Los Angeles in 3 Days — Hollywood, Beaches, Downtown

Activities

1. 09:00 Hollywood Walk of Fame + TCL Chinese Theatre 2 hours

   TCL Chinese Theatre (1927) anchors Hollywood Boulevard with 200+ celebrity handprint slabs. The Walk of Fame extends 2.4 km with 2,700+ pink terrazzo stars. Hollywood & Highland Center (now Ovation Hollywood) is the adjacent shopping + viewing complex with Hollywood Sign view from the Babylon Court level.

   Cost: Free TIP: Park at Ovation Hollywood ($4 with $20 mall purchase) — Hollywood Boulevard street parking is metered + crowded. Morning visit (before 11:00) avoids the chaos. Photo with costumed characters costs $5-10 tip — negotiate before pose.
2. 11:30 Mt Lee Drive — Hollywood Sign hike 2-3 hours

   Closest legal view of the Hollywood Sign is via Mt Lee Drive trail at the back of the sign. 6 km round-trip hike from Griffith Park lower lot, paved fire road, moderate uphill. The Hollywood Sign overlook is at the trail end where you stand directly behind the letters.

   Cost: Free (parking $5) TIP: Park at Griffith Park lower lot ($5) — not at Mt Lee trailhead directly. Sunset hike has best photos. Bring water + sunscreen — exposed trail. Wolfe + Bronson Caves are alternative shorter hikes nearby.
3. 14:30 Lunch at Spago or Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge 1.5 hours

   Spago Beverly Hills is Wolfgang Puck's flagship since 1997 — celebrity-spotting fine dining at $80-150 lunch. The Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge (1941) is the heritage celebrity dining room with $35-50 sandwiches + Frank Sinatra-era atmosphere.

   Cost: $45-150 per person TIP: Spago reservation 1-2 weeks ahead. Polo Lounge walk-in friendly weekdays but reservation for weekend dining. Both have strict smart-casual dress codes — no shorts/sandals.
4. 16:30 Rodeo Drive + Beverly Hills neighborhood walk 1.5 hours

   Rodeo Drive is 3 blocks of luxury shopping — Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton. Two Rodeo at the south end has the iconic European-cobblestone shopping plaza photo. Greystone Mansion (free entry, 1928 Tudor estate) is the upscale photo-op alternative.

   Cost: Free walking TIP: Two Rodeo cobblestone street is the photo angle (corner of Wilshire + Beverly Drive). Window shopping is the norm — most luxury stores require appointments for serious browsing. Beverly Hills Sign at Santa Monica Boulevard is the canonical 'I went to Beverly Hills' photo.
5. 18:00 Sunset Strip drive + Chateau Marmont 1 hour

   Sunset Strip is a 1.5-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard between Doheny + Crescent Heights. Drive past Whisky a Go Go (1964, where The Doors played), The Roxy, Viper Room, Comedy Store, Laugh Factory. Chateau Marmont (1929) is the iconic celebrity-incognito hotel.

   Cost: Free drive TIP: Drive the Strip in a convertible if rental allows — quintessential LA. Stop at Chateau Marmont's bar for a celebrity-spotting drink (cocktails $20-30). The famous Sunset Strip billboards change weekly.
6. 19:30 Dinner at Pump (Lisa Vanderpump) or Catch LA 2 hours

   Pump is Lisa Vanderpump's flower-covered patio restaurant on Robertson Boulevard — the canonical West Hollywood celebrity scene. Catch LA is the rooftop with retractable roof and floral installations — Instagram-defining. Both serve American + Mediterranean menus.

   Cost: $60-120 per person TIP: Both need reservations 2-4 weeks ahead for prime weekend slots. Pump's outdoor patio is the photo angle. Catch LA's '$1 oyster Tuesday' is the value night. Dress smart-casual.
7. 22:00 Optional: Comedy Store or stand-up venue 2 hours

   The Comedy Store (1972) on Sunset Strip is LA's iconic stand-up venue — Robin Williams + Andy Kaufman + Dave Chappelle developed material here. Laugh Factory is the alternative. Both have multiple rooms with 2-3 shows per night.

