The Best of Los Angeles Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Hollywood

Next to New York City, Los Angeles is the most well-known American city both domestically and internationally. This is probably due to Hollywood and the movie industry. There is a higher concentration of celebrities in L.A. than anywhere else in the world, so people flock here to try and spot one. I would hold off your dreams of being amateur paparazzi for now because the likelihood of seeing someone famous is miniscule. But that doesn’t mean L.A. isn’t worth visiting! There is so much to see and do in the United States’ 2nd most populous city. You could spend a week and not see it all! Some people (like myself) are short on vacation days. So if you want to see the best of Hollywood, make sure to follow my 3-day Los Angeles itinerary.

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Best Time of Year to Visit

Los Angeles is lucky enough to great weather and mild temperatures year round, so no time is a bad time to visit because of the weather. However, summers are the most crowded because kids are out for summer break, and everyone wants to be at the beaches. So if beach-going and surfing are not on your list of priorities, then spring, fall, and winter are your best options to avoid crowds.

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

For first-time visitors, you may want to stay in Hollywood, Downtown L.A., or West Hollywood. Hollywood is best known for the Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theater, and Universal Studios. Downtown L.A. is where I stayed during my visit because it was cheaper than the other areas. However, it was not very lively after business hours, and we had trouble finding restaurants open for dinner. West Hollywood is where Sunset Strip is located and is known for its energetic nightlife.

If you are looking for a more relaxed, beach vibe, then consider staying near Santa Monica or Venice Beach. However, if you are looking for a more luxurious accommodations, then stay in Beverly Hills.

Pro Tips for Your Los Angeles Itinerary:

Rent a car. L.A. is not a public transportation – friendly city, and it is very spread out. The best way to get around is by car.
Pack layers – Mornings and evenings are cooler even when the days are warm
Be ready for traffic. Allow for extra time when traveling between activities because you will likely hit some slowdowns.
L.A. is a huge city, so make sure to plan your itinerary geographically. Otherwise, you’ll be spending most of your trip in the car.
Start your day early to avoid crowds.
Reserve in advance – Book your tours, tickets, and restaurant reservations as soon as you have made your plans.
Sun protection is important. The sun shines in L.A. most of the time, so bring your sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats!

What to Pack for Your Los Angeles Itinerary

Sunscreen – The California sun can be unforgiving, and I learned the hard way that sunscreen is a must.
Comfortable shoes – Stylish but comfortable is the name of the game when walking around the city. Here is an option for men and women.
Rolling Luggage – You will need a durable and easy to maneuver piece of luggage for your Los Angeles itinerary.
Packing Cubes – These make organizing your luggage super easy.
Hobo Bag – I often carry this cute hobo bag on my travels. It isn’t too big but big enough to carry small souvenirs I buy along the way. And I’m not wasting single-use bags.
Daytime Dresses – These cute daytime dresses are appropriate for visiting the Barcelona sites.
Sweater – For the morning and evening hours when the temps cool down.

Day 1 – Los Angeles Itinerary

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Start your Los Angeles itinerary by checking our the Walk of Fame. Created in 1958, the Walk of Fame is a way for Hollywood to acknowledge and celebrate celebrities that have made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. There is currently over 2,800 stars embedded into the sidewalks. The Walk of Fame Committee ultimately decides who gets a star. After a sponsor nominates a candidate, the committee considers professional achievement, longevity, contributions to the community, and attendance availability. After a celebrity is chosen, their sponsor must pay $85,000 for the installation of the star as well as future maintenance required.

TCL Chinese Theater and Dolby Theater

The TCL Chinese Theater is famous, not just because of its unique architecture, but because of its Forecourt of the Stars located in front of the theater. It is an area where hundred of celebrities have left their handprints and footprints in the concrete patio. This tradition started in 1927. In front of the theater, dozens of characters line up ready to take their picture with you for a small fee. If you always wanted your picture taken with Michael Jackson, Captain Jack Sparrow, or other equally famous people, then head to this spot.

The TCL Chinese Theater is also an actively working movie theater. If you have extra time, then you can check out the latest flick.

Located next to the Chinese Theater is Dolby Theater which is home to Academy Awards ceremony. If you want to see inside this European-style opera house, be sure to book a tour.

