USA · 3 days · 17 stops
3 days in Los Angeles – a ready-made itinerary
Los Angeles is huge, and getting between neighbourhoods takes time. So each day stays in one area you can cover on foot with short rides: Downtown, Hollywood with Griffith Park, and the coast from Santa Monica to Venice. The stops are in route order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 17 stops
- Highlights
- Union Station, TCL Chinese Theatre, Santa Monica Pier, Olvera Street, Bradbury Building
- Where to stay
- Santa Monica, Hollywood, Downtown
- Getting around
- Distances are long: Downtown, Hollywood and the coast are many kilometres apart, and in traffic a single ride easily takes an hour.
- Best time to go
- It is pleasant almost all year, nicest in spring and from September to November.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Los Angeles
14 places you should not miss in Los Angeles – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
Union StationThe 1939 station with its wooden ceiling, leather chairs and courtyards. Several Metro lines stop here, so it makes a good starting point.Day 1
Olvera StreetThe lane in the oldest part of the city, across from the station. Mexican stalls and the Avila Adobe, the oldest surviving house in Los Angeles.Day 1- Bradbury BuildingRight across the street: an 1893 light court with wrought-iron stairs and open lifts, known from Blade Runner.Day 1
- Walt Disney Concert HallFrank Gehry's concert hall of curving steel on Bunker Hill. Stairs lead up to the rooftop garden.Day 1
- The BroadA contemporary art museum right next door, with works by Warhol, Koons and Kusama. Reserve a time slot in advance.Day 1
- TCL Chinese TheatreThe pagoda-style cinema with film stars' hand- and footprints set in cement in the forecourt. Early in the morning it is still empty.Day 2
- Hollywood Walk of FameThe stars in the pavement run east along Hollywood Boulevard. Walk a stretch, then take the Metro B line on to Vermont/Sunset.Day 2
- Hollyhock HouseFrank Lloyd Wright's first house in Los Angeles, on a hill in Barnsdall Art Park and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check opening hours first.Day 2
- Griffith ObservatoryTake the DASH bus up from Vermont/Sunset. From the terraces you see the Hollywood Sign and the whole city – stay for sunset.Day 2
- Santa Monica PierTake the Metro E line to the end, then a few minutes' walk to the pier with its Ferris wheel. Route 66 symbolically ends here, and it is quiet in the morning.Day 3
- Venice BeachAbout 45 minutes south on foot or by hire bike along the beach path. On the boardwalk: Muscle Beach, the skatepark and street performers.Day 3
- Venice CanalsSmall canals with footbridges and gardens, laid out in the early 20th century on the model of Venice. Quiet, just a few blocks from the beach.Day 3
- Third Street PromenadeBack to Santa Monica by bus or bike. The pedestrian street has shops, buskers and benches under the trees.Day 3
- Palisades ParkA narrow park lined with palms on the bluffs above the Pacific. The best spot in Santa Monica at sunset.Day 3
Day 1
Downtown Los Angeles
Union Station
The 1939 station with its wooden ceiling, leather chairs and courtyards. Several Metro lines stop here, so it makes a good starting point.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Union Stationabout 5 min on foot
Olvera Street
The lane in the oldest part of the city, across from the station. Mexican stalls and the Avila Adobe, the oldest surviving house in Los Angeles.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Olvera Streetabout 20 min on foot
Grand Central Market
The 1917 market hall on Broadway, with stalls from tacos to ramen. Busy at lunchtime, but it moves quickly.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Grand Central Marketright next door
Bradbury Building
Right across the street: an 1893 light court with wrought-iron stairs and open lifts, known from Blade Runner.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Bradbury Buildingabout 10 min on foot
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Frank Gehry's concert hall of curving steel on Bunker Hill. Stairs lead up to the rooftop garden.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Walt Disney Concert Hallright next door
The Broad
A contemporary art museum right next door, with works by Warhol, Koons and Kusama. Reserve a time slot in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): The Broad
Day 2
Hollywood and Griffith Park
TCL Chinese Theatre
The pagoda-style cinema with film stars' hand- and footprints set in cement in the forecourt. Early in the morning it is still empty.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): TCL Chinese Theatreabout 5 min on foot
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The stars in the pavement run east along Hollywood Boulevard. Walk a stretch, then take the Metro B line on to Vermont/Sunset.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Hollywood Walk of Fameabout 3.6 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Thai Town
