Los Angeles, California – the City of Angels and all things entertainment. With such an iconic city it can be very daunting to try to plot out a Los Angeles itinerary there. That’s just the main city; not even mentioning the suburbs like Burbank, Hollywood, and Anaheim! Where to start with something like this…?
This is where I can help! I have complied a week’s worth of things to see, do and experience in LA! Taking the trip to this American coastal city will be as much of a breeze as the ones you’ll experience in the city itself with my guide! Of course you get to choose exactly how long you spend in each of these locations; this is only a guide so you can maximize your time. So check out my 1 week Los Angeles itinerary below:
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Day 1: Exploring Hollywood and Griffith Observatory
Start your Los Angeles itinerary by walking with the stars! Stemming from the landmark intersection of Hollywood and Vine, the Walk of Fame is easy to find at your feet! Just by looking down you’ll see stars all over the sidewalk, each done in the same red color with black outer border for easy identification. Finding your favorite actors, directors, and film entrepreneurs star locations here is half the fun! The whole thing spans 18 blocks in total (15 on Hollywood Blvd and 3 on Vine St).
After a leisurely stroll at the Walk of Fame, go down Hollywood Blvd further to reach the iconic TCL Chinese Theater. Formerly known as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, this has been thee place for movie premieres in Hollywood and LA for decades! But the most interesting part of the theater is at your feet again: It is the handprints and footprints of the movie stars there! Set into concrete blocks on the ground in the entrance to the theater, you can find the actual prints from movie stars past and present; forever cast where you can put your own hands and feet into theirs. The theater is located at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard.
Next you can go a short distance to the nearby Dolby Theater. This landmark of the Hollywood and Highland area has been the home of the Academy Awards and is a hotspot for movie stars and sightseers alike! This theater also underwent a name change during its history, formerly being known as the Kodak Theater. Located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd, entrance is free but you will have to pay for any movie you see there.
After visiting the theaters of the Hollywood Blvd area, It is time to see some stars in the flesh – or rather in wax form. The Hollywood Wax Museum has several locations (also in Branson, MI; Myrtle Beach, SC; and Pigeon Forge, TN), but the LA one is where I recommend going! Here you’ll find lifelike wax statues of your favorite stars, actors, and musicians! Past or present, you’ll find someone you know here! Located at 6767 Hollywood Blvd, tickets range from $29.99 to $34.99 and it is open from 9am to midnight everyday.
Time to take the afternoon for yourself and visit the shops and restaurants of the Hollywood and Highland area! You’ll have no trouble finding something you’ll like with food options such as Hard Rock Café, Johnny Rockets, and California Pizza Kitchen. Be sure to have dessert at Ben & Jerry’s, Cookie Dough Dreams, or Cold Stone Creamery as well! Then shop to your heart’s delight at places like Forever 21, Sephora, and Hot Topic! Located right at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave, the shops will have individual hours of operation and entrance is always free for window-shopping (but anything you get will, of course, cost money).
You’ll have to leave some time at the end of your trip for the 17 minute drive to the final place for the night (before your hotel, of course); that being the Griffith Observatory. This is the best to see at night, as it offers a wide view of the whole Los Angeles area from the top of Mount Hollywood (inside Griffith Park, the same park that has the Hollywood Sign on Mount Lee). After all of the movie star seeing in Hollywood, catch some stellar stars here with the observatory’s telescope! The main attraction here is the Planetarium show! And be sure to walk around and get some great pictures of the observatory itself as well! Located at 2800 E Observatory Rd, entrance is free of charge. However it is only open Fridays from noon to 10pm and Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 10pm.
Day 2: Universal Studios Hollywood
You’ll need all day for this next attraction! For the 2nd day of your Los Angeles itinerary, you’ll experience all that Universal Studios Hollywood has to offer. This theme park wows and thrills with rides and shows such as Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Fast & Furious – Supercharged, Jurassic World – The Ride, and Flight of the Hippogriff. There are rides related to Kung Fu Panda, Harry Potter, The Simpsons and more!
