What to do to visit Los Angeles in 2 or 3 days? Discover the unmissable and unique places to visit and the best things to do in Los Angeles to discover this incredible city in California, United States.
- TOP 20 things to do in Los Angeles
- Itinerary for 2 days
- Visit Los Angeles in 3 days
- What to do in Los Angeles with the family?
- Los Angeles when it rains?
1. Admire a magnificent view of Los Angeles from the Griffith Observatory
Free. Visiting the Griffith Observatory is an absolute must-do in Los Angeles. This astronomical observatory was built in 1935 in the Art Deco style. Today, it is one of the most touristic places in Los Angeles, thanks in particular to its majestic view.
Good to know! If you wish to park close to the observatory, be aware that parking is chargeable. You can park for free further away, but you will then have to plan for several tens of minutes of walking.
2. Hike to the top of the famous Hollywood sign
Unmissable walk! Climbing to the famous Hollywood sign is one of the unique things to do in Los Angeles. This tour is top-rated among travelers who visit Los Angeles.
Immerse yourself in the Hollywood atmosphere! You can take a guided tour to make the most of the place. You will be in the company of an actor-guide and will love discovering this mythical place in California. The fantastic stories and fun facts will miss your visit and your trip to Los Angeles. More on this guided tour: prices and dates for the walking tour to the Hollywood sign.
3. Walk on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Very touristic. Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the most tourist places in Los Angeles. It is undoubtedly the most famous sidewalk in the world! Here, you can see the stars of each Hollywood celebrity on the sidewalk.
Not to miss! When you visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, don’t miss Grauman’s Chinese Theater and Madame Tussauds Hollywood.
- Grauman’s Chinese Theater is a movie theater listed as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Landmark.
- Madame Tussauds Hollywood is a wax museum and one of the most visited places in Los Angeles. Here you can take your picture with the stars! Learn more here: see photos, visitor reviews, and rates.
4. Discover celebrities houses
Celebrities life! Explore Hollywood and Beverly Hills by bus! Discover the places frequented by celebrities. This tour is perfect if you visit Los Angeles in just 2 or 3 days. Learn more here: see more on this 2-hour guided tour.
With family! If you are going to Los Angeles with the family, this bus tour also avoids walking, which could be tiring for children. The tour includes visiting the famous and unmissable Hollywood sign, which is very convenient.
5. Visit the Getty Center in Los Angeles
More than a museum! The Getty Center is a cultural and research campus located at the top of one of the Santa Monica Mountains. This place is one of the must-see places to visit in Los Angeles. The Getty Center’s art collection is breathtaking, its architecture is surprising, and its botanical garden is a peace haven.
6. Enjoy the vibe of Santa Monica
Wonderful beach! Santa Monica Beach is a place to visit in Los Angeles. Santa Monica is a coastal city that lies west of downtown Los Angeles. From Santa Monica beach, you will enjoy the ocean! The Santa Monica pier and the amusement park are legendary and often seen in movies and tv shows.
Romantic cruise. If you visit Los Angeles as a couple, enjoy some sun from a boat. This cruise includes wine and cheese: see prices for this cruise.
Bicycle ride. Discover the coastal area of Los Angeles by electric bike! It is a fun activity with the family in Los Angeles: electric bike tour.
7. Visit Los Angeles by helicopter
Experience to live! To make your trip unforgettable, visit Los Angeles by helicopter. You will love this unusual activity! It is one of the best things to do in Los Angeles as a couple or with the family! If you want to know more, click here: visit Los Angeles by helicopter. Great memories of your trip!
8. Visit Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles
Wow! An exceptional Hollywood experience awaits you. Universal Studios Hollywood is a huge theme park with impressive attractions! If you visit Los Angeles, visiting Universal Studios Hollywood park is one of the best things to do to mark your trip (book tickets here).
You can also book accommodation near the park to arrive early and make the most of your day. See here the best hotels near Universal Studios Hollywood.
