Best Itinerary for 3 Days in Los Angeles, California
Today I want to share my travel itinerary for 3 days in Los Angeles with you. The City of Angels is one of the most exciting places to visit in California, and you can see and do a lot if you have a few days in town. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Downtown LA, theme parks, and famous coastal beaches, Los Angeles has a range of experiences for visitors to enjoy. Read on for my itinerary. I've included a map with all the places I recommend, too.
3 Days in Los Angeles
Is 3 days enough in Los Angeles? Yes! The great thing about an itinerary for 3 days in LA is that it gives you plenty of time to see the major sightseeing highlights and dig a bit deeper into the local side of the city. The City of Angels and the surrounding county are big, and having a few days here will allow you to discover both the urban highlights and the coastal ones.
Whether you're excited about seeing the big attractions, going to the beach, eating, shopping, riding roller-coasters, or visiting famous locations from movies, you'll find plenty to entertain you during your trip to LA.
My Los Angeles itinerary for 3 days covers a variety of things to see and experience. It's an ideal guide for first-time visitors and those who haven't been to SoCal in a while. Like my itineraries for 1 day in Los Angeles and 2 days in Los Angeles, it will give you an introduction to the city and make you want to come back again in the future.
Where to Stay in LA
If you're spending 3 days in LA, there are a lot of places you can call home-away-from-home. Whether you want to base yourself in the heart of downtown, in Hollywood, or on the beach, there are plenty of hotels, apartment rentals, and other options you can choose from.
My top pick for a place to stay for 3 nights in Los Angeles is the STILE Hotel. It's in an ideal location downtown and I love the hip guest rooms, sweeping views from the rooftop bar, and 1920s theater that's been converted into a concert venue. I've stayed here before and I can personally vouch it. If you want to follow in my footsteps, you can book a room here.
If you want to take a look at more options, you can see some of the most popular hotels in the city here. There are plenty of great places to stay in Los Angeles for every travel style and budget.
Day 1
My itinerary for 3 days in Los Angeles starts at Grand Central Market. Open 7 days a week, this 30,000-square-foot indoor food market has been a landmark in Downtown LA (DTLA) since 1917. It's the city's largest and oldest public market, and its long rows of stalls offer a variety of global cuisines to choose from.
Grand Central Market is one of my favorite food markets in California, and you can get all kinds of food here. Whether you're in the mood for a breakfast sandwich from Eggslut or pastries from Bastion Bakery, you're bound to find something delicious to fuel you for the day ahead.
There are great drinks, too. You can get your caffeine fix at spots like G&B Coffee, and cold-pressed beverages from The Juice. They'll help energize you for your first day in LA.
Downtown LA
From Grand Central Market, continue your itinerary for 3 days in LA by walking around downtown. There's a lot to love about this area, from art museums to famous bookshops, performance venues, and filming locations. If you want some direction, you can book a guided tour of Downtown LA with a local expert.
One of my favorite things to do in DTLA is ride Angels Flight. This beloved funicular near the market opened in 1901, and it's often referred to as "the world's shortest railway".
Bright orange in hue, it transports passengers up a steep 1-block slope to the top of Bunker Hill. You might recognize it from TV shows like Perry Mason and movies like La La Land.
At the top of Angels Flight you'll find cultural landmarks like The Broad, LA Opera, The Music Center, Ahmanson Theatre, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), and architect Frank Gehry's eye-catching Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Back near Grand Central Market you can see places like the Bradbury Building. Famous movies like Blade Runner were filmed in this landmark five-story feat of architecture. Dating back to 1893, it's remarkable for its atrium full of ornate iron walkways, stairs, and elevators.
A couple blocks away you'll come to a place called The Last Bookstore. Housed in what was once a bank building, it's a cavernous shop with an interior punctuated by white columns and filled with books, boutiques, and creative installations. It's worth stepping inside just to witness how they've turned works of literature into works of art.
Other notable places in DTLA include Los Angeles City Hall (it has a 27th-floor observation deck), the heritage Los Angeles Theatre with its eye-catching Baroque-style architecture, and Pershing Square with its contemporary purple bell tower.
Hollywood Boulevard
When you get hungry for lunch, you can continue your 3-day itinerary for Los Angeles by driving to The Original Farmers Market. This historic place is home to a warren of shops, restaurants, and stalls selling food in a covered outdoor area. It's one of my go-to places to get a quick bite in LA.
When you're done with lunch, make your way to Hollywood Boulevard for the early afternoon. Highlights of this famous street include the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Dolby Theatre, the Chinese Theatre, the Capitol Records Building, and the Pantages Theatre. If you want to, you can take a bus tour to see everything in one go.
When you're finished soaking up the scene, continue your Los Angeles itinerary for 3 days by heading over to Griffith Park and up to Griffith Observatory.
This iconic landmark on Mount Hollywood offers spectacular views of everything from the Hollywood Sign to the skyscrapers in Downtown LA, the Pacific Ocean, and the local hiking trails. It's been used as a filming location for movies ranging from The Terminator to Jurassic Park, too.
