Los Angeles itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: Hollywood, the museums & Beverly Hills
The Walk of Fame, a drive along the Sunset Strip into the Hollywood Hills, the Farmers Market, LACMA and the Tar Pits, and Rodeo Drive.
- 1
Morning
Hollywood Boulevard & the Walk of Fame
The stars set in the pavement, the handprints in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars, along the most famous street in the film world.
- Walk of Fame
- TCL Chinese Theatre
- Dolby Theatre
Come in the morning, before the crowds and the costumed characters fill the pavement.
Drive or take a rideshare west along Sunset Boulevard, about 15 min.
- 2
Late morning
The Sunset Strip & the Hollywood Hills
The famous curve of Sunset Boulevard through West Hollywood, then the winding roads of the hills above it, lined with hillside homes and views over the city.
- Sunset Strip
- Hollywood Hills
- Bird Streets
Drive down through West Hollywood, about 20 min.
- 3
Early afternoon
The Original Farmers Market & The Grove
A food market of stalls and counters dating from the 1930s, next to The Grove, an open-air shopping street with a trolley and a fountain show.
- Original Farmers Market
- The Grove
- Trolley
Walk along Fairfax Avenue, about 10 min.
- 4
Afternoon
LACMA & the La Brea Tar Pits
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art with its grid of old street lamps, Urban Light, next to the bubbling tar pits where Ice Age fossils are still being dug up.
- Urban Light
- LACMA
- La Brea Tar Pits
Drive or take a rideshare west along Wilshire Boulevard, about 15 min.
- 5
Late afternoon
Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive
The palm-lined luxury shopping street of Rodeo Drive, the cobbled lane of Two Rodeo and the Beverly Hills sign in Beverly Gardens Park.
- Rodeo Drive
- Two Rodeo
- Beverly Hills sign
Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive Walking Tour
Video by Wind Walk Travel Videos on YouTube
Day 2: Venice Beach & Santa Monica
The Venice boardwalk and canals, a walk or bike ride up the beach to Santa Monica Pier for sunset, and the Third Street Promenade in the evening.
- 1
Morning
Venice Beach & the Venice Canals
The boardwalk of skaters, street artists and Muscle Beach, then a few blocks inland the quiet canals with little bridges and houses on the water.
- Venice Boardwalk
- Venice Skatepark
- Venice Canals
Walk or cycle north along the beach path, about 40 min on foot.
- 2
Afternoon & sunset
Santa Monica Pier
The century-old pier with the Pacific Park rides, the sign marking the end of Route 66 and the sun setting over the ocean.
- Route 66 sign
- Pacific Park
- Sunset over the Pacific
Walk up Colorado Avenue, about 5 min.
- 3
Evening
Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica's pedestrian shopping street, busy with street performers in the evening, a few blocks up from the pier.
- Third Street Promenade
- Santa Monica Place
- Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica at Night: Third Street Promenade to the Pier
Video by Wind Walk Travel Videos on YouTube
Jump to
Day 3: Downtown Los Angeles
Grand Central Market and Angels Flight, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Olvera Street and the Broadway theatres, and Echo Park Lake.
- 1
Morning
Grand Central Market & Angels Flight
Downtown's century-old food hall, open to the street, facing the tiny Angels Flight funicular that climbs Bunker Hill.
- Grand Central Market
- Angels Flight
- Bradbury Building
Ride Angels Flight up and walk along Grand Avenue, about 10 min.
- 2
Late morning
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Frank Gehry's concert hall of curving steel sails on Bunker Hill, with a hidden rooftop garden you can walk round for free.
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Rooftop garden
- Grand Avenue
Walk down past City Hall, about 15 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Olvera Street & the Broadway theatres
The oldest part of the city around Olvera Street, then the faded movie palaces of the Broadway theatre district and Pershing Square.
- Olvera Street
- Broadway theatres
- Pershing Square
Take a rideshare or bus north-west, about 15 min.
- 4
Late afternoon
Echo Park Lake
A lake with pedal boats and lotus beds in a relaxed hillside neighbourhood just north-west of downtown, with the skyline beyond the palms.
- Echo Park Lake
- Pedal boats
- Downtown skyline
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Los Angeles plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Los Angeles
How many days?
Three days covers Hollywood with Beverly Hills, a beach day in Venice and Santa Monica, and downtown. Two days is enough for Hollywood and the beach.
Where to stay
Santa Monica is for the beach and walkable streets; Hollywood is central for sightseeing; Beverly Hills and West Hollywood are upscale and close to everything; Downtown suits culture and transit. Compare areas →
Getting around
Distances are long, so plan one area per day. Use rideshares or a car between areas, and the Metro where it fits: the B line links Hollywood and downtown, the E line runs from downtown to Santa Monica.
Los Angeles is not one centre but many, spread across a huge basin between the mountains and the Pacific. The trick on a first visit is to take it one area a day: Hollywood and the Mid-Wilshire museums with Beverly Hills, the beach towns of Santa Monica and Venice, and downtown with its markets, old theatres and concert hall.
Every stop comes with a video filmed on those streets, so you can see the Walk of Fame, the pier and the beach before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Los Angeles itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Los Angeles?
Three days is a good first visit: one for Hollywood and Beverly Hills, one for Venice and Santa Monica, and one for downtown. Two days covers Hollywood and the beach.
Do you need a car in Los Angeles?
Not necessarily. Each day of this plan is built around one walkable area, and rideshares or the Metro connect them. A car helps if you want to drive the coast or the hills.
Where is the best place to stay in Los Angeles?
Santa Monica is the easiest for a first visit if you want the beach and walkable streets; Hollywood and West Hollywood are more central for sightseeing. Pick one base so you are not crossing the city every day.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
Spring and autumn are warm and clear. Early summer can bring grey mornings on the coast, high summer is hot inland, and winter is mild with occasional rain.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Where to stay in Los Angeles
6 areas compared, each with a street walk so you can see the neighborhood before you book.
Read the guide →Keep exploring Los Angeles
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Los Angeles city guide →