Los Angeles is one of the most recognizable cities on the planet. Full of enthralling attractions and oozing glitz and glamor, it’s impossible to fit everything there is to see and do in the city into a short weekend trip. But don’t fret! You can still see some of the main sights and get a good grasp of the city in a couple of days. This itinerary is going to go into detail on what I think you should see in your weekend in Los Angeles, as well as some suggestions for places to visit if you add another day to your trip to make it a long weekend. So without further ado, here is my Los Angeles weekend itinerary.

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Introduction to this Itinerary

Los Angeles is a massive, sprawling city. It’s one of the largest metropolitan areas in America, rivaling New York City. This makes it challenging to plan for compared to other major cities because, just like the city, its attractions are spread out across LA County’s vastness. Add to the fact that traffic is a problem during the two busiest times of the day, with it taking between 1-2 hours to get anywhere during rush hour. 

If you read my Los Angeles on a budget post (which you can find here), you know that one way to effectively and efficiently tackle this huge metropolis is to group attractions together. After coupling them into districts or neighborhoods, you can then hit multiple attractions, restaurants, and other things that might interest you in quick succession, ensuring you maximize your time. Given your limited time in the city, that is going to be crucial.

Of course, like other cities, some neighborhoods take precedence over others. I would suggest visiting Hollywood over, say, Echo Park just because Hollywood is a more crucial neighborhood to explore to get the feel, character, and history of the city. That’s my long-winded way of saying that the places mentioned here are quintessentially Los Angeles, which is why I recommend them.

Also, this itinerary assumes that you have the full day Saturday and the full day Sunday for your trip, plus an additional full day to make it a long weekend. It also assumes you’re uber-ing everywhere, but you could use a car for this itinerary as well. Just remember to allot time for parking. 

But enough of me babbling, let’s get to the itinerary!

DAY ONE: Central LA, Hollywood, and Griffith Park

Breakfast at Urth Cafe Beverly Hills

To start your day and this weekend in Los Angeles itinerary, I recommend dining at Urth Cafe in Beverly Hills. Head for the Beverly Hills location specifically as it is close to your first destination of the day. Urth Cafe is a classic LA experience, and they have a pretty wide breakfast selection. I would recommend heading over there right when they open so that you can get a seat. I would also recommend getting their breakfast burrito, but you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. After having your share of breakfast fare, head north to explore your first stop of the day. 

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free

Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 7:00am – 10:00pm; Friday – Saturday: 7:00am – 11:00pm

Window Shop on Rodeo Drive

Los Angeles 2 Day Itinerary Rodeo Drive

Once you’re done with breakfast, head over to Rodeo Drive, which is about two blocks north and one block east of Urth Cafe. Known for its palm trees and the many high end and luxury stores that dot either side of the street, modern Rodeo Drive started when Fred Hayman, the “Father of Rodeo Drive” opened Giorgio Beverly Hills, the first luxury store in the street’s history, in 1961. That started a snowball effect that had every luxury brand opening a store on the street.

I recommend walking down both sides of Rodeo Drive to get a good look at the interiors of all the stores. Now depending on when you start this itinerary, most of the stores will probably still be closed. But unless you plan on actually shopping, this shouldn’t be a problem. While walking down the street, don’t forget to admire the stars that are inlaid on the street. Inspired by the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style honors those who have made a contribution to the fashion industry.

My personal favorite part of Rodeo Drive is the Golden Triangle. It’s a sloped walkway located on the southwest end of Rodeo Drive. It’s the perfect place for instagram photos, and don’t forget to walk through the entire thing to see the fountain located at the south end of the Golden Triangle.

Our next stop on this weekend in Los Angeles itinerary will take us east of the north end of Rodeo Drive towards another iconic LA landmark.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free

Hours: Street and Golden Triangle open 24 hours. Store hours vary.

