The Perfect 3-Day Los Angeles Itinerary: What to See, Do & Eat
A mecca of entertainment, fashion, arts, and creativity.
Los Angeles is always on the bucket list for travelers and is one of the top five cities to visit in North America. This is an absolute must-see destination, and the best part is that you don’t even need a week to do it!
With the right suggestion and plan, you can roam around in the City of Angels, visit the best places and devour the yummiest food in only three days.
In this guide, you will learn exactly how to explore Los Angeles in 3 days.
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Where To Stay In Los Angeles?
For that, first, we have to find you a great hotel!
Sunny Los Angeles is a constellation of different neighborhoods joined together, and each has its own style and personality.
The best part about this city is that you can easily find a hotel that’ll fit your budget, itinerary, and style.
Best instagrammable hotels in Los Angeles
If this is your first time visiting L.A., Hollywood is the best place for soaking up all the sights without paying extra bucks.
Hollywood is only seven miles from the largest state park of California, Griffith Park. You will also be close to many of the popular tourist attractions such as the Planetarium, Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Observatory, and hiking trails.
Since it is close to the sights, you do not have to rent a car, and that can save you a lot of money.
Here are my favorite Instagrammable hotels in Los Angeles:
Kimpton Everly Hotel is a fresh and contemporary choice, with sunlight flooding through the windows and a sparkling rooftop pool.
The Hollywood Roosevelt takes you on a trip down memory lane. Here the suites are named after former guests of the hotel, including Marilyn Monroe, and it is situated right in the heart of L.A.’s Hollywood.
If you want a mid-range place to stay, the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles is perfect for you! With their sleek designed bedrooms and a comfy Sheraton signature bed, you will be good to go.
Best budget hotels in Los Angeles
Affordable hotels can be a little tricky to find in Los Angeles, but if you are renting a car, then you can stay just outside the major sightseeing areas and drive to them instead.
Friendship Motor Inn is a great option for that. The rooms are extremely cozy and spacious and have amenities that include microwaves, fridges, and flat screens. Pretty good for a budget hotel, don’t you think?
Another budget hotel is the Super 8 by Wyndham Los Angeles, which is only a ten-minute drive from Venice Beach. With sparkling clean rooms, comfy beds, free breakfast, an outdoor swimming pool, and large parking, this is for sure a comfy stay.
Best luxury hotels in L.A.
For all the luxury lovers out there, Los Angeles has plenty of options for you to enjoy. It is, after all, the City of Angels, a place filled with celebrities, designer stores, and hotels designed especially for luxury.
If you feel like splurging, then nothing can beat Beverly Hills. A luscious residential area, only five minutes away from Rodeo Drive.
The Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel exudes sophistication and elegance, while the Peninsula Beverly Hills is surrounded by gorgeous green trees and is another great hotel.
Perks include unique experiences such as private piano lessons with a pianist, luxurious spas, rooftop gardens, and incredible restaurants.
The Perfect Itinerary for 3 days in Los Angeles
Now that you know all the best places to stay in Los Angeles, let’s talk about the perfect itinerary to cover all the city’s major points of interest.
L.A is a wide city, and seeing everything in just three days is not only difficult but impossible. However, this does not mean you should become sad and sulk around!
With this itinerary, you can visit all the main spots and be extremely happy once the trip ends.
So keep reading for our 3 day Los Angeles itinerary!
DAY 1- Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Sign And A Trip Down Rodeo Drive
On your first day in L.A, make your way down to the classic touristic spots in the city, such as the Griffith Observatory, Rodeo Drive, and of course, the Hollywood Sign.
Hollywood Sign
Did you even visit Los Angeles if you didn’t take a picture in front of the Hollywood Sign?
There are two best ways to see this popular tourist spot, and in my opinion, hiking is the way to go!
So put on your running shoes, grab a water bottle and a backup full of snacks and hike your way up to this gorgeous place.
Address: CA 90068, Canyon Lake Dr 3160, Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory
Once you’ve enjoyed the gigantic Hollywood Sign, you can make your way towards the Griffith Observatory.
The best time to visit this place is when the sun is about to go down; the sunset at Griffith Observatory provides you with a stunning view of Downtown Los Angeles.
Parking can be a little tricky here and so it is a smart idea to arrive at least an hour before sunset. This way, you can find a good parking spot and hike up the hill to make it just in time for the breathtaking evening view.
Besides watching the most romantic sundown, you can also visit the Planetarium, enjoy exhibits and use the epic telescopes present there.
Address: CA 90027, 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles
Opening Hours: 12 PM-10 PM Monday-Friday, 10 AM-10 PM Saturday and Sunday
Rodeo Drive
If you love shopping, then Rodeo Drive must be on your bucket list!
This 2-mile long street present in Beverly Hills has been featured in plenty of movies. It is one of the most glamorous and iconic shopping branded streets in the USA and a must-visit for all.
Even if you are not a fan of shopping, Rodeo Drive is an experience you shouldn’t miss.
Address: 224 N Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
“Urban Light” Public Art
If you are looking for an Instagrammable place to visit in Los Angeles, make sure you add Urban Light to your itinerary.
This public art display comprises two hundred and two street lamps from the year 1920’s to the 1930s. You may have seen this display of art in countless movies, and it is one of the top attractions of L.A. The best part? It is open to the public 24/7.
Address: 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA90036
DAY 2- Santa Monica Pier, Venice, And A Hike Through The Runyan Canyon
On day two, it is time to explore the edgy side of Los Angeles, making stops in Santa Monica, Venice, and hiking onto the Runyon Canyon.
