Most people think you need a week to see LA properly, and while there’s certainly enough attractions, neighborhoods, and hidden gems to fill weeks of exploration, with the right strategic itinerary and local guides who know the city’s best-kept secrets, you can hit all the iconic spots in just three unforgettable days with this detailed itinerary.
This carefully crafted route takes you from celebrity neighborhoods to iconic landmarks, diverse cultural districts to sun-soaked beaches. Together, these experiences give you a complete picture of what makes LA one of the world’s most captivating cities.
You can certainly navigate LA independently, but our guided tours of LA eliminate the guesswork while revealing insider stories you won’t find anywhere else. Trusted by over 12,000 five-star reviewers worldwide, Hollywood Bus Tours handles all the logistics and traffic navigation, giving you more time to actually enjoy the city.
Day 1 Los Angeles Itinerary: Hollywood Glamour and Star Spotting
Start your LA adventure where the magic happens. Day one is all about Hollywood’s glitz, celebrity culture, and those picture-perfect moments you came for.
Morning: West Hollywood and Melrose Avenue
Kick off with coffee and a stroll on Melrose Avenue, where vintage shops and independent cafes give you an authentic taste of LA’s creative energy. The street has that effortless cool factor without the tourist crowds that pack other areas.
Hit up West Hollywood for some people-watching and snap a photo at the Pink Wall on Melrose—it’s become one of LA’s most Instagram-worthy spots.
Midday: Celebrity Homes Tour with Beverly Hills and The Hollywood Sign
Here’s where your day gets interesting. Our Celebrity Homes Tour takes you through the actual neighborhoods where A-listers live, work, and hang out on an open-air bus with unobstructed views. You’ll see real celebrity homes—think Tom Cruise, Katy Perry, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Johnny Depp, and more.
Our local driver-guides share entertaining stories, jokes, and insider facts about the entertainment industry as you cruise through Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, the Hollywood Hills, Laurel Canyon, and the legendary Sunset Strip. You’ll pass iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and Dolby Theatre.
The tour includes a stop at the Beverly Hills Sign and Rodeo Drive for photos and exploring. Keep your camera ready—you never know when we’ll see a celebrity out and about, and the open-air format gives you perfect photo opportunities.
Available departures from both Hollywood and Santa Monica, so you can choose the location that fits your schedule best.
Evening: Sunset Strip
End day one where LA’s music scene comes alive. The Sunset Strip features legendary venues like The Whisky a Go Go and The Roxy, where countless careers launched. Grab dinner and catch some live music if you’re ready to dive into LA’s nightlife.
Day 2: The Perfect Day In Los Angeles With Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory
Day two combines must-see landmarks with authentic neighborhood experiences, showing you why millions of people call this sprawling metropolis home.
Morning: Neighborhood Breakfast
Start your day in Larchmont Village or Koreatown for breakfast. These neighborhoods showcase LA’s diversity with authentic local spots. If you’d like even more budget-friendly ideas, check out our full guide to the best cheap eats in Hollywood. From classic donuts and coffee to hearty diner plates, it highlights where locals actually eat—and also covers affordable lunch, late-night, and date-night spots you’ll want to bookmark for the rest of your trip.
Midday: A Taste of LA Tour
The A Taste of LA Tour delivers maximum impact in minimum time—a comprehensive 5.5-hour VIP-style adventure by premium mini-coach that hits multiple essential LA landmarks and neighborhoods. Your local driver-guide navigates LA’s infamous traffic while sharing stories, facts, and humor throughout the journey.
This tour features three extended stops where you can explore, eat, and sightsee on your own:
Stop 1: Hollywood Walk of Fame or Santa Monica Pier (45 minutes): Explore the stars on Hollywood Boulevard and the TCL Chinese Theatre, or walk the historic Santa Monica Pier with Pacific Ocean views.
Stop 2: The Farmers Market & The Grove (75 minutes): Enjoy lunch at LA’s historic food marketplace and explore trendy shopping at The Grove—perfect for experiencing local food culture.
Stop 3: Griffith Observatory & Hollywood Sign (45 minutes): Take in a panoramic view of the city and snap those iconic Hollywood Sign photos from one of the best vantage points in the city.
Along the way, you’ll see the Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Bel Air, Santa Monica Beach, Museum Row (Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Petersen Automotive, La Brea Tar Pits), Melrose Avenue, Paramount Studios, and Griffith Park.
As the only half-day LA tour covering all the highlights, it’s perfect for first-timers or anyone who wants comprehensive city coverage without an all-day commitment. Departing daily at 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM from Hollywood or Santa Monica.
Afternoon: Round Out Your Trip To Los Angeles With Arts and Culture
After your tour, dive deeper into The Broad museum or venture into the Arts District for gallery hopping and street art in downtown LA. Grand Park provides green space right in the urban core—perfect for processing everything you’ve experienced.
