3-Day Itinerary

Los Angeles, CA

Hollywood, hikes, hidden gems

Best time: March – May or September – November
Budget: ~$385/day (Mid-Range)

LA is not one city — it's 80 neighborhoods duct-taped together. Three days means you pick your lane: beaches and boardwalks, food and culture, or Hollywood and hikes. This itinerary mixes all three without killing you in traffic.

Your budget
Budget Mid-Range Splurge

Mid-Range Daily Budget

Estimated cost per person, per day

Hotel $220
Food $100
Activities $35
Transport $30
Total per day
$385
3 days = ~$1155 total

Your Los Angeles itinerary

1

Day 1: Hollywood & Griffith Park

8:00 AM $18
🍽️Breakfast at Sqirl
720 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Famous for the ricotta toast and sorrel pesto rice bowl. Line moves fast.

9:30 AM Free
🚶Griffith Observatory Hike
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Hike up from the Greek Theatre trailhead (1.5mi) or drive and park. Free observatory with Hollywood Sign views.

12:00 PM $20
🍽️Lunch at Howlin' Ray's
727 N Broadway #128, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Nashville hot chicken in Chinatown. Order "Medium" unless you have a death wish. Line can be long — go at opening.

2:00 PM Free
📍Hollywood Walk of Fame
6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Walk Hollywood Blvd from Highland to Vine. Skip the tour buses. Pop into the Roosevelt Hotel lobby.

4:00 PM $20
📍The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Free admission (parking $20). World-class art collection with panoramic city views. The garden is a masterpiece.

7:30 PM $60
🍽️Dinner at Bestia
2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Italian in the Arts District. Book 2+ weeks ahead. The cavatelli and bone marrow are musts.

2

Day 2: Venice, Santa Monica & Malibu

8:00 AM $20
🍽️Breakfast at Gjusta
320 Sunset Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Bakery-deli in Venice. The smoked fish plate and pastries are unreal.

9:30 AM Free
🚶Venice Beach Boardwalk
1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

Street performers, Muscle Beach, skate park, murals. Classic LA morning.

11:30 AM $20
🚶Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

"The coolest block in America." Browse boutiques, galleries, and grab a coffee.

1:00 PM $16
🍽️Lunch at Bay Cities Italian Deli
1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

The Godmother sandwich. Enough said. Cash only, worth every penny.

2:30 PM $20
🚶Santa Monica Pier & 3rd Street Promenade
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Ride the Ferris wheel, walk the pier, browse the outdoor mall. Free to stroll.

5:30 PM Free
🚶Sunset at El Matador Beach
32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

The most photogenic beach in LA. Sea caves, rock formations, golden hour magic. Bring a jacket.

7:30 PM $28
🍽️Dinner at Malibu Seafood
25653 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

No-frills seafood shack right on PCH. Order the fish tacos and eat on the patio overlooking the ocean.

3

Day 3: Arts District, DTLA & K-Town

8:30 AM $16
🍽️Breakfast at Eggslut
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

The Fairfax sandwich. Egg in a jar. DTLA icon. Go to Grand Central Market location.

10:00 AM $10
🚶Grand Central Market
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Food hall with 30+ vendors since 1917. Walk through even if you just ate — the energy is electric.

11:30 AM Free
📍The Broad Museum
221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Free contemporary art museum. Reserve tickets online. The infinity room requires separate booking.

1:30 PM $14
🍽️Lunch at Sonoratown
208 E 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Flour tortillas made fresh, Sonoran-style tacos. Tiny spot, massive flavor. The chivichanga is legendary.

3:00 PM $15
🚶Arts District Walk
811 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Murals, galleries, coffee shops. Walk along Traction Ave and 3rd St for the best street art.

5:30 PM $30
🚶Korean Spa at Wi Spa
2700 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Traditional Korean bathhouse. Day pass includes saunas, hot tubs, cold plunge. Pure relaxation.

7:30 PM $35
🍽️Farewell Dinner at Sun Nong Dan
3470 W 6th St #7, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Korean short rib stew (galbi jjim) in Koreatown. Rich, falling-off-the-bone, unforgettable.

Local tips

Know before you go

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