When I think about a first trip to the U.S., Los Angeles is one of the first cities that comes to mind. Maybe you've pictured seeing the Hollywood Sign for years, or you're dreaming about a few days by the beach. You're in good company: LA welcomed 49.5 million visitors in 2025, according to Los Angeles Tourism.
But when someone says they want to visit LA, my first question would be: what do you really want to see? LA County is huge. A trip built around Hollywood will feel very different from a few days on the coast, and it's easy to save a long list of places before realizing how far apart they are.
For me, it would be hard to leave out a Hollywood Sign view, Griffith Observatory, and some time in Malibu. I keep returning to Lake Hollywood Park and Runyon Canyon, and Getty Villa still wows me. Those are the places I'd be excited to show someone visiting for the first time.
With three full days, I'd spend one around Hollywood and Griffith, one around Beverly Hills and Fairfax, and one on the coast. I've put this suggested route together from places I've explored, with time for lunch and a little breathing room between stops. Choose the version that includes the places you're most excited about; you don't have to fit in every option.
The main route assumes you have a car or are comfortable arranging rides between areas. If you're relying on public transportation, consider the Santa Monica and Venice alternative for the coastal day.
For more places to choose from, my 44 things to do in Los Angeles guide will help you decide what to swap into these days.
Your three days at a glance
| Day | Main route | What to keep optional |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hollywood Boulevard, Lake Hollywood Park, then Griffith Observatory | Replace the morning with a Hollywood Sign hike if that's your priority |
| 2 | Beverly Hills, Original Farmers Market and The Grove, then Urban Light | Choose Runyon Canyon instead of the evening at Urban Light |
| 3 | Getty Villa first, then a Malibu beach afternoon | Point Dume depends on access; use Zuma as a researched backup, or replace the whole day with Santa Monica and Venice |
These are three full sightseeing days. If your flight arrives late on day one or leaves during day three, shorten the plan. I'd keep the beach day separate from a flight home.
The day numbers are flexible. Griffith Observatory is normally closed on Mondays, and Getty Villa is closed on Tuesdays. For a Saturday-to-Monday visit, for example, Hollywood on Saturday, Beverly Hills on Sunday, and the Villa on Monday fit those regular closures. Check holiday hours and your reservation before deciding the order.
Jump to day one, day two, day three, Santa Monica and Venice, or where to stay and how to get around.
Day 1: Hollywood and Griffith Observatory
Give this day to Hollywood's familiar sights and the hills above them. Lake Hollywood Park is a viewpoint stop; Griffith Observatory is a separate drive. Don't plan to walk between everything simply because it falls under the Hollywood part of your trip.
| Suggested time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 9:30–10:30 a.m. | A short walk along Hollywood Boulevard |
| 10:30 a.m.–noon | Transfer to Lake Hollywood Park and spend about 30–45 minutes there |
| Noon–2 p.m. | Lunch, travel toward Griffith, and time to park or catch the bus |
| 2–4:30 p.m. | Griffith Observatory; stay longer if you want an evening visit |
The gaps include room for moving between stops. They aren't predictions of driving time. If parking takes longer, shorten the boulevard walk or arrive at the observatory later.
Start with Hollywood Boulevard
Keep the Walk of Fame visit around TCL Chinese Theatre so you can see the stars and the theatre exterior in one stop. About an hour is a reasonable planning allowance for a look around; you can leave sooner if you've seen what interests you.
Walking the public sidewalk doesn't require a ticket. Parking, a movie, and a theatre tour are separate expenses. If you want to go inside, check TCL Chinese Theatre's official site and give the screening or tour its own time slot. This schedule only includes an exterior visit.
See the sign from Lake Hollywood Park
Lake Hollywood Park is one of the places I return to often. I'd include it when you want a Hollywood Sign photo without spending the morning hiking.