Take a Selfie with the Beverly Hills Sign

Los Angeles 2 Day Itinerary Beverly Hills Sign

This next stop is a quick photo stop, but it features an iconic LA landmark that you need to visit while you’re here: the iconic Beverly Hills sign. Situated behind a pond, this arched sign is Instagram-famous and serves as the gateway to the larger Beverly Hills community behind it. Since it’s still early in the morning, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a photo in front of the sign. After snapping a quick photo, head to your car (or begin your walk) into the actual Beverly Hills residential neighborhood.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free.

Hours: Open 24 hours.

Go on an Architecture Tour of Beverly Hills

This will be the last stop in Beverly Hills during your weekend in Los Angeles. If you have a car, drive past the Beverly Hills Sign and go down Beverly Hills Drive. This is the neighborhood where you will find a plethora of mansions, including some owned by celebrities. You can take a mini-architecture tour of this neighborhood by simply getting lost and driving aimlessly through its streets.

Beverly Hills was originally bought by a group of businessmen hoping to find oil in the area. When their search yielded disappointing results, they flipped the area and began selling lots to interested buyers. The first house was built in 1907, and Burton Green established the Beverly Hills Hotel in 1912. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford then built a mansion in the area in 1921, establishing the area as a haven for the wealthy.

If you don’t have a car, I recommend walking down Beverly Hills Drive, turning left at the first corner, and walking down Rodeo Drive to get back to the shops. This will give you a glimpse of the architecture of this area, and will allow you to take photos with the iconic palm trees. After walking around, leave Beverly Hills and head to your second neighborhood of the day: La Brea

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free.

Hours: Open 24 hours.

Snap a Picture with the LACMA Lights

Head over to La Brea and visit one of LA’s most iconic art installations: The LACMA Lights! The Los Angeles County Museum of Art Lights, known formally as Urban Light, is an art installation made by artist Chris Burden. It consists of over 200 cast iron antique street lamps that used to light the streets of Los Angeles decades ago. You can visit it during the day or at night, with both options offering a completely unique experience. It’s a symbol of the city, and you must check it out.

You could also check out the museum, but I’m going to recommend you skip LACMA for another museum in the area. Urban Lights’ footprint feels surprisingly small even though it’s made up of over 200 lights. As such, it can be overcome with tourists easily. So just try to be patient as you try to get that perfect Instagram photo. Once you’re done, head past LACMA and make your way to the Academy Museum!

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free.

Hours: Open 24 hours.

Go Behind the Scenes at the Academy Museum

The Academy Museum is a new museum dedicated to the “history, science, and cultural impact” of the film industry. Opened in 2021 after a brief delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum is a celebration of filmmaking. Featuring rotating exhibits as well as some fascinating permanent exhibitions, the Academy Museum also has several wings dedicated to the Oscars and the Oscars ceremonies.

I’ve visited this museum 3 separate times, and it’s enthralled me all three times. A highlight of the museum was the Oscar exhibit that had over 10 Oscars and some iconic Oscar red carpet outfits on display. Meanwhile, the Stories of Cinema gallery, which is the museum’s core exhibition, is an all-encompassing look at filmmaking. You’ll learn about the different disciplines that go into making a film, as well as take a peek at special exhibitions exhibiting iconic props and costumes from movies like Star Wars, Black Panther, and ET. Other areas include an animation exhibit and a rooftop balcony that overlooks the beautiful Los Angeles hills.

I would recommend heading to this museum if you’re a fan of films, and even if you aren’t I think it’s an important museum to go to given LA’s status as the center of moviemaking in the world. Purchase tickets online and keep in mind that there are discounts available for certain museumgoers, as detailed below. You will have to pick an entry time when purchasing tickets, and for this itinerary I would recommend an entry time that is as early as possible.

