An Unforgettable 4 Day Los Angeles Itinerary Full of Adventure

In this itinerary I will break down in detail the best 4 day Los Angeles itinerary that I can that’s efficient and allows you to see popular attractions, eat fantastic food and most of all, help to make your Los Angeles trip itinerary seamless. 

4 days in Los Angeles is a good amount of time to spend in this vast city if it’s your first time. But how should you spend each day in order to maximize your time and see the most important attractions? 

Luckily, I’ve lived in the Los Angeles area my whole life. I’ve been there, done that and have visited many places here. Some are worth your time. Others you could save for another trip. 

4 Day Los Angeles Itinerary: Day 1

Stop #1: Santa Monica Plier (Option 1)

10am-1:30pm (3.5 hrs)

Santa Monica is one of the most popular places to visit in Los Angeles. Located where the 10 fwy, Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Santa Monica Blvd. meet, there is a lot to see and do in this beach city. 

Santa Monica is home to the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade and the beach. You could spend a whole day here but 3.5 hours is actually enough time to explore this area. 

Santa Monica Pier is a must see attraction. The pier itself is huge and extends out over the Pacific Ocean. Long and wide, it houses a number of shops, rides and restaurants.

There are souvenir shops, an indoor carousel and an arcade hall. The pier is a great place to bring the whole family as there’s something for everyone. 

If you’re into rides, there’s a rollercoaster, dragon swing, ferris wheel and many smaller rides. Each ride has a fare or you can buy a day pass for unlimited rides. You can also play carnival games and win prizes. 

If you want a bite to eat, the pier has many food places. Choose from seafood, hot dogs, pizza or dine in at a restaurant. You will also see many performers for some quick entertainment. 

The pier gets very crowded, especially on the weekends but it’s because there’s so much to do on the pier!

An interesting fact about Santa Monica is that it’s the end of Route 66 which is a popular transportation route that starts from Chicago, Illinois and spans across the United States.

Since it ends in Santa Monica, there are some signs that reference that it’s the end of Route 66. Be sure to take a picture in front of a sign!

On the mainland, there is a big outdoor area filled with shops and restaurants. This is called Third Street Promenade. It’s a popular destination for shopping, eating and just people watching. The older part of Third Street is the area with the single story buildings. 

The newer part of Third Street Promenade is a shopping center that’s several stories high. Take your time to explore both of these areas and while you’re at it, grab some lunch. 

Here are some lunch recommendations:

1212 Santa Monica – This place is popular. It’s large and it’s good. They are only open for lunch on the weekends so if you’re here on a weekday you’ll be out of luck. They serve burgers, salads, pasta and they even have a happy hour. It’s a modern vibey restaurant. 

The Albright – Located on the pier, choose from every type of seafood you can think of. Clam chowder? They’ve got it. Fried shrimp, seafood boil, oysters, fish tacos and more can all be found here. 

Sweet Maple – The draw at Sweet Maple is their Millionaire’s Bacon. It’s sweet and salty in one and it’s irresistible. With a nice selection of breakfast items, they also serve some Korean dishes, sandwiches, burgers and salads. For dessert, save room for their baked goods such as their crepe cakes.

Parking in Santa Monica is likely paid. There are many paid structures as well as metered parking. Some places will give you 90 minutes free so you can take advantage of that. But be aware that after the 90 minutes is up, the cost goes up quickly! 

Stop #1: Venice Beach (Option 2)

10am-1:30pm (3.5 hrs)

The second option, instead of going to Santa Monica, is Venice Beach. Venice Beach is actually right next to Santa Monica but the vibe is completely different. While Santa Monica is an upscale, trendy city, Venice Beach is more laid back and grungy but artsy. 

There are many points of interest at Venice Beach, each one being quite unique making this place a good secondary option.

For starters, check out the skate park. You can watch amateur skaters glide up and down through cement peaks and curves. See them do tricks and practice their moves. You might also see bike riders here as well. 

You will want to check out Muscle Beach which is an outdoor workout area where people can go to use machines, lift weights and flex their muscles. Regular people can work out there as well but you will have to pay a fee. People who work out here generally have a membership. 

Spanning along Venice Beach is the Boardwalk. This is a 1 mile stretch along the beach that has souvenir stores and food vendors that line the area. Check out all of the nick knacks, t-shirts, souvenirs and carnival food.