   Cost: Tickets $25-50 + 2-drink minimum TIP: Book through venue websites 1-2 weeks ahead. Major-name shows ($50+) sell out fast. The Main Room features established comedians; The Original Room has experimental sets. Check Instagram for surprise drop-ins.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:30 Breakfast at Cassia or hotel 1 hour

   Cassia (Santa Monica, opened 2015) is the canonical Santa Monica brunch — Vietnamese-French fusion by chef Bryant Ng. The 'Sunbathers' breakfast platter is the signature.

   Cost: $18-32 per person TIP: Cassia reservation 2-3 days ahead for weekend brunch. Walk-in friendly weekdays. The Sunbathers + Pho both work as breakfast options.
2. 10:00 Santa Monica Pier + Pacific Park 2 hours

   1909-built wooden pier with Pacific Park amusement (solar-powered Ferris wheel + 11 rides). Route 66 ends here (iconic 'End of Trail' sign). 5km of beach stretches south with bike + skate path.

   Cost: Pier free; rides $5-10 each TIP: The Ferris wheel ($10) gives the canonical Santa Monica panorama. Bike rental at Perry's ($10/hour) — start at the pier and ride 5km south to Venice Beach.
3. 12:00 Bike ride Santa Monica → Venice Beach 2 hours

   The Strand bike path connects Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach in 5 km of beachfront. Pass Muscle Beach, Venice Skatepark, Venice Boardwalk performers. Quintessential LA beach experience.

   Cost: Bike rental $10/hour TIP: Rent at Perry's (Santa Monica) and return at the same shop. Lock the bike for Venice Boardwalk stops. Watch for crowded skate paths on weekends.
4. 14:00 Lunch at Venice Beach + Abbot Kinney 1.5 hours

   Venice Boardwalk has casual taco trucks + smoothie bowls. Abbot Kinney Boulevard (5 blocks inland) is the upscale boutique alternative — Felix Trattoria (Italian, opened 2017) is the iconic Abbot Kinney dinner spot.

   Cost: $15-50 per person TIP: Boardwalk taco trucks $10-15. Abbot Kinney sit-downs $30-50. Felix Trattoria reservation 2-4 weeks ahead. The Venice Canals (5-min walk south) are the hidden 1905-built canal district photo spot.
5. 15:30 Getty Center (free art museum) 3-4 hours

   Richard Meier-designed white travertine mountaintop museum (1997, 24-acre campus in Brentwood). Free entry to 6 pavilions of European Renaissance, Impressionist, photography, decorative arts. Tram from parking up to main complex.

   Cost: Free entry; $20 parking before 15:00, $15 after TIP: Park after 15:00 for $15 parking. Garden by Robert Irwin is the canonical photo angle. Van Gogh's Irises is the most-famous piece. Plan 4 hours minimum — easy to spend full day. The Getty Villa (Malibu, separate location) requires separate reservation.
6. 19:30 Sunset at El Matador State Beach (Malibu) 1.5 hours

   Sea-stack beach 45 min north of Santa Monica via PCH. The most-photographed Malibu beach — limestone arches + sea stacks + sunset over the Pacific. Free entry, $8 parking.

   Cost: Free entry; $8 parking TIP: Sunset is the only worthwhile visit time — light hits the sea stacks at golden hour. Limited parking (40 cars) — arrive 90 min before sunset for spot. Descend the 100 stairs from cliff to beach. PCH drive itself is the iconic California experience.
7. 21:30 Dinner at Felix Trattoria (Abbot Kinney) 2 hours

   Felix Trattoria (Venice) is the canonical Abbot Kinney Italian — chef Evan Funke's handmade pasta + house-cured charcuterie. Opened 2017, immediately one of LA's hardest reservations.

   Cost: $70-120 per person TIP: Reservation 2-4 weeks ahead opens on Resy at midnight. Walk-in standby possible after 21:00 weekdays. The Carbonara (handmade rigatoni, $32) is the canonical order. Smart-casual dress.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 09:00 Breakfast at Eggslut (Grand Central Market) 1 hour

   Eggslut is the canonical LA breakfast sandwich — opened 2013 at Grand Central Market. The 'Slut' (coddled egg in a glass jar with potato puree) is the iconic order. The 'Fairfax' (egg + chives + sriracha) is the sandwich.

