Los Angeles 2 Days Itinerary for the First Time Visitor

This curated Los Angeles 2 days itinerary will help you see the best of LA. If you’re planning to be in Los Angeles but don’t know what to do or where to start, look no further.

I’ve lived in the Los Angeles area my whole life and being the adventurer that I am, I’ve made it a point to check out many of the hot spots around SoCal. 

I love creating itineraries and I love to explore and be adventurous. With my organizational skills I’ve structured this itinerary so that it’s efficient and makes the most use of your time here and at the same time see some of the most popular attractions in LA in 2 days.

Because let’s face it, Los Angeles is a big place and it’s not easy to get around if you’re not familiar with this huge county. Here’s what I would recommend for a 2 day Los Angeles itinerary.

Los Angeles 2 Days Itinerary: Day 1

Stop #1: Santa Monica Pier (Option 1)

10am-1:30pm (3.5 hrs)

One of the most popular places in Los Angeles is Santa Monica. A beach city, it’s home to 3rd Street Promenade and the famous Santa Monica Pier. You could easily spend a full day here soaking up the sun, doing some shopping, eating tons of great food and riding rides. 

But with only 2 days in LA you have 3 hours to explore with this itinerary which is enough time to get to experience this fun beach area. 

Santa Monica sits where the 10 fwy, Santa Monica Blvd. and Pacific Coast Hwy meet. It’s a beautiful city with a lot of things to do and see. Here are a few places to check out while in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Pier – This iconic pier is not your normal pier. It’s really wide and long and is filled with tons of boardwalk-like attractions. There are arcade games, food vendors, carnival rides, games and street performers. At the end of the pier is also a restaurant. 

There is a large ferris wheel, roller coaster and dragon swing as well as many other small rides for kids and adults. Each ride has its own admission price or you can purchase an unlimited pass. 

They have typical carnival games such as shooting games, basketball hoop games and tossing games. Win a stuffed animal or some other fun prize. 

One thing you might not know is that Santa Monica is the end of Route 66, the famous route that starts in Chicago, Illinois and ends in Santa Monica.

You will see a lot of references to Route 66 on the pier. So snap a selfie and be sure to capture the fact that you were at the end point of Route 66.

After perusing the pier, you can enjoy some time on the beach. Layout, watch the waves, people watch or just relax. Put your toes in the sand and feel the cold waters. 

Or you can roam around 3rd Street Promenade where you can do lots of shopping. There are many stores and eating places around here.

Grab a coffee or snack. But you should grab lunch here before the next stop.

Here are some lunch recommendations:

1212 Santa Monica – Burgers, salads, pasta, happy hour, brunch and drinks. It’s a large modern restaurant that holds events with live bands and dancing. 

The Albright – Located on the pier, this place serves up all things seafood. Clam chowder in a bread bowl, seafood boil, fried shrimp, lobster rolls, oysters, calamari and fish tacos. Is there any seafood this place doesn’t have? 

Sweet Maple – Gotta try the Millionaire’s Bacon. Otherwise, be sure to have one of their special desserts after your meal.

Serving only breakfast and lunch, this place has omelets, skillets and soufflés. They also have sandwiches, burgers and some Asian inspired dishes.

Parking at Santa Monica

There are many parking structures and metered street parking. During the Summer and on weekends, Santa Monica can get pretty busy, but you will have to pay for parking. Some places will give the first 90 minutes free, so look out for those lots. 

Stop #1: Venice Beach (Option 2)

10am-1:30pm (3.5 hrs)

Venice Beach is an alternative option to Santa Monica. Luckily, they are located right next to each other. While Santa Monica is the more popular beach between the two, Venice Beach has its own unique flair that’s not to be ignored.

It’s more artsy, vintage and grungy. At Venice Beach you will see lots of art, vendors selling souvenir items, people skateboarding or roller skating and people working out. It even has boardwalk food, basketball courts and street performers. 

One thing you don’t want to miss is the skatepark. Here you can watch skateboarders ride in deep cement grooves, going from side to side and doing tricks. It’s always a place where people gather to watch people skate. 

You might see people spray painting or a group of people having a roller skate party. You never know what kind of community events are going on here. 