Klook.com

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Adults $25; Seniors (62+) $19; Students (18+ with ID) $15; Children (17-), Museum Members, Academy members, and CA EBT cardholders Free

Hours: 10am – 6pm. Closed Tuesdays

Eat at the Original LA Farmers Market

Los Angeles 2-day itinerary farmers market

Once you’re done with the Academy Museum, head north until you reach The Grove and the Original LA Farmers Market. The Grove is a small but beautiful outdoor mall that has dancing fountains, a working tram, and some shops and restaurants. It opened in 2002 and has since become a staple of Los Angeles.

But the real star of the show is the Original LA Farmers Market. First opened in July 1934 and starting out as a space for nearby farmers to sell their produce, it has since transformed into a foodie heaven. You could spend hours trying everything the market has to offer, but my two favorite stalls or restaurants have to be DuPar’s and Pampas. DuPar’s is a classic American establishment serving tasty breakfast fare, while Pampas has everything to do with meat and is served cafeteria style. You can’t go wrong with either option.

I would recommend eating lunch here and trying a few different things to get the full experience. Then, when you’ve had your fill, head to your next neighborhood for the day: Hollywood.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free

Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-9PM; Saturday 10AM-9PM; Sunday 10AM-9PM. Some stores have extended hours

Admire the Stars on Hollywood Boulevard

Los Angeles 2 Day Itinerary Walk of Fame

Make your way to Hollywood Boulevard to explore iconic locations that are important to the movie and tv business, starting with the most iconic of them all: The Walk of Fame! The Walk of Fame stretches down both sides of Hollywood Boulevard and continues to some of the side streets that radiate from Hollywood Boulevard. It consists of around 2800 stars (as of this writing) placed in the pavement, honoring actors, filmmakers, and musicians for their contributions to film, television, theater, music, and radio.

The Walk of Fame began when E.M. Stuart submitted the project to the Los Angeles City Council in 1955. The first star, attributed to Stanley Kramer, was placed on March 28, 1960. There’s no wrong way or location to get a good look at the stars, but most modern celebrities have their stars located near the Dolby Theater, the Chinese Theater, the El Capitan Theater, and the Pantages Theater.

I would recommend walking down both sides of Hollywood Boulevard from Las Palmas Avenue to Orange Drive to see the most recognizable stars. When you’re done, make your way to the most iconic theater in Hollywood: The Chinese Theater.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free

Hours: Open 24 Hours

Check out the Handprints and the Iconic Interior of Grauman’s Chinese Theater

For another iconic part of Hollywood, head to the front of the TCL Grauman’s Chinese Theater. That’s where you’ll find the different hand and footprints that celebrities have left in the cement in front of the theater.

The theater was commissioned in 1923 after a meeting amongst Hollywood moguls who decided they needed another venue to house performances of spoken drama. This was changed to primarily become a movie theater after the rise of cinema in the 1920s. Sid Grauman moved forward with the plans in 1925, with groundbreaking taking place in 1926.

Many urban legends exist about how the tradition of the footprints began, with the most popular one involving Sid Grauman accidentally stepping onto the wet concrete during the construction of the theater, thus starting the tradition. The footprints were actually located on the sidewalk as well, until they were moved to make way for the Walk of Fame in the 1950s.

Many iconic celebrities have their handprints and footprints immortalized in the theater’s pavement, including the stars of notable film franchises such as The Hunger Games, the Avengers, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and the Twilight Saga. Take a minute to look at every concrete block that makes up the space and to take pictures of the famed exterior, then get ready to head inside.

In the mornings and afternoons, you can actually take a tour of the theater, which I would highly recommend. These tours take about 30 minutes and go into detail on the theater’s construction, design motifs and elements, and history. You’ll get the chance to step into the theater itself as well, with its famous curtain and ceiling, and admire it for a bit. For information on how to book this tour and for up-to-date pricing, check this link.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free for courtyard. Tour of interior prices vary. Check here for details.

Hours: Open 24 Hours. Tours operate 7 days a week, excluding special event days. Contact TCL Theaters for more information.