Also, check out all of the artists who set up shop along the Boardwalk and sell their art. Some of the art pieces are quite amazing!

Of course, be sure to check out the beach area as well. Relax, dip your toes in the water or take a walk along the beach. It’s quite nice!

If you go further inland and don’t mind a short walk, check out Abbot Kinney Blvd. This is a popular street filled with upscale shops and restaurants. It gets quite busy during the weekend as people are out and about. But it’s fun to wander and explore this area. 

While you’re in Venice Beach, grab some lunch.

Here are some recommendations:

El Huarique – Peruvian food located on the Boardwalk. Lomo saltado, empanadas, rotisserie chicken and Peruvian tacos are just some of the delectable dishes on their menu. It’s a small place so don’t miss it!

All’ Antico Vinaio – Authentic Italian sandwiches can be found here. But beware there might be a line as this place is popular. There are many sandwich options and the portion sizes are quite big. 

Parking in Venice Beach can be difficult especially on weekends and during the summer. There are many small lots with metered parking. There is street parking if you can find it. There is also a large parking lot near the beach with a flat rate fee near Rose Ave.

After lunch head to the next stop, The Getty Center.

Drive and Park:

1:30pm-2:15pm (allow 45 min)

Stop #2: The Getty Center

2:15pm-5:30pm (3 hrs 15 min)

A modern museum, it sits on top of the Santa Monica Mountains. With many galleries, several gardens and a spectacular view of the city, The Getty Center is a beautiful place to relax, unwind and dive into art. 

The nice thing about the Getty is that admission is free. You will need to make a reservation online ahead of time so be sure to do that before going. Sometimes it can sell out. 

Be aware that parking is not free. Once parked, you will need to take a tram up the hill to the main area.

Here you will walk up some stairs to the Museum Entrance Hall. From medieval to modern art, be sure to pick up a map here and decide ahead of time what you want to see first. 

One thing you don’t want to miss during the day are the gardens. Walk through the iconic Garden Terrace and Central Garden and don’t miss the Lower Terrace Sculpture Garden. From the gardens you can get a spectacular view of the city. 

One thing to note is that the Getty Center is closed on Mondays. Also, every day except Saturday it closes at 5:30pm. On Saturday it closes at 8pm.  

When done, make your way back down and take the tram back to the parking structure. 

It’s time for dinner! Driving anywhere in LA can eat away at your time, so I’m giving 45 minutes to get to the restaurant. 

Drive and Park:

5:30pm-6:15pm (45 min)

Stop #3: Dinner

6:15pm-8pm (1 hr 45 min)

There are many great places to eat in Los Angeles. However, since the optional next stop is the Grove, I chose some places that are on the way. You could eat at the Grove. That’s definitely an option, but to be honest, there aren’t a lot of great restaurant options there. It’s better to eat off site. 

Here are some dinner recommendations:

Granville – Granville has several locations across Los Angeles. They all have a nice ambiance. Their food is good and it consists of New American food like burgers, salads, pasta and soups. They also have a nice selection of cocktails and drinks.  

Nua – Located in Beverly Hills, this Jewish upscale restaurant has a fairly small menu but good food. Get some sharables and enjoy a nice Israeli meal.  

Chubby Curry – For Japanese, this place specializes in curry. Get tonkatsu, udon, a burger or even a stone pot with curry. Japanese curry is a nice comfort food that warms the belly and makes you feel good and satisfied.

Drive and Park:
8pm-8:30pm (allow 30 min)

Stop #4: The Grove (Optional)

8:30pm-10pm (1.5 hrs)

The Grove is marked as an optional last stop because it closes anywhere from 8pm to 10pm depending on the day. But if you’re there on a day where it closes at 10pm, perhaps it’s worth checking out. 

The Grove is a modern outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment center. There’s a theater, restaurants, stores for shopping and various events that take place. It’s family friendly and lots of room for kids to run around. 

It can get very crowded on the weekends so be prepared for lots of people. At the Grove you can get dessert, have a cocktail, people watch or shop. Or watch a movie! It’s a nice place to walk around and enjoy one of LA’s hot spots. 

Of course, you will have to pay for parking. Parking is based on time so keep an eye on the clock. Don’t lose your ticket or you’ll end up paying the maximum day rate.

