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Los Angeles, California: 2 days in Los AngelesPhoto by Andy Feliciotti on Unsplash
Celebration ToastCulture & Discovery MarvelTrip idea · Los Angeles, California

2 days in Los Angeles

The 4-day plan, rearranged for 2 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.

2 daysAnyoneMarch to June, or September to November8 places
Copy this plan to your own trips, then change anything you like.
Los Angeles: bird's eye view photography of coconut trees under blue sky
Photo by Andy Feliciotti on Unsplash
Los Angeles: A view of the city of los angeles from the top of a hill
Photo by Jun Yu on Unsplash
How many days?Pick yours and the plan rearranges.
Rearranged from the 4 day plan. See it as written

Best time to go

January to June and October to December are the most comfortable months for walking around.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Arrival day

Before Day 1. Los Angeles is spread out, so plan how you will get around before you land.Details
Getting here
Most visitors fly into Los Angeles International (LAX), on the west side. Rental cars, rides and shuttle buses leave from set pick-up areas outside the terminals, so check ahead on where. Burbank and Long Beach are smaller airports that can be easier.
Getting around
A car is the simplest way, and the days here are grouped by area to keep each drive short. Traffic can double a trip at rush hours, so plan the long drives for mid-morning or evening. Rides and the Metro rail lines work for the downtown and Hollywood days.
Where to sleep
Hollywood or Santa Monica suit a first visit, and downtown is the most central for the trains. Parking is often charged by the hotel, so ask. Book ahead for school holidays and for big event weekends.
First evening
Day 1 starts in Hollywood, so settle in, eat early and sleep early, because the first day on the road is a long one.

Day 1. Hollywood and Griffith Park and Mid-city and Museum Row

5 stops · 16.7 mi

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    La Brea Tar Pits

    Pools of natural asphalt that have trapped animals for tens of thousands of years, now a fossil site beside a museum. Mammoths and saber-toothed cats are found here, and the pits still bubble.

    Go when Morning, when the park is quiet.

    Local tip You can see the pits and the fossil displays in the park and in the museum. The pits give off a faint smell, and a lab shows fossils being cleaned.

    La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles
    Photo: Scotwriter21, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 14 min by car or transit3.2 mi
  2. 2
    MorningWorth a short stop

    Hollywood Walk of Fame

    Over a mile of pink terrazzo stars set in the pavement of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, each with a name and an emblem. Go in the morning, before the crowds and the heat.

    Go when Morning, before the heat and the crowds.

    Local tip A walk along the boulevard is enough. Look down for the stars, and keep your bag close, because it is a busy place with pickpockets and costumed characters who ask for tips.

    Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles: Walt disney's star on the hollywood walk of fame
    Photo by Meg von Haartman on Unsplash
  3. Lunch

    A taco lunch

    Corn tortillas with grilled meat, onion and cilantro, and a lime to squeeze, from a taqueria or a street stand.

    Local tip Order two or three small tacos rather than one big plate.

    About 15 min by car or transit3.2 mi
  4. 3
    MiddayWorth the time

    Los Angeles County Museum of Art

    The largest art museum in the western United States, next door to the tar pits. Walk through the field of old street lamps at the entrance, then pick a gallery rather than trying them all.

    Go when Midday, in the shade of the galleries.

    Local tip Choose one or two collections rather than rushing through all of them. The field of street lamps at the entrance can be seen from the street.

    Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles
    Photo: Gunnar Klack, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 20 min by car or transit5.1 mi
  5. 4
    EveningWorth the time, go at dusk

    Griffith Observatory

    A white art deco observatory on the slope of Mount Hollywood, with exhibits on the sky and a wide view over the city. Come at sunset and stay for the lights.

    Go when Late afternoon, to see the city by day and by night (about 7:00 PM).

    Local tip Parking fills quickly at sunset, so come early or take the shuttle. Check ahead on the shows and on any closure. The terraces are open for the view.

    Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles: white and blue dome building
    Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash
    About 21 min by car or transit5.2 mi
  6. 5
    EveningAn evening stop

    Walt Disney Concert Hall

    A concert hall of curving stainless steel by the architect Frank Gehry, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Walk around the outside, which reflects the light, and check ahead if you want a tour or a concert.

    Go when Late afternoon, when the steel catches the low light (about 7:00 PM).

    Local tip You can walk around the outside, and a public garden sits on the roof. Check ahead for tours and for evening concerts.

    Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles: people walking near gray building during daytime
    Photo by Johnathan Kaufman on Unsplash
  7. Dinner

    Korean barbecue or dim sum

    Grilled meat cooked at the table with side dishes, or a round of steamed dumplings, in one of the big ethnic neighborhoods nearby.

    Local tip Go in a group so you can share a lot of dishes.

If it rains. Los Angeles County Museum of Art is covered, so keep it. Move La Brea Tar Pits, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory and Walt Disney Concert Hall to a dry day if you can.

Day 2. The Getty and the coast

3 stops · 20.1 mi

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. Travel from Walt Disney Concert HallAbout 35 min by car or transit13.0 mi
    Where Day 1 ended.
  2. 1
    MorningWorth the time, go early

    Getty Center

    A hilltop museum of white travertine, with gardens, courtyards and a view across the city to the sea. A small tram carries visitors up from the parking area. Check ahead for the timed entry.

    Go when Morning, when the gardens are quiet.

    Local tip Book a time ahead, and plan for a whole morning. The gardens and the terraces are as good as the galleries, and the tram ride up is part of the visit.

    Getty Center, Los Angeles: people sitting on bench near building during daytime
    Photo by Lydia Koh on Unsplash
    About 20 min by car or transit4.9 mi
  3. 2
    MiddayWorth a short stop

    Santa Monica Pier

    A pleasure pier from 1909 with a Ferris wheel, an amusement park and long views up and down the coast. A classic stop at the end of the old Route 66.

    Go when Midday, then a walk on the beach.

    Local tip Walk to the end for the view back toward the mountains. It is crowded in summer, so go in the morning or on a weekday.

    Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles: people on beach during daytime
    Photo by Andrew Gwizdowski on Unsplash
  4. Lunch

    Fish tacos by the sea

    Battered or grilled fish with cabbage and a creamy sauce, in a soft tortilla, eaten near the beach.

    Local tip Ask for the sauce on the side if you do not like it spicy.

    About 12 min by car or transit2.2 mi
  5. 3
    AfternoonWorth the time

    Venice Beach

    A beach neighborhood with a lively boardwalk of street performers, skaters, stalls and murals. Come for the people-watching and the open-air gym on the sand.

    Go when Afternoon, when the boardwalk is at its liveliest.

    Local tip Keep valuables close, and be ready to say no to sellers on the path. The beach itself is wide, and the water is cool even in summer.

    Venice Beach, Los Angeles: A street lined with palm trees next to the ocean
    Photo by Frank Huang on Unsplash
  6. Dinner

    Seafood in the evening

    Grilled fish, clams or a crab dish, with a squeeze of lemon, near the water.

    Local tip Tables with a view fill early, so book ahead.

If it rains. Getty Center is covered, so keep it. Move Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach to a dry day if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. Allow a lot of time for the drive to the airport.Details
The drive to LAX
Traffic on the freeways around the airport is unpredictable. Allow at least twice the time the map suggests, and return a rental car early.
Your flight
Leave extra time for a morning flight, and do not plan a long museum visit on the day you fly.
If you have a few hours
Take one more walk on the beach at Santa Monica or in the hills of Griffith Park, near where you are staying.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, January to June and October to December are the most comfortable months for walking around Los Angeles. This plan is built for march to June, or September to November, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 2 days in Los Angeles, planned for march to June, or September to November. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 7.2 to 16.7 miles between its stops, and 23.8 miles in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.

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Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.

A trip idea · Updated November 2026

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