Take a Tour of the Lobby and Interior of the Dolby Theater

Standing almost directly beside the Chinese Theater is the Dolby Theater, formerly known as the Kodak Theater. Known around the world as the home of the Oscars, the Dolby theater is a Hollywood institution. Opened on November 9, 2001, the theater was purposely built by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to be the home of the Oscars. It has hosted the Oscars since 2002.

When you enter the Dolby Theater complex, the first thing you’ll notice is the columns that line the entryway that have every best picture Oscar winner affixed to them. Starting with the first best picture winner and continuing to the most recent, you’ll then head past the pillars and up the grand staircase in order make your way to the entrance of the Dolby Theater. This is where all tours of the theater start from.

I would highly recommend going on a tour of the Dolby Theater. Not only is it an incredible space, but during the tour you actually get to stand on the stage where Oscar winners receive their trophies. That experience alone is worth the price of admission. You also get a behind the scenes peek at how the Academy Awards are staged, including seeing some exclusive behind the scenes photos of the ceremonies and hearing interesting stories about the theater. Tours are subject to availability and usually don’t run if there is a special event that day or week. Click here for more information.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free for courtyard and staircase. Tour costs $25 for adults and $19 for patrons 17 and younger and 65 and older.

Hours: Courtyard and Staircase Open 24 Hours. Tours subject to availability, offered from 11am to 4pm.

See the Hollywood Sign and Learn About Space at the Griffith Observatory

Los Angeles 2 day itinerary griffith observatory

After having your fill of Hollywood, make your way over to Griffith Park, specifically Griffith Observatory. I recommend this being your last stop of the day because this is one of those places where you can best see the amazing LA sunset, and the Griffith Observatory is open late so you can maximize your time by coming here after the sun goes down.

When you arrive at Griffith Park, be sure to snap a photo with the Hollywood Sign. It’ll be kind of small because of how far it is, but the observatory has an incredible view of both the sign and LA proper. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Then of course you have the observatory itself, made famous by movies like Rebel Without a Cause and La La Land. The origins of the observatory are tied to the origins of Griffith Park in general. The land of the park was donated to the City of Los Angeles by Griffith J. Griffith, hence the name. In his will, he allotted money to build an observatory and planetarium on the land. Construction began in 1933 and finished in 1935.

The observatory has a multitude of exhibits for you to sink your teeth in. Don’t forget to head to the roof of the building to check out their telescopes and to head to the basement for more exhibits on the planets of our solar system. While visiting the observatory is free, the planetarium requires a paid ticket to enter. But if you’ve been to a planetarium before, I wouldn’t say this is a must do.

And that ends the first day of your weekend in Los Angeles! Now head back to your hotel or Airbnb and get ready for another day of touring.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free for observatory. Planetarium costs $10 for Adults 13-54; $8 for Seniors and Students / Teachers; $6 for Children 5-12; and FREE for Children below 5

Hours: Tuesday – Friday 12:00 noon – 10:00 p.m; Saturday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Closed Monday

DAY TWO: Downtown Los Angeles and Westside LA

Appreciate the Wrought Iron Work of the Bradbury Building

I hope you’re well rested for another day of touring! We’re starting the second day of your weekend in Los Angeles at the Bradbury Building. You’ll be eating lunch early so I wouldn’t recommend having a heavy breakfast, but there’s a Blue Bottle at the corner of the Bradbury Building. Have a coffee and a pastry, then head for the interior of the building.

Upon entering, you’ll first notice the building’s striking ironwork, as well as its distinct orange color that it gets from the bricks that were used to construct the building. It’s a national historical landmark, and one of only four office buildings in LA given that distinction. Lewis L. Bradbury commissioned its construction and it opened in 1893.

It’s famous for being featured in the movie 500 Days of Summer. Unfortunately you’re confined to the ground floor and can only take pictures with a phone camera, and videos are not allowed. Still, it’s a beautiful building and a quick 5-10 minute visit so I’d highly recommend it.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free

Hours: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday – Sunday 10am-2pm

Check Out the Last Bookstore

A couple of blocks away from the Bradbury Building is the Last Bookstore. Arguably Los Angeles’ favorite bookstore, this is a bookworm’s paradise. Spread out across two floors, the bookstore is in is a repurposed bank, with some of the bank vaults now being used to house books.

