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When I visited Los Angeles for the first time, I was overwhelmed. It’s massive, spread out, and not exactly known for its public transport. In LA, a poorly planned itinerary can mean you spend the whole day stuck in the car — and no one wants that.
So I’ve made sure to design this 3-day Los Angeles itinerary to make the most of your time without feeling rushed. It includes LA’s most iconic sights, a few underrated gems, and of course, some necessary beach time.
You’ll need a car to follow this route, but I’ve kept driving to a minimum by grouping stops by geography. Let’s get to it. I can’t wait to share all the reasons why I love Los Angeles!
Article overview
3-day Los Angeles itinerary
My name is Tess, and I run a travel blog, Tess the Traveler — I know planning a trip to LA can be daunting because before I moved to the Los Angeles area, I felt similarly.
But after years of living here, I’ve figured out how to do it right — which places are actually worth your time, and which you can skip.
With only three days in Los Angeles, we’re not even going to bother with the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Trust me, it’s not glamorous at all and not worth your limited time.
Pro tip >> Many of the attractions I mention in this itinerary are included in the tour below!
Day 1: LACMA, Farmers Market & Beverly Hills, Santa Monica
Morning: LACMA
The best way to kick off your time in LA is at one of the city’s must-visits — the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, aka the LACMA.
You’ve probably seen the Urban Light installation outside, but the museum itself is massive and full of amazing works — from Picasso to Rivera. Give yourself at least a couple of hours here to really take it all in.
Adult admission is $28, and I recommend reserving your ticket in advance. The LACMA is closed on Wednesdays.
Lunch: Original Farmers Market
Skip The Grove next door and head straight to the historic 1930s market perfect for visitors wanting variety.
Here, you’ll find tons of food stalls selling everything from crepes to Cajun food, so it’s perfect if your group has mixed tastes.
Afternoon: Beverly Hills
From the farmers market, it’s about a 13-minute drive over to Beverly Hills.
I’ll admit, it took me years of living here to finally visit Beverly Hills — I was convinced that just stepping foot here would cost me $50. Turns out, it’s way less intimidating than I expected.
Rodeo Drive is fun to stroll, even if you’re just window shopping. But what really makes this stop worth it is its beauty, which is apparent everywhere you look, from its Art Deco and Spanish Revival style City Hall and public library to the Beverly Gardens Park, where you can get a photo with the iconic Beverly Hills sign.
If you’re up for a hidden gem, visit Greystone Mansion — it’s free and it has served as the set for countless movies and shows, and has a great view of LA.
Plan to spend around three hours or so here.
Evening: Santa Monica
The Santa Monica Pier is definitely one of Los Angeles’ most famous spots, and although it’s touristy, watching the sunset here is the perfect way to close out your first day.
Apart from the pier, spend some time walking around the neighborhood — the 3rd Street Promenade is its central area, and although some of its shops have closed down in recent years, and you’ll hear some locals complain that it’s not as nice as it used to be, it’s still worth checking out.
For dinner, there’s no shortage of options, but Uovo is great for Italian food, while Heavy Handed has delicious burgers.
Day 2: Downtown LA
From its deep-rooted history to the numerous immigrant communities that have shaped LA’s culture over the years, Downtown has a ton to offer tourists beyond just the typical spots (although we will make it to a couple of those too, today!) It’s home to a number of my favorite pockets of LA, and it’s really worth dedicating an entire day to.
During the day, it’s completely walkable — just stay alert and aware of your surroundings, like you would in any major city.
Morning: Olvera Street and Chinatown
Start off in one of Downtown’s hidden gems: Olvera Street, the oldest street in LA and home to a colorful Mexican marketplace.
There’s also a little square where you’ll find vendors selling different aguas frescas and other snacks.
The market itself isn’t huge, so you won’t need long, but take your time wandering through and checking out the various artwork and other crafts.
If you’re up for some history, the oldest surviving adobe home in LA is such a cool stop. It was built in 1818 and is free to visit. It just takes 15 minutes or so, but it gives you a great sense of LA’s origins.
There are also a couple of free museums in this area, including the America Tropical Interpretive Center, which is dedicated to the Mexican muralist and revolutionary David Alfaro Siqueiro, as well as the Italian American Museum. Both are super interesting and worthwhile.
A short walk away is Chinatown.
Here, you’ll find beautiful traditional architecture, markets and more shops, plus the Chinese American Museum, which costs just $3 and covers the history of Chinese immigration in the area.
There are tons of great food options in the area (Yang Chow is one of my favorites), or head about a mile away to one of LA’s top landmarks for lunch…
Lunch: Grand Central Market
This historic market has been open since 1917, and although it’s become fairly touristy over the years (and sadly gentrification has pushed out some of its legacy businesses), it’s still one of LA’s most beloved destinations.
I’ve come here a number of times and always love it — You can find everything from Mexican food to Thai, and on the lower level, there’s often a little market where local artists sell jewelry and other goods.
Afternoon: Last Bookstore, Little Tokyo
While you’re in this part of Downtown, you can’t miss going to the Last Bookstore. Even when I’m not looking to buy anything, I can spend an hour here getting lost among the shelves and art installations.
Next, head to Little Tokyo, which is about a mile away from the Last Bookstore.
This has quickly become one of my favorite places in Los Angeles, and I’m honestly mad it took me so long to find out about it!
It’s not a huge area, but you can definitely spend a couple of hours here wandering around and checking out the various shops like the Japanese bookstore Kinokuniya, and the beauty supply store Make Asobi.
