This 7 day Los Angeles itinerary shows you how to experience the city’s best beaches, museums, and iconic landmarks with a clear plan that fits the way LA works. Our tours have earned more than 12,000 five star reviews by using efficient routes and local insight, and this guide follows the same approach.
Each day in this itinerary focuses on one area to keep drive times predictable and your visits more relaxed. You’ll find transportation tips, neighborhood guidance, and lodging recommendations throughout. The plan works for families, couples, and solo travelers, with flexibility to match your interests.
Our Half Day Best of LA Tour covers Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and the city’s top landmarks in 5.5 hours. It is a strong first-day option that helps you understand the layout of Los Angeles before exploring the rest of the week.
Day 1 Hollywood and Griffith Park
Start your week with our Half Day Best of LA Tour. This 5.5-hour experience covers Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and the city’s major landmarks with a local guide handling navigation and parking.
You can depart from either Hollywood Boulevard or Santa Monica, and the tour includes three stops: Hollywood Walk of Fame or Santa Monica Pier (depending on your starting point), Farmers Market & The Grove for lunch, and Griffith Observatory for Hollywood Sign views. It’s a smart way to see the city’s layout and major sights before exploring independently the rest of the week.
Griffith Observatory
The tour stops here for 45 minutes, giving you time to photograph the Hollywood Sign and take in sweeping views of downtown and the basin below. The Observatory sits at 1,134 feet elevation and offers some of the best vantage points in the city. Inside, exhibits on astronomy and space exploration are free, though planetarium shows require tickets.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The tour includes a stop on Hollywood Boulevard if you depart from the Hollywood location. Over 2,700 stars line the sidewalk between Gower Street and La Brea Avenue, honoring entertainment industry legends. TCL Chinese Theatre anchors this stretch, with its famous forecourt of celebrity handprints and footprints in cement free to view anytime.
Street performers and costumed characters work this area heavily. Photos with them typically come with tipping expectations, so be clear about whether you want the interaction. The walk itself is free and works well as a quick photo stop.
TCL Chinese Theatre
This 1927 landmark remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable venues. The forecourt features handprints and footprints of famous actors in cement, accessible anytime for free viewing. The TCL Chinese Theatre still screens movies and offers guided tours of the interior for around $18 if you want to see more beyond the forecourt.
Evening at The Grove and LACMA Urban Light
The Half Day Best of LA Tour includes a 75-minute stop at Farmers Market & The Grove for lunch, but if you want to return in the evening, it offers a different vibe after dark. The Grove’s outdoor setting captures LA’s year-round outdoor culture, with restaurants, shops, and the historic Farmers Market next door all walkable from one parking spot.
Finish your first night at LACMA’s Urban Light installation a few blocks from The Grove. This free public art piece features 202 restored street lamps and makes for iconic LA photos, especially after sunset. The installation stays lit from dusk to dawn, though the museum itself closes in the evening.
Day 2 Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown LA offers a concentrated mix of history, architecture, and culture that’s best explored on foot. Start early to cover the most ground before afternoon heat, and plan for a full day of walking between historic landmarks, museums, and cultural sites. Parking in DTLA can be tricky, so consider using a garage near Grand Central Market as your base and exploring from there.
Historic Core Walking Highlights
The Historic Core spans roughly ten blocks and showcases LA’s early 20th-century architecture. Start at Grand Central Market on Broadway, a 1917 food hall that’s been feeding locals for over a century. The market houses dozens of vendors serving everything from tacos to Thai food, making it a solid lunch stop.
Walk south on Broadway to see the historic theatre district. The Bradbury Building at 304 South Broadway features stunning Victorian ironwork and appears in films like “Blade Runner.” Entry to the lobby is free during business hours. Nearby, The Last Bookstore occupies an old bank building and sprawls across two floors of used books, records, and art installations.
Museums and Architecture Stops
The Broad Museum offers free admission but requires advance reservations for timed entry. The contemporary art collection includes works by Warhol, Basquiat, and Kusama, with the popular Infinity Mirror Rooms requiring separate reservations. Plan for 1-2 hours here depending on crowds.
