This is a bustlin’ city thronging with infinite attractions, vibrant real culture, and endless icons, but that’s Los Angeles: the City of Angels. It’s here to find some of its bright spots if this is your first time or just one of many visits. Let me take you on this unforgettable journey from glittering glamour to serene beaches of Santa Monica.
Los Angeles Itinerary
Best Sydney Itinerary: A Complete Guide to 5 Days in Australia
Day 1: Tinseltown & Beverly Hills: All the Glamour and Glitz Can Handle
Morning: Hollywood Boulevard & the Walk of Fame
For instance, of course, one needs to begin with the first tour of Los Angeles – Hollywood Boulevard. One of the most iconic landmarks is composed in over 2,600 stars bearing names of Hollywood’s greatest, in a walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stop by to visit the TCL Chinese Theatre and see handprints and footprints of all your favourite celebrities in the cement.
Go to Hollywood & Highland Center. Take a bit of time to stroll around the Hollywood & Highland Center, enjoy the view, and take a fantastic shot with the sign. This’s a great spot to take pictures and has some excellent shops and restaurants scattered throughout the complex.
Melrose Avenue Lunch
Walk down Melrose Avenue for a fashionable lunch that’s heavenly. Restaurants abound from food trucks to sit-down, white-tablecloth dining. This is the place with street art, hip shopping emporia, and frenetic city pace. Some faves include one of the farm-to-table restaurants or get for yourself a classic California burger.
Afternoon: Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills – take a drive there over lunch. That will be luxury par excellence and sophistication at its finest. You would walk down the world-famous Rodeo Drive passing by expensive designer stores: Gucci, Prada, and Chanel. Even if you are not going to buy something there, it’s still quite an experience of window shopping and just feeling the atmosphere.
For a bit of Hollywood history, stop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, known as “The Pink Palace,” where so many stars have been staying over the years.
Evening: Sunset Strip
Spend some hours walking down Sunset Strip. There are plenty of neon lights, loads of music landmarks dotted along its stretch, and it’s party time. It’s a great place to catch some live music, grab a bite, or drop a few cocktails. Among the stops worth mentioning are Whisky a Go Go, The Viper Room, and the Roxy Theatre.
Day 2: Santa Monica & Venice Beach – The Coast
Morning: Santa Monica Pier and Beach
Above all visit the Santa Monica Pier-one of the city’s most classic landmarks. There is also an amusement park and an aquarium here, but many spots in case you want to have breakfast in such an interesting way. And don’t forget to take a ride on the Ferris wheel for panoramic views of the ocean or rent bikes to enjoy a bike along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail.
And you can just spend the day lounging on the sandy beaches of Santa Monica Beach or bathing in the Pacific Ocean.
Third Street Promenade for Lunch
Third Street Promenade is literally just a few blocks from the beach. It’s a really lively outdoor shopping and dining district. You could dine at one of many restaurants offering everything from internationally-inspired options to good old-fashioned American comfort food. Street performers and live musicians often entertain you, so it can be an ideal place to sit back and take in your meal.
Afternoon: Venice Beach and Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Spend your afternoon in Venice Beach-for its free-spirited bohemians and the kitsch, colorful boardwalk and street art. Spend some time admiring some of the fantastic street performers, lie out on Muscle Beach, or wander through stores with nifty keepsakes.
Do not even think about not visiting Abbot Kinney Boulevard-officially subtitled “the coolest block in America”-for trendy boutiques, exciting art galleries, and gourmet restaurants.
Early evening: Feeling the Sunset’s after effects, take a peaceful walk down the Venice Canals.
A mini version of Venice, Italy – a small piece of Italy. Three-sided houses keeps it together.Arched bridges and quiet waterways make up in this dozing neighbourhood. Last Sun rays here are witness.
Day 3: Downtown LA & The Arts District Urban Adventure
Morning: The Broad and Walt Disney Concert Hall
Day three can be spent more in the vein of a local, digesting the culture at The Broad, an up-and-coming contemporary art museum hosting artists Jeff Koons and Yayoi Kusama, among many others. And, to make sure, booking your tickets beforehand is free inside; then, you’re sure to get inside. Right across the way is the dramatic Walt Disney Concert Hall – a Frank Gehry design not to be missed for any lover of architecture.
Lunch: Grand Central Market
Over lunch, visit the Grand Central Market. Today that establishment is known as quite a really popular food hall where everybody can try absolutely different cuisine. There you may find something truly authentic: tacos, fresh sushi or delicious ramen. What an eldorado of gourmands!
Afternoon: The Arts District
Another super cool area is the Arts District: You’ll find amazing street murals and art galleries; hip cafes, etc. Any art lover will of course want to check out the gallery Hauser & Wirth, the Angel City Brewery wherein one can cool off in their beer garden while trying craft beers, and so much more.
Evening: Little Tokyo
Finish the day in Little Tokyo. Old little neighborhood with Japanese culture, authentic ramen shops and sushi bars, offbeat shops with merchandise from anime to traditional Japanese crafts. Then, of course, there is the Japanese American National Museum which gives one an understanding of the Japanese American history in LA.
Day 4: Griffith Park & Universal Studios – Adventure and Entertainment
Morning: Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park
For instance, head to Griffith Observatory for panoramic 360-degree views of the City of Angels. Take in iconic Hollywood Sign while here. See this observatory free and know the stars, planets, and the universe.
Learn so much more about the vast North American urban park, Griffith Park. Learn about hundreds of miles of trails. Learn to love quirky animals at the Los Angeles Zoo, and gain insight into the American West by exploring the Autry Museum of the American West.
Los Feliz Lunch
Afternoon free to head into town for lunch in the hip area of Los Feliz. This stylish district is strewn with fantastic cafes, old-school diners, and top-rated restaurants serving up everything from Italian to French cuisine.
Late Afternoon: Universal Studios Hollywood
Make this one of those afternoons filled with roller coasters, shows, and finally, a peek behind the magic of movies itself in this action-packed theme park filled with fun thrills. No trip to Universal Studios is ever really complete without visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Studio Tour, and the white knuckle ride that is Jurassic World.
Night: Universal CityWalk
Cap off your evening in Universal CityWalk, an outdoor amusement complex abuzz with restaurants, shops and live entertainment. Take dinner at one of several restaurants; catch a movie or enjoy the lively evening.
Day 5: Malibu & Getty Center – Scenic Beauty
Morning: Malibu Beaches
Use up your last day well by driving along the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu. Soak a little sun on one of the beaches a little more off the beaten path, such as Zuma Beach or El Matador Beach, and gawk at their dramatic rock formations and crystal-clear waters.
Lunch: Malibu Pier
Lunch at one of the eateries along Malibu Pier. Dine there, enjoying the pier’s casual, laid-back feel and stunning ocean views.
Late Afternoon: Getty Center
Spend afternoons strolling the Getty Center, one of the world’s most famous museums, thanks to its art collection and incredible architecture and highly stunning gardens. Admission’s free to boot, so the views of Los Angeles are unbeatable.
Final Thoughts
It’s where Tinseltown glamour rubs shoulders with the soothing coolness of the coast. And in this 5-day itinerary, you’ll discover the best of sights, neighborhoods, and LA has to offer. It is really something for the artist or for the art itself-culture or shopping, nature or all of the above-and funky town it is.
