How many days should you spend in Los Angeles? We are talking about a huge city, so it is better to rephrase the question as how many days does it take to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the city and visit the main attractions or at least the most representative ones? Well, considering that it is practically a must to dedicate one day to visit a theme park, the advice is to stay at least 2 or 3 days, and if you have more time… even better. In this flexible itinerary, you can find ideas to plan a stay for up to 1 week!
From those who love nature and outdoor activities to those who prefer a healthy smoothie by the sea, Los Angeles offers a wide variety of things to do. Here, travelers can choose to bask on the beach in Santa Monica, hike in the desert, or have a drink at one of the many rooftop bars.
No matter how many days you have available to visit Los Angeles, follow this guide and plan your itinerary according to your preferences, and spend from 1 to 5 days or perhaps more. Immerse yourself in the California lifestyle and breathe in the breeze of the Pacific Ocean. Are you cinema fans? At the end of this page, you will find our 3 cinematic itineraries dedicated to Los Angeles. Welcome to L.A.
Welcome to L.A.!
Contents
Los Angeles in 1 day
Let’s start with the “iconic attractions” of Los Angeles…
Hollywood Boulevard (Walk of Fame)
Two things immediately come to mind when we think of Los Angeles: the Hollywood Sign and the stars on the famous Walk of Fame. The Walk of Fame is located right on Hollywood Boulevard, an important area of Los Angeles and its focal point is between Gower St and La Brea Avenue.
Hollywood Boulevard’s main attractions include the Dolby Theatre, which hosts the Academy Awards, and the Hollywood & Highland mall, which is an ideal spot to admire the Hollywood Sign from afar.
- Read our tips for visiting Hollywood Boulevard
The Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign
A walk through the Hollywood Hills is a good way to stay active during a trip to Los Angeles. To get around Los Angeles, you will need a car (if you don’t have it, read our tips on how to rent a car).
To reach the Griffith Observatory, you can either drive directly to the observatory or leave your car in the parking lot at the foot of the hills and walk. The hike is on a slight incline, but it is not so demanding as to prevent anyone from being able to make it to the top, where you will be greeted by the observatory. Admission to the Griffith Observatory is free and from there you can admire a beautiful view of Downtown L.A., Hollywood, and the Pacific Ocean.
Looking to the right of the observatory, you’ll see, in the distance, the famous Hollywood Sign perched on the verdant hill overlooking Los Angeles (for directions to get a closer view of the Hollywood Sign, click on the link below).
Make sure to go to the Griffith Observatory at sunset. The view will be spectacular.
- Read our guide of the Griffith Observatory
- Read our guide on the best places to see the Hollywood Sign
Santa Monica
The Santa Monica Pier, which is always full of people, is a must-see destination if you visit Los Angeles for one day. The iconic pier is lined with shops, restaurants, and the famous Ferris wheel (part of Pacific Park), which is reflected in the ocean waves at night.
You won’t have to stay too long, just plan for about an hour if you’re in a hurry. It is nice to take a leisurely walk to the end of Santa Monica Pier while wearing sunglasses and eating ice cream. But Santa Monica also has other points of interest to offer…
- Read our guide on the attractions in Santa Monica
Tip: Securing a parking space near the Santa Monica Pier is not very easy, but if you search on Ocean Avenue or on the parallel streets, you will surely find something. Here are more tips for parking in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles in 2 days
It would be a shame to pass by Los Angeles without visiting at least one of its theme parks: Universal Studios or Disneyland, which you should seriously consider even if you only have 24 hours to visit the city.
It is difficult or almost impossible to visit both in one day. My advice is to choose one.
Universal Studios Hollywood
If you’re a film lover and are drawn to thrilling and less princely attractions than the ones found in Disneyland, then Universal Studios Hollywood park will keep you entertained among mummies, magicians, and dinosaurs. You will find most attractions that are also at Universal Orlando (which I prefer), like Jurassic Park, The Mummy, The Simpsons, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. But the highlight is the movie sets tour.
- Read our guide to how to visit Universal Studios in Hollywood
Disneyland
Disneyland, the original theme park dedicated to the Disney world, was built right here in Los Angeles in 1955. It is actually located outside of L.A., in Anaheim, Orange County, and consists of 8 different areas spread over 34 hectares.
It is visited by millions of people every year and is second only to Disney World Magic Kingdom in Orlando. Be prepared to wait in lines, but everyone is guaranteed to have fun here, not just kids…
- Read our guide to how to visit Disneyland
Los Angeles in 3 days
3 days seems to be a more reasonable time frame… you can get a much clearer idea of the city… take advantage of this extra day to search for celebrities!