The store also features different art installations made out of books and paper, including the now Instagram famous book tunnel. There are also a small number of craft stores that sell things like notebooks and stationary. And of course, you can find every book imaginable throughout the rows and rows of shelves that make up the store. Even if you leave with nothing, it’s still a one of a kind experience getting to peruse this unique bookstore.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free

Hours: Everyday 11am – 8pm

Have an Early Lunch at Grand Central Market

After having your fill of books, make your way to the Grand Central Market, which is diagonally opposite the Bradbury Building. Originally called the Wonder Market, Grand Central Market opened in October 1917. It was Los Angeles’ largest public market and is currently still its oldest. The current market is home to over 40 vendors, most of whom are exclusive to Los Angeles.

My favorite place to eat here is a stall called Eggslut, which serves different kinds of egg sandwiches. They usually command a long line, but it shouldn’t be a problem since you’re having lunch early. The pizza place is also good, and they have a bunch of different cuisines available, such as Japanese, Chinese, and Mexican. There’s also a flea market in the basement of the complex. A trip to Downtown LA, and a weekend in Los Angeles, would not be complete without a visit to this market.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free

Hours: Everyday 8am – 9pm

Ride up the Angel’s Flight Railway

Located across the street from Grand Central Market, Angel’s Flight Railway is a funicular railway that takes riders up and down Bunker Hill. Its distinct orange-brown color and now-famous creaking was famously featured in the movie La La Land. I recommend riding this as it will take you to the other Downtown LA attractions that you need to see, which are the Broad and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

It costs $1 to ride it up the hill, and $1 more to come back down. There’s a $.50 discount if you use your TAP metro card. This site is actually the second site of the railway. The first site was near the 3rd street tunnel, and it’s had a tumultuous history. After closing on and off again since 2000, including a supposed permanent closure due to a derailment incident, it opened again to the public in 2017.

After riding it up to Bunker Hill, head for the large white building that houses The Broad Museum.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: $1 per ride. $0.5 for TAP cardholders

Hours: Everyday 6:45am – 10pm

See the Broad’s Expansive Modern Art Collection

Los Angeles 2 Day itinerary broad museum

The Broad has my favorite art pieces of any art museum in Los Angeles. Spanning 120,000 square feet and housing over 2,000 pieces of art, this museum was established and is run by Eli and Edith Broad, hence the name. Its collection spans from the 1950s to the present day, with works by the likes of Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Roy Liechtenstein on display. The museum welcomes over 900,000 visitors a year.

Entrance to this museum is free, but requires a timed entry ticket to enter. This museum is noted for having some exemplary art pieces on display, but the most famous has to be Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room. This piece is made up of twinkling lights and mirrors, and you’re only allowed inside for a maximum of one minute. I still think it’s worth seeing in addition to the main museum. To obtain tickets to experience this installation, you must grab a time slot for the day of your intended visit. Reservations drop on the last Wednesday of the month for dates the following month. For example, if you want to visit on March 26, then you must book a ticket when they drop at 10 am PST on the last Wednesday of February. Tickets can be purchased here.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free. Timed entry ticket required.

Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday & Friday 11 am – 5 pm; Thursday 11 am – 8 pm; Saturday 10 am – 6 pm; Sunday 10 am – 6 pm. Closed Mondays

Walk Through the Walt Disney Concert Hall

After leaving the Broad, you’ll probably notice this building that looks like it’s made up of large shimmering metal sheets of paper. That building is the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Walt Disney’s wife Lillian commissioned the hall for an estimated $50 million in 1987. It opened in 2003 and went over $100 million over budget. Designed by Frank Gehry and home to both the LA Philharmonic and the LA Master Chorale, you can tour the Walt Disney Concert hall on most days via a self-guided audio tour.

