Los Angeles Itinerary : Perfect 2 Days In Los Angeles

(This article has affiliate links to products which we may make commission from at no extra cost to you.)

Planning to spend a weekend in Los Angeles or visiting for a short trip? There are lots of places to see and things to do in this “City Of Angels”. Here’s a useful Los Angeles itinerary to help you make the most out of your trip.

Home to the iconic Hollywood sign, sandy beaches, sprawling centre, theme parks, exhibits, great food, lively nightlife and fantastic nature trails, Los Angeles can easily be described as the entertainment capital of United States of America. With a plethora of activities and exploration spots, the city has lots to keep you entertained for as long as you plan to stay there. If you are looking forward to a short stay, the below itinerary will help you plan what to do in Los Angeles in 2 days.

You will also find some general information that includes convenient modes of transportation in LA, essentials you should not forget to carry, recommended hotels for all budgets and best time to visit the city.

Los Angeles Itinerary : Top Things To Do In 2 Days

Day 1 : Griffith Observatory, Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Morning : Griffith Observatory & Spot The Hollywood Sign

One of the most photographic sights in Los Angeles, the iconic Griffith Observatory boasts fantastic panoramic city and ocean views. Located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, the observatory is about 1,134 feet above the sea level. This highly notable observatory is a perfect place for astronomy enthusiasts. It is also one of the most visited observatories in the world. Due to its elevated location, the Griffith Observatory is a great point of interest to see the famous Hollywood Sign closely. If you are up for some adventure, you can find many wonderful and scenic hiking trails in the Griffith Park.

Opening Hours : Weekend – 10 AM to 10 PM, Weekdays – 12 noon to 10 PM

Entry Fees : Free. There is a small fee for Planetarium shows at the observatory.

For ease, click here to book a Griffith Park tour, hike and Hollywood hills exploration in advance.

Afternoon : Stroll Through Rodeo Drive in Beverley Hills, Lunch At Farmer’s Market

One of the most fanciest things to do in your Los Angeles itinerary is taking a leisurely walk through Rodeo Drive. This 2 miles long shopping district is famous for having stores of high end luxury brands such as Prada, Armani, Gucci, Tiffany’s, Coco Chanel, Harry Winston and Cartier. Many tourists come to Rodeo Drive simply for window shopping and to admire its elegant architecture. But if you feel splurgy, you would definitely enjoy shopping at this vibrant shopping district of Los Angeles.

If Hollywood star homes fascinate you, we would recommend you to take a well organized Celebrity Homes tour. During this tour you will get to see the outer view of mansions of popular celebrities like Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elvis Presley and many more. All the mansions are strikingly amazing to see.

The best place to stop for a hearty meal in Los Angeles is the Farmers Market. Its located at a distance of less than 10 minutes drive from Rodeo Drive. This open air market place is home to several restaurants that serve variety of cuisines. We highly recommend Fritzi Coop for delicious fried chicken sandwiches and Pampas Grill for scrumptious Brazilian BBQ and buffets.

Evening : Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Hollywood Walk of Fame is the popular sidewalk along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard where the names of over 2690 stars are embedded. Spend your evening spotting the names of your favourite stars and clicking pictures with them. Popular ones also have people waiting in queue to get pictures. If the Hollywood Walk of Fame does not seem interesting to you, there are more attractions in Hollywood Boulevard to explore. The must visit attractions in Hollywood Boulevard include the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Chinese Theatre and Dolby Theatre.

Day 2 : Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Venice Beach, Santa Monica

Morning : Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States that exhibits diverse variety of incredible art collections. Even though its not really possible to see all the artworks in the museum within one day, you should not miss out the museum’s main highlights.

• First thing that attracts visitors most is the Chris Burden’s Urban Light. The Urban Light is a collection of old vintage street lights that are very Instagram worthy.
• Next, the Levitated Mass, a giant rock lifted atop a walkway is another picture worthy spot to see in LACMA.
• The Pavilion of Japanese Art displays fascinating variety of Japanese Art.
• Boone Children’s Gallery, if you are traveling with kids.

Afternoon – Evening : Venice Beach, Sunset At Santa Monica

Spend your afternoon soaking in some pleasant sunshine at the beautiful Venice beach. Take a stroll through the vibrant Venice Boardwalk where you can have access to a variety of spas, restaurants, cafes, stores and fitness centres. Stop at the High Rooftop Lounge located at Hotel Erwin to enjoy some fantastic specialty cocktails, live DJ and boardwalk views. It is the only rooftop bar and lounge in Venice Beach. Also make a visit to the gorgeous Venice Canal Historic District. This Italy inspired neighbourhood looks extremely picturesque and is worthy of admiration. This is certainly one of the unique things to do in your Los Angeles itinerary.

For an amusing sunset, make a visit to the delightful Santa Monica. It is located at 3 miles from Venice beach. The views of the Pacific Ocean from the Santa Monica pier or the beach are wonderful. Santa Monica’s amusement park adds more entertainment to your evening. You will find many food stalls, restaurants and nightlife scenes in Santa Monica for satisfying indulgence.

Tours To Add To Your Los Angeles Itinerary

If you are still looking for ideas, here are a few amazing tours you can consider adding to your Los Angeles Itinerary;

• Beverley Hills and Hollywood Helicopter Tour : For fantastic views of the Hollywood sign and mansions of Beverley Hills
• Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood Tour : See the iconic sets of your favourite movies or shows. One of these also includes ‘Central Park’ set from friends.
• Food Tour of Downtown LA : Try the delicious and specialty foods of Los Angeles.
• Behind-the-Scenes Walking Tour : Get to know all the inside scoop about the major landmarks of Hollywood.

General Information

Where To Stay In Los Angeles?

There are many brilliant accommodation options available in Los Angeles. Your choice of accommodation depends on what you look forward to on your holiday. Area wise the best place to stay for tourists is Hollywood, due to its proximity to many attractions of the city. If you are on a budget, you will find many accommodations in Venice Beach neighbourhood for your stay. For beach lovers, Santa Monica has fabulous hotels to make your stay more relaxing and convenient.

Here are our top picks for hotel accommodations which we found in some of the best spots in Los Angeles;

Budget (Upto $120) : Hollywood Inn Suites Hotel offers comfortable stay in Los Angeles at a great price. It is located at just 11 kms from Los Angeles International Airport. Click here to book the Hollywood Inn Suites for your stay or to check its availability.

You can also check out PodShare Venice which is a lovely sociable hostel in Venice beach neighbourhood. It has a nice shared lounge, a garden and all round excellent facilities.

Mid Range ($120 – $275) : Loews Hollywood Hotel is one of the best hotels to stay in Los Angeles. This Hollywood hotel features comfortable, stylish, spacious and elegant rooms with modern amenities. Selected rooms also offer rooms with views of Hollywood hills. Other services include a rooftop pool, sun terrace, fitness centre, restaurant, bar and childcare services. The hotel is located adjacent to Dolby Theatre and TCL Chinese Theatre which is also very convenient for tourists. Click here to book the hotel or to check its availability.

Luxury ($275+) : The iconic Hotel Bel-Air is a historic hotel that offers fantastic and luxurious stay in Los Angeles. Its ideal location takes you away from the hustles and noises of the city for a dreamy vacation. The rooms are stylish, elegant, comfortable and filled with luxurious amenities. Other services include an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa facilities, childcare services, bar, restaurant, garden area, rooftop and outdoor fireplace. This hotel is splurge worthy and ultra luxurious. Click here to book Hotel Bel-Air or to check its availability.

Best Time To Visit Los Angeles

Los Angeles is great throughout the year, but the perfect time for your visit depends on what you look forward to doing on your vacation. The months from March till November have a very pleasant weather that is ideal for visit to beaches, theme parks, Hollywood Hills and events. The tourist peak season is during the summer break which falls between June and September. If you are someone who does not like to visit crowded cities on a vacation, you can simply avoid coming to Los Angeles in these months.

The winter months from December till February are quite sunny during the day, but get chilly during the night. The beach going is not much affected. These months are also prone to rain showers. Make sure you pack an umbrella or a poncho too for winters. It is cheaper to travel to Los Angeles during winters and the hotel prices are also halved. So, winters are generally the best time for budget travellers in Los Angeles.

How To Get Around Los Angeles?

The most convenient mode of transportation in Los Angeles is the metro system which includes rail and bus routes. Purchase a TAP (Transit Access Pass) card from any of the metro stations. Alternatively, you can also hire cabs using the Uber and Lyft mobile apps.

What Are The Essentials To Pack For Los Angeles?

Apart from the general things you will probably pack for your trip, below are some essentials that you should not forget to carry to Los Angeles;

Comfortable Walking Shoes : Heels or boots look great for club hopping. But, for comfortable exploration on the streets of Los Angeles, a pair of comfortable sneakers are a must.

Portable Charger or Power Bank : While in Los Angeles, you really cannot afford to allow your phone batteries to drain out. There are so many picturesque places to capture plus you GPS is great for convenient navigation through the city. So, make sure you pack a reliable portable charger. In case you are wondering which one to pick, consider an Anker PowerCore Portable Charger for features such as fast charging of multiple devices. Plus it comes with a 18 month worry free warranty.

Sunscreen : Neutrogena water resistant sunscreen lotion is effective and necessary for protection from sun burns and irritations.

Small Backpack : A cute small backpack is very handy for packing essential things before leaving for hike or beach trips in Los Angeles.

Refillable Water Bottle : To keep yourself hydrated while out for walking tours or hikes.

And there you have it – your perfect Los Angeles itinerary. Cosmopolitan, vibrant, entertaining and sprawling, Los Angeles is a city that can never disappoint any traveller. We are sure that now you know how to spend your 2 days in Los Angeles perfectly.

You May Also Like Reading

• 15 Best Weekend Getaways From Los Angeles
• 11 Most Romantic Getaways In Southern California
• 18 Incredible Places For A California Summer Vacation
• 12 Popular Foods You Must Try In California
• 11 Most Beautiful Small Towns In California
• Essentials Packing List For A Trip To California
• Visiting San Jose? Get To Know Where To Stay In San Jose