4 Day Los Angeles Itinerary: Day 2

Stop #1: Runyon Canyon (Optional)

8am-10am (2 hrs)

Runyon Canyon is probably the most popular hiking trail in Los Angeles. Located on the east side of the Santa Monica Mountains, it’s a great place to get some exercise, see some nature and maybe celebrities. You can even see the Hollywood sign from afar.

What Runyon Canyon is not is a place to get away from people. It is a very busy and like I said popular hike, so expect for there to be a lot of people. 

The full hike is about 3.5 miles which goes in a big loop but you can definitely shorten it to whatever you’d like. Given that I’ve put aside 2 hours to do this hike, this should be a good amount of time to do the full hike. But if you want to take it easy, you can do the East Trail only which is the shorter hike and the one that allows you to see the Hollywood sign.

The trail is considered moderate in difficulty and dogs are allowed as long as they are leashed. Also, there are no bathrooms there so do your business before you get there. 

There are 3 entrances to Runyon Canyon: Fuller Ave., Vista St. and Mulholland Dr. To put it in perspective, Fuller Ave. and Vista St. are on the south side while Mulholland Dr. is on the North side in the Hollywood Hills. 

You will want to park around the south side around Fuller Ave. Parking can be difficult as there’s no designated parking area for Runyon Canyon. All parking is street parking. Just be sure to check all the signs before parking. 

There is an East Trail and West Trail. The East Trail has 2 stops, Inspiration Point and Cloud’s Rest. As you head from Inspiration Point to Cloud’s Rest  you can see the Hollywood sign from afar. If it’s a clear day, at Inspiration Point you can see downtown Los Angeles and even Catalina Island!

Runyon Canyon was made an optional stop because not everyone likes to hike and maybe you want to sleep in a little instead of getting sweaty first thing in the morning. Whatever the case, if you enjoy hiking, this could be a good option for you.

Drive and Park:

10am-10:30am (allow 30 min)

Stop #2: Celebrity Homes Tour

11am-1pm (2 hrs)

Seeing celebrities is one thing people think about when coming to Los Angeles. But what about being able to see their homes? Taking a celebrity home tour is a fun way to get a sneak peak into the lives of big celebrities. 

I don’t always recommend tours, but I feel a celebrity home tour is not something you could easily do on your own. This type of tour is put on by various companies and they tend to go to the same places.

Some of the tour companies that give celebrity home tours are Starline, Access Hollywood, Big Bus Tours and Hollywood Bus Tours. Most of these tours operate in an open air tour bus with a guide. They will pass by a number of spots such as TCL Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, Mulholland Dr., Sunset Strip, Rodeo Dr., West Hollywood, Melrose Ave. and more. 

You might also pass by Whiskey A Go-Go, The Roxy, Beverly Hills sign, Capitol Records Building, Walk of Fame as well as various television and movie set locations. 

As for the celebrity homes, you might see the homes of Katy Perry, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Elvis Presley, Madonna, Johnny Depp, Rihanna and the list goes on! 

Stop #3: Hollywood Boulevard

1pm-5pm (4 hrs)

After seeing some celebrity homes by bus, now is your chance to explore Hollywood Blvd. up close and personal. On Hollywood Blvd. you can see the TCL Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, the Wax Museum, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Pantages Theatre, El Capital Theatre and Madame Tussauds Hollywood. 

Yes, there are a lot of theaters but you’ll probably just want to snap a selfie in front of them and move on. Where you may spend more time is watching the street performers, visiting souvenir shops, looking at all the stars on the Walk of Fame and visiting Ovation Hollywood. 

Since you have 4 hours here, this is also a good time to grab some lunch. There are a number of fast food type places that serve burgers and pizza. 

One restaurant that has been around for a very long time is Mel’s Drive-In Hollywood. It’s always been a late night hot spot for me, but it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s a retro diner style restaurant with a classic 1950’s theme. It’s a good place to grab a quick bite and sit down in one of the older restaurants on Hollywood Blvd. 

Spend some time at Ovation Hollywood which is a large multi-level open air dining, shopping and entertainment center. It sits on the corner of Hollywood and Highland. Here you can find a variety of fast food and dine-in restaurants, stores, a bowling alley, a comedy club, arcade games, VR and more. Be sure to check out the calendar of events on the Ovation Hollywood website.