It’s also fun to see the famous Muscle Beach which is an outdoor gym. You can watch people work out or you can workout yourself, but there is a daily fee. 

The Boardwalk which is a 1 mile stretch along Venice Beach is a fun street to walk down to experience Venice Beach. Along the Boardwalk are lots of vendors selling souvenirs, food places and people selling their own artwork. 

If you go inland you can also visit Abbot Kinney Blvd. which is a popular street for shopping and food. You will want to eat lunch at Venice Beach so I would suggest eating around Abbot Kinney or a restaurant around the Boardwalk. 

Here are some lunch suggestions in Venice:

All’ Antico Vinaio – For some authentic Italian sandwiches, this place is legit. But be prepared to wait in line as it’s known to be quite popular. The sandwich portions are pretty good, so come with an appetite! It’s located on Abbot Kinney Blvd. 

El Huarique – How about some Peruvian food? This unassuming hole in the wall located on the Venice Boardwalk has some decent lomo saltado and rotisserie chicken. Try to snag one of their limited dining tables or take it to go.

Parking at Venice Beach

Parking is generally paid by meter. Summertime is always the most busy time of the year for beach cities as well as the weekends. Be patient during those times.

You might also be able to pay a flat rate at one of the bigger parking lots on the beach at Rose Ave. 

After a few hours at the beach, head over to The Getty.

Drive and Park: Take traffic and parking into consideration.

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

Stop #2: The Getty Center

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

The hours vary depending on the day of the week that you go to the Getty Center. If you are there one of those days where it closes later than 5:30pm, feel free to stay longer if you desire. If you are planning to be in LA on a Monday, unfortunately, it’s closed. 

The Getty Center is a beautiful, modern museum with many different galleries from medieval to modern art. It also features a manicured garden, epic scenery and various exhibitions. It extends across a huge area in the hills of LA. 

The Getty Center is free but you must make a reservation ahead of time. So make sure you make it in advance. What is not free is the parking. 

Once you park you will have to take a tram to the top which takes about 15 – 20 minutes if there is a line.

When you arrive be sure to grab a map in the Museum Entrance Hall so you can decide which galleries and exhibitions you want to see. 

Be sure to visit the Garden Terrace and the Central Garden for a beautiful landscaped area and spectacular city views. There’s even the Lower Terrace Sculpture Garden which features various sculptures.

The art exhibits range from paintings to artifacts to sculptures and drawing. So take your time but prioritize the galleries you want to see. You probably won’t get through all of them. 

When you’re ready to leave, remember you will need to take the tram back down to the parking structure so allow time for that. 

After the Getty Center, it’s time for dinner. 

Drive and Park:
5:30pm-6:15pm (up to 45 min depending on traffic)

Stop #3: Dinner

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

Dinner options…

Granville – A modern, beautiful restaurant with solid food. They serve your typical soups, salads, burgers, pasta and protein plates. But the quality of the food is good and the ambiance is superb.

Nua – If you want something more cultural, Nua provides Mediterranean and Israeli cuisine.

Shakshuka, Jerusalem bagel and charred eggplant are just some of their most popular dishes. It’s nestled in Beverly Hills so parking can be a challenge.

Chubby Curry – For an Asian flair, try Chubby Curry. Their specialty is Japanese curry, so you can get all things curry.

From chicken katsu, curry udon and stone pot wagyu curry, you’re probably going to have something curry here. 

Alternatively, you could just eat at The Grove which is the optional last stop for day 1. I don’t really recommend it simply because the options are more limited there.

But if you want to save time on driving or if you want to spend more time at The Grove, it’s definitely a possibility.

Drive and Park at the Grove

8pm-8:30pm (30 min)

Stop #4: The Grove (Optional)

8:30pm-10pm (1.5 hrs)

Depending on when you finish dinner and what day this is, The Grove can be a nice option for some evening activities.

The Grove closes anywhere from 8pm to 10pm so if it makes sense, spend some time at this popular outdoor mall with shopping and entertainment. 

It would be a great place to grab some dessert, watch a movie, people watch or just walk around. It’s a lively area with a nice family friendly atmosphere. 

Some of the stores at The Grove are Barnes & Noble, Nordstroms, Nike, Sephora and Apple.  

