Los Angeles 3-Day Itinerary

How this 3-day Los Angeles plan works

LA classics long weekend

Each day below is grouped geographically so you spend your time in Los Angeles rather than in transit. A rental car (or Uber) is the practical way to see LA — freeways connect everything, though rush hour (7–10am, 3–7pm) is brutal. Metro Rail's E Line reaches Santa Monica from Downtown in 50 min; the K Line now connects LAX to the network via the LAX/Metro Transit Center (opened 2024). LAX Automated People Mover to airline terminals opens 2026. Between neighbourhoods, Uber/Lyft averages US$15–30.

Day by day

• Day 1

  Day 1 — Santa Monica Pier, Venice boardwalk, sunset drive up PCH to Malibu.

• Day 2

  Day 2 — Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Melrose lunch, West Hollywood dinner.

• Day 3

  Day 3 — Getty Center morning, Beverly Hills / Rodeo Drive, DTLA rooftop bar.

Where to base yourself

• Santa Monica

  Beach-front hotels, pier, Third Street Promenade and easy Venice bike access.

• West Hollywood

  Design hotels, Sunset Strip nightlife, Melrose shopping.

• Beverly Hills

  Grande-dame hotels around Rodeo Drive — Beverly Hills Hotel, Peninsula, Waldorf Astoria.

• Downtown LA (DTLA)

  Arts District lofts, Grand Central Market, Broad museum, walkable dining.

Best time to run this itinerary

March–May and September–November are the sweet spots — 20–26°C, low humidity, thinner crowds. Summer beaches (June–August) are packed but easy for kids; December–February bring 10–20°C days with occasional rain and gin-clear post-storm skies over the mountains. Award season (January–March) fills West Hollywood hotels; Coachella weekends spike Palm Springs rates.

Before you go

• Rush hour runs 7–10am and 3–7pm — plan drives around it.

• Beach parking fills by mid-morning at weekends.

• Tipping 18–20% at restaurants is standard.