But the fun is not just limited to the rides. There are also dining options like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Hollywood & Dine, and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville among others to try out there! And don’t forget to shop at places like the Transformers Supply Vault, Universal Studio Store, and Gladrags Wizardwear too! The park is open during various days and hours throughout the year. Be sure to check the website and get your tickets in advance for your dates and times. I suggest getting the Express pass or the Front of the Line ticket, where you can avoid long lines at the popular rides! It’s located at 100 Universal City Plaza in Universal City.
Day 3: Art, Beach and Shopping
Time to shift gears and see the more sophisticated side of Los Angeles! The third day of your Los Angeles itinerary will start out with a trip to the The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (shortened as LACMA). Featuring works of art from all regions of the world including Islamic art, Greek ceramics, Mexican and Peruvian silver and more! The museum also has different exhibitions hosted throughout the year, so be sure to check to see if any of the hosted events interest you! The museum is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd and tickets cost $25 per person. Hours vary based upon the day of the week.
Travel back in time and see remnants of the Ice Age at the La Brea Tar Pits! These pits are actually within the city limits of Los Angeles and are very easy to get to from the LACMA. Here you’ll see rare specimens of fauna and flora from the Ice Age, preserved by the tar pits. There is also a theater here with shows about Ice Age animals and a museum for seeing the real fossils! Tickets will vary based upon what activities you want to do and if you are a member of their site. It is located at 5801 Wilshire Blvd.
Time to catch a tan or catch a wave at Venice Beach! This seaside resort area is famous for its sunbathing on the beach and surfing in the ocean. But you can also go to the restaurants and recreational spots nearby as well! The options will be a bit more expensive around here, so don’t be afraid to live it up a little here (but don’t go overboard)! Located near Marina Del Rey and Muscle Beach.
Your next stop on the Los Angeles Itinerary is Santa Monica Pier! This is a great spot to just take in the best of the coast! With a nice spot for fishing and views of the Pacific Ocean, it really makes for an epic spot to visit! But the main attraction here is Pacific Park, an amusement park right on the pier! With a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and concession stands, you will certainly find a lot to do just at the park alone! Located at 200 Santa Monica Pier, entrance is free for the pier but costs money for the park.
Ending the third day of your Los Angeles Itinerary, the Third Street Promenade is just to the east of Santa Monica Pier. It’s a pedestrian-only zone that consists of shops, entertainment venues, and dining! Here you’ll find over 60 stores and 20 restaurants to choose from. So you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes. Located at 1351 3rd Street Promenade.
Day 4: Day trip to Malibu
The fourth day of the Los Angeles Itinerary will venture out of the immediate LA area and into neighboring Malibu! The first stop of the day will be at the Getty Villa. Despite the name, it’s actually a museum. Featuring Roman, Greek and Etruscan artworks (which is why it is also referred to as the Paul Getty Museum). The building itself is based upon an ancient Roman villa. This is free to enter and located at 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, in Pacific Palisades.
Next up is the Malibu Pier! Right next to Surfrider Beach, this pier juts out into the Pacific Ocean and is ideal for beachgoers! The pier offers not only fantastic views of the beach and ocean, but also fishing opportunities! If that’s not your thing, there’s plenty of shopping and dining options to choose from as well. Located at 23000 CA-1 in Malibu.
Following your visit to the pier, you will next head by the Pacific Coast Highway. The next stop is the Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum! This historic property is famous for using local Malibu tile, and is now a venue for weddings. But the Malibu Lagoon Museum is also here, so you can check that out too! Located at 23200 Pacific Coast Hwy, entrance is $7 for adults. Tours are also available.
Lastly, if you are looking to relax and get away from it all, the next spot is for you! The Point Dume State Beach and Preserve forms the northern side of the Santa Monica Bay. It is also a place with few visitors and lots of views, especially of the sunset! Here you can try your hand at scuba diving, swimming, or surfing! And if you are there during the migration period, try to spot some California gray whales! Located at Cliffside Dr &, Birdview Ave, this is open from 5am – 7pm daily.
