Today I want to share my itinerary for a weekend in Los Angeles with you. The city and surrounding county are home to some of the most famous places to visit in California. If you have a couple days in town, you can see a lot of the highlights. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Downtown LA and coastal beaches, my itinerary will show you a mix of the big attractions and places locals love. I’ve included a map, too.
Weekend in Los Angeles
The great thing about spending 2 days in Los Angeles is that you’ll have time to see the major sightseeing highlights and get a glimpse of the local side of LA. The City of Angels and the area around it cover a lot of ground, and having a couple days here will let you explore both the urban highlights and the coastal hotspots.
My other half is from here, and he’s spent years showing me the best of his home county. Whether you’re excited about seeing the big attractions, going to the beach, shopping, eating, or soaking up the SoCal vibes, you’ll find plenty to entertain you throughout your trip to LA.
My itinerary covers a variety of things to see and experience. It’s an ideal guide for first-time visitors and repeat ones alike. As with all my Los Angeles itineraries, it will give you an introduction to the city and make you want to come back again for more.
Where to Stay
If you’re spending a weekend in LA, there’s no shortage of places to base yourself in. Whether you want to stay in the heart of downtown, in Hollywood, or on the beach, there are plenty of hotels, apartment rentals, and other accommodation you can choose from.
My top pick for a place to stay for this itinerary is the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach. It’s in an ideal location downtown, and I love the restaurant, bar, and local area. If that appeals to your inner traveler, 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 LA here. There are lots of good places to stay in Los Angeles for every travel budget and style.
Friday
My itinerary for a long weekend in Los Angeles starts with a Friday evening arrival in Manhattan Beach. After checking into the Shade Hotel, you can walk to dinner at Love & Salt on Manhattan Beach Boulevard. This buzzing Italian place is one of my favorite dinner spots in town, and it’s a great place to kick off a trip to LA.
If you’re up for a post-dinner drink, you can walk from Love & Salt to one of the many bars in the neighborhood. From classic dives like Shellback and Ercole’s to hip places like SandBar 66 (and the upstairs 900 Club if you’re with a member), you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to nightlife.
Saturday
The next morning, you can continue your itinerary with a big breakfast at Uncle Bill’s Pancake House. This place is a Manhattan Beach institution, and it’s worth the wait (but try to get here early if you can). The pancakes are delicious, and the outdoor tables are perfect for soaking up the local scene.
Manhattan Beach
Appetite satisfied, you can spend the morning exploring downtown Manhattan Beach. Whether you’re looking for a surfboard or a sundress, there’s great shopping here. From Manhattan Beach Boulevard to Manhattan Avenue, there are plenty of boutiques to check out.
When you’re done, you can head to the beach. It’s in the city’s name, after all, and it’s one of my favorite beaches in Los Angeles County. From the long pier (it’s worth walking to the end to take in the views) to the sandy shoreline, there’s a lot to love about this place.
If you feel like being active, you can walk or cycle along the Strand (also called the Marvin Braude Bike Trail). This 2.1-mile paved promenade is a great place for a stroll by the shore. You can walk all the way to Hermosa Beach if you want to. You’ll spot the beach house from Beverly Hills 90210 as you go.
Hollywood
In the late afternoon, you can drive or take a taxi to Hollywood. This classic LA spot is a great place to explore. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to iconic places like the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre (it hosts the Academy Awards each year), there’s a lot to see on Hollywood Boulevard.
When you’ve finished exploring, you can head to Lemon Grove for drinks and dinner. This rooftop restaurant on the corner of Hollywood and Vine is a great place to soak up views of the Capitol Records Building and enjoy seasonal California cuisine and cocktails.
After dinner it’s a short walk down Hollywood Boulevard to get to the iconic Pantages Theatre. With a stunning Art Deco interior and a solid roster of performances, it’s the perfect place to see a Broadway musical while you’re in town.
If you have energy for a drink after the show, there are some fun bars in West Hollywood. Popular places include The Roof at EDITION, The Tower Bar, Or Bar, and Employees Only.
Sunday
The next morning, you can continue your long weekend in Los Angeles with brunch at M.B. Post. This local favorite is one of my go-to spots for morning meals in Manhattan Beach. From delicious egg dishes to the famous bacon cheddar buttermilk biscuits, you can’t go wrong here.
Venice Beach & Abbot Kinney
After brunch, you can drive or take a taxi to Venice Beach. If you’re driving, try to park in or near the lot bounded by Pacific Avenue and North and South Venice Boulevard. This is my favorite place to park, and it’s convenient for what comes next on the itinerary.
Venice Beach is known for its waterfront boardwalk. This bohemian oceanside strip is lined with everything from souvenir shops to restaurants. It’s also home to Muscle Beach, the outdoor gym where Arnold Schwarzenegger once pumped iron. The basketball courts that starred in the 1992 movie White Men Can’t Jump are here as well.
You can walk along the boardwalk to take in the scene, then stroll over to the Venice Canals. These human-made waterways were carved out in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as a way to bring some Italian flair to Southern California. Today they’re popular places to meander, take pictures, and admire the waterfront homes.
When you’re done exploring the canals, you can walk or drive over to Abbot Kinney Boulevard. This famous thoroughfare is beloved for its hip boutiques and cafes. You can go shopping if you want to (and you’ll want to), or head straight to one of the restaurants here for a late lunch. My top pick for a casual meal is Greenleaf Kitchen and Cocktails.
Santa Monica
After lunch, you can hop in your car or a taxi and drive up Main Street to get to Santa Monica. This part of Los Angeles is famous for its beach. It features a long pier jutting out into the ocean.
You can walk out to the end of the pier and take in the views of the shoreline. If you have time, you can head over to Montana Avenue. It’s a popular place to shop, and there are lots of cafes here if you want to take a coffee break.
Downtown LA
When you’re done exploring Santa Monica, make your way to Downtown LA for the evening. This part of the city is known for its hip restaurants and bars.
You can start your night with sunset drinks on the roof of the Proper Hotel. Cara Cara is a great rooftop bar in downtown LA. With excellent cocktails and delicious bites, it’s the perfect place to watch the sun go down.
When you’ve finished, you can make your way into the Fashion District for dinner at DAMA. This Latin-inspired restaurant is known for its great food, excellent cocktails, and tropical indoor-outdoor vibes. I love the crispy squash flowers and whole fish here.
Urban Light
If you have time and energy after dinner, it’s worth popping over to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on your way back to your hotel. That’s because it’s home to 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 Boulevard.
Originally created in 2008, Urban Light has become a Los Angeles attraction and landmark. It’s great to see the lamps and walk through the installation at night. It’s an ideal place for photos and videos, too.
Los Angeles Map
If you want to follow my LA itinerary, you can find an 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.
Weekend in Los Angeles
I hope my itinerary for a weekend in Los Angeles has helped you plan how to spend your time in and around the City of Angels. This is one of my favorite places to visit in California, and it’s worth a weekend getaway.
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