The first officially designated Thai Town in the US, a few blocks of Hollywood Boulevard. Lots of small Thai restaurants.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Thai Townabout 15 min on foot
Hollyhock House
Frank Lloyd Wright's first house in Los Angeles, on a hill in Barnsdall Art Park and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check opening hours first.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Hollyhock Houseabout 2.1 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Griffith Observatory
Take the DASH bus up from Vermont/Sunset. From the terraces you see the Hollywood Sign and the whole city – stay for sunset.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Griffith Observatory
Day 3
Santa Monica and Venice
Santa Monica Pier
Take the Metro E line to the end, then a few minutes' walk to the pier with its Ferris wheel. Route 66 symbolically ends here, and it is quiet in the morning.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Santa Monica Pierabout 4.2 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Venice Beach
About 45 minutes south on foot or by hire bike along the beach path. On the boardwalk: Muscle Beach, the skatepark and street performers.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Venice Beachabout 10 min on foot
Venice Canals
Small canals with footbridges and gardens, laid out in the early 20th century on the model of Venice. Quiet, just a few blocks from the beach.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Venice Canalsabout 20 min on foot
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
A street of cafés, restaurants and small shops, named after the founder of Venice. Good for a long lunch.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Abbot Kinney Boulevardabout 5.1 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Third Street Promenade
Back to Santa Monica by bus or bike. The pedestrian street has shops, buskers and benches under the trees.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Third Street Promenadeabout 25 min on foot
Palisades Park
A narrow park lined with palms on the bluffs above the Pacific. The best spot in Santa Monica at sunset.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Palisades Park
Good to know
Best time to go
It is pleasant almost all year, nicest in spring and from September to November. In May and June a grey marine layer often hangs over the coast in the morning, and summer gets hot inland. Winter brings occasional rain, and the sea is cold.
Getting around
Distances are long: Downtown, Hollywood and the coast are many kilometres apart, and in traffic a single ride easily takes an hour. That is why each day stays in one area. The Metro B line links Downtown with Hollywood and the Metro E line runs from Downtown to Santa Monica; pay with a TAP card or on your phone. For places off the lines use buses, taxis or ride-hailing; a hire car is mainly worth it for day trips.
Where to stay
Santa Monica
By the sea, walkable and connected directly to Downtown by the Metro E line. Quieter in the evening than the city centre.
Hollywood
Between Downtown and Griffith Park, well served by the Metro B line. Busy around Hollywood Boulevard in the evening.
Downtown
Short walks to museums, the market hall and Union Station. Away from the busy streets it empties out at night, so choose your block carefully.
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More on Los Angeles in our blog: LAX to downtown LA: FlyAway, Metro or taxi · How many days in Los Angeles? Plans for 3–7 days
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Los Angeles: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Los Angeles?
The must-see sights in Los Angeles are Union Station, Olvera Street, Bradbury Building, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad and TCL Chinese Theatre. This plan links 14 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for Los Angeles?
For a first impression, yes, because each day stays in one area. With more time add the Getty Center, Malibu, LACMA on Wilshire Boulevard or a studio tour.
Do I need a car in Los Angeles?
Not for this plan: the Metro, buses and short taxi or ride-hailing trips are enough. For trips to Malibu, the mountains or more distant beaches a hire car is more practical.
How do I get from the airport into the city?
From LAX, shuttle buses connect to trains and buses, and many people take a taxi or ride-hailing. Depending on where you are going and on traffic, allow an hour or more.
What should I sort out before the trip?
Check entry requirements with your government's travel advice before you go – many visitors need an authorisation before flying to the US. Reserve time slots for museums such as The Broad in advance.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Matthew Field, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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