Consider visiting an art museum like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Walt Disney Concert Hall, or the California Science Center, depending on what catches your interest. LA’s museum scene rivals any major city worldwide. If architecture is part of the draw for you, our self-guided Los Angeles Architecture Tour is the perfect companion—spotlighting iconic buildings from Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House, plus hidden gems that reveal the city’s character block by block.
Evening: Entertainment Options and Best Things To Do in Los Angeles
Catch a show at the Hollywood Bowl if it’s in season, grab tickets to a Dodgers game, or enjoy rooftop cocktails with killer city views. LA’s entertainment options go way beyond what most visitors discover on their own.
Day 3: Beach Vibes and Day Trips Around Los Angeles
Your final day explores LA’s coastal identity, showing you how beach culture influences the entire region’s laid-back attitude.
Morning: Venice and Abbot Kinney
Venice represents LA’s bohemian spirit, where tech entrepreneurs work next to street artists and musicians. Abbot Kinney Boulevard offers curated boutiques, artisanal coffee, and the creative energy that defines modern LA.
The Venice Boardwalk delivers classic California beach culture, though it’s grittier and more authentic than sanitized beach towns. Street performers, murals, and diverse crowds create an experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Afternoon: Beach Time and Exploration
Spend more time on Venice Beach or head south to Manhattan Beach for a different coastal vibe. Santa Monica Pier offers classic amusement park fun, while Malibu provides dramatic coastline views if you’re willing to drive a bit further.
The Getty Center combines art and architecture with stunning city views, or explore Culver City’s emerging food and arts scene for something more off the beaten path.
Evening: Perfect Wrap-Up
End your LA experience with dinner near the beach or return east for cocktails in downtown Los Angeles. Culver City offers excellent dining options that locals actually frequent, giving you one final taste of authentic LA culture beyond the tourist spots.
Making Your LA Trip Count
Los Angeles rewards visitors who understand its rhythms. Traffic flows differently here, neighborhoods have distinct personalities, and the best experiences often happen away from the obvious tourist traps.
The Celebrity Homes Tour and A Taste of LA Tour handle all the logistics while providing insider context you can’t get from apps or guidebooks. Our expert local guides know which routes avoid traffic jams, when to visit specific locations for the best experience, and how to see LA like someone who actually lives here.
Both tours include comfortable transportation, eliminating the stress of navigating LA’s freeway system or finding parking in crowded areas. You’ll cover way more ground in less time while gaining insights that enhance everything else you do in the city.
Visit LA: Bonus Tips for Your Trip to LA
Wondering Where to Stay in Los Angeles?
Not sure where to base yourself for your three days in LA? We’ve put together a complete guide to the best 5-star luxury hotels in Hollywood and West Hollywood to help you choose the perfect stay—whether you want historic Hollywood glamour, trendy West Hollywood vibes, or beachfront convenience in Santa Monica.
Want to Add More Fun to Your 3 Day Itinerary for Los Angeles?
Check out our full guide to 40 Fun Things to Do in LA. From iconic landmarks to hidden local favorites, it’s packed with activities you can add to your Los Angeles itinerary for a deeper dive into the city’s culture and energy.
First Time in LA With Kids?
Make your 3 day itinerary even smoother by checking out our Ultimate Guide to Los Angeles With Kids. From family-friendly attractions to stress-free planning tips, it’s packed with practical advice to help you explore LA while keeping the whole crew happy.
Honorable Mentions: Universal Studios Hollywood & Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Have a fourth day in Los Angeles? Spend the day at Universal Studios Hollywood for a world-famous studio tour with thrilling rides inspired by blockbuster films. Meanwhile, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers a more behind-the-scenes look at real sets, costumes, and soundstages from hit movies and TV shows. Together, they deliver the ultimate Hollywood insider experience for visitors who want to see both the glamour and the grit of moviemaking.
Want to Hit All the Highlights in One Epic Day?
Combine both tours for The Perfect Day in LA experience—the ultimate Los Angeles sightseeing adventure that covers everything from celebrity homes to iconic landmarks in a single unforgettable day minus the traffic or needing to rent a car!
Take the Celebrity Homes Tour (2 hours) and Taste of LA Tour (5.5 hours) back-to-back, or split them across separate days for a more relaxed pace. Either way, you’ll get the complete LA experience with flexible scheduling that works around your plans.
The Perfect Day in LA gives you 7.5 hours of comprehensive city coverage with local driver-guides, comfortable transportation, and all the insider stories that make LA tours memorable.
Complete Your LA Experience
Whether you’re chasing Instagram shots, hunting for celebrity sightings, or just want to understand what makes LA special, this itinerary gets you there without the usual tourist traps and time-wasting detours.
With over 12,000 five-star reviews and departures from both Hollywood and Santa Monica, Hollywood Bus Tours makes it easier than ever to explore the city’s most iconic attractions.
Our tours eliminate the stress of navigating LA’s traffic and finding parking, giving you more time to actually enjoy the experiences you came for. Expert guides share stories you won’t find in guidebooks, while our premium vehicles ensure comfort throughout your LA adventure.
Book your tour today and see LA like a local—with unbeatable routes that let you experience it all.