Navigate to the park itself, then follow the posted parking restrictions. This is a residential area, so leave driveways clear and keep to public areas. Parking availability could make this a longer stop than the time you actually spend looking at the sign.
Leave the afternoon for Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is another place I'd take a first-time visitor. Budget two to three hours for the building and views, with extra time if you want a planetarium show or a slower visit.
The building and grounds are free to visit; the planetarium and nearby parking cost extra. Regular building hours are noon–10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.–10 p.m. on weekends. Check the visitor page for your date.
Parking near the top is limited. The official transportation page describes the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus from Vermont/Sunset station and designated rideshare areas. Check the current route and last return service before leaving your hotel. I haven't used Metro enough to give you a firsthand review of this journey.
If you want sunset here, move your observatory visit later and use the extra time for lunch or a break. You don't need to spend the whole afternoon waiting for it. Sunset attracts crowds, so allow extra arrival time and check how you'll get back afterward.
If the Hollywood Sign hike is your priority
Replace the boulevard and Lake Hollywood Park stops with the hike, then have lunch and decide how much energy you have for the observatory. Start early enough for the weather and the full return journey.
The hike is one of my first-visitor favorites. My photos include the Innsdale trail entrance and a view from behind the sign, but I wouldn't use those photos alone as route directions. Choose a complete route using the Hollywood Sign's visitor information, check its distance and elevation gain, and leave time to get back to your starting point. A sign viewpoint and a route behind the sign involve different walks.
Carry water and sun protection, and skip exposed hiking in dangerous heat or during a closure. Don't try to squeeze the hike into the park's 30–45-minute photo stop.
Day 2: Beverly Hills and Fairfax
Start with a walk around Beverly Hills, then move east toward the Original Farmers Market and The Grove. Finish with dinner in the Fairfax area and Urban Light if you want an evening photo stop.
| Suggested time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 10 a.m.–noon | Beverly Hills sign and Rodeo Drive area |
| Noon–1 p.m. | Transfer and parking in Fairfax |
| 1–3 p.m. | Lunch at Original Farmers Market and a look around The Grove |
| Later afternoon and evening | A break or more browsing, dinner, then Urban Light |
Walk around Beverly Hills
The Beverly Hills sign in Beverly Gardens Park and the Rodeo Drive area work well as a morning walking plan. Choose one legal parking spot for the walk instead of moving the car between every photo.
This is the kind of outing I mean when I say parts of LA are walkable. The move from Beverly Hills to Fairfax is a separate journey. You can see the sign and browse the shopping streets without buying anything, though parking and purchases belong in your budget.
My Beverly Hills guide has more ideas if you'd like to spend longer in this area. The full walking loop needs more time than this itinerary's shorter morning stop.
Have lunch at Original Farmers Market
Original Farmers Market and The Grove are adjacent, so this is a useful place to stop moving the car for a while. Leave time to choose something to eat and browse afterward. The two-hour block is a suggested allowance, not the length of one of my past visits.
Check the market's current hours for the day you're going, especially if you have a particular merchant in mind. Food costs extra even though you can walk around without buying a meal.
Choose your parking before arriving. The Grove's parking page distinguishes self-parking, preferred parking, and valet. Check the rate and validation rules for the lot you actually use; don't assume a purchase covers parking everywhere nearby.
Finish with Urban Light
Urban Light, the streetlamp installation outside LACMA, gives you an evening photography stop after dinner. Allow about 30–45 minutes if that's all you're visiting. Get directions from the market area before choosing whether to walk or take a ride; it is a separate stop from The Grove.
The outdoor installation is free to see, and LACMA lists 24-hour access to Urban Light. Museum galleries have their own hours and ticket rules. Check LACMA's visitor information for current campus access and parking, particularly if you're arriving after gallery hours.
Prefer a hike? Swap the evening for Runyon Canyon
Runyon Canyon is my favorite sunset spot in LA. If you'd rather spend that part of the day outside, shorten the shopping stop and make Runyon your late-afternoon outing. Have dinner afterward, closer to your hotel.