There is a parking structure for self-parking off of Fairfax Avenue or on The Grove Drive. Parking is paid and the rates are based on the time you spend there. 

Los Angeles 2 Days Itinerary: Day 2

Stop #1: Runyon Canyon (Optional)

8am-10am (2 hrs)

Now I know hiking is not for everyone. That’s why this was made optional. Also, after a long day the day before, maybe hiking is not the first thing you’d like to do the next day.

Whatever the case may be, some people like to get some exercise, fresh air and see nature. 

Runyon Canyon is likely the most popular hike in Los Angeles. You will see all kinds of people walking and running the trail.

It spans 160 acres across the east side of the Santa Monica Mountains.

It’s popular because it’s relatively easy, dogs are allowed and you can get some great views of the city and see the Hollywood sign from afar. You might even see a celebrity if you’re lucky!

Runyon Canyon has 3 entrances: Fuller Ave., Vista St. and Mulholland Dr. The Fuller Ave. and Vista St. entrances are on the south side which is closer to Hollywood Blvd.

And the Mulholland Dr. entrance is on the north side in the Hollywood Hills. 

There are 2 main trails in Runyon Canyon which are the West and East Trails. If you take the East Trail you can stop at Inspiration Point and Cloud’s Rest which allow you to see the Hollywood sign and a distant view of Hollywood. 

The full trail route is about 3.5 miles, but of course only do what feels comfortable to you.

Drive and Park:

10am–10:30am (allow 30 min)

Stop #2: Celebrity Homes Tour

11am-1pm (2 hrs)

When in Hollywood, you gotta do Hollywood stuff. What does that include? A celebrity homes tour. Los Angeles is the home of many celebrities.

Bordering some of the most expensive neighborhoods in the area, many bus tours take you to some of the most famous celebrities’ homes. 

Bus tours such as those put on by Starline, Access Hollywood, Big Bus Tours and Hollywood Bus Tours are the most popular. They all pretty much go to the same places and homes. 

The tour lasts about 2 hours and they take you to all the hot spots in Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

For most of these spots you just drive by such as the TCL Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, Mulholland Dr., Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive. 

Other points of interest on the tour may include Whisky A Go-Go, The Roxy, Beverly Hills sign, Capitol Records Building, Walk of Fame, movie and TV locations.

You may see the celebrity homes of Tom Cruise, Katy Perry, Leonardo DiCaprio and other big stars. 

While I generally don’t recommend a lot of tours if you can do everything in the tour yourself, I like the Celebrity Home Tours because you probably wouldn’t be able to easily find and see celebrity homes. Plus, the tour guides give extra fun facts!

The bus can be an open air bus so be sure to have your sunglasses, hat and sunblock if it’s going to be warm. 

Stop #3: Hollywood Boulevard

1pm-5pm (4 hrs)

The infamous Hollywood Blvd. should be visited at least once if you’ve never been to LA. But, honestly, you will only need to see it once in my opinion.

Why? It’s not all glitz and glamor like you might think it would be. Hollywood Blvd. is actually a bit run down, old, dirty and there are homeless people walking around. 

But this shouldn’t stop you from going there. Like I said, you should go at least once to check it out.

Hollywood Blvd. is known for the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Wax Museum, Ovation Hollywood, Pantages Theatre, El Capitan Theatre and Madame Tussauds Hollywood. 

Most of these places you can just take pictures in front of. The wax museums are cheesy in my opinion but feel free to visit them if you like.

Some of the most interesting parts of Hollywood Blvd. are the street performers and seeing the names on the Walk of Fame. 

Since you have 4 hours here, take your time exploring the area. This is enough time to visit one of the museums if you’d like as well. Grab some lunch, do some souvenir shopping and watch the street performers. 

Be sure to also check out Ovation Hollywood which is on Highland and Hollywood. It’s a large open structure filled with stores, a theater and food places. 

Check the events calendar on their website to see what else is going on there the day you’ll be there. Who knows! You might see a celebrity! 

Alternatively, if you’re interested in a tour to experience the Hollywood area but don’t want to spend it walking around on your own, check out this tour where you can see Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip, Mulholland Drive as well as spend a little time on the Walk of Fame.

Drive and Park if you would like to eat outside of Hollywood Boulevard:

5pm-5:30pm (30 min)

Stop #4: Dinner

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

If you would like to stay in the Hollywood area and not have to leave, here are some recommendations.