9. Discover Venice Beach
Bohemian atmosphere. Venice Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Los Angeles. Moreover, it is close to the beach of Santa Monica. The atmosphere is very relaxed. It is an excellent place to walk and relax while enjoying the ocean.
Learn to surf! You can take advantage of your trip to Los Angeles with a surf lesson. The surf community in Venice Beach is authentic. See the prices here for a 2-hour surf lesson.
10. Stroll through the Venice Canals district of Los Angeles
Take a walk or take a boat trip. These canals are within walking distance of Venice Beach: see geolocation on Google Maps. Venice Canals is a beautiful neighborhood to visit in Los Angeles. Peaceful atmosphere, pretty houses, and charming canals.
11. Discover the shops of Rodeo Drive: Beverly Hills
Luxury boutiques. Rodeo Drive is world famous for its luxury boutiques, dating back to the 1960s! You will also likely run into celebrities who often come to Rodeo Drive for lunch.
Visit Los Angeles by bus. During your trip to Los Angeles, if you come here without a car, you can visit the city by bus: see prices for a hop-on hop-off bus. The bus passes by must-see places in Los Angeles, including Santa Monica.
12. Visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Nice museum. If you are an art lover, you will certainly enjoy visiting this museum, one of the most important in the western United States.
Good to know! The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is under construction until 2024. Some of the exhibits are, therefore, not accessible. You need to know this to avoid unpleasant surprises. Find out more on the museum’s official website.
13. Lunch at the Grand Central Market in Los Angeles
An institution in Downtown Los Angeles! The Grand Central Market is a must-see place to visit in Los Angeles. It is a market and a food court at the same time. Here you will find unique and atypical stands. It is an ideal place to lunch in Los Angeles.
14. Discover Bradbury Building: a historic building in Los Angeles (Downtown)
Architectural beauty! The Bradbury Building (see geolocation on Google Maps) is a place not to be missed during your trip to Los Angeles. This historic building is stunningly beautiful. If you take a walk in Downtown Los Angeles, do not miss it because this building is worth the detour!
15. Visit Disneyland Resort
How to get there? Disneyland Resort is located in Anaheim (see geolocation on Google Maps), 30 miles from Los Angeles. Without traffic jams, it takes approximately 35 minutes by car. Visiting Disneyland Resort is one of the best things to do near Los Angeles with the family.
Two theme parks. Inside, you will find two theme parks, beautiful shows, and magnificent fireworks. The attractions are impressive: what great memories to enjoy together during a trip to Los Angeles!
16. Visit Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles (Paramount Studio)
Film and television culture. Here, at Warner Bros Studios Hollywood, you will be able to visit the filming locations of series such as The Big Bang Theory or Friends. This visit is a must for those who love the 7th art and wish to visit the film studios of world-famous and recognized movies and tv shows.
How to visit? Warner Bros. Studios is 5 miles, or less than 10 minutes by car, from the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame (see geolocation on Google Maps). It’s a fun activity in Los Angeles with teenagers. To visit Warner Bros Studios Hollywood, you must book a guided tour (no self-guided tour). The tour lasts 3 hours: click to discover the prices to visit Warner Bros Studios Hollywood.
17. Visit the Los Angeles Aquarium: Aquarium of the Pacific
Fun experience to live! Among the best things to do in Los Angeles is visit the Aquarium of the Pacific. You will discover the beauty of the marine animals of the Pacific.
Avoid waiting. The Aquarium of the Pacific is a popular place. If you want to save time, consider booking skip-the-line tickets: see photos, reviews, and prices to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific.
18. Discover the Los Angeles Botanical Garden: Descanso Gardens
Los Angeles oasis? The Descanso Gardens are a perfect place to recharge and stroll. It is also a romantic place to visit in Los Angeles as a couple. The streams, the greenery, and the zen atmosphere of the garden will make you feel better. If you are tired of sightseeing, the city, and the crowds, this is a must-visit in Los Angeles!
19. Take a pedal boat in Echo Park Lake
One of the oldest parks in Los Angeles. Echo Park Lake is a place frequented by locals. It is, therefore, a place little visited by travelers who come to Los Angeles for a few days. If you want to experience a place where locals live, Echo Park Lake is a place to visit in Los Angeles.
As a couple or with family. Among the best things to do in Echo Park Lake is the paddle boat ride on the lake. A fun activity to do with the family or during a romantic trip to Los Angeles! If you are interested in this activity, consider renting a pedal boat (especially if you go there on Saturday or Sunday): discover the photos and prices for renting a pedal boat at Echo Park Lake.
20. Visit the gardens of the Huntington Library
Gorgeous gardens! Another place not to miss in Los Angeles. The gardens are magnificent, and the visit allows you to discover various plants shown by country. The Huntington Library Gardens is a peaceful place in Los Angeles to recharge your batteries.
Best neighborhoods to visit in Los Angeles
The best neighborhoods to stay in while visiting Los Angeles are Hollywood, Santa Monica, Downtown, Beverly Hills, and Venice Beach. The most popular areas for a first trip are Hollywood and Santa Monica. Find accommodation in Los Angeles here or below for some of the best hotels.
Mama Shelter Los Angeles: located in Hollywood, this hotel is an excellent place with nice decoration and private parking. The location is perfect for visiting Los Angeles. There are rooms for 2 or 3 people.
citizenM Los Angeles Downtown: this hotel is an excellent place to stay in Los Angeles and visit without a car, as it is located Downtown.
Huntley Santa Monica Beach: a beautiful place to enjoy the ocean and the beach! Facing the ocean, this hotel is ideal for a trip to Los Angeles with the family or as a couple.
Discover the selection of the best accommodations in Los Angeles in our blog post: Best places to stay in Los Angeles.
What to do in Los Angeles in 2 days?
Here is an itinerary to visit Los Angeles in 2 days.
First day: what to visit on the first day of travel in Los Angeles?
- Walk the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Take your photo with celebrities while visiting Madame Tussauds Hollywood (entrance tickets for the museum)
- Discover the life of stars in Beverly Hills
- Hike to the Hollywood sign (see rates for a tour with an actor-guide)
- Visit the Griffith Observatory to admire a magnificent sunset over Los Angeles
To save time or when traveling with kids, you can book a bus tour that goes around Hollywood’s must-sees, including The Sign and Beverly Hills: Hollywood Highlights Bus Tour.
Second day: what to visit on the second day of travel in Los Angeles?
- Discover Santa Monica and Venice Beach
- Stroll through the Venice Canals district of Los Angeles
For a trip to Los Angeles as a couple: take a wine and cheese cruise from Marina Del Rey (see cruise photos, reviews, and prices)
For a trip to Los Angles with family: visit the Los Angeles Aquarium (book skip-the-line tickets for the Los Angeles Aquarium)
If you are an art lover, take advantage of this day to visit the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
How to visit Los Angeles in 3 days?
On the third day of your trip to Los Angeles, you can visit one of the fantastic amusement parks! You have a wide choice.
For a family trip to Los Angeles:
- Disney Resort
- Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles (which will probably appeal more to teenagers?): see the entrance ticket prices for Universal Studios Hollywood
For two who love film culture: visit Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles (Paramount Studio)
Downtown. If you are not interested in amusement parks, you can continue discovering Los Angeles by visiting Downtown. For example, you can see the Grand Central Market and Bradbury Building, then visit the Descanso Gardens or walk to Echo Park Lake. Find more information on each of these places above in this blog post.
What to do in Los Angeles with family?
Here are the best family activities in Los Angeles.
- Disney Resort: one of the most incredible theme parks in California!
- Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles (which will probably appeal more to teenagers?): see the entrance ticket prices for Universal Studios Hