From glamorous Hollywood to the gorgeous Pacific Coast, if you’re spending a weekend in Los Angeles you’ll want to see all the top sights and check out the best tours in LA. Don’t miss out on a Hollywood bus tour and a trip to Santa Monica Pier during your Los Angeles Vacation, and make sure to soak up the sun in Malibu and pop over to the iconic Hollywood Sign on your LA trip!
This Los Angeles travel guide will make spending a weekend in LA a breeze. I’ll include sections on best things to do in LA, where to stay in Los Angeles, best Los Angeles tours, best way to get around LA, where to eat in LA, Los Angeles off the beaten path, and more!
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Los Angeles Map
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Best Things to Do in LA
Hollywood
When you think LA, you think Hollywood. From Universal Studios and the iconic Hollywood sign to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre, this area is a hub for the city’s major tourist attractions and shouldn’t be missed by any first-time visitors to LA. Hollywood bus tours and Hollywood studio tours are great ways to make the most out of your Los Angeles vacation, and other LA tours in this area will give you the full experience! Hollywood also has some great hiking and exploring nearby, including Griffith Park and Observatory and the Hollywood Hills.
My picks for best Hollywood tours: Celebrity House Tours, Universal Studios Tours, Private Hollywood and Beverly Hills Tours
West Hollywood
One of Los Angeles’ most vibrant neighborhoods, West Hollywood is home to trendy bars, upscale restaurants, and a variety of nightclubs, boutiques, and galleries. A hub for the city’s LGBTQ community and the entertainment industry, no trip to LA is complete without a visit to West Hollywood. There are tons of awesome LA tours that will show you the best of this exciting area.
My picks for best West Hollywood tours: West Hollywood Food Tour; The Los Angeles Tour
Beverly Hills
Renowned as one of LA’s highest-end neighborhoods, head to Beverly Hills for palm tree-lined streets dotted with mansions. Head to Rodeo Drive to explore upscale restaurants and go shopping at designer boutiques. A vital part of your Los Angeles vacation, you’ll want to keep an eye out for celebrities when you book your Beverly Hills tours!
My picks for best Beverly Hills tours: Beverly Hills Segway Tour; Hollywood Celebrity Homes Tour; Los Angeles: 1-Hour Airplane Flight for 2 Persons
Drive the PCH
No trip to LA is complete without a drive down the breathtaking Pacific Coast Highway. Take in vistas of the sparkling Pacific Ocean as you drive along the scenic PCH and make sure to make plenty of stops along your way! Spend the afternoon surfing at the beach and stop for lunch at a charming Malibu cafe. Driving the PCH is one of the best free things to do in LA!
Santa Monica
Santa Monica has got it all. From a laid back beach scene to a vibrant downtown area to the bustling Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica is one of my all-time favorite neighborhoods in Los Angeles! Buzzing with talented street entertainers and chic restaurants and bars, you won’t want to miss Santa Monica on your trip to Los Angeles. You’ll love rollerblading along the ocean-lined bike path and wandering down the lively pier. There’s something for everyone in Santa Monica!
My picks for best Santa Monica tours: Santa Monica Beach and Pier Tours; Private Luxurious Tour of Los Angeles; Perfect 5 ½ Hour LA & Hollywood Tour from Santa Monica
Venice
Venice is known for its bohemian vibe, and is filled with funky shops, boutiques, coffee bars, restaurants, and of course gorgeous Venice Beach. The main attraction here is the iconic Venice Boardwalk, which is characterized by colorful murals, street performers, skateboarders, and people from all walks of life. If you have time, you’ll definitely want to explore Venice on your trip to Los Angeles!
My picks for best Venice tours: Venice Beach: 2-hour Group Surfing Lesson; Santa Monica and Venice Beach Tour from Los Angeles
Malibu
Just north of Santa Monica, head to Malibu to escape the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. Defined by vast stretches of beach and breathtaking mountains, there’s no question Malibu will be a highlight of your Los Angeles vacation. Spend the day dining at charming seaside restaurants, surfing, or enjoying a scenic hike. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities during your visit to Malibu!
My picks for best Malibu tours: Small-Group Malibu Wine Hike; Scenic Malibu Electric Mountain Biking Experience; Homes of the Stars Malibu Tour from Santa Monica Pier
Hiking
Hiking is one of the most popular activities and best free things to do in LA, and is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike! The city is full of mountainous landscapes offering scenic vistas of rugged valleys and the shimmering Pacific Ocean. If you’ve only got a weekend in LA, head out on a hike in Griffith Park to see the famed Hollywood Sign or hike up to the Griffith Observatory. If your LA trip is a bit longer, consider hiking in Hollywood’s Runyon Canyon or hitting the trails in Malibu.
My picks for best hiking tours: Griffith Park Experience: Hollywood Hills Hike; Hollywood Sign Experience: Hike to the Hollywood Sign; Hollywood Walking and Hiking Tour
Downtown Los Angeles
The pulse of Los Angeles’ business district, you’ll definitely want to head downtown during your Los Angeles vacation. One of the city’s fastest growing neighborhoods, there’s a ton to do in this eclectic area. Check out Grand Central Market, explore the area’s high-end restaurants, admire the architecture, stop in at an art museum, and maybe even catch a game at Dodger Stadium. If you’re only spending a weekend in Los Angeles, it may be best to choose Los Angeles tours that’ll take you through the downtown area.
My picks for best Downtown LA tours: The Hollywood Movie Experience in Los Angeles; Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour; Grand City Tour of Los Angeles
Los Angeles Tours
If you’re spending a weekend in Los Angeles, you’ll definitely want to add some LA tours to your trip. From Hollywood bus tours to Beverly Hills tours, consider adding some of these fun activities to your Los Angeles Itinerary:
Los Angeles Off the Beaten Path
Get off the beaten path by exploring some of Los Angeles’ finest hidden gems! Check out the Secret Hollywood Stairs and wander through the road less traveled or visit the Church of Scientology Celebrity Center for an interesting peek into the bizarre world of Scientology. Hike the lesser-explored Temescal Canyon for breathtaking views over the Pacific or stroll through the bustling Melrose Trading Post open-air flea market. Catch a local farmers market anywhere in the city or attend a drag show in West Hollywood. If you’re hoping to experience the city in a more authentic way during your weekend in LA, check out some off the beaten path Los Angeles tours!
My picks for best off the beaten path LA tours: Los Angeles: Ethnic Food, Drink and Culture Tour (Small Group); La Brea Tar Pits Tour by Segway
Where to Stay in LA
My picks for where to stay Los Angeles: Walk of Fame Hollywood Hostel; Loews Hollywood Hotel, Wyndham Santa Monica At The Pier
You have a number of great options for where to stay in Los Angeles during your LA trip. If you’re only planning to spend a weekend in Los Angeles and want to see the sights, Hollywood is a great neighborhood to stay in for your trip to Los Angeles. Perfect for families and first-time visitors to Los Angeles, Hollywood is a hub for tourist sights and nightlife, as well as Griffith Park and the Hollywood Hills for hiking and exploring.
Another great area for where to stay in Los Angeles is Santa Monica. With a charming downtown, laidback beachfront, and the bustling Santa Monica Pier, the hotels in this area make for the perfect Los Angeles vacation. Finally, consider staying in West Hollywood during your LA trip. West Hollywood is one of LA’s trendiest and most stylish neighborhoods, packed with chic bars, restaurants and hotels, and a vibrant nightlife scene. The area is home to the city’s LGBTQ community and entertainment industry hot-shots and is largely walkable.
Best Way to Get Around LA
Driving is your best option for getting around Los Angeles, and car rental services like Turo make renting a car easier than ever. If you’d rather not drive, plan to take plenty of Ubers, Lyfts, and taxis during your Los Angeles vacation since Los Angeles public transportation is somewhat limited. Several of LA’s neighborhoods are pretty walkable, and city bikes and electric scooters are also readily available as an alternative to driving. Los Angeles bus tours and other tours in LA are also great options for seeing sights without needing to have a car.
Where to Eat in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is known for its international fare, trendy bars and eateries, and health food fanatics. With so many options, deciding where to eat in LA can be overwhelming! To make things a bit easier, here are some of my favorite bars and restaurants in Los Angeles:
My Favorite Bars in LA
Harlowe – West Hollywood
The Little Friend – Venice
My Favorite Restaurants in Los Angeles
In-N-Out Burger – Fast food, multiple locations
Laurel Hardware – Trendy Italian, West Hollywood
Gracias Madre – Vegan Mexican, West Hollywood
Nobu – Upscale sushi, West Hollywood
Butcher’s Daughter – Trendy vegetarian, Venice
Élephante Beach House – Italian, Santa Monica
Gjusta – Artisanal bakery, Venice
Check out my Recommended Travel Essentials page for more useful resources for spending a weekend in Philadelphia!
Los Angeles Travel Tips and FAQs
Is Los Angeles safe?
Yes, for the most part Los Angeles is safe for travelers. As in any big city LA has its share of crime, but if you keep your wits about you and take normal safety precautions you shouldn’t run into any trouble. Never walk alone at night and know which parts of the city are best to avoid.
Do you need a car in Los Angeles?
Not necessarily. While having a car in LA is definitely useful and is for sure one of the best ways to get around the city, lots of neighborhoods are walkable and you also can check out renting city bikes or motor scooters which are now offered in LA. If you’ve only got a weekend in Los Angeles and you don’t have a car, you’ll inevitably be taking a significant amount of taxis and Ubers to get around. Los Angeles bus tours are another great way to experience the best of the city without a car, as they’ll take you around to LA’s top sights.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
LA is great any time of year with warm, sunny temperatures and rare bouts of rain. That said, summer in Los Angeles can get pretty crowded and winter can experience more rainy days, so fall and spring are the perfect time for your Los Angeles vacation. The weather is still warm and sunny and you’ll avoid the crowds!
Is Los Angeles expensive?
Yes! Compared to other cities, Los Angeles is pretty expensive. You’ll want to budget for the cost of transportation, dining, lodging, and activities, which are all a bit more expensive than in other cities. If you’re planning a weekend in LA, you might want to start saving up!
What to know before visiting Los Angeles
LA is huge and traffic is no joke! So make sure to budget plenty of time for traffic into your Los Angeles itinerary. Consider booking some Los Angeles tours to maximize your time and make the most of your trip to the City of Angels.
Traveling Alone or Want to Join a Tour?
If planning an LA trip is too overwhelming and you’d rather join an organized tour, check out Intrepid Travel Los Angeles Tours! Intrepid tours include a knowledgeable local guide with a set itinerary and built-in travel companions, which is perfect for solo travelers! Intrepid is always my pick for travel tours because they offer an authentic, local, and sustainable experience. They’re affordable and really do a great job. 10/10 would recommend Intrepid Travel for your trip to Los Angeles!
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