Musso & Frank Grill – Established in 1919 this is a very old historic steakhouse. It’s an iconic old Hollywood restaurant that has stood the test of time.

It’s a bit expensive, but if you want to dine at one of the oldest restaurants in Hollywood, this would be it.

Bollywood Grill – For some solid Indian food, try Bollywood Grill. You can get tikka masala, samosas, curry, paneer and other popular Indian dishes. 

Hard Rock Cafe – I don’t generally recommend these chain restaurants, but I wanted to point it out because some people like to visit all the Hard Rock Cafes around the world.

So while the food is average, the ambiance of seeing items worn or used by celebrities is always nostalgic. 

Yamashiro Hollywood – While this place is close to Hollywood Blvd., you have to drive up a hill to get to it. If you have a larger budget for food, this place has a beautiful Japanese ambiance that makes you feel like you’re in Japan.

The interior is intricate and the outside garden is beautiful. Because it’s in the hills, it overlooks the city. It’s definitely worth checking out. 

Drive and park:

7:30pm-8pm (30 min)

Stop #5: Griffith Observatory

8pm-10pm (2 hrs)

One of the coolest places in Los Angeles is the Griffith Observatory. Nestled on the top of Mount Hollywood is this science observatory.

It’s a big beautiful building with 3 colored domes. Inside you can tap into your inner nerd as you explore the science exhibits, look through telescopes, listen to a talk about the Tesla Coil exhibit and maybe even see a show at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. 

It’s free to enter and it’s totally family friendly. Kids will love learning about the planets and stars and interact with the exhibits.

Food and drinks are not allowed inside. However, they are allowed outside. You can also grab something at their cafe. 

While Griffith Observatory is free, parking may not be. All the closest parking is paid and it’s not easy to get a space.

Due to the Observatory’s popularity, it gets really crowded. There is free parking in the lower lots and you can take a shuttle to get to the top. But if you’re willing to break a sweat you can walk to the top from the parking lot. 

An important note to consider is that Griffith Observatory is closed on Mondays. So if your ‘Day 2’ is set for Monday, consider switching the days so this becomes day 1.

You really don’t want to miss this place. It’s one of the best things to do in LA at night. 

A 2 Days in Los Angeles Food Experience You Don’t Want to Miss

What is one place that Los Angeles is known for when it comes to food that’s super popular but only (or mostly) exists in SoCal? In-N-Out. Yeah, that place is bomb.

There’s a reason why their drive thru lines always go around the corner and why it’s super busy. There’s something about In-N-Out burgers that make you always want to come back for more.

Their prices are reasonable and it’s always fun to order off their secret menu. If you want to act like a local, look up their secret menu and order off of there.

I always order a hamburger with double meat, animal style and an extra toasted bun. But that’s just me. Animal style is basically grilled onions. Their secret sauce brings all the flavors together and it’s one big party in your mouth. 

The fries are not my favorite, but I don’t hate them. And if you like shakes, they also serve those as well.

So during your 2 days in Los Angeles you may want to grab some In-N-Out for lunch. I didn’t put it in this L.A. itinerary but you can always substitute it for one of the options. 

Ok. I said my 2 cents about that one. Now we can move on. 

Los Angeles 2 Days Itinerary FAQ

Is 2 days enough to see Los Angeles?

I would say that a 2 day trip to Los Angeles is not really enough to experience this vast city.

There’s just so much to do and see here that 2 days is just a short snippet of what LA has to offer. I would recommend a minimum of 3 or 4 days. 

Can you visit LA without a car?

Yes, you can visit LA without a car. But this means you would have to rely on either public transportation or use Uber/Lyft or a taxi. 

Depending on the day and time of day, if traffic is really bad or if you want to travel long distances or if you are traveling to many places, using rideshares or taxis will get very expensive.

It’s better to use this type of transportation if you have 2-3 people with you to split the fares or if you are ok with splurging on transportation. 

Alternatively, public transportation can be skittish and not really recommended. Using public transportation can take a long time to get from place to place if you have to change buses or make a transfer. 

The Metro does not have an extensive route and can be a bit sketchy so only travel on the Metro during the day. Some routes are better to use than others. 

