Discover the best of LA in 3 days! Where to get iconic LA photos, trending food, and travel itinerary for a long weekend trip to Los Angeles.
3 Days in Los Angeles: What to Eat, See & Do
Planning a 3-day trip to Los Angeles and want to fit in as much as possible? We just got back from celebrating my daughter’s 20th birthday in LA, and our trip was the perfect mix of iconic photo spots for her and incredible food for me!
Here’s the exact itinerary we used so you can steal it for your own trip. We stayed in this lovely boutique hotel and it was incredible! I’ll write a review about it soon.
Pro Tip: Unless you’re a seasoned theme park goer, I wouldn’t recommend squeezing both Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland into three days. As a frequent Disney visitor, I couldn’t resist dropping by while we were so close, but if it’s your first time or you go less often, you’ll definitely want a full day (or more) dedicated to the Disney parks!
Day 1 – Hollywood Studio Tours
Here are a few great options for a studio tour day with a dose of Hollywood nostalgia. Whichever one you choose to do will be a blast!
After landing at LAX, we grabbed our rental car (see my LA driving tips below) and headed straight to Universal Studios Hollywood. We’ve done other studio tours on past trips, but this was our first time visiting this location. The biggest perk of the Universal Studio Tour is your ticket includes access to the entire theme park!
Having now experienced both Universal and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Warner Bros. takes the top spot as our personal favorite. Since both are active, working studios, you always have a chance of spotting celebrities as you tour, and honestly, we loved them both.
Option 1: Universal Studios Hollywood Tour
Enjoy lunch and Butterbeer in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Three Broomsticks. Next, take the Universal Studio tour (sit on the right side for the best views), enjoy the entertainment, rides and end with dinner at the Toadstool Cafe, Minion Cafe, Krusty Burger or Mel’s Diner and watch the sunset from the stunning views of the theme park.
Option 2: Warner Bros. Studio Tour
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour lets visitors walk through authentic sets, view real props and costumes, and explore behind-the-scenes filmmaking secrets from iconic movie and TV franchises like Harry Potter, The Big Bang Theory, and Friends.
Lunch or Dinner at Bob’s Big Boy
Head to America’s oldest remaining Bob’s Big Boy drive-thru, serving classic burgers, shakes, and a nostalgic 1940s coffee-shop vibe. Located at 4211 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
Griffith Observatory
Located about 20 minutes from Warner Bro’s Studio, the Griffith Observatory is the perfect spot to watch the sunset. They offer free admission, stunning panoramic views of the city and the Hollywood Sign, public access to historic telescopes, and engaging space and science exhibits. Don’t miss getting a photo with Hollywood Sign in background!
Day 2 – Iconic Hollywood Spots
This will be a busy shopping and photo day, but it’s pure fun as long as you have a plan! Parking can be hard to find, so you might not be able to do it all. Here are some suggestions to get some iconic Hollywood photos, amazing food and do some fun people watching!
Stop 1: Breakfast at LEORA
Trendy and hard to find, but worth the hype! There will be a wait for seating, but you can get coffee and pastries to-go by walking past the hostess stand to make an order at the counter. Leora is located inside of an office building across from the Beverly Hills Police Department. Use the Rexford Public Parking Lot (first 2 hours free). Location: 450 N Rexford Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
If you prefer more classic LA, start with breakfast at Canter’s Deli.
Stop 2: Hollywood Walk of Fame
Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame for a few photos. It’s best to arrive early to avoid crowds. You don’t need to spend much time here as there are many other areas to visit.
Stop 3: Melrose Ave in West Hollywood
Head to West Hollywood and Melrose Ave for shopping and popular photo locations.
The Pink Wall for Photos – Location: Paul Smith Melrose – 8221 Melrose Ave. West Hollywood, CA 90069
Glossier LA – Another fun stop if you love beauty products. Location: 8523 Melrose Ave. West Hollywood, CA 90069
Stop 4: Lunch
Here are several places for a fun and casual lunch:
- Urth Caffe – Popular casual cafe with patio seating near Glossier LA. Location: 8565 Melrose Ave. West Hollywood, CA 90069
- Bottega Louie WEHO – Amazing pastries, delicious Italian cuisine and beautiful patio dining. Location: 8936 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
- The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker – Another popular people watching restaurant known for their brunch and Starburst lattes. Location: 8653 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
- Fountain Coffee Room at The Beverly Hills Hotel – A hidden gem classic soda fountain style in the lower level of The Beverly Hills Hotel. Open until 4 pm. Location: 9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Stop 5: Drive by the Spadena House
If you can find parking, it would be fun to stop for a photo here! Location: 516 Walden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Stop 6: Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive is an iconic Beverly Hills shopping spot. It’s hard to find parking, but worth driving by for sure!
Stop 7: Santa Monica Pier
Head to Santa Monica Pier to enjoy sunset on the beach. Eat on the pier or make reservations at Shutters on the Beach.
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Dinner Spots Near West Hollywood & Beverly Hills
Here are a few restaurant ideas if you prefer staying in West Hollywood or Beverly Hills.
Day 3 – Pacific Coast Highway
Today is your casual California beach day along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway! Or you could switch this to a Disneyland Day. We did both!
Stop 1: The Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is a museum and gorgeous re-creation of the Villa dei Papiri, a first-century Roman country house in Herculaneum that was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The views are incredible! It’s free to enter, but you must make reservations in advance. Parking is $25.
Every turn you take makes a beautiful spot for photos!
Stop 2: Lunch at Dukes
Dukes is an iconic Malibu spot that was just rebuilt after the recent wildfires. Enjoy a delicious lunch while watching the waves crash into the shore right outside the window.
We ended up going to Disneyland after our lunch at Dukes, but here some options for activities nearby. Get my Disneyland Oogie Boogie Bash tips here.
Stop 3: Point Dume Beach
Point Dume Beach is an iconic Malibu coastline defined by a dramatic headland bluff, sweeping Pacific vistas, rocky coves, and prime opportunities for rock climbing, whale watching, and surfing.
Where to park: If the small 2-hour free lot at the top of Cliffside Drive is full, head down the hill to the large paid Westward Beach parking lot at the end of Westward Beach Road, or try nearby Zuma Beach or El Matador State Beach just up the Pacific Coast Highway.
Stop 4: Dinner
Stay in the Malibu area for dinner or drive down the coast towards Venice Beach for a different vibe. Here are some ideas for your final stop of the day.
Casual dinning in Malibu:
- Malibu Farm Pier Cafe – 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy Building B, Malibu, CA 90265
- Taverna Tony – 23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu, CA 90265
Upscale dinning: (You’ll need reservations.)
Options Near Venice Beach
- Cast & Plow – Casual waterfront dinning in the Marina Del Ray Ritz Carlton
- Abbott Kinney – A fun street to check out, with cool stores and restaurants.
- The Whaler Beach Bar
- Erewhon Venice – Grab some take out for dinner and head to Venice Beach for sunset. Location: 585 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
More Places to See and Things to Do in LA
Here are more LA spots to check out before heading to the airport.
- Manhattan Beach – We love Manhattan Beach, plus it’s close to LAX which makes it the perfect spot to hangout before leaving LA. We recommend eating at Sloopy’s and then walking to the beach.
- In & Out Burger – A legendary West Coast fast-food chain famous for its fresh, simple menu of made-to-order burgers, hand-cut fries, and a widely popular “Secret Menu” featuring items like Animal Style fries. Locations: There are several near LAX.
- The Last Bookstore – California’s largest new and used independent bookstore, famous for its massive, whimsical book sculptures, labyrinthine second-floor art installations, and vast collection of vinyl records.
- Bodega (ROW DTLA) – A “sneaker speakeasy” hidden behind a fake fruit market/warehouse entrance, carrying limited-edition kicks and streetwear.
- Brunch at Chateau Marmont – The Chateau Marmont is an iconic, European castle-style hotel on West Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard, legendary for its discreet luxury, Old Hollywood history, and notorious reputation as a private haven for celebrities.
- Head Spa Nagomi – Visit one of the top head spas in Beverly Hills to feel like a celebrity for a day!
- Afternoon Tea at The Culver Hotel – Enjoy artisan hot teas, garden-fresh cocktails, and sparkling wine, all paired with savory tea sandwiches and delicate desserts. 1pm -4 pm Saturdays and Sundays only.
- Smorgasburg – Enjoy all of the trending food in one place at this local SoCal food market. Sundays only.
- Visit the Hollywood Bowl – It’s a famous outdoor venue with live music and shows.
- The Virginia Robinson Gardens – A historic estate in Beverly Hills featuring a 1911 mansion and lush, tropical botanical gardens that offer guided tours of one of the area’s earliest luxury residences.
Tips for Driving in LA
Yes, you will need to a car when visiting LA. What to know about LA driving:
- Parking can be tough to find. Before you go, research parking in the areas you want to visit. Look for public parking lots or a parking space with a meter.
- Many streets don’t have a left turn signal. Having no left turn signal in busy intersections can make for a stressful drive! You will need to be aggressive by moving forward into the intersection while also yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Then wait for a safe gap and complete your turn. If the light turns yellow or red while you are waiting in the intersection, wait for oncoming traffic to stop, then finish your turn.
- Gas is expensive. At the time of our visit, gas in Los Angeles was double the price of what we pay in Dallas, so take note of that when traveling.
Where to Stay in Los Angeles
There are many places to stay in LA, here is where I would recommend:
- Le Petit Pali Brentwood – This is where we stayed on this trip and loved it. We will be back!
- The Beverly Hills Hotel – An iconic location for an unforgetable LA trip!
- The West Hollywood EDITION – A gorgeous Luxury hotel with amazing views.
What are your favorite things to do in LA? Leave a comment below and let me know!