Venice Beach
One of the most eclectic and popular places in LA is Venice beach .
Bring your inner bohemian to life and enjoy the free-spirited vibes. This beach is famous for its street performances, murals, hip stores, and more. Don’t forget to rent a bike so that you can get the perfect experience here as you stroll down Broadwalk!
Some gorgeous areas that you shouldn’t miss are Muscle Beach, Skate Part, and Abbott Kinney Street. A tip to remember: Venice has the most gorgeous sunsets!
Address: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, L.A., CA 90291
Santa Monica Pier
From Venice, you can head north towards the Santa Monica Pier.
Here you can let your inner child roam free while you snack on candy and ice creams and climb onto carnival rides and scream your lungs out!
You can use your rented bikes from Venice and pedal your way down here to watch this lively place in action.
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, CA 90401
Runyan Canyon Hike
This is undoubtedly a top favorite for most travelers when they visit Los Angeles, and for a good reason! Runyan Canyon is a short trail hike that gives you a breathtaking view of L.A.
The best time to go there is late afternoon or early morning, so it isn’t too hot. Who knows, you may even find a celebrity to take pictures with!
Address: 2000 N Fuller Ave, L.A , CA 90046,
DAY 3- A Trip Down “Malibu” Lane
You are on your final and third day in Los Angeles!
If the weather is nice, then I highly recommend that you take a trip down to Malibu!
The optional idea is to check out CityWalk in Hollywood, Universal Studios, or visit Disneyland. However, if you want a road trip instead, then Malibu it is.
Day Trip To Malibu
The drive from L.A to Malibu takes around 45 minutes, and the views as you make your way towards the Pacific Coast Highway are stupendous.
Once you reach Malibu, you can grab a quick bite to eat at Duke’s Malibu, Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market, and Patio Cafe or Nicolas Eatery.
All beaches in Malibu require you to walk down the cliff, and so you can take pictures from the top and then go down in the water to get wet!
El Matador Beach
El Matador is one of the most well-known beaches in Malibu. It is packed with people 24/7 who are carrying out photoshoots, due to the insane scenic views it has.
Address: Pacific Coast Highway 32350, Malibu
Point Dume State Beach and Big Dume Beach
If this is your first time seeing Point Dume State Beach, then you may even think you are in Portugal or something. This beach is awe-inspiring, extremely unique, and a must-visit place.
You can reach the Big Dume beach and then hike your way to Point Dume Beach since they are close together. Both of these places are extremely quiet and peaceful, ideal for couples for romantic walks along the coast.
Address: Cliffside Dr & Birdview Ave, CA 90265
The best tours to take in Los Angeles
That is the end of our 3 day itinerary!
If you happen to have some extra time in Los Angeles, I would highly recommend going on an exciting tour to complement your visit.
Here are some of the most popular tours to take in Los Angeles:
Where To Eat In Los Angeles
Another very important part of any trip to LA is of course, the food!
These restaurants are quite iconic and offer amazing food:
Broad Street Oyster Co.: For a wonderful seafood restaurant, Broad Street Oyster is the best place. Don’t forget to try their lobster roll!
Konbi: This place provides you with a mixture of pastries, vegetables, and perfectly symmetrical sandwiches. Also, if you get here early, you can enjoy their signature pastry, stuffed with a yummy chocolate filling inside!
Best time To Visit Los Angeles
If you catch yourself asking what the best time to visit Los Angeles is, then you should know that there is no bad or good time for this place.
The weather in the City of Angels is perfect throughout the year, so no matter when you plan your trip, you will always have a list of great things to do.
With that being said, you should know that during July and August, the temperature can get very hot (up to 100ºF and even more!). So naturally, this can put a damper on your plan to spend time outdoors, but apart from that, you are good to go!
How To Get Around In L.A.
If you are flying to L.A, then you will need a set of wheels to get around.
The city can be challenging to explore on foot. Whether you have three days or even less, there are two ways to get around in Los Angeles; renting a car or using public transport.
Rent A Car
If you are flying to LAX, many airport shuttles will take you to rental car companies. Renting a car is the best way to explore the city, and these rentals are relatively cheap.
Most areas in Los Angeles have public street parking available, and you can easily visit and roam around without any worry. However, driving in L.A. can be tough, and this is when public transport comes to help.
By Public Transport
If you are not in the mood to face the city’s problematic parking signs and crazy traffic, then you must stick to public transportation.
Plenty of Los Angeles neighborhoods are not only fun to walk on but are also interlinked to one another through trains.
The metro system of L.A works perfectly well and has many different stops in between. To use this system, you have to purchase a reusable TAP card, and this can be brought easily through the vending machines present there.
There are four main train tracks that the train passes through, and these include the following:
The Red Line: It starts at downtown L.A.- Union Station and takes you along Los Feliz to Hollywood and to Universal City, the home of Universal Studios.
The Purple Line: This train track takes you all across Koreatown.
The Gold Line: It goes through neighborhoods such as Highland Park, Chinatown, and Little Tokyo.
The Expo Line: If you want to see Santa Monica Pier and the most famous beaches in Los Angeles., this train track is for you.
Wrap-up: The perfect 3 day Los Angeles itinerary
That’s a wrap! Now you are ready to spend 3 days in Los Angeles and visit all the best places in town. I really hope you enjoyed this itinerary and that you have a wonderful trip!
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I’d love to visit. It looks incredible. Thanks for sharing.