The benefit of being without a car is that you don’t have to pay any parking fees which can also add up and you don’t have to look for parking. 

The benefit of renting a car is you can control when and where you go. You have the ultimate freedom with a car. Of course the downside is parking fees and having to deal with traffic.

How can I spend my perfect day in LA?

See the itinerary above. You can also see my Los Angeles 1 day itinerary and 3 day Los Angeles itinerary which adds on other attractions such as Universal Studios and Downtown LA. 

What month is good to go to Los Angeles?

Like most places, the spring and fall tend to be the best months to visit Los Angeles as these months offer the best weather and fewer crowds. A mild winter can work well too. 

Summer is probably the worst time as it’s the most crowded and hot.

Where to stay as a tourist in Los Angeles?

The best cities to stay in Los Angeles are Santa Monica, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. These are the best places to stay in terms of safety and location. 

FOUND Hotel, Santa Monica

• Great location – 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.

How do I enjoy LA on a budget?

The best way to enjoy Los Angeles on a budget is to watch your spending when it comes to accommodations, transportation and food. 

For saving on transportation, it’s best to not travel to too many places and stay in an area where there is a lot to do so you don’t have to rent a car or take an Uber or Lyft very often or very far. You could take public transportation if the distance is not too far as well. 

Staying around Santa Monica and then enjoying this area and Venice Beach is a good location. Or staying around West Hollywood is a good location as well where you are close to Hollywood, Melrose and Beverly Hills. There are a lot of things to do here so you won’t have to travel far.

For saving on accommodations, staying at lower end hotels or hostels can help save money. If possible, travel with someone whom you wouldn’t mind sharing a room with to split costs. 

For saving on food, only eat at places where the food is cheap. It can help to buy groceries for snacks in between meals so you don’t have to over indulge during your main meals if you go to a restaurant.

And perhaps limit your meals to two meals a day instead of 3. Look for food deals. There are deals going on all the time such as Happy Hour specials or drink specials. 

What should I wear in LA?

What you should wear in LA depends on the weather. It can get chilly and nights can be chilly as well. But it can also get really hot such as in the middle of summer.

Check the weather to be prepared. But if you are planning to walk a lot, bring a good pair of walking shoes. If it’s sunny, bring sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen. 

People dress pretty casual, but if you have plans to go somewhere nice, plan to have some nicer clothes as well. 

What’s the safest area in Los Angeles?

Santa Monica, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills are the safest areas in Los Angeles to stay as a tourist.

What month is rainy in Los Angeles?

Wet season is in the winter. But the rainiest months are generally January through March.

There have been years where Los Angeles winters are dry and there have been winters where the winters are quite wet. It’s a bit unpredictable. But I’d say it’s more dry than wet most of the time. 

What month is the hottest in Los Angeles?

August is the hottest month while July and September are a close second and third.

Sometimes the weather can get into the 100’s so be prepared with sunblock, hats and sunblock if you come these months. A portable electric fan might be nice too. 

Final Thoughts for this 2 Days Los Angeles Itinerary

There are many things to do in LA for 2 days, but of course you can only fit so many things in. The difficulty with traveling around LA is that everything is very spread out and traffic can get really bad.

It really can take you forever to get from one place to the other. If possible, it’s always best to rent a car to give you the most flexibility.

Yes, it will be expensive, but if your budget provides, you really want to maximize your time here. 

To see Los Angeles in 2 days, this LA travel itinerary allows you to see the most important places that tourists should see at least once in their lifetime.

If you can, come during the spring or fall when weather is the best and the crowds are more moderate. Also, come during the week instead of on a weekend. If you do this, this Los Angeles 2 day itinerary will be much easier to follow and enjoy. 

Of course, you may not want or be able to do everything in this 2 day LA itinerary, but you choose the places that are more interesting to you.

There are many other places to visit in Los Angeles in 2 days such as downtown Los Angeles, Universal Studios, Malibu and the list goes on and on, but of course something will have to be removed from the current L A itinerary as it stands. 

If you’re looking to stay longer, check out my other Los Angeles itinerary articles….

3 Day Itinerary Los Angeles

4 Day Itinerary Los Angeles

5 Day Itinerary Los Angeles