The Japanese American National Museum is thoughtful and moving, and the side streets are packed with lots of great food. If you’re into sushi, Sushi Gen is an institution. It’s a little pricey but 100% worth it.
Evening: Arts District
If you’re not ready to call it a night, the Arts District is a quick walk from Little Tokyo and full of trendy bars and breweries. I like Angel City Brewery for its cool atmosphere and rotating beer selection.
Day 3: Griffith Observatory, Getty Center, Redondo Beach
Morning: Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is another gem that I somehow didn’t make it to until after moving here.
The main attraction is the exhibits covering all things space, but its unbeatable view really makes it for me. From here, you get one of the best looks at the Hollywood Sign, another one of LA’s most famous landmarks — even after years of living out here, it still makes me excited every time I see it!
I usually park near the Greek Theatre for free and walk up (it’s a bit of a hike but manageable), but there’s also a bus. Budget about 90 minutes here — more if you want to explore Griffith Park’s trails.
Lunch: Los Feliz or picnic
For a budget-friendly meal, Griffith Park is an awesome spot to have a picnic — but if you’d like to explore another area, it’s just 15 or 20 minutes over to Los Feliz, a cute neighborhood that’s lined with historic landmarks, coffee shops, and boutique stores.
Alcove is a local favorite for breakfast and lunch dishes. Housed in two historic homes and with a cute patio space, its atmosphere is unmatched.
Afternoon: Getty Center
After lunch, head to the Getty Center, which is about 30 minutes away. This is seriously one of the most incredible museums in the city — I came here during my very first visit to LA, and I’ve returned a bunch of times since then, and often bring out-of-town guests.
From its contemporary architecture to its garden that has another gorgeous view of LA’s skyline, to its extensive exhibits, there’s a ton to see, so plan to spend at least two hours here.
Admission is free; parking is $25 (or $15 after 3:00 pm).
Evening: Redondo Beach
Most visitors just make it to Venice or Santa Monica, but my favorite beach area is the South Bay.
Redondo Beach is about a 40-minute drive from the Getty, so aim to leave before 4:00 pm to beat traffic. It’s quieter, prettier, and feels more local. Walk the horseshoe-shaped pier, explore Riviera Village, and soak in your final LA sunset.
Where to stay in LA
Since Tess lives in Los Angeles, I wanted to give you a quick overview of the best areas and places to stay from a visitor’s perspective. Ideally, I like to stay in the West Hollywood/Laurel Canyon area. Here are a few of my favorites from my last visit:
I really liked my stay at the Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza Hotel. Set in a European/Mediterranean-style building it feels cozier than some of the other hotels in the area. Also, it was one of the best value options I could find. I really enjoyed the central pool area surrounded by greenery after a full day of exploring.
Palihotel Hollywood is another favorite of mine. I fell for the Palm Springs vibe and newly updated interior. It was also considerably cheaper than the rest of the hotels I looked at, though breakfast was not included. I paid $35 per 24-hour for parking.
And, of course, I can’t post a Los Angeles itinerary without mentioning the Beverly Hills Hotel. It is one of the most iconic places to stay, offering a true taste of Hollywood history and old-school luxury.
While I would say it is overpriced for the size and modernity of the rooms, the experience—the lush grounds, the famous Polo Lounge, the pink-and-green glamour—is priceless. If you’re looking to splurge on a classic LA moment, this is the place. I’m working on manifesting this for myself!
Final tips for three days in Los Angeles
How to get to LA: The main airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but it’s worth also considering some of the smaller airports in the region, like Long Beach Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, and Ontario International Airport.
Best time to visit LA: Los Angeles famously has great year-round weather, but keep in mind that wintertime will be too cold for sunbathing or swimming in the ocean. September is my favorite — we typically still have hot weather and lots of sunshine, but it’s less crowded than summer. March to May is my second favorite period when everything is in bloom and the weather is generally perfect.
Getting around: Definitely rent a car, click here to check price and availability. LA’s public transport is improving but still inconvenient for visitors. Locals use a mix of driving, rideshares like Uber and Lyft, and scooters and bike shares are popular in some neighborhoods. In fact, Los Angeles is home to one of the most affordable bike share programs in the country, Metro Bike Share.
Note from Charlotte: I agree. When I visited LA for the first time I relied on public transport and I do not recommend it. I feel like I spent most of my time in the city trying to get around. So I’d say, don’t go to LA without a budget for renting a car or using ride shares.
Most of the city is not glamorous: Many first-time visitors to Los Angeles are surprised to find that it’s not as glamorous as movies make it seem. I was too. LA has incredible sights and neighborhoods, but it’s also a real city with real issues like poverty and homelessness. Hollywood is iconic, but it’s also crowded, gritty, and full of souvenir shops. Venice Beach, while unique and artsy, can feel chaotic and even uncomfortable at times, especially after dark.
Safety in LA: I think LA is generally safe, but be street-smart especially Downtown. Petty theft (like car break-ins or pickpocketing) can happen, so don’t leave valuables in your car and keep an eye on your belongings.
🎫 Los Angeles discount pass
Lately, I’ve become a huge fan of city passes, so the last time I was in California, I got the Go City all-inclusive 5-day pass. It includes many top attractions such as Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, Griffith Observatory Tour, San Diego Zoo ++. But the best part is that you don’t have to buy multiple tickets – just scan the app.
Los Angeles really is such a special place — in just three days, you can only experience a little slice of it, but hopefully, it leaves you wanting to return again and again, as it did for me!
Looking for more inspiration?
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⛰ Antelope Canyon tour review: This is what it’s really like
🍁 3 days in Stowe Vermont: The most beautiful town in the US?
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