Personally, I wouldn’t recommend visiting a wax museum. To me they are a bit cheesy, but that’s just me. Some of the other museums are also old and outdated.

It would be fun to watch a movie at the TCL Chinese Theatre or possibly take a tour of it. 

As far as parking goes, you will have to pay for parking if you drive. Look for a flat rate parking lot or park at Ovation Hollywood.

You can get a pretty nice parking validation if you shop or dine at one of their indicated stores. See their website for more details.

Four hours is a good amount of time to explore Hollywood Blvd. But when you’re done, it’s time for dinner. 

Drive and Park if you’re eating away from Hollywood Blvd.

5pm-5:30pm (30 min)

Stop #4: Dinner

5:30-7:30pm (2 hrs)

Dinner can be on Hollywood Blvd. or somewhere off the main street. But it shouldn’t be too far from the next stop. Here are some recommendations both on Hollywood Blvd. and one special place on top of the hill. 

Musso & Frank Grill – One of Hollywood’s oldest restaurants. Their specialty is steak but you can also get scallops, pork chops and fish. It’s cool to say you’ve dined in a famous Hollywood restaurant, but it’s pricey though so be sure it meets your budget.  

Bollywood Grill – If you like Indian food, this place has all your typical Indian food such as Tikka masala, samosas, curry, paneer and korma. Get out of Hollywood and into Bollywood! 

Hard Rock Cafe – If you’re one of those people that like to visit all the Hard Rock Cafe restaurants, there is one here. The menu is typical of Hard Rock but you’ll see all the memorabilia of Hollywood stars. 

Yamashiro Hollywood – For dining outside of Hollywood Blvd. Yamashiro’s has one of the most beautiful views and decor. Sitting on top of a hill in Hollywood Heights, is a Japanese inspired designed restaurant.

The outside has a beautiful Japanese garden landscape and the inside of the restaurant makes you feel like you’re in Japan. If you want to go here, make a reservation ahead of time. It’s expensive so be prepared for that. 

Drive and Park:
7:30-8pm (allow 30 min)

Stop #5: Griffith Observatory

8pm-10pm (2 hrs)

Sitting on top of Mount Hollywood is the famous Griffith Observatory. If you like science, you will appreciate this place. It’s a highly recognized Los Angeles building.

With a modern design, white exterior walls and 3 black domes on top, this place helps you to explore the stars and dig deep into science. 

Inside Griffith Observatory you can explore science exhibits, see telescopes, watch a show or experience the Tesla Coil.

What’s also nice is that it’s free to get in. But if you want to see a show at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, this will cost extra. 

The difficult part about this place is that parking is hard. If you want to park close to the Observatory you will have to pay for parking and you may be waiting a long time to get one of these limited spots. 

But you can park for free at a lower lot. If you park at the lower lot you can wait for their shuttle to come get you, but the shuttles don’t run super frequently. You may be waiting a while. Or you can walk from the lower lot to the top. 

So while it’s not impossible to park around Griffith Observatory, it is not easy. So be sure to allow enough time to drive, park and walk to the entrance.

This place is busy all day long and draws a lot of crowds especially on the weekends and during the summer. 

Food and drinks are not allowed inside but you can eat and drink outside on the lawn.

Also, it’s important to note that Griffith Observatory is closed on Mondays. So make sure this day does not fall on a Monday. 

4 Day Los Angeles Itinerary: Day 3

Stop #1: Universal Studios Hollywood

Full Day (12+ hours)

Universal Studios Hollywood is one of 5 parks around the world. The only one on the west coast of the United States, Universal Studios is an amusement park with a lot of exciting attractions and many things to see and do. 

This park is different from other amusement parks in that the focus is not so much on roller coasters but more on experiences. Universal Studios puts a huge emphasis on simulator and virtual reality rides. While they are fun, not everyone can handle them and the possibility of motion sickness is real. 

If you are prone to motion sickness, it’s best to either come prepared and take some dramamine or avoid some of these rides depending on how affected you get by virtual reality type rides. There are some rides that can make you more sick than others so I’ll mention those. 

This place is big and gets super crowded on weekends, during the summer and on holidays so you’ll want to prioritize your time. You will want to spend at least one day here to see everything. 