Give yourself enough daylight for the entire walk. The city's Runyon Canyon listing gives sunrise-to-sunset hours and lists the West Trail as closed. Plan to be out by sunset, even if older photos show people staying later, and follow the notices at the entrance. Check current access before going; the online listing's closure notice is undated.
Bring water and use open, designated trails. This swaps out Urban Light and the longer Fairfax evening. If you did a substantial Hollywood Sign hike on day one, decide whether you actually want another hiking outing.
Day 3: Getty Villa and Malibu
I'd give Getty Villa and Malibu a full day. The Villa is one of the places that still wows me, and Point Dume is my favorite LA beach. This is also the day that needs the most flexibility around reservations and coastal access.
When approaching along the coast from Santa Monica or farther south, plan Getty Villa first, then Malibu. Getty's entrance is reached from the northbound right-hand lane of Pacific Coast Highway. Its driving instructions prohibit a left turn across PCH from the southbound lanes.
| Suggested time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Before your reservation | Travel to the Villa, allowing time for its entrance and parking |
| About 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Getty Villa, with a reserved entry time |
| 12:30–2:30 p.m. | Continue toward Malibu and have lunch |
| Rest of the afternoon | One beach outing, chosen around current access |
Reserve Getty Villa before fixing the day order
Admission is free with a timed reservation. Regular hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., except Tuesdays. Make sure you book Getty Villa, which is a different museum from Getty Center in Brentwood.
The morning visit in this plan currently means $25 per car for parking. Getty also lists a $15 rate after 3 p.m., but that later arrival would change this coastal day substantially. Two to three hours is my planning allowance for exploring the Villa; allow more if you want a longer museum visit.
Ordinary walk-in arrivals aren't allowed, apart from visitors arriving by public bus. Don't plan to park on a nearby street and walk in. Rideshare arrivals must follow Getty's designated drop-off instructions. Review the parking and transportation page when booking.
Continue to Malibu for the afternoon
After the Villa, leave room for lunch and one beach. I'd avoid a distant dinner reservation that forces you to turn around just as you're settling in. An evening in Malibu can work if your chosen access and parking stay open long enough.
Point Dume access check, September 22, 2026: State Parks reports that Westward Beach Road is closed and the lower parking lot is inaccessible. The beach remains accessible, but this notice doesn't establish a convenient alternative arrival route. Day-use parking is listed as sunrise to sunset. Check the current Point Dume notice before choosing your access, and leave before your parking closes.
If you can't confirm a workable Point Dume arrival, use Zuma Beach as the backup. This is a researched logistics suggestion, not a beach visit I'm reviewing from personal experience here. The county currently lists Zuma Beach and its parking lots as open, while the Zuma underpass is closed. Follow the posted approach and budget for parking; don't route through the closed underpass.
If coastal road conditions make the whole drive impractical, use the Santa Monica and Venice day below. Check Caltrans QuickMap for PCH conditions and local notices before departing. A clear route today doesn't establish conditions for your travel date.
Before getting in the ocean, check LA County's current beach water advisories and the signs at your beach. Being able to reach the sand doesn't establish that swimming conditions are suitable.
The coastal alternative: Santa Monica and Venice
Choose this instead of the Villa and Malibu if the pier is a priority, you prefer a day closer to the city, or the Malibu access checks don't work out. I'd make it a separate day if you want to do both coastal plans.
Spend the morning around Santa Monica Pier and the beach, have lunch, then move south to Venice. Use the afternoon for the boardwalk area and, if you want a longer walk, the canals. Keep the evening open in Venice or head back to your base.
Santa Monica Pier can feel overrated to me, but it's still an LA staple. If you've always wanted to see it on your first visit, give it a place in the trip. The pier currently lists daily hours of 6 a.m.–10 p.m.; rides, restaurants, and parking have their own hours and costs. Walking onto the pier doesn't include amusement rides.