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, and Bel Air
They say shopping is therapeutic… but if you go to Rodeo Drive what will actually need therapy is your bank account! Why? This 2-mile Beverly Hills road is a luxury shopping destination. In the sections of Rodeo Drive that are most popular among tourists and Hollywood stars alike, between Wilshire Boulevard and Little Santa Monica Boulevard (three blocks), there are the biggest clothing brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, etc. …
Even if you’re just window-shopping, it’s still a very elegant and pleasant area for a walk.
- Read our guide to Rodeo Drive
But there’s more! If after luxury shopping you want to spend some time looking for VIP homes, you can explore the Beverly Hills and Bel Air neighborhoods, where there is no shortage of millionaire villas…
- Read our guide to Beverly Hill
- Read our guide to Bel Air
Getty Center
If I could go back here right now, I would. The Getty Center is more like an oasis than a museum. It is pervaded by a sense of tranquility that is transmitted by its dazzling white walls. Not only is it a pleasure to see it from the outside and walk through the lawns and steps, but also to see the important works by artists such as Parmigianino, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh, and Gauguin that the museum houses inside.
- Read our guide to the Getty Center
Los Angeles in 4 days
If you think that spending 4 days in Los Angeles is too much, get ready to think again. You have a whole day to spend in Downtown Los Angeles and at the beach!
Walt Disney Concert Hall / Downtown
The Walt Disney Concert Hall opened in 2003 thanks to an initial donation of $50 million to the city of Los Angeles by Lillian Disney (Walt’s wife). The glittering steel building is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, which performs masterful concerts.
If you love architecture, you must go, even if it is just to take a quick look. You can also include it in your itinerary when you go to the Griffith Observatory because it’s on the way to the observatory as you head out of downtown. You can also read this Downtown LA itinerary to learn more about this and other interesting architecture in the area.
Fun Fact: Part of the building was too reflective and some residents of nearby buildings complained about the light and the strong heat it gave off. Not only that, there was also an increase in traffic accidents. In 2005, this problem was resolved by making the surfaces of the building duller.
El Pueblo / Olvera Street
Not far from Downtown Los Angeles, there is the historic district of Los Angeles, the Mexican district called El Pueblo, where you can also find the famous Olvera Street, a street that is full of vitality and lined with stalls. Here you find a small and unexpected corner of Mexico within walking distance of the skyscrapers of Los Angeles.
- Read our guide to Olvera Street and El Pueblo
The Beaches of Los Angeles
As you know, Los Angeles is also known for its beaches; it is worth going for a drive and exploring its beautiful coastline along the famous Highway 1 (the scenic road that runs along the ocean). Here, in addition to Santa Monica, you’ll find many other ideal destinations to visit the coast, such as Venice Beach, with its 19 miles of canals, Malibu, with its fascinating beaches and views, or Long Beach, with its long beach of light and fine sand.
- Read our guide to the most beautiful beaches in Los Angeles
- Read our guide to Venice Beach, the Venice of California
- Read our guide to Malibu
- Read our guide to Long Beach
5 days to a Week in L.A. and Its Surroundings
These destinations are perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and immersing yourself in the diverse beauty of California. In the case of some of these destinations, it is feasible to go on a day trip and still return to Los Angeles. If you have not rented a car in Los Angeles, you can book an organized tour of the surrounding area. You can find several tours on this website.
Joshua Tree National Park
Located only 2 hours from Los Angeles, this park is a wonderful place to explore by car or on foot (it’s hot, so be careful!). It is famous for the unique Joshua tree and it includes parts of both the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert.
- Read our guide to Joshua Tree National Park
Mojave National Preserve
In 2 hours and 40 minutes along I-15, you will arrive at the Mojave National Preserve, another vast desert of natural beauty that is the location of the famous Kelso Dunes “singing dunes”.
- Read our guide to the Mojave National Preserve
Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks is 45 minutes from Downtown Los Angeles. While it is unknown to most and unfairly neglected in the many road trips in the United States, this nature reserve has served as the location for many successful films and television series.
- Read our guide to Vasquez Rocks
Orange County
Orange County, located on the southern border of Los Angeles, separates Los Angeles from San Diego County; it is famous worldwide for Disneyland and its unforgettable sunsets, but it also has more surprises in store…
- Read our guide to Orange County
Los Angeles Cinema-Inspired Itineraries
Do you want to revisit all the locations of the most famous movies ever filmed in Los Angeles? Here are our itineraries dedicated to Hollywood cinema:
