Let me share this 3-day Los Angeles itinerary that helped me enjoy the city during my recent trip to the U.S. My experience left me with mixed feelings, as everything I saw was quite different from my initial expectations. Nevertheless, Los Angeles is a must-see on any American bucket list, so it felt great to finally visit and form my own opinion about the city.

  • This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read my disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

An Ultimate 3-Day Los Angeles Itinerary

Tips for planning a visit to Los Angeles

One thing everyone agrees on: Los Angeles is a city you either fall in love with at first sight or decide it’s just not your kind of place. There’s no middle ground here—you’re either in or out. So, before you plan your visit, there are a few key things you should keep in mind. I’ve gathered some essential travel tips and ideas in this post because wise planning is crucial for maximizing your 3-day Los Angeles itinerary.

How to get around Los Angeles

Your primary decision will be whether or not to rent a car. Public transportation in LA… well, let’s just say there’s still plenty of room for improvement! The Metro system doesn’t have many stations, buses can arrive late, and taxis can be quite pricey. Overall, it can take a long time to reach your final destination. Having a car will definitely make things easier, but you’ll still need to contend with traffic jams and occasionally expensive parking fees. It’s best to avoid freeways during rush hours if you can (6:00–9:00 a.m. and 4:00–7:00 p.m.).

Los angeles In 3 days

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

LA is essentially a patchwork of neighborhoods. Start by identifying your must-see sights, favorite restaurants, and shops. Once you have your top choices in mind, look for a smart location that allows you to cover more ground. On my first trip to LA, we stayed in Downtown LA, on another trips – near the airport and in Beverly Hills. Regardless of where you choose to stay, be prepared to do a fair amount of moving around if you want to see all the highlights of the city in just 3 days.

Best tours and experiences in Los Angeles

Whether you’re planning a weekend in Los Angeles or a 3- or 4-day itinerary, there will be plenty of things to do. However, as with any popular travel destination, booking ahead for popular activities is highly recommended:

3 days in Los angeles itinerary

Our 3-day Itinerary for Los Angeles

Day 1: Hollywood and Beverly Hills

  • Morning: We started the day at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, while walking around towards TCL Chinese Theatre.
  • Afternoon: Next, we headed to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, then to LACMA.
  • Evening: We ended our first day in Los Angeles with stunning city views at the Griffith Observatory.

Day 2: Universal Studios and Downtown LA

  • Morning: We spent the first half of the day at Universal Studios.
  • Afternoon: In the afternoon, we headed to Downtown LA, admiring historic buildings, visiting Grand Central Market, and enjoying a rooftop bar Perch for sunset views.

Day 3: Santa Monica, Venice Beach & Marina del Rey

  • Morning: We started the morning at Santa Monica Pier and then headed to Santa Monica Downtown to explore local shops.
  • Afternoon: Afterwards, we walked to Venice Beach to enjoy the Canal Historic District and the famous Boardwalk.
  • Evening: We finished the day at Marina del Rey, exploring The Fisherman’s village.

Overall, I felt that this 3-day Los Angeles itinerary was great for a first visit. My only regret was missing out on the Getty Center and Malibu. While it’s hard to skip the Walk of Fame and Rodeo Drive on your first trip to LA, I think swapping them for the Getty Center and Malibu would have made my visit even more enjoyable.

Top things to do in Los Angeles in 3 days

1. Architecture and Street Art in Downtown LA

Street view Downtown LA 3 days
Downtown LA during our 3 days in Los Angeles

One of my favorite aspects of traveling is exploring a new place on foot as much as possible. That’s how you truly experience the sights, smells, and sounds of a location, right? While Los Angeles is often associated with car culture, there’s one area where you can actually stroll around – Downtown LA. This neighborhood is home to many stunning buildings, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Broad Museum (be sure to book in advance if you plan to visit), MOCA, LA’s Broadway Theater District, the Million Dollar Theater, and The Last Bookstore. If you’re a graffiti enthusiast, keep your eyes peeled, as Downtown LA is also renowned for its vibrant and ever-changing murals.

2. Outdoor activities in Los Angeles

Views of the Hollywood sign 3 days in Los Angeles
The famous Hollywood sign during the weekend in Los Angeles

If there’s one thing that won’t disappoint you in Los Angeles, it’s the weather. Everything you’ve heard about LA’s perfect blue skies, towering palm trees, and sunny days is absolutely true. This makes Los Angeles an ideal outdoor destination! If you enjoy an active vacation, your weekend in LA should definitely include biking, hiking, beach strolls, or even surfing. You can kick off your 3-day Los Angeles itinerary with a hike in the Hollywood Hills or explore the trails in Griffith Park, such as the Bronson Canyon Trail and the Fern Dell Trail. For biking enthusiasts, the Santa Monica Bike Path is a must-visit. This scenic route connects Santa Monica to Venice Beach, offering stunning ocean views along the way.

3. Unique Museums in Los Angeles

If you’re not into hiking or the outdoors, you can focus on the cultural side of your three days in Los Angeles by visiting some of the most interesting museums. Don’t miss the Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, The Broad, LACMA, La Brea Tar Pits Museum, and the Petersen Automotive Museum, among others.

