Los Angeles itinerary — 2 days
Day 1 — Los Angeles
1 stops · ≈ 6 h 51 minOne of the largest urban wilderness parks in North America, covering over 1,700 hectares on the eastern slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles. The park features rugged chaparral landscapes crisscrossed by hiking and equestrian trails. It offers premier close-up views of the Hollywood Sign and hosts the historic Griffith Observatory perched with panoramas over the LA Basin.
Reserve
6If you have time left — worth it too.
A theme park and a working film studio in one place: the Studio Tour through real sets has run since 1964, alongside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with Hogwarts castle, the Simpsons and the CityWalk promenade. Psycho and hundreds of films were shot here; the rides are built on historic backlot sites.
The historic 1909 pier where Route 66 meets the Pacific: a lit-up Ferris wheel, Pacific Park rides, an aquarium and the "End of the Trail" sign. The legendary highway began here; now it is where the coastal evening starts — sunsets, street performers and the beach.
A premier cultural campus perched in the hills of Brentwood, designed by architect Richard Meier in luminous Italian travertine. Visitors arrive via an automated hover-tram to enjoy sweeping panoramas stretching from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean. The museum houses European paintings, drawings, and decorative arts, famously including Vincent van Gogh's Irises, complemented by Robert Irwin's stunning living Central Garden.
Nestled in the San Rafael Hills of Los Angeles County, Descanso Gardens is a 150-acre botanical paradise renowned for its tranquil woodlands and specialty plantings. It boasts North America's largest collection of camellias, flourishing beneath a canopy of native California live oaks. Highlights include an authentic Japanese Garden with a koi stream, a fragrant five-acre rose garden, and the Enchanted Railroad miniature train.
Santa Monica is a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles. Santa Monica Beach is fringed by Palisades Park, with views over the Pacific Ocean. Santa Monica Pier is home to the Pacific Park amusement park, historic Looff Hippodrome Carousel and Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. Next to the pier is Muscle Beach, an outdoor gym established in the 1930s. In the city center, Bergamot Station houses several art galleries.
Known for its bohemian spirit, Venice is a buzzing beach town with upscale commercial and residential pockets. Free-spirited Venice Boardwalk is the site of funky shops, street performers and colorful murals. There’s also a skate park and Muscle Beach outdoor gym. Abbot Kinney Boulevard features foodie hot spots, stylish boutiques and coffee bars. A picturesque enclave of canals is surrounded by modernist homes.
- Rent or use rideshares; distances are huge and public transit doesn't cover everything
- Avoid driving during rush hour (7–10am, 3–7pm)
- Carry water and sunscreen—the weather is dry and sunny
- Visit popular spots like Hollywood and Santa Monica early to beat crowds
- Tipping 15–20% is standard at restaurants