Arts District
You can admire the views or take a tour of Griffith Observatory, then continue your 3-day itinerary for Los Angeles by heading to the Arts District. This hip area by the river is renowned for its creative enterprises, restaurants, galleries, and nightlife scene.
My top pick for a pre-dinner drink in the Arts District is Death & Co. This stylish New York cocktail bar has a speakeasy vibe, low light, and creative drinks. My other half took me here on a date in LA once and we loved it. It's an ideal place to kick off your first night out in Los Angeles.
When you're done with drinks, it's a short drive to dinner at award-winning chef Enrique Olvera's restaurant, Damian. This contemporary spot blends Mexican cuisine with California's seasonal produce. The result is excellent food in a cool warehouse atmosphere.
If you have time and energy after your meal, it's worth checking out a rooftop bar in DTLA. They're perfect places for cocktails with city views, and fun spots to end your first day in the City of Angels. Whether you go to Broken Shaker at the Freehand hotel, Perch LA, or The Rooftop at Mama Shelter, you can't go wrong.
Day 2
The next morning, continue your itinerary for 3 days in Los Angeles with a quick coffee and breakfast at one of the many cafes in DTLA. Whether you choose Verve Coffee Roasters or Basil & Cheese Cafe, there are lots of great options.
Venice Beach & Abbot Kinney
After breakfast, head out to Venice Beach. If you're driving, park in or near the lot bounded by Pacific Ave and North and South Venice Blvd. This is my go-to place to park, and it's convenient for what comes next on the itinerary.
Venice Beach is known for its bohemian boardwalk. This oceanside strip is lined with everything from restaurants to souvenir shops. It's also home to Muscle Beach, an outdoor gym where Arnold Schwarzenegger once pumped iron. The basketball courts that featured in the 1992 movie White Men Can't Jump are here, too.
You can walk up and down the boardwalk to take in the atmosphere, then stroll over to the Venice Canals. These human-made waterways were dug out in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney in an effort to bring some Italian charm to Southern California. Today they're popular places to walk, take in the scene, and admire the waterfront homes.
When you're done discovering the canals, walk or drive over to Abbot Kinney Boulevard. This thoroughfare is famous for its stylish boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. You can do some shopping if you want to (and you'll likely want to), or head straight to lunch. My top pick for a casual bite here is Greenleaf Kitchen and Cocktails.
Santa Monica
After lunch, continue your 3 days in Los Angeles by hopping in your car and driving up Main Street to Santa Monica. This part of LA is known for its beach, which features a long pier jutting out into the Pacific Ocean.
You can go out to the end of the pier to take in the views of the shoreline, then walk or drive over to the 3rd Street Promenade. There are lots of shops in and around this pedestrianized area, and you can spend as much or as little time browsing and buying as you want to. Alternatively, Montana Avenue is a popular place to shop.
The Getty Center
When you leave Santa Monica, continue your 3-day LA itinerary by driving up to the Getty Center in Brentwood. This iconic hilltop museum was designed by renowned architect Richard Meier. It houses an impressive collection of European art that spans centuries. The museum offers free entry, too.
Once inside the Getty, you'll find everything from Van Goghs to Rembrandts and Turners. You can book a guided tour if you want to see the highlights with an expert.
If you have time, it's also worth checking out the gardens. They're famous for their views, and the panoramas from them are inspiring to see.
Beverly Hills
When you're done exploring the Getty Center, continue your itinerary for 3 days in Los Angeles by driving down Sunset Boulevard to Beverly Hills. This glamorous city in LA County is known for being a filming location and a favorite of A-list celebrities.
It's also home to The Golden Triangle, an area that's bounded by Santa Monica Boulevard, Wilshire Boulevard, and Canon Drive. The upscale shopping street of Rodeo Drive is here as well.
While you're here you can explore the area, shop (or window shop if your budget doesn't extend to luxury goods levels), and seek out famous filming locations from movies and TV shows like Pretty Woman, Clueless, and Beverly Hills 90210.
You can also check out famous hotels like the Beverly Wilshire (the one from Pretty Woman). It's the perfect spot to have a pre-dinner drink in the area. THE Blvd Lounge is my favorite place to have a cocktail when I'm in this part of LA.
As far as dinner goes, my go-to restaurant in Beverly Hills is Avra. This seafood restaurant is not only known for its excellent food, but also world-class people watching. Make sure to keep an eye out for celebs while enjoying a meal in the grand dining room.
If you have time and energy after dinner, it's worth stopping by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on your way back to Downtown LA. That's because it's the home of Urban Light. This free outdoor art installation by Chris Burden features a grid of restored vintage street lamps that lights up the night sky on Wilshire Blvd.
Originally created in 2008, Urban Light has become a Los Angeles landmark and attraction. It's fun to see the lamps and walk through the installation at night.
Day 3
On the final day of your Los Angeles itinerary, you have two choices. One is for you if you're into theme parks, and the other is a good fit if you want to spend more time in LA's beach cities.
Theme Parks
If you choose the former, you have several options for where to spend your third day in LA. The county and surrounding areas are home to some of the most famous theme parks in the world.
One option is to spend the day at Universal Studios Hollywood. This famous film studio and theme park in the San Fernando Valley is known for its recognizable sets and movie-themed rides.