Day 5: The Rich and Famous
LA is known for celebrities and so it’s only fitting to get that rich and famous lifestyle experience here! The first stop of the 5th day will be where those celebrities live! There are a lot of options to consider for this, both guided (by bus) or self-guided (by car). If you want to just sit back and let them do the driving, some options to consider for guided tours include the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour, the Hollywood Celebrity Homes Tour, and the 2 hour sightseeing celebrity homes tour. Starline Tours offers a Celebrity Homes Tour and Big Bus offers a Homes and Lifestyles Tour as well.
If you want to drive on your own with a rental car, then an audio tour to listen to in the car would be a good choice. There are many others too, so be sure to pick the one that is the right length, price, and has the stars you want to see! Prices and times of year will vary from tour to tour, but usually are 2-3 hours long.
Now it’s time to go for the 1960’s side of glamour and fame with the world-famous Sunset Strip. This is actually a 1 1/2 mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard and is perfect to explore on foot or by car! Here you’ll find nightlife, bars, clubs, shops and all sorts of entertaining stops! Dine at places like Daikokuya or Prince Street Pizza!
Another similarly long stretch of road will be the last stop for the day; Rodeo Drive. Famous the world over, this 2 mile long drive is located in Beverly Hills. This is where you’ll really feel like a movie star; with so many name brands and high-end places to shop all around you! Versace and Tiffany & Co. are just a few of the names you’ll see here! Not to mention luxury hotels and exquisite dining options too! Be sure to have a lot of cash for this area!
Day 6: Disneyland and/or Disney California Adventure Park
What trip to Los Angeles would be complete without Disney? California is home to two Disney parks! Starting off you can choose between Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park. Or, if you have enough time on your 6th day of your Los Angeles Itinerary, you can hit both of them!
Disneyland Park is actually the first Disney park to ever open. Walt Disney himself oversaw the design and construction of this park in 1955; the only one of the Disney parks to have this honor. Famous for it’s iconic castle, it is home to such attractions and rides as Avengers Headquarters, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Jungle Cruise! There are so many dining options here as well; suitable for any taste or budget! Rides are included in the entry ticket, but some can have fast passes (since there are usually long lines). Don’t forget to stay for the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show! The park is open on various days and hours throughout the year, so plan ahead and buy your tickets in advance!
Disney California Adventure Park is famous for its 150 foot long Ferris wheel, Pixar Pal-A-Round. It also has its own night show called “World of Color”. This park is a short walking distance away from Disneyland, with their entrances facing each other. Much like Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, in terms of days and hours. You should also get your tickets in advance for this park as well.
Day 7: Art, Studio Tour and a Piece of Tokyo
Time to get your cultural fill on the last day of your Los Angeles itinerary! You’ll start the day in the famous district of LA known as Little Tokyo! This area is famous for its Japanese shops, architecture and lifestyle. You’ll find shops for anime goods, traditional Japanese souvenirs, and even a plaza with Japanese lanterns! Try some Japanese cuisine and just stroll around this piece of Japan in the West!
Your cultural experience will continue at the next place, the Broad. It is named after its founders Eli and Edythe Broad. It’s a museum that features contemporary art, ranging from the 1950’s to the present day! Exhibitions change routinely, so be sure to find out what will be there when you go! Entrance to the museum is free as well! Located at 221 S Grand Ave.
Walking 2 minutes away from there, you’ll come to the next stop, the Walt Disney Concert Hall. This building can’t be missed with its curved metallic walls and shiny finish. It’s the home of the LA Philharmonic as well. You’ll also be able to hear classic music and jazz sessions here as well, so check out what musical talent will be performing during your visit! Ticket prices and showtimes will vary. Located at 111 S Grand Ave.
The final stop of the 7 Day Los Angeles Itinerary will take you back to Hollywood. This time you’ll be going on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood! You’ll literally go behind the scenes and see how movies are made with their sets and equipment! You’ll even see the sets for The Big Bang Theory, Friends Central Perk Cafe and the real fountain from the show’s opening! The tour is guided and will go over backlots on the WB sound stages and it will take a few hours. The tour does start at $69 however. Book your tickets in advance!
And that’s it! You’ve made it through a week in LA! You’ve seen some of the best the city has to offer! I hope I was able to help you along your journey and save you time! Thanks for reading and let me know, have you visited some of these places before? Which was your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