Hollywood Bowl Overlook (Mulholland Dr)

Next head to the Hollywood Bowl Overlook on Mulholland Drive. The narrow, windy road takes you to the perfect spot to get views of both the city and the Hollywood sign. The overlook is only open 7am – 6pm. When you get out of your vehicle, don’t just snap a picture and leave. Make sure to walk up the steps to the viewing platform so you can also get views of the Hollywood sign.

Sunset Strip

Drive down Sunset Strip, a 1.7-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard best known for its nightclubs, restaurants, and billboards. This area has a long history of seedy behavior from past celebrities. Whiskey a Go Go, Viper Room, and The Roxy are some of the most famous nightclubs of the Sunset Strip. It is also where The Comedy Store is located which helped jumpstart the careers of Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey.

Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive

Now it is time to head to Beverly Hills and see how the other half lives. See the famous hotels Beverly Hills Hotel and The Beverly Wilshire. Check out the Greystone Mansion before heading to the infamous Rodeo Drive. This iconic shopping street is full of high-end and luxury stores. Whether you feel more like Alicia Silverstone in Clueless or Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, Rodeo Drive is a must-see spot.

Day 2 – Los Angeles Itinerary

Griffith Park

Start your morning off at Griffith Park. If you want to visit the Griffith Observatory, you will need to wait until 10am on Saturdays and Sundays and noon on Tuesdays thru Fridays. If going inside the observatory is not a priority (which is was not one of mine), then you can come to the park as early as 5am for some hiking trails and the best view of L.A. This is also one of the most iconic spots to take a picture of the Hollywood sign. Another option for views of Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood sign is at the Hollywood Reservoir.

Studio Tour

Now it is time to see how movies are made in Hollywood. The best way to do this is with a studio tour. WB, Sony Pictures, and Paramount Pictures, all offer tours that you can choose from. Universal Studios also has a studio tour that is part of your theme park ticket.

If you are lucky, you may see a movie star wandering around the lot because these are all actively working studios. Research each tour to see if there is a specific movie or tv show you will see sets from. The picture above is from the WB Studio Tour, and it is the Stars Hollow town and gazebo in Gilmore Girls. When I did the Sony Pictures Studio Tour, I got to see the sets of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade

Make your way to Santa Monica in the late afternoon to see the Santa Monica Pier and shop along Third Street Promenade. The Santa Monica Pier jetties out into the Pacific Ocean and is also a small amusement park. You can ride a few rides on the pier before exploring the beach. Then you can walk to Third Street Promenade where you can enjoy 3 blocks of shops and restaurants without any vehicle traffic.

Venice Beach

While you are in the area make sure to stop at Venice Beach to watch the bicyclers and rollerbladers rolling through the Venice Boardwalk. This beach is also where the famous Muscle Beach is located where locals workout and play basketball and other team sports. Muscle Beach is known as the birthplace of modern bodybuilding and is where Arnold Schwarzenegger trained.

Drive Pacific Coast Highway

End the 2nd day of your Los Angeles itinerary by driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, or California State Route 1, for epic views of the California coastline and Pacific Ocean. There are several pullouts both north and south of Los Angeles. Malibu sits just north of Santa Monica but is currently closed to all non-residents due to the Malibu fires in December 2024. But you can still head south towards Redondo beach for some beautiful sights. If you time it right, you may be able to catch a sunset falling below the Pacific Ocean horizon.

Day 3 – Visit a Theme Park

On the final day of your Los Angeles itinerary, visit one of the city’s many theme parks. Some of the most most popular choices include Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Knott’s Berry Farm. Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm are known for their thrilling roller coasters and other rides. If you like high speeds, then one of these two parks is the best options, but I am not a huge fan of scary rollercoasters. Obviously if you are a Disney-lover, then you can should choose Disneyland. However i have been to Disney World in Florida half a dozen times, so Disneyland did not interest me.

By process of elimination, I chose to visit Universal Studios. This theme park offers the best of both worlds: theme rides with a movie flare. You can also go behind the scenes with the Universal Studios Tour which is part of the cost of admission into the park.

I have been to Los Angeles a couple of times. If I were bring a first-time visitor to the City of Angels, this is the perfect 3-day Los Angeles itinerary to follow. I hope you have a great time visiting Hollywood!