4. Food tours in Los Angles

IIf you’re into fancy restaurants, fine dining, world cuisines, and gastronomic innovations, LA has plenty to offer. Even if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Be sure to visit the Grand Central Market, an open-air market that’s been operating since 1917. While you’re there, grab an iconic burger at In-N-Out. Speaking of burgers, you might have heard about the ongoing debate between two famous American burger chains: Shake Shack vs. In-N-Out. You really can’t leave the West Coast without trying both and deciding for yourself!

5. Universal Studios Hollywood

If you’re a Harry Potter fan and looking to add some extra excitement to your weekend in Los Angeles, Universal Studios Hollywood is a fantastic choice thanks to its Hogwarts Castle, interactive wands, and thrilling rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. You can also get a behind-the-scenes look at real working movie sets. The famous Studio Tour takes you through iconic locations and lets you experience special effects, including the intense King Kong 360 3-D and Fast & Furious: Supercharged.

6. Santa Monica Pier and Boutiques

3-day Los Angeles Itinerary
Enjoying Santa Monica during our 3 days in Los Angeles

The iconic Santa Monica Pier is sure to give you a strong sense of déjà vu. It feels like most movies set in Los Angeles feature this spot as a filming location. Plus, Pacific Park, located on the world-famous pier, is one of the best family-friendly attractions in LA. It’s a great place to enjoy fun rides, midway games, and even the first solar-powered Ferris wheel.

Don’t forget to check out Third Street Promenade for cool restaurants and trendy boutiques. And if you’re in the mood for more shopping, head to Santa Monica Place, a modern open-air mall.

Santa Monica Pier 3 days in Los Angeles
Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles

7. Malibu

Malibu is known for one of the most stunning coastal stretches in California and is an epic spot for watching sunsets. It was the one place my local friends highly recommended, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to visit. Instead, we ended up spending an entire day in the overly touristy parts of LA (despite all the warnings). Malibu will definitely be my first must-visit on my next trip to Los Angeles. If you decide to go, be sure to explore Malibu Pier, Surfrider Beach, Point Dume Beach, El Matador State Beach, and the historic Adamson House. For a more urban experience, don’t miss Third Street Promenade, where you’ll find cool restaurants and trendy boutiques. And if you’re in the mood for more shopping, head over to The Santa Monica Place, a contemporary open-air mall with plenty to offer.

8. Hollywood Walk of Fame and Rodeo Drive

Hollywood Walk of Fame 3-Day Los Angeles Itinerary
Me being a complete tourist during our weekend in Los Angeles
3 days in Los angeles itinerary Hollywood
Los angeles itinerary Hollywood In 3 days

We decided to visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Rodeo Drive since it was our first time in Los Angeles, but honestly, it’s not something I’d recommend. It’s a common belief that you can’t visit LA without stopping by these iconic spots, especially as a first-timer. How can you resist those cliché locations? Knowing that it was considered one of the tourist traps in LA, we initially planned to visit Malibu instead. However, once we arrived in Los Angeles, the curiosity got the better of us, and we ended up heading to Hollywood Walk of Fame and Rodeo Drive.

If you go, just be aware of what you’re getting into. There’s nothing glamorous or celebrity-like about the Hollywood Walk of Fame – you won’t run into any stars. It’s a typical tourist trap with a lot of homeless people and some street performers trying to show off. Rodeo Drive is filled with fancy cars, high-end shops, and tourists snapping pictures of everything. It feels pretty superficial, especially when you compare it to the more authentic neighborhoods around Los Angeles.

Palms in Los Angeles weekend
Palms during my weekend in Los Angeles

Is Los Angeles Worth Visiting?

Los Angeles is worth visiting, but I must admit it didn’t quite live up to my personal expectations. The so-called City of Angels was full of strange contrasts, surprising revelations, and epic disappointments. I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster, swinging between complete astonishment and intense dislike. How could so many different things coexist in one place?

On one hand, there’s the homeless crisis, smog, insane traffic jams, and a poor public transportation system. Not to mention that the top attractions LA is internationally known for can often feel like mere tourist traps. On the other hand, there were tons of interesting activities, amazing weather, trendy restaurants, posh neighborhoods, and the beautiful ocean. You can definitely find something for every taste and preference, but there’s absolutely no balance in Los Angeles.

Pin it

Pinterest image of Santa Monica beach in Los Angeles

For more travel tips check my Pinterest Board Los Angeles.

at lifestyle crossroads travel blog resources
  • Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda, Booking, and Hotellook
  • Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
  • Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
  • Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
  • For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
  • Audio guides: Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
  • Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner, WayAway, and Kiwi
  • Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
  • Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Trainline, Busbud, and Omio
  • Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Rental Cars and Discover Cars
  • Top E-Sim: GigSky helps me to avoid roaming fees and provides connectivity everywhere (even on a cruise ship)
  • Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
  • Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
  • Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
  • Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
  • Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
  • Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
  • Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
  • For Bloggers: To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22