Don't treat Santa Monica and Venice as one tiny walking loop. Check the distance between your exact stops, then choose a walk, transit journey, or ride that suits you. Moving south once keeps this alternative straightforward. Around the canals, stay on public paths and bridges and respect the people who live there.
Where to stay and how to get around
I'd start with West Hollywood
West Hollywood would be my first choice as a base for the central LA parts of this itinerary. You can do some local exploring on foot, but you'll still need transportation to the hills and the coast.
I'd also consider Culver City if being closer to the airport matters to you. Compare the actual trips from your accommodation to your chosen stops before booking. Include hotel parking in the total cost if you're renting a car.
Plan around the journeys you'll actually make
In my experience, roughly 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m. is often an easier window for moving between areas. Traffic can continue into the evening, and that window isn't a guarantee. A morning Villa reservation may mean leaving your hotel earlier; don't delay departure just to fit my usual driving preference.
Check each journey before setting off. If it takes longer than the space you've left, drop a smaller stop. Hollywood Boulevard is the first thing I'd shorten on day one, and shopping time is easy to trim on day two.
Without a car, check your hotel-to-stop routes before committing to this plan. The observatory has a public-bus option, but each neighborhood transfer still needs planning. Malibu can make the day more complicated, so Santa Monica and Venice are worth considering instead.
Waymo is fun, and I think trying it is part of a first LA adventure. I personally feel safe riding in one. That's my experience, not a guarantee about any particular trip. Check both your pickup and destination in the app; its Los Angeles page currently says it doesn't serve LAX, so arrange airport transportation separately.
The account holder may receive a reward after a qualifying ride through this referral. You can use my Waymo referral link. Waymo's referral program gives eligible new riders a first-ride discount, with the amount shown in the app. Check that the offer has applied, including its value and expiry, before booking.
A few planning questions
Is three days enough for a first trip to LA?
It's enough for a selection of Hollywood sights, a central LA day, and one coastal day. For Downtown, a studio or theme-park day, or both coastal routes, replace one of these days or add more time. I wouldn't add Downtown to the end of the Malibu day.
Can I fit the Hollywood Sign hike and Runyon into this itinerary?
You can choose the hiking version of day one and swap in Runyon on day two, provided the routes, weather, and your energy suit that plan. The default schedule leaves both hikes optional. Lake Hollywood Park gives you a sign-view alternative if you don't want the longer walk.
What should I book ahead?
Book Getty Villa's timed entry before fixing the day order. If you add a theatre tour, screening, or another ticketed activity, check its current booking rules and remove enough time elsewhere to accommodate it. The main timetable doesn't include those extras.
Are these free things to do?
Many are. Seeing the Hollywood Sign from Lake Hollywood Park, walking around Beverly Hills, visiting Griffith Observatory, and exploring Getty Villa don't require paid general admission. Parking, transportation, meals, and optional tickets still add up. The Villa alone currently adds $25 per car for this morning visit.
What should I change in hot weather or with less daylight?
Skip an exposed hike in dangerous heat, and finish park visits within their posted hours. Check the forecast for the area you'll actually visit; the National Park Service separates coastal and inland forecasts. For a shorter winter day, bring the beach outing forward and keep lunch or shopping brief. Urban Light is an evening alternative when a late hike won't fit.
For me, the hardest choice would be how much time to leave in Malibu. I'd leave that afternoon open and decide the smaller stops around it.
Keep my free LA guide handy
If you're still saving ideas for your trip, I've also put together a free guide with more places to explore in LA. Open my collection and choose “The Complete 3-Day Trip in Los Angeles” to have a look. You may need a free account or the app to save it for your trip. I may earn a referral commission if you sign up through this link.
About Grace Kim
Grace is a traveler, storyteller, and photographer sharing firsthand guides, honest recommendations, and lessons learned on the road.
Leave a Reply