The park is divided into different lands. These are Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Minion Land, Studio Tour, Springfield, Transformers Metrobase, WaterWorld, Hollywood and Production Plaza. Each land has their own unique rides and attractions. 

Super Nintendo World

The newest land is Super Nintendo World. See Mario, Luigi, the Princess, Bowser and all the Super Mario Bros. characters. You will want to do Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge which is an interactive game where you use VR goggles to throw shells and collect coins. 

You can dine at Toadstool Cafe if you’re hungry or just engage with the land itself with their interactive activities.

Universal Studios also has an early access ticket add-on where you can get into Super Nintendo World 1 hour before the park opens. 

This land gets really busy especially as the day goes on since it’s the newest land. It could be worth it to pay the extra $20. Or get to the park when it opens and go straight to Super Nintendo World to try to beat the crowds.

Also, it’s important to note that in order to collect coins and play certain games in Super Nintendo World you need to buy a Power-Up Band. 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Second most popular land is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, you can appreciate the land for the Hogwarts castle, the wand store, Hogsmeade shops and butterbeer.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a ride in this land that combines both motion and simulation. I have to say that this ride is especially bad for anyone with even a slight tendency toward motion sickness. While it’s actually a pretty cool ride, I would skip it if you’re prone because it will ruin the rest of your day. 

Instead opt for the Flight of the Hippogriff which is an easy kid friendly roller coaster or try their butterbeer. It’s alcohol free. There are a lot of fun things to see in this land so don’t miss it. 

Jurassic World

If you like dinosaurs and Jurassic Park, you’ll like this land. Jurassic World – The Ride is not a simulator ride but you might get wet. For the kids, DinoPlay is a fun playground made of dinosaur fossils. 

Minion Land

The simulator ride in this land is the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. So again, if simulator rides give you issues, maybe avoid this one. The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, Silly Swirly and Super Silly Fun Land are all great for kids and adults alike. 

Studio Tour

The most classic and must-do ride at Universal Studios is the Studio Backlot Tour. This 60 minute tour takes you behind the scenes of some of their most iconic movies. It’s a really great tour that touches upon different movie scenes and puts you in front of the camera. 

Springfield 

The Simpsons is the longest running American cartoon on television. Since its debut in 1989, the Simpsons has continued to keep its popularity. It’s only fitting that there’s a land dedicated to this iconic animated family. 

The Simpsons Ride is another simulator ride. It’s a fun ride, but that’s the only ride here really. In Springfield you can get a Krusty Burger, go to Moe’s Tavern and have a Duff Beer, shop Simpson’s merchandise and go to the Kwik E-Mart. There are games as well. 

Transformers Metrobase

The best part about this land is the Transformers: The Ride – 3D. It’s a moving ride but it incorporates 3D glasses for simulation effects. This is a pretty fun ride so if you get a chance, ride this one. 

WaterWorld

A long time ago there was a movie called WaterWorld. Well they made a live show out of it at Universal Studios and it has continued to be their longest running show. The WaterWorld show is a nice break from all the simulator rides and allows you to see all kinds of special effects and stunts.

Universal CityWalk

Universal Studios is also connected to Universal CityWalk which is a large outdoor entertainment, shopping and dining area. This is a great place to get some souvenirs, grab some dinner, watch a movie or concert. 

At minimum, be sure to take a stroll through here at the end of the day before you leave. It’s a lively place with bright lights and a lot going on.  

4 Day Los Angeles Itinerary: Day 4

Stop #1: Breakfast

9am-10am (1 hr)

You’ve explored a beach. You saw Hollywood and went to an amusement park. The last day of this itinerary revolves around Downtown Los Angeles.

Now I’m not gonna lie. Downtown LA can be skittish. It’s right next to Skid Row which is one the largest homeless populations in America. 

I’m not saying this to scare you. I’m saying this to make you aware of the situation.

But even though it’s in DTLA, there are areas that are gentrified and are being built up with nice residences, restaurants and things to do. There are many young professionals that frequent the area and hang out there every day. 

There are different parts to Downtown Los Angeles and some you can visit without much worry.

And there are other places where you should definitely avoid. It’s important to stay in the touristy areas and the gentrified areas for your safety. 

That being said, there are some places you really don’t want to miss to get the true Los Angeles experience.

A little bit of architecture, some yummy food, great museums as well as cultural and artsy experiences are what you’ll find in DTLA. 

The first stop is breakfast. Here are some options:

Grand Central Market – This is not an individual restaurant. It’s an indoor food hall with almost 40 vendors. Not all vendors serve food, but from those that do, you can get Italian, Mexican and Asian food.

There are some breakfast places that serve breakfast sandwiches, donuts and coffee. This historic landmark is Los Angeles’ oldest and largest public market.

There is a parking garage dedicated to the Grand Central Market so you can park there for fairly cheap.

Hilltop Coffee and Kitchen – If you want a place with more options, Hilltop has some breakfast sandwiches, bowls and thick cut toast.

And if you’re a coffee person, they have coffee and tea as well. The restaurant has a nice casual atmosphere. 

Bottega Louie – I really like this place, but the downside is it gets really busy. It’s best to make a reservation if you want to eat here. They have an extensive weekend brunch menu and they serve breakfast everyday.

It is a bit pricey so keep that in mind. If you like desserts and specifically macaroons, this place can satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Stop #2: Bradbury Building

10am-10:15am (15 min)

The Bradbury Building opens at 10am. If you choose to eat at the Grand Central Market, the Bradbury Building is only 1 min away.

But why visit the Bradbury Building? This historic building is an architectural landmark. It has a Victorian style architecture and it was built in 1893. 

This beautiful building has an open atrium, an iron stair and elevator and it has a unique look to it that was made for the movies. In fact, it has been featured in several movies and television shows. 

While you can go into the building, you can only access the lobby. I only dedicated 15 minutes to this place because really you’ll just look around and take pictures. And since you can’t go up the stairs or go beyond the lobby, it’s really just to look at it briefly.

There is a walking tour you can take to learn more about the Bradbury Building, other historic buildings and other important landmarks in DTLA but you’ll have to rearrange what you do for this day as the timing of the tour is not in alignment with this itinerary. 

Drive and Park at the Broad.

10:15am-10:30am (15 min)

Stop #3: Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad

10:30am-1pm (2.5 hrs)

The Broad and Walt Disney Concert Hall are right next to each other. So the best thing to do is park at the Broad and then walk over to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Why see these places? 

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a unique architectural feat. It stands out with its curved metal exterior. Inside it’s the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Here you can see concerts and other musical performances in the ‘acoustically sophisticated’ theater where you can listen to classical, jazz and contemporary music. For this day, you will only be able to view the exterior.

The Broad is a museum of modern art. While this museum also has a unique exterior architectural design, the inside is quite different. Housing over 2,000 works, you’ll find yourself tapping into your artsy side. 

The Broad has different installations, exhibits, events, performances and talks all revolving around modern and contemporary art. The best part is this museum is free, but parking is not. 

It is closed on Mondays so be sure to take that into consideration when planning your Los Angeles trip. 

Drive and Park

1pm-1:15pm (15 min)

Stop #4: Little Tokyo

1:15pm-3:30pm (2 hr 15 min)

The next stop in Downtown LA is Little Tokyo. This place is a cultural hub for all things Japanese. Lined with Japanese restaurants, gift shops, desserts, drinks and more, Little Tokyo is a gem in the heart of LA. 

But to be honest, I really don’t know how long it’s going to stay the way it is currently. While it’s been around for about 140 years, some of the restaurants that have been established for years have been shut down due to gentrification. It’s best to visit this place while you can. 

Little Tokyo is one of 3 official Japan towns in the United States. If you love Japanese culture, you’ll want to stop by. 

If you’re interested in history, there is a Japanese American National Museum where you can learn more about the Japanese-American experience since the 1800s.

You will find all kinds of documents, objects and photos throughout the years, including World War II and the Japanese incarceration camps. 

Little Tokyo holds many events. The biggest one of all is their Nisei Week Festival that happens every August.

If you’re lucky to experience this, you can watch taiko drum performances, see their pageant activities, watch other traditional Japanese entertainment and eat lots of Japanese food. Of course, it will be very busy, but this only happens once a year. 

Use this time to also grab lunch. Here are some recommendations:

Kaminari Gyoza Bar – Do you like gyoza? Aka dumplings? The menu is simple, but gyoza is a simple type of food. Choose from different fillings, cooking style and different sauces and sides. Gyoza is a Japanese comfort food and you really can’t go wrong here!

Rice & Nori – If you don’t know, nori means seaweed in Japanese. So this place is everything rice and seaweed with different fillings and toppings. You can either get onigiri (rice balls) with different fillings or more sushi-like handrolls. 

Marugame Monzo – For something more substantial, Marugame will get you full. Specializing in udon (thick noodles), you can get one of their famous udon dishes or a rice bowl. But I’d definitely recommend the udon. These hearty noodles will hit the spot. 

For parking, there are paid lots and structures. If possible, find a place with a flat rate parking fee and then just walk to the Arts District afterwards.

Try to park between Little Tokyo and the Arts District if you are going to do that. It will save you time and money. 

Drive and Park

3:30pm-3:45pm (15 min)

Stop #5: Arts District

3:45pm-7pm+ (3+ hours)

The Arts District is an eclectic place. It’s filled with breweries, art spaces, shops, restaurants, bars and more. It has become more and more gentrified over the years.

Many new housing developments have been created and it’s become a more popular place for young professionals to hang out. 

That being said, there are a variety of things to do here. Everyone has different interests so I’ll just give a few recommendations for activities and you can see which one(s) you are drawn to. 

Angel City Brewery – This is one of the most popular breweries in DTLA. With a large selection of craft beers, you can enjoy a drink and also enjoy art. While they don’t sell food, you are more than welcome to bring in outside food. So have a beer, eat food and be merry!

EightyTwo – A fun barcade, you can have a drink, play arcade games, listen to music or just lounge. This place is popping on the weekends and is a fun place to socialize.

You can play vintage pinball games and vintage arcade games. EightyTwo is free to get in and closed on Mondays.

Two Bit Circus – This is another place to play games, but these are different games. These are the arcade games you would normally think of when you think of arcades.

However, this place is currently closed and I’m unsure when they will be opening back up. Check the website for more details. 

Hauser & Wirth – If you’re looking for more art, this art venue features art installations, art events, exhibitions and learning activities.

Formerly a flour mill, Hauser & Wirth has a restaurant, a vegetable garden, shops and different events going on. They have locations all over the world. It’s closed on Mondays.

LA Boulders – If you want some physical activity, this may be a good option. LA Boulders allows you to challenge yourself to some indoor rock climbing. Great for all ages, you can get your workout on.

Downtown LA can be difficult to navigate, especially since everything is spread out. If you don’t want to hassle with having to figure out where all of these places are, you may opt for a tour like this one which takes you to many of the places I listed above.

Tour Option: Downtown LA

When it comes to dinner, there are a number of restaurants and options. Here are a couple of good ones. 

Propaganda Wine Bar – While this place has a large selection of wines, they also have a number of yummy pizzas, charcuterie boards and side dishes. Consider making a reservation on busy weekend nights or if you have a larger party.

LOQUI – For more casual flair and a hipster vibe, this Mexican restaurant has tacos and bowls. You can also get sides and some Mexican drinks. It’s a simple menu, but if you’re not looking for something too over the top, this place will do. 

4 Day Los Angeles Itinerary: Where to Stay

FOUND Hotel, Santa Monica

• Great location – it’s just a few miles from Third Street Promenade and the Getty Center.
• Beautiful decor – rooms are gorgeous, clean and modern.
• 4 twin bed option – a rare option in any hotel. This is great for friends traveling together.

Ziggy Hotel, West Hollywood

• Great location – located on the famous Sunset Strip.
• Fun vibe – features a large pool and live music and artsy decor.
• Comfortable & clean – rooms are spacious with nice beds.

4 Day Los Angeles Itinerary: FAQ

Is 4 nights enough in LA?

4 nights is a good amount of time to get a peek of Los Angeles. LA is so big and so spread out that you really need to factor in transportation time, traffic and waiting time into all the activities.

That being said, if your goal is to get a general overview of LA, then 4 nights is adequate. But if you want to experience a lot of what there is to do here, you will need more than 4 nights. It all depends on what your goals are for visiting LA. 

How much money do you need for 4 days in LA?

This depends on where you plan to stay, where you plan to visit, the activities you plan to do, the types of food establishments you plan to frequent and your mode of transportation. The spending possibilities are vast. 

Los Angeles is a pretty expensive place to visit, but you can travel here on a budget and not break the bank. But I think it would be very difficult to travel here for under $100/day. 

