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Los Angeles, USA

3 days in Los Angeles

3 days · 17 stops · USA

Los Angeles is a city of sunlit contrasts, where beach towns, canyon trails, and neighbourhood pockets each feel like their own mini-trip. It’s best enjoyed at an easy pace, with one area per day so you can linger over tacos, coffee, murals, and ocean views without spending the whole time in traffic. The city shines in warm, clear weather, when you can move from the coast to the hills and catch that classic laid-back California rhythm.

€756estimated for two — on-the-ground estimate, flights not included.

AI-estimated prices · Day 1 starts on a Wednesday · Check opening hours and closing days before you go

The 3-day plan, day by day

  1. Day 1 · Wednesday — Pacific coast, classic boulevards and sunset views

    Beachside arrival energy with an easy mix of oceanfront walks, shopping streets and hilltop scenery

    5 stops€160 in stops, for two

    Morning

    1. 09:00

      Settle into Santa Monica

      Head to Santa Monica to start the trip by the water and get oriented around the coast. The area is easy to explore on foot, with broad sidewalks, beach paths and plenty of cafés for a first stop.

      €20 per person

      TIPRideshares are easiest for a direct start on the coast.

    2. 10:00

      Walk the Santa Monica beachfront

      The beachfront here gives a classic first look at Los Angeles, with wide sand, bike paths and open Pacific views. It is one of the city's most recognizable coastal stretches and works well as a relaxed first wander before the day picks up.

      Free

      TIPBring a light layer; the shoreline can feel cooler than inland neighborhoods.

    Afternoon

    1. 12:00

      Lunch and browse along Third Street Promenade

      This pedestrian shopping district mixes street life, casual dining and big-city people-watching in the heart of Santa Monica. It is a convenient place to pause for lunch and get a feel for one of the Westside's busiest commercial streets.

      €20 per person

      TIPGo a block or two off the main strip if you want shorter waits for lunch.

    2. 14:15

      Explore Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills streets

      Beverly Hills offers a polished contrast of palm-lined avenues, luxury storefronts and manicured side streets. A walk here is less about shopping and more about the atmosphere, architecture and unmistakable Los Angeles style.

      Free

      TIPThe quieter residential blocks just off the main shopping stretch are worth a short detour.

    3. 16:15

      Drive up to Griffith Observatory area

      Make your way into Griffith Park for one of the city's best elevated viewpoints. The route itself gives a sense of Los Angeles' scale as the city spreads from hills to basin.

      €15 per person

      TIPAllow extra time in late afternoon traffic heading across the city.

    Evening

    1. 17:15

      Sunset view from the Griffith Park hillside

      The hills around Griffith Park open up broad views over Los Angeles, with the Hollywood area below and long sightlines across the basin. Near sunset, this is one of the most memorable places to understand the city's layout and scale.

      Free

      TIPArrive before dusk to enjoy both daylight views and the city lights coming on.

    2. 19:15

      Dinner in Los Feliz Village

      Los Feliz Village is a pleasant evening district with walkable blocks, neighborhood restaurants and a more local feel after the day's headline sights. It is a good place to end the day with a relaxed meal before heading back.

      €25 per person

      TIPParking can be slower here in the evening, so a short walk from a side street often helps.

  2. Day 2 · Thursday — Hollywood landmarks and park views

    A classic first-time Los Angeles day with film history streets, market browsing and canyon scenery

    6 stops€116 in stops, for two

    Morning

    1. 09:00

      Stroll the Hollywood Boulevard area

      Hollywood Boulevard delivers the most iconic street atmosphere for a first visit, with theaters, bright signage and constant foot traffic. The area is touristy by nature, but it remains one of the clearest windows into the city's film-era image.

      Free

      TIPGo earlier in the day for easier walking and clearer photos along the main blocks.

    2. 11:00

      Browse and snack at Original Farmers Market

      This long-running market area gathers produce stalls, counters and casual food options in an easy, walkable layout. It is one of the best midday stops for variety, giving you the freedom to sample what looks good instead of committing to one full restaurant meal.

      €18 per person

      TIPAim for an early lunch window to keep lines shorter at the busiest counters.

    Afternoon

    1. 12:45

      Walk around The Grove and nearby Fairfax blocks

      This part of the Fairfax district combines shopping streets, steady local energy and easy pedestrian space. It works well as a light afternoon stop, especially for browsing and people-watching between heavier sightseeing moments.

      Free

      TIPKeep an eye on parking validation rules if you stop here by car.

    2. 14:30

      Head into Griffith Park for an afternoon walk

      Return to Griffith Park for a different experience at ground level, where broad roads, trailheads and open slopes show another side of Los Angeles beyond the boulevards. The park's scale makes it feel far removed from the dense city, even though you are still in its center.