   Cost: $10-18 TIP: Queue 30-45 min weekend mornings — arrive 8:30 or after 14:00. Order at counter, eat at market tables. Grand Central Market has 40+ vendors — graze if you want variety.
2. 10:30 Grand Central Market (1917) + Broadway Theater District 1.5 hours

   Grand Central Market is LA's downtown food hall since 1917 — 40+ vendors including Eggslut, Wexler's Deli, Sticky Rice, McConnell's Ice Cream. Broadway Theater District (12 historic theaters 1910s-1930s) is across the street.

   Cost: Food $15-50 TIP: Walk through Bradbury Building (1893, Blade Runner filming location, free lobby entry) across the street. The Million Dollar Theatre (1918, oldest in LA) is one block south.
3. 12:30 The Broad (free contemporary art) 2 hours

   Eli + Edythe Broad's contemporary art museum (opened 2015, Diller Scofidio + Renfro architecture). 'Veil' facade of 2,500 fiberglass panels. Free entry. Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, Basquiat. Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror Room is the most-photographed.

   Cost: Free entry TIP: Infinity Room reservations open 30 days ahead at 10:00 PT — book immediately. Same-day standby line possible but 2-3 hour wait. Same-day timed entry reservations also available online.
4. 14:30 Disney Concert Hall + Grand Park 1 hour

   Disney Concert Hall (Frank Gehry 2003) is LA's iconic stainless-steel-clad concert hall. Free self-guided audio tour of the interior available daily. The Broad is right next door (5-min walk).

   Cost: Free exterior + audio tour TIP: 1st & Grand Ave corner is the best photo angle (afternoon sun on the curves). Sunday afternoon free organ recitals (1 hour) are the canonical Downtown free experience.
5. 15:30 Griffith Observatory + Hollywood Sign view 2-3 hours

   Free public observatory (1935) on Mt Hollywood south slope. Tesla Coil, Foucault Pendulum, planetarium shows ($10). Best free Hollywood Sign view + Downtown LA panorama. Drive 30 min from Downtown to Griffith Park lower lot, hike up 1.5 km (or drive to upper lot — fills by noon).

   Cost: Observatory free; planetarium $10 TIP: Sunset is canonical visit time — arrive 90 min before for parking. Planetarium shows fill 30 min ahead. The La La Land bench (Mt Hollywood Drive trail) is at the lower hike — photographers' pilgrimage.
6. 18:30 Sunset at Griffith Observatory 30 min

   Griffith Observatory's south-facing observation deck gives 360° LA panorama at sunset. Downtown LA skyline + Hollywood Sign + Pacific Ocean horizon all visible. Free.

   Cost: Free TIP: Stay through dusk for the LA lights coming on — the panorama transforms 19:30-20:30. The observatory's exterior dome silhouette is the photo angle. Bring layers — exposed mountaintop, 10°C cooler than Downtown.
7. 20:00 Dinner at Park's BBQ or Quarters Korean BBQ (Koreatown) 2 hours

   K-Town is the largest Korean-American district in the US. Park's BBQ is the institution (since 2003) — high-end Korean BBQ with prime ribeye + galbi at $40-60/person. Quarters Korean BBQ is the trendy alternative with shorter wait.

   Cost: $40-80 per person TIP: Park's BBQ reservation 2-3 weeks ahead for weekend. Quarters walk-in but 60-90 min wait. K-Town BBQ at dinner is 30-40% more expensive than lunch same menu. Banchan (Korean side dishes) refilled free.
8. 22:30 K-Town nightlife — Wi Spa or karaoke 2-3 hours

   K-Town is 24-hour Korean spa + karaoke + soju bar culture. Wi Spa (24-hour Korean spa, $25 day pass) is the canonical experience. Korean karaoke private rooms ($30-50/hour) are the night option.

   Cost: Wi Spa $25; karaoke $30-50/hour TIP: Wi Spa is open 24 hours — sleeping room rental $25 for 12 hours is the canonical LA backpacker hack. Korean karaoke ('noraebang') rooms private and friendly to non-singers. Avoid alcohol if going to spa.

Meal Recommendations