Los Angeles in 2, 3 or 4 Days: Can You Do It for US$16? One Plan, Grouped by Area

Three days: the default plan

Los Angeles is too big to walk between districts, so this plan gives each area its own day: Hollywood and Griffith Park, Downtown, then the coast. Reserve the Getty Center’s free entry first if you are adding a fourth day.

1. Day 1: Hollywood and Griffith Park — the Walk of Fame, then Griffith Observatory for the view.
2. Day 2: Downtown LA — Grand Central Market, the Broad and El Pueblo, all near Union Station.
3. Day 3: the coast — Santa Monica Pier, then the Venice Beach boardwalk and canals.
4. Fourth day, if you have it: the Getty Center, its own hilltop half or full day.
5. Before you fly: reserve the Getty Center’s free timed entry if you are staying four days.
6. Day order: avoid Monday for day two and for a Getty day; Griffith Observatory’s building is also closed that day.

Day 1: Hollywood and Griffith Park, US$6

Day one is free except for transit. Start on the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s sidewalk stars, then ride the Metro B Line and a DASH bus up to Griffith Observatory for the view and the free telescopes.

The Observatory’s building closes on Mondays, though the park and grounds around it stay open daily.

See or book a Griffith Park hike →

1. Morning: walk Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street for the Walk of Fame’s stars. There is no fixed route.
2. Take the Metro B Line to the Vermont/Sunset station.
3. Transfer to the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus, which runs every 20 to 25 minutes.
4. See the free telescopes and planetarium exhibits, then the view over the city and the Hollywood Sign.
5. Time it for a clear evening if the view is the point. The building is busiest at sunset.
6. Evening: DASH and the B Line back, or a rideshare down the hill.

Day 2: Downtown LA, US$5

Day two stays within walking distance of Union Station. Grand Central Market, the Broad and El Pueblo de Los Angeles sit close enough together to cover on foot, all free to enter.

The Broad’s general admission needs no ticket, though a reserved time online beats a walk-up queue at busy periods.

See or book a Downtown LA food tour →

1. Morning: Union Station, then El Pueblo de Los Angeles and Olvera Street across the street.
2. Walk to Grand Central Market on Broadway for lunch from one of its stalls.
3. Reserve a free timed ticket for the Broad online, or try a walk-up slot.
4. See the Broad’s collection, then Walt Disney Concert Hall next door from outside.
5. Afternoon: the Arts District’s galleries and murals are a short rideshare or bus away.
6. Evening: Metro rail back toward Hollywood or the coast.

Day 3: Santa Monica and Venice, US$5

Day three is the one day this plan does not need a car. The Metro E Line runs straight into Santa Monica, and Venice’s Ocean Front Walk is a coastal stroll south from the pier.

Both the pier and the boardwalk are free. Only Pacific Park’s rides on the pier sell separately.

See or book a Santa Monica and Venice bike tour →

1. Morning: the Metro E Line to Downtown Santa Monica station, then walk to the pier.
2. Walk Santa Monica Pier for the view and the 1916 carousel.
3. Ride Pacific Park’s rides only if you want them. Buy tickets online before you queue.
4. Walk south along Ocean Front Walk into Venice for the street performers and vendors.
5. Detour inland a few blocks to the Venice Canal Historic District for the quiet version.
6. Evening: a rideshare or bus back to Santa Monica for the E Line home.

If you have two days

With two days, keep day one as written: Hollywood and Griffith Park. Compress day two into a Downtown morning and a Santa Monica afternoon, dropping the Broad, El Pueblo and Venice.

1. Day 1: as written — the Walk of Fame, then Griffith Observatory.
2. Day 2 morning: Grand Central Market for a quick lunch, skipping the Broad and El Pueblo.
3. Day 2 afternoon: the Metro E Line to Santa Monica Pier for the rest of the day.
4. Drop Venice, the Broad and El Pueblo. There is not room for a third area in one day.

If you have a fourth day: the Getty Center, about US$25

A fourth day is for the Getty Center, the one addition worth forcing in. Its hilltop campus is reached only by its own tram from the parking structure below, and admission needs a free reservation booked ahead.

See or book a Getty Center guided tour →

Facts that shape the trip

The plan above rests on two things: Los Angeles spans 472 square miles of separate districts, and three of its four days close on Mondays. Reserve the Getty Center’s slot first, since a missed reservation there is the hardest to replace.