Walt Disney Concert Hall sits across the street, designed by Frank Gehry with striking stainless steel curves. Free self-guided tours of the exterior are available anytime, while interior tours require advance booking. MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) is a short walk away and typically less crowded than The Broad, with rotating exhibitions and a strong permanent collection.
Olvera Street and Cultural Sites
Olvera Street marks the birthplace of Los Angeles and maintains its 1930s Mexican marketplace character. The pedestrian street features vendors selling traditional crafts, clothing, and food. It’s touristy but offers a glimpse into LA’s Mexican heritage and makes for a brief cultural stop.
Avila Adobe, built in 1818, is the oldest standing residence in Los Angeles and offers free entry. Union Station sits nearby and deserves a quick visit even if you’re not catching a train. The 1939 building blends Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission Revival, and Art Deco styles, with a main waiting room that’s appeared in countless films.
Day 3 Beverly Hills and West LA
Beverly Hills and West LA blend high-end shopping, world-class museums, and coastal access into one manageable day. The neighborhoods sit centrally between downtown and the beach, making them easy to pair with sunset options near Santa Monica or Venice. Start mid-morning to avoid traffic and give yourself flexibility for the evening.
Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills Landmarks
Rodeo Drive runs three blocks of luxury retail between Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. Window shopping is free, and the street itself provides classic LA photo opportunities. The Beverly Hills Sign at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Beverly Drive is a quick stop for photos, with free street parking nearby if you arrive early.
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel anchors the south end of Rodeo Drive and appeared in “Pretty Woman.” Stroll through the Golden Triangle shopping district surrounding Rodeo for slightly more accessible boutiques and cafes.
Don’t miss our Hollywood, Beverly Hills, & Celebrity Homes Open Air Tour to explore this area with our expert local guides!
West LA Museums and Shopping
The Getty Center sits in the Brentwood hills and offers free admission, though parking costs $20. The collection spans European paintings, sculpture, and photography, with impressive architecture and gardens overlooking the city. Plan for 2-3 hours minimum, arriving early to beat crowds and secure parking.
Nearby Museum Row on Wilshire Boulevard includes LACMA, the Petersen Automotive Museum, and La Brea Tar Pits, all within walking distance of each other. Pick one or two based on your interests rather than trying to cover all three in one afternoon.
Sunset Options Near the Coast
Head west toward the coast for sunset viewing. Palisades Park in Santa Monica offers clifftop views of the ocean and pier, with plenty of benches and walking paths. Parking along Ocean Avenue is metered but usually available in the late afternoon.
Venice Beach provides a livelier sunset scene with street performers, the boardwalk, and the famous Muscle Beach outdoor gym. Parking lots near the beach fill quickly, so arrive with extra time or use rideshare to avoid the hassle.
Day 4 Santa Monica and Venice
Santa Monica and Venice sit side by side along the coast, making them easy to combine in one beach-focused day. Start at Santa Monica Pier in the morning before crowds arrive, then work your way south to Venice by early afternoon.
Santa Monica Pier and Promenade
Santa Monica Pier features the Pacific Park amusement park, aquarium, and classic boardwalk atmosphere. The pier is free to walk, with individual ride tickets available for the Ferris wheel or roller coaster. Third Street Promenade sits a few blocks inland and offers pedestrian shopping and street performers.
Venice Canals and Abbot Kinney
Venice Canals sit a few blocks inland from the beach and offer a quieter contrast to the boardwalk energy. The walkable footbridges over residential waterways date back to 1905 and make for peaceful morning or late afternoon strolls. Abbot Kinney Boulevard runs parallel to the beach and features boutiques, cafes, and restaurants worth exploring between beach sessions.
Day 5 Pacific Coast Highway Day Trip
The Pacific Coast Highway stretches north from Santa Monica into Malibu, offering coastal views, beaches, and cultural stops along one of California’s most scenic drives. Plan for a full day with flexible timing, as traffic can slow significantly on weekends. This route works best with a rental car, though rideshare to specific beaches is possible if you’re staying coastal.
Getty Villa
The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades requires free timed-entry reservations booked in advance. Parking costs $20 and must also be reserved ahead. The museum recreates a Roman country house and holds Greek and Roman antiquities in a setting overlooking the ocean. Plan for 1-2 hours exploring the galleries and gardens.
The villa sits just off PCH and makes a natural first or last stop on a Malibu day trip. It’s less crowded than the Getty Center and offers a more intimate museum experience focused on ancient art and architecture.
Malibu Beaches
Malibu stretches along 21 miles of coastline with dozens of beach access points. Zuma Beach offers the widest stretch of sand and most amenities, including lifeguards, restrooms, and nearby food options. Parking costs around $10-15 depending on the lot. El Matador State Beach features dramatic rock formations and smaller crowds but requires climbing stairs to reach the sand.
Scenic Viewpoints on PCH
PCH itself provides constant ocean views as you drive north. Pull off at scenic overlooks between beaches to photograph the coastline. Point Dume offers hiking trails and clifftop views worth the short detour off the highway. The headland sits about 20 minutes north of central Malibu and provides panoramic views of the coast stretching toward Palos Verdes.
The drive back to central LA takes 45-75 minutes depending on traffic and where you’re staying, so budget extra time for evening rush hour.
Day 6 Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood deserves a full day to experience the studio tour, rides, and attractions without rushing. The park typically opens at 9 or 10 AM depending on season, and arriving at opening helps you hit popular rides before lines build. Buy tickets online in advance for lower prices and faster entry. Parking costs $30-60 depending on how close you want to park to the entrance.
Top Attractions and Experiences
The Studio Tour is Universal’s signature attraction and takes 60-90 minutes to ride through working movie sets and soundstages. It’s included with admission and shouldn’t be skipped. Go early or late in the day to avoid peak wait times. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter draws the biggest crowds, so head there first if it’s a priority or save it for late afternoon when lines thin slightly.
Thrill rides include Jurassic World, Transformers, and The Mummy, all featuring 3D elements and motion simulation. The Upper and Lower Lots connect via escalators, and walking between them takes time, so plan your route to minimize backtracking. Most visitors need 6-8 hours to cover the major attractions, with less if you skip shows or have express passes.
Day 7 Choose Your Own LA Adventure
Your final day in LA offers flexibility to revisit favorite neighborhoods, explore areas you missed, or take a completely different direction based on your interests. After 7 days in LA, you’ll have a better sense of what you want to see more of. Use this day to maximize your time in the city of angels without feeling rushed to check off a rigid list.
Arts District and Local Neighborhoods
The Arts District in downtown LA has transformed into one of the city’s most creative neighborhoods. Street art covers warehouse walls, with murals changing regularly as new artists add their work. Hauser & Wirth gallery offers free admission and shows contemporary art in a converted flour mill. The Broad and MOCA are nearby if you skipped them on Day 2.
Culinary Day in Koreatown or Downtown LA
Koreatown offers some of LA’s best dining concentrated in a few walkable blocks. Korean BBQ restaurants, bakeries, and late-night spots make this a solid choice for food-focused travelers. The neighborhood is also home to spas and karaoke venues if you want to experience more than just the restaurants.
Grand Central Market in DTLA works well for a grazing-style lunch, with dozens of vendors under one roof. You can sample everything from oysters to pupusas without committing to a full sit-down meal. The market has operated since 1917 and remains one of the most visited food halls in Los Angeles.
Beach or Shopping Relaxation Day
Return to whichever beach you enjoyed most earlier in the week and spend the day without an agenda. Rent bikes, walk the Venice Beach boardwalk, or simply claim a spot on the sand with a book. The slower pace works well on a final day before heading home.
Shopping-focused travelers can explore areas like Melrose Avenue for vintage and boutique stores, or revisit Rodeo Drive and the Golden Triangle in Beverly Hills. Griffith Park offers hiking trails if you want to spend your last day outdoors with great views of the city and palm trees framing the landscape.
Essential Planning Tips for Your Week in Los Angeles Itinerary
A few logistics handled before you arrive will make your week in LA significantly easier. Transportation, lodging location, and knowing which passes save money all impact how smoothly your days flow.
The Best Time to Visit LA
Los Angeles is a year-round destination, and each season offers something different. Spring and fall bring mild temperatures and steady sunshine, with comfortable days for sightseeing and fewer major events. Summer offers warm beach weather and long daylight hours, though it comes with higher hotel rates and busier attractions. Winter has the lowest crowds and cooler evenings, with occasional rain and shorter hours at some sights. No matter when you visit, you’ll find good weather and plenty to do.
Los Angeles Transportation Tips
LA’s size makes transportation one of your biggest planning decisions. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility for beaches, hiking trails, and moving between neighborhoods. Traffic peaks during morning (7-9 AM) and evening (4-7 PM) rush hours, so plan routes accordingly.
Rideshare works well for shorter trips or evenings when parking is difficult. Costs climb quickly for longer distances, with Santa Monica to Hollywood averaging $30-50 depending on surge pricing. Metro Rail connects downtown LA, Hollywood, and Santa Monica, though reaching many attractions requires walking or additional connections.
Our tours handle the driving for you and cover the most ground efficiently. The Half Day Best of LA Tour hits Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica in 5.5 hours, while the Hollywood, Beverly Hills, & Celebrity Homes Open Air Tour focuses on the hills and famous neighborhoods. Both eliminate parking hassles and traffic stress while showing you the city.
Where to Stay
Your hotel location shapes your daily commute and evening options. Hollywood or West Hollywood puts you near major attractions and nightlife with reasonable access to beaches and downtown. Santa Monica offers beach proximity and a relaxed vibe, though reaching Hollywood takes 45-60 minutes in traffic. Downtown LA works well for museum lovers exploring the Arts District and historic core but sits farther from beaches.
LAX Arrival and Departure Tips
LAX rideshare pickups happen at the LAX-it lot, requiring a shuttle from your terminal and adding 20-30 minutes to arrival time. Rental car shuttles run from consolidated facilities outside the terminal loop. FlyAway buses connect LAX to Union Station downtown and Van Nuys for around $10, with Metro Rail or rideshare available from there.
Traffic between LAX and most neighborhoods runs heavy during rush hours, so early morning or late evening flights help avoid delays. Allow 2-3 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours for international flights to account for security lines and traffic.
Safety and Practical Basics
Los Angeles is generally safe for visitors using common sense. Keep valuables out of sight in parked cars, stay aware in crowded areas, and avoid isolated spots after dark. Popular neighborhoods like Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills see heavy foot traffic and feel secure during daytime and evening hours.
Complete Your LA Adventure
This 7-day itinerary gives you a solid framework to explore Los Angeles, but the best trips leave room for spontaneity and personal discoveries. Whether you spend your week hiking to the Hollywood Sign, walking the Venice Beach boardwalk, or eating your way through Grand Central Market, you’ll experience the mix of beaches, culture, and neighborhoods that make LA worth the visit.
Our tours help you cover more of Los Angeles in less time, guided by locals who know the city well and make the experience easy and enjoyable.
Our Half Day Best of LA Tour covers Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica in 5.5 hours with stops at Griffith Observatory, Farmers Market, and the pier. The Hollywood, Beverly Hills, & Celebrity Homes Open Air Tour focuses on the hills and famous neighborhoods where you’ll pass celebrity homes and get photos with the Hollywood Sign.
For the ultimate experience, the Perfect Day in LA Tour combines both tours and gives you seven and a half hours of comprehensive city coverage. If you’re traveling with a group or want a customized route, our Private LA Tours let you design your own itinerary with an expert local guide.
Book your tour and let us show you LA the way it’s meant to be seen.