While viewing the main Hall itself is dependent on whether there is a performance that day, the rest of the structure is just as impressive. The wood paneling of the interior gives the whole space a homey yet refined feel, and they have a little garden with some water features and lots of greenery that is nice to take a break at (and is open to the public most days). Tours currently run from 10am – 3pm, with last admission being at 2pm.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free for tours. Prices for shows vary.

Hours: 10am – 3pm

Stroll Along Venice Beach and the Venice Canals

Now I’m gonna go against my own advice and tell you to go clear across town. The drive from Downtown LA to the West Side will take a while, especially if you leave anytime after 4pm. But it should be around 3:30 now so you shouldn’t encounter a lot of traffic. It may seem like a hassle, but I couldn’t make a 48 hours in Los Angeles itinerary and not include a trip to LA’s West Side.

There are only two spots that you need to visit on the west side. First is Venice Beach. Made popular by the movie Barbie, Venice Beach is a classic Californian experience. The main thing to do is walk down the main beachside drag as you eye the different shops and restaurants. Don’t forget to step onto the beach itself, which is incredibly wide and covered in fine sand. Sneak a peek at the famous Muscle Beach as well, which is an outdoor gym that has become synonymous with Venice Beach. I’ll admit, this area is very touristy, but it is an interesting experience. I would not recommend visiting at night, however, as it can get a little sketchy.

Near Venice Beach are the Venice Canals, a small neighborhood of cute homes that are interconnected by a number of waterways. They feels like a Southern Californian version of the city of Venice. The canals used to be much bigger but urban development caused them to shrink in size. I’ve visited once when the canals were empty and another time when there was water, so your mileage may vary, but it’s still a fun place to visit during your weekend in Los Angeles.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free.

Hours: Open 24 hours.

Ride the Rides and Catch the Sunset at the Santa Monica Pier

Your final attraction stop for the day will be the iconic Santa Monica Pier, which should be a quick Uber or drive from the Venice Canals and Venice Beach. The end of the famed Route 66, the Santa Monica Pier is a kitschy and chaotic attraction. Featuring restaurants, arcades, rides, street performers, and artists, this place can be very touristy but I still think it’s a quintessential LA experience.

Be sure to visit Pacific Park to ride some of the rides that have made the Pier famous. My favorite is the Pacific Coaster, which is their rollercoaster that’s suspended high above the pier. It’s a simple coaster, but it offers unbeatable views of the coast of LA. Then of course enjoy the different vendors and street performers stationed throughout the pier. The end of the pier offers unbeatable views of the horizon and the beach. Also make sure to take a photo with the Route 66 sign.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free.

Hours: Open 24 hours.

Have an In N Out Burger

A visit to LA would not be complete without a stop at In n Out, the classic California (now West Coast) staple. They have a relatively simple menu, but their burgers are to die for. I would recommend dining in instead of going to the drive thru because the drive thru usually takes forever. I usually get a cheeseburger, some fries, and a chocolate shake, but you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. They also have a secret menu, which you can find out more about here.

And so ends your 48 hours in LA. Man, does time fly. But what’s this, you have an extra day to spend in LA? That’s terrific! Here are some of my suggestions for how to spend your extra day in your weekend in Los Angeles.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free.

Hours: Varies per location

DAY 3: Other Possible Places to Visit

Marvel at the Picturesque Grounds and Artworks of the Getty Center

weekend in los angeles Getty

I would normally include this in the main itinerary, but coming to this place is an almost whole day affair due to how expansive it is and how many buildings and galleries and gardens there are to explore. J Paul Getty commissioned and funded the Getty, hence the name. It’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing spaces in LA, possibly the entire United States. It’s located in the Santa Monica mountains and houses a lot of Pre-20th century art.

But the main attraction is the grounds. Filled with landscaped gardens, water features, and miles and miles of white marble, the grounds are so beautiful that the TV show The Good Place was filmed here, with the museum standing in for heaven. My favorite area is the one with the makeshift stream and waterfall, which is circled by some walking paths. You can often find people picnicking in the area as well.

