Universal for a full day of family thrills. Start at Super Nintendo World (Power-Up Band challenges), glide through Hogwarts at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and laugh with the Minions. Breaks are easy at CityWalk with Voodoo Doughnut or Blaze Pizza.

Universal Studios Hollywood General Admission Ticket

Dinner nearby in Toluca Lake: Priscilla’s Coffee & Tea for a cozy pick-me-up, then Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank (’50s diner vibes, car-hop nights) for a crowd-pleasing end to the day.

Day 4: Santa Monica & Venice Beach Day

Morning: Breakfast at Huckleberry (baked goods and farmers-market produce) or Dogtown Coffee (surfer-favorite cold brew). Rent bikes and cruise the Marvin Braude Bike Path from Santa Monica to Venice—stop at the beach playgrounds and muscle beach art walls.

Afternoon: Santa Monica Pier time: Pacific Park’s family rides and arcade games. Lunch at The Albright (pier-side seafood) or Blue Plate Taco (margaritas for adults, good kids’ menu). Explore Tongva Park’s fountains and slides.

Evening: Watch sunset from the beach. Dinner at Cassia (Southeast Asian–leaning brasserie) or Stella Barra Pizzeria. If you’re staying oceanfront, a night stroll on Third Street Promenade caps it nicely.

Day 5: Warner Bros. Studio Tour & Burbank Boutiques

Morning: Coffee and a kouign-amann at République Bakery if you’re coming from Mid-City, or Porto’s Bakery in Burbank for guava pastries and Cuban sandwiches. Then head to the backlot for sets, props, and behind-the-scenes movie magic.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Afternoon: Browse Magnolia Park’s vintage shops and kid-friendly boutiques along Magnolia Boulevard (unique toys, retro tees, and collectibles). Stop for ice cream at Salt & Straw in nearby Studio City.

Evening: Casual dinner in Toluca Lake/Studio City: Mercado (modern Mexican), Granville (American comfort), or Mendocino Farms (great sandwiches and salads for picky eaters).

Day 6: Downtown LA, Little Tokyo, and Arts District Eats

Morning: Cortados and toasts at Go Get Em Tiger (GGET) on Broadway. Visit The Broad (reserve timed tickets in advance) and stroll Grand Park’s fountains. Pop into historic Union Station and Olvera Street for a glimpse of LA’s oldest plaza.

Afternoon: Lunch back at Grand Central Market—hit Belcampo is gone; try Wexler’s Deli for smoked fish, or Broad Street Oyster Co. pop-ups if present; otherwise, go for Sticky Rice and Tacos Tumbras a Tomas. Explore Little Tokyo’s Japanese Village Plaza; slurp udon at Marugame Monzo or classic ramen at Daikokuya.

Evening: Arts District dessert crawl: Pie from Pizzana DTLA or chocolate at a local maker; coffee nightcap at Blue Bottle or Verve. If the kids still have steam, the Last Bookstore’s labyrinth is a fun finale.

Day 7: Long Beach Aquarium & Whale Watching

Morning: Breakfast at The Coffee Cup Cafe or Maison in Long Beach. Dive into the Aquarium of the Pacific—touch tanks, sea otters, and colorful reefs keep kids engaged.

Afternoon: Head to Rainbow Harbor for a marine adventure: prime gray whale (winter–spring) and blue whale (summer) seasons, plus dolphins year-round.

Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach

Evening: Dinner along 2nd Street in Belmont Shore: Nick’s on 2nd (crowd-pleaser American), Open Sesame (Lebanese), or The Attic (SoCal comfort). Treats at Long Beach Creamery before the drive back.

Day 8: Museum Row, Farmers Market, and The Grove

Morning: Breakfast at République (croissants, shakshuka) or Sycamore Kitchen. Visit the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum—Ice Age fossils and bubbling asphalt fascinate kids. Snap a photo at LACMA’s Urban Light. Note: LACMA is typically closed Wednesday—swap if needed.

Afternoon: Graze at The Original Farmers Market: try Pampas Grill (Brazilian), Trejo’s Tacos, and Bennett’s Ice Cream. Ride The Grove’s vintage trolley and let the kids play by the dancing fountain. Shopping options nearby: The Grove, Beverly Center, and Melrose for streetwear.

Evening: Dinner at Jon & Vinny’s (pizza and pasta) or Canter’s Deli (pastrami and pickles). Parents might slip to Alfred Coffee for a latte, while kids pick dessert from the Grove bakeries.

Day 9: Echo Park Boats, Silver Lake Bites, and Departure

Morning: Take a gentle spin on Echo Park Lake’s pedal boats, gliding past lotus beds and the central fountain—great for younger kids. Coffee at LAMill (Silver Lake) or Intelligentsia on Sunset Junction.

Afternoon: Brunchy tacos at Guisados (stewed fillings on handmade tortillas) or HomeState. If time allows, stroll the indie shops on Sunset Junction for last-minute souvenirs. Depart for the airport with traffic buffer (45–90 minutes depending on time of day).

Evening: Fly home with sandy shoes and full camera rolls.

Optional full-day swaps if you want less driving on Days 6–8:

• Grand LA overview (all in one): If you prefer a guided city sampler, this all-day tour hits Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Griffith with four 1-hour stops—ideal early in the trip to get oriented.
  Full-Day LA Tour: Santa Monica, Hollywood & Beverly Hills

  

Family dining and coffee cheat sheet (by area):

• Santa Monica/Venue: Huckleberry, Blue Plate Taco, The Albright, Cassia, Menotti’s Coffee Stop.
• Hollywood/Los Feliz: Clark Street Diner, HomeState, Little Dom’s, Jitlada (Thai for adventurous eaters), Maru Coffee.
• DTLA/Little Tokyo: Grand Central Market vendors, Marugame Monzo, Daikokuya, Verve Coffee, Go Get Em Tiger.
• Burbank/Studio City: Porto’s, Bob’s Big Boy, Granville, Salt & Straw.
• Long Beach: The Coffee Cup Cafe, Nick’s on 2nd, Open Sesame, Long Beach Creamery.

Budget tips (targeting your mid-range 50/100): Mix sit-down meals with food halls and bakeries; plan 1–2 big-ticket days (Universal, whale watching) and fill the rest with beaches, hikes, and free museums/gardens. Save with Metro day-passes for DTLA/Hollywood hops and choose centrally located hotels to reduce ride-share costs.

Good to know: The California Science Center is excellent for kids; the Space Shuttle Endeavour is temporarily off-view while the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is completed (check status if visiting later in 2025). The Getty Center and Griffith Park offer stellar free views; bring layers for breezy sunsets.

To compare flight options quickly, use Trip.com or Kiwi.com; book lodging near your core activities via Hotels.com or space-filled apartments on VRBO.

One more family-favorite attraction swap: If you want a gentler boat option than open-ocean whale watching, you can rent pedal boats at Echo Park Lake (no advance link needed) and pair it with a picnic and playground time—great for toddlers.

Across nine days, you’ll taste LA’s neighborhoods—from beachy mornings and Hollywood backlots to Downtown flavors and Long Beach harbor life. With time built in for coffee stops, kid-approved bites, and sunsets, this plan keeps the vibe relaxed while packing in the must-sees.