      Free

      TIPWear comfortable shoes; even short walks here often include a steady incline.

    3. 16:30

      Scenic drive through the Hollywood Hills

      A drive through the hill roads adds a sense of the city's topography, with winding streets, tucked-away homes and occasional wide views. It is an enjoyable transition between park time and the evening, showing how quickly Los Angeles shifts from urban plain to hillside neighborhoods.

      €10 per person

      TIPUse pull-offs only where permitted; many residential streets are narrow and busy.

    Evening

    1. 18:00

      Dinner in West Hollywood

      West Hollywood is one of the city's most dependable evening districts, with busy sidewalks, stylish dining rooms and a lively but approachable atmosphere. It suits a first-time visit well because there is plenty of choice in a compact area.

      €30 per person

      TIPReservations help for popular dinner times, especially on Thursday evening.

  3. Day 3 · Friday — Downtown culture and neighborhood food streets

    A broad final day linking civic landmarks, arts districts and relaxed evening dining

    6 stops€120 in stops, for two

    Morning

    1. 09:00

      Start in Grand Avenue and Bunker Hill

      This central corridor shows a more civic and architectural side of Los Angeles, with broad plazas, major cultural buildings and steep changes in elevation. It is a good place to begin a Downtown day because several important districts connect easily from here.

      Free

      TIPDowntown blocks are larger than they look on a map, so allow extra walking time between corners.

    2. 10:30

      Ride and explore around Angels Flight and the Historic Core

      The Historic Core blends older commercial facades, layered city textures and busy street scenes that feel very different from the coast and hills. Around this pocket, Los Angeles feels denser and more urban, with plenty to notice in the building details and streetscape.

      €2 per person

      TIPKeep small change or a contactless card handy for short local rides and transit.

    Afternoon

    1. 12:00

      Lunch at Grand Central Market area

      This Downtown market district is one of the city's best casual lunch zones, with a lively mix of counters, communal seating and constant movement. It works especially well for a midday stop because everyone can pick what suits them and keep the day moving.

      €18 per person

      TIPVisit before the main noon rush if you want easier seating.

    2. 13:45

      Walk the Arts District streets

      The Arts District mixes converted industrial blocks, murals, warehouses and a steady creative energy. It is one of the most interesting areas for wandering because the appeal comes from the streets themselves as much as any single stop.

      Free

      TIPStay on the busier main streets if exploring on foot in the afternoon.

    3. 16:15

      Late afternoon in Larchmont Village

      Larchmont Village offers a gentler neighborhood rhythm with a short, pleasant main street lined by cafés, shops and local foot traffic. It makes a calm final-afternoon change of pace after the larger-scale energy of Downtown.

      Free

      TIPThis is an easy stop for coffee and a break before the final dinner.

    Evening

    1. 18:15

      Final dinner in Koreatown

      Koreatown is one of Los Angeles' strongest food neighborhoods, known for dense blocks, bright evening energy and a huge range of casual and sit-down options. It is an excellent final-night district because the atmosphere stays lively and the choice is broad.

      €28 per person

      TIPParking garages are often easier than street parking in the evening.

    2. 20:15

      Return to your accommodation

      Make your way back after dinner and allow time to collect bags or settle in for the night. A direct rideshare is usually the simplest end-of-day transfer across central Los Angeles.

      €12 per person

      TIPRequest the car from a well-lit main street for the fastest pickup.

Where to stay

How many days do you need in Los Angeles?

5 days is the right length for a first trip to Los Angeles. The city is spread out, so give a day each to Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice, Downtown, and the Getty with Griffith Park. With fewer days you see the highlights at a brisk pace; with more, add a day trip to Malibu or Joshua Tree.

See the 5-day Los Angeles itinerary →

Los Angeles, in a few questions

Is 3 days enough for Los Angeles?

3 days in Los Angeles gets you the headline sights at a brisk pace, with little room for a day trip. The plan below spends every one of them, morning to evening, with what each stop costs.

When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is pleasant much of the year, but it feels especially good in the milder, sunnier seasons when being outdoors is most comfortable. Summer is popular for beach days, though it can be busier and hazier than other times.

Is Los Angeles expensive for travellers?

It can be, especially for hotels, car hire, and dining in popular areas, but you can still keep costs in check with casual food spots, public transit in some areas, and free outdoor activities. The city offers a wide range, so your budget depends a lot on where you stay and how you get around.

Do I need a car in Los Angeles?

A car makes it easier to connect different neighbourhoods and reach beaches or canyons, but it’s not essential for every trip. If you stay in a walkable area and focus on a few compact districts, rideshares and transit can work too.

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