How can I spend my perfect day in LA?

To know how to spend your day in LA, take a look at my other Los Angeles itineraries. You can see my 1 day, 2 day, 3 day itineraries. The schedule and ordering of activities have been thought out and curated in a way that makes the most of your days and allows you to see the best of LA in a short period of time. 

What month is best for LA?

If you’re talking about weather, this would be in the Spring or Fall. If you’re talking about affordability, this would be in the Winter after the holidays.

Summer months are probably the most popular but also the worst months to visit LA due to the higher temperatures and larger crowds.

What is the cheapest time of year to go to LA?

The cheapest time of year to visit Los Angeles is in the Winter after the holidays. This time of year is cooler and can be rainy. It’s a less popular time to visit. 

Do you need a car?

I highly recommend renting a car or to at least use Uber or Lyft. Public transportation can be unsafe, unreliable and take a long time to get from place to place.

While renting a car can be expensive when you add everything up such as gas and parking, it allows the most flexibility.

Renting a car is also the best choice if you want to do a 4 day California road trip or something of that nature. Renting a car is also good if you want to go from Los Angeles to San Diego or travel longer distances. 

Los Angeles is really large and to get from place to place can take 30+ minutes depending on traffic and how far you are going.

Uber or Lyft will also be expensive but at least you won’t have to worry about paying for parking, finding parking and dealing with traffic. You also don’t have to worry about filling up the car with gas before you return it.  

Is LA walkable?

No. Los Angeles is very large and spread out. You can walk within a small area, but for the most part to get from A to B you will have to get there by car or some other mode of transportation. 

How do I enjoy LA on a budget?

For the most part your costs will be dedicated to accommodations, flights, food, transportation and entertainment.

By making compromises on each of these categories you can stick to a budget. Depending on how small or large the budget is, as long as you can find comfort in any sacrifices, you can enjoy everything LA has to offer. 

Is Santa Monica expensive to visit?

Santa Monica is an expensive city. Hotels and food are pretty expensive here. But you can visit Santa Monica and not stay there. You can also eat in Santa Monica and not over extend yourself. There are cheaper eateries around. You could simply walk around and enjoy the environment pretty cheaply.

So yes and no. It’s expensive if you do all the expensive things in Santa Monica. But it can be an affordable visit if you choose where to spend your money. 

Is Downtown worth visiting?

Yes, Downtown LA is worth a visit. It’s such an eclectic place and the vibe there is different from other places in Los Angeles. It’s cultural, artsy and bustling. There’s some unique architecture, some great restaurants and many things to do there. 

You just need to pay attention to your surroundings as there are many homeless people around. Stay in the touristy areas and don’t stray away from there.

4 Day Los Angeles Itinerary: Final Thoughts

This itinerary for Los Angeles in 4 days takes you to a variety of places that allow you to get a good overview of what this huge area has to offer.

Everything in this itinerary is family friendly. Kids to teenagers to adults can find pleasure in all of the activities laid out in this LA itinerary.

Los Angeles is just a big melting pot of everything combined in one. But it’s very big and not easy to get around and there are many homeless people here which can hinder your experience.

Given this, you might ask yourself ‘ is a 4 day vacation long enough for Los Angeles ‘ and the answer would be no if you want to see everything LA has to offer. But you make do with what you can. 

LA is not perfect by any means. It has many problems and it’s not tourist friendly, but it’s probably the best place for food options, quality and variety. You really can get every type of food from every type of cuisine which makes this place so culturally rich and interesting. 

I hope this LA trip itinerary helps you plan your vacation. You can use this as your Los Angeles vacation planning guide and make it your own. If you have any questions please reach out to me at info@funcaliforniaitineraries.com

So that’s 4 days in Los Angeles. In 4 days you get to experience a little bit of everything and the most popular attractions in Los Angeles.

Of course, there’s still more to see. If you have time to spend more than 4 days, check out my Los Angeles itinerary 5 days which includes a day trip to Malibu, one of the most beautiful beaches in SoCal.

Or for even longer stay check out my Los Angeles itinerary 7 days.

Or for shorter time frames check out these Los Angeles itinerary travel guides:

Los Angeles Itinerary 1 Day

Los Angeles Itinerary 2 Days

Los Angeles Itinerary 3 Days