Three days is enough to see the Los Angeles most people picture: Hollywood, the observatory, a big art museum, the beach and Downtown. The trick is to give each day one part of the city and stay there. Traffic between areas eats hours, so this plan keeps the driving or transit to one or two longer moves a day.
In this guide
It is part of our Los Angeles visitors guide. For more stops to swap in, see our list of things to do in Los Angeles.
The plan at a glance
- Day 1 Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, Griffith Park and the observatory at sunset
- Day 2 The Getty Center, then Santa Monica and Venice
- Day 3 Downtown: Grand Central Market, The Broad, Grand Avenue and Little Tokyo
- Best base Hollywood, Downtown or Santa Monica, near a Metro rail stop
- Avoid Monday, when the observatory, the Getty and The Broad are closed
- Book ahead Getty timed reservation, The Broad timed tickets
Before you start
Pick your days
Avoid starting this plan on a Monday. Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center and The Broad all close on Mondays. A Tuesday-to-Thursday or Friday-to-Sunday trip works well. Weekends are busier at every stop, especially parking at the observatory.
Where to stay
Stay near a rail stop so you can skip the car for at least two days. Hollywood is on the B Line. Downtown has the most rail connections. Santa Monica is at the end of the E Line and puts you by the beach. See our guide to where to stay in Los Angeles for neighborhood pros and cons.
Getting around
Metro rail costs $1.75 a ride, and a TAP card or contactless bank card caps fares at $5 a day. Rideshare fills the gaps, such as the ride up to the Getty. A rental car helps if you want Malibu or trailheads, but parking adds up in Hollywood and Santa Monica. Our LA Metro guide covers lines and fares, and our LAX to Downtown guide covers arrival.
Day 1: Hollywood and Griffith Park
Morning: Hollywood Boulevard
Start at Hollywood/Highland on the B Line. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which runs along Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue and down Vine Street. The TCL Chinese Theatre’s forecourt, with its handprints and footprints, is free to visit. Go early, before the sidewalks fill. Our Walk of Fame guide has a block-by-block route.
Midday: a view of the Sign
For a close, easy photo of the Hollywood Sign, drive or ride to Lake Hollywood Park, which is open from sunrise to sunset. If you want a hike, the Brush Canyon or Mt. Hollywood trails get you closer. You cannot reach the letters themselves. See our Hollywood Sign guide for every viewpoint.
Afternoon and sunset: Griffith Observatory
Head to Griffith Observatory in the late afternoon. On weekdays it opens at noon; on weekends at 10am. It stays open until 10pm, so you can see sunset and the city lights after. Entry to the building is free. Parking is paid and fills fast, so consider the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus from the Vermont/Sunset B Line station. On clear evenings the public telescopes are often open. Our Griffith Observatory guide has the details.
Dinner
Los Feliz and Thai Town are close to the observatory and have plenty of casual options. Or go back to Hollywood.
Day 2: The Getty and the beach
Morning: the Getty Center
Book a free timed reservation for the Getty Center and arrive near opening at 10am. Parking is $25, or take a rideshare or Metro bus 761, which stops at the entrance on Sepulveda Boulevard. A free tram takes you up the hill. Give it two to three hours for the galleries, the Central Garden and the views. See our Getty Center guide.
Afternoon: Santa Monica
Drive or ride to Santa Monica. Walk the Third Street Promenade and the pier, which is open daily and free to walk. Pacific Park, the amusement park on the pier, sells rides separately, and the rides do not run every day, so check its calendar. Our Santa Monica Pier guide covers parking.
Late afternoon: Venice
Walk or rent a bike for the beach path south to Venice. The boardwalk has the skate park and Muscle Beach, and the Venice Canals are a few blocks inland. Stay for sunset on the sand. Read our Venice guide and Santa Monica guide for food and parking.
Getting back
The E Line runs from Downtown Santa Monica to Downtown Los Angeles. Venice is a short ride from the station by bus or rideshare.
Day 3: Downtown Los Angeles
Morning: Grand Central Market
Start with breakfast at Grand Central Market on Broadway, which has been open since 1917. Eggslut has a counter here. Across the street, Angels Flight is a short funicular up Bunker Hill.
Late morning: Grand Avenue
The Broad has free general admission, with timed tickets recommended and walk-up entry available. Its Infinity Mirror Room needs a separate reservation. MOCA Grand Avenue across the street is also free. Walk past Walt Disney Concert Hall, whose steel exterior is free to see from the street.
Afternoon: Little Tokyo or the Arts District
Little Tokyo is a short walk east, or a quick ride on the A or E Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District station. Spend the afternoon on its shops and food, then walk to the Arts District for murals and breweries. Our Downtown Los Angeles guide covers these areas.
Evening
End with a ballgame at Dodger Stadium in season, or a show at a Downtown venue. Or head to Koreatown for dinner at a grill-at-your-table restaurant; see our best Korean BBQ in Los Angeles list.
If you have more time
Add a fourth day
- Theme park | Universal Studios Hollywood is on the B Line. Disneyland is in Anaheim. See our Universal guide and Disneyland guide.
- Museum Row | LACMA, the Academy Museum and the Petersen are on Wilshire. See our best museums in Los Angeles.
- Coast | Drive to Malibu for Zuma or El Matador. See our Malibu beaches guide.
- Island | Take the ferry to Catalina. See our Catalina day trip.
Changing the order
The days work in any order. If you arrive late on day one, do Downtown first since it is easiest to reach from LAX. If rain is forecast, move the beach day and spend it in museums. For weather by month, see our best time to visit Los Angeles.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Los Angeles?
It is enough for the main sights if you plan by area. You will not fit in a theme park or Malibu without dropping something.
Can I do this itinerary without a car?
Mostly. Hollywood, Downtown and Santa Monica are on Metro rail. The Getty is reachable by bus 761 or rideshare, and Lake Hollywood Park is easier by car or rideshare.
What day should I avoid?
Monday, because Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center and The Broad are closed.
Which area is best to stay in for 3 days?
Hollywood or Downtown for rail access, or Santa Monica if the beach matters most.
Do I need reservations?
Yes for the Getty Center, which is free with a timed reservation. Timed tickets are recommended for The Broad.
Official sources: Griffith Observatory; Getty; The Broad; Santa Monica Pier; LA Metro; Grand Central Market; Discover Los Angeles.
Photo credits
Featured image: Ron Reiring / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0