Highlights include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World. You can also go on the Studio Tour, a trolley ride through the Backlot where you can see famous filming locations.
Another option is Knott's Berry Farm. This popular theme park in Orange County is home to rides, roller-coasters, shops, and attractions. The park has five themed areas, making it a fun place to explore.
There are also regular seasonal events and festivals held here throughout the year. It's a particularly popular place to go for Halloween in California, as it goes all-out for the holiday.
A third option is to spend the day at Disneyland. This famous theme park in Anaheim is close enough to LA that you can spend a day here if you wake up early.
From classic favorites like Frontierland to modern additions like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, there's a lot to love about the Magic Kingdom. And that's to say nothing of rides like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean.
A fourth option is Six Flags Magic Mountain. Located in Valencia, this famous theme park is known for its amazing roller-coasters. If you're into adrenaline-fueled fun, this is just the ticket.
Magic Mountain is known as the “Thrill Capital of the World" because it's home to more roller-coasters than any other theme park on Earth. There are plenty of games and attractions to enjoy, too.
A fifth option is Legoland. It's a bit farther away, but if you're heading south to somewhere like San Diego after your trip to LA, it's a good option.
Located in Carlsbad, Legoland is a great place for families traveling with children. It features a range of rides, shows, and attractions, and there's even a water park and an aquarium. Dino Valley is popular, too.
A sixth option is the La Brea Tar Pits. While not technically a theme park, this place is still a popular visitor attraction. An active paleontological research site right in Los Angeles, it features pits where natural asphalt has seeped up from the ground for millennia. The bones of trapped animals have been preserved here, and it's a popular place to see fossils.
This is a good option if you don't want to spend a whole day doing one activity. You can visit the museum at the tar pits, then spend the rest of your day following some of the itinerary below, doing a few things you didn't get to on the previous days, or going somewhere you've heard about since you arrived.
Beach Cities
If theme parks aren't your thing, there are still plenty of ways to spend the last of your 3 days in Los Angeles. I recommend heading to the beach cities in the South Bay.
You can start your day in Manhattan Beach. This is one of my favorite places in Los Angeles County, not least because it has a great mix of shops, restaurants, and oceanfront highlights. My go-to restaurant for breakfast here is Uncle Bill's Pancake House. This rustic spot is a beloved local institution.
After fueling up with a hearty stack, you can do some shopping downtown. There are great clothing boutiques, surf shops, home goods stores, and more here. If it's a Tuesday, the weekly farmers' market in Metlox Plaza behind the Shade Hotel is worth checking out, too.
Heading to the beach is a must while you're here as well (it's in the name, after all). You can walk out to the end of the famous pier, stroll or cycle along the 2.1-mile Strand (also called the Marvin Braude Bike Trail), or just soak up the rays on the sand.
When it's time for lunch, I recommend walking or driving down to Hermosa Beach. Right next to Manhattan Beach, this laid-back coastal spot is packed with great restaurants and cafes.
I always like eating lunch on Pier Ave. It's in a fun pedestrianized area right by Hermosa Beach Pier, and there are lots of buzzing restaurants with outdoor tables. If you like Mexican food, Palmilla is a great choice.
After lunch you can explore more of Hermosa Beach. There are fun shops here selling everything from surfboards to home furnishings and gifts. You can walk along the beach while you're here, too. You might spot the beach house from Beverly Hills 90210 on The Strand as you go.
When you're done shopping, sunbathing, and exploring, you can continue your LA itinerary with a drive down to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This area is home to beautiful coastal scenery, miles of hiking trails, and impressive houses.
If you have time, you can take a hike on the Bluff Cove Trail or in Portuguese Bend Reserve. They're fun spots to get out into nature in Los Angeles County, and they offer beautiful views of the beaches and places like Catalina Island.
If you don't have time (or you're just not into hiking), head to Terranea. This coastal resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula is one of my favorite places in LA. From the cute clothing boutique to the indulgent waterfront spa and the great bars and restaurants, it's hard to beat.
Depending on your timing, you can indulge in some retail therapy, a spa treatment, or a pre-dinner drink at the bar when you arrive. When dinnertime comes, my go-to restaurant here is Mar'sel. With a delicious menu, excellent service, and a terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it's the perfect place to end your 3 days in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Map
If you want to follow my LA itinerary, you can find my interactive Google map of all the places I mentioned here. I hope it helps give you an understanding of where things are in relation to one another so you can have a fun time in the city.
Los Angeles Itinerary for 3 Days
I hope my 3-day itinerary for Los Angeles has helped you plan how to spend your time here. This is one of my favorite places to visit in California, and it's worth a special trip. There are so many things to do in LA in that you're bound to have a good time no matter what you're into.
There are lots more places to see here, too. If you have the chance, it's worth staying in town a bit longer. My itinerary for 4 days in Los Angeles, my guide to 5 days in Los Angeles, and my itinerary for 6 days in Los Angeles will show you why. You'll be able to see highlights like Malibu and other famous parts of LA. My other Los Angeles itineraries have additional ideas as well.
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