Entry to the Getty Center is free, but just like the Broad requires a timed entry ticket, which you can get here. Parking also costs around $20 dollars, so while it may be free, parking is going to cost you. I would recommend visiting this place on the third day of your weekend in LA, especially if you don’t like theme parks.

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Free. Timed entry ticket required.

Hours: Tuesday–Friday, Sunday 10am–5:30pm; Saturday 10am–8pm; Closed Mondays

Ride the Movies at Universal Studios Hollywood

If you’re into films and want to tour a movie studio while also having that classic American theme park experience, Universal Studios Hollywood is for you. Featuring over 10 rides, shows, and experiences, Universal Studios Hollywood does an amazing job of immersing you in various films, tv shows, and video games. They have rides themed to the Simpsons, Despicable Me, Jurassic World, Revenge of the Mummy, the Secret Life of Pets, Transformers, and the now famous Mario characters in the highly interactive Super Nintendo World.

But the number one thing to do in Universal Studios has to be the Studio Tram Tour. This ride takes you behind the scenes of your favorite films and tv shows, showing you the soundstages, offices, and sets that play a role in making movies. It even has two “ride within the ride” experiences, which are King Kong 360 3D and Fast and Furious Supercharged. You’ll see the sets of Psycho, War of the Worlds, Back to the Future, The Good Place, and Nope, to name a few. It’s one of the best theme park rides in the world, and is a must do if at the park.

The nearby CityWalk area is also full of shops and restaurants and makes for a good place to eat dinner after a long day at the park. This is one of the best theme parks in the US, and is definitely worth a visit if you like movies. You can purchase tickets using the link below. But there’s one more theme park worth mentioning and visiting while you’re in town, and it might just be the most recognizable theme park not just in LA, but possibly in the entire world.

Klook.com

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Varies by Day.

Hours: Varies by Day

Feel the Magic at the Disneyland Resort

Los Angeles 2 Day itinerary Disneyland

The undisputed Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland is the second most visited theme park in the world, after Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Opening in 1955, it created the blueprint for the modern theme park, which has been utilized in Disney’s 11 other parks scattered all over the world. Filled with classic rides and experiences, this resort is spread across two theme parks: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure or DCA, and the Downtown Disney District, as well as three resort hotels.

Disneyland Must-Sees

If you can only visit one park, I would recommend visiting Disneyland. But if you can afford the $60 dollars extra it’ll cost to park hop, it might be worth your while to go to both parks in the same day. The headliner rides you should ride at Disneyland are Space Mountain, It’s a Small Word, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the Matterhorn, Peter Pan’s Flight, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Alice in Wonderland, Big Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Disneyland’s nighttime fireworks show is also a highlight, as is their parade.

Disney California Adventure Must-Sees

Highlights in DCA include Soarin Over the World, Grizzly River Run, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Goofy’s Sky School, the Incredicoaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, Web Slingers, Monsters Inc: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, and Radiator Springs Racers. DCA’s multimedia fountain show World of Color is also deserving of your time. I would also recommend getting the Lightning Lane Multi Pass to shorten the amount of time you wait in line.

Normally I would recommend spending 3-4 days at the resort, but you can do most of the highlights in one day. Be sure to try the food as well, such as the Birria Tacos in San Fransokyo, the pastries of Jolly Holiday, and of course the world-famous churro. Try to arrive at least 45 minutes before opening to maximize your day and stay till the end of the night. Visiting Disney’s original theme park is a must-do, especially if you have enough time during your weekend in Los Angeles. Tickets and offers can be seen purchased via the link below

Klook.com

IMPORTANT INFO

Entry Fee: Varies by Day.

Hours: Varies by Day

And that’s the end of this weekend in Los Angeles itinerary! Thanks for following along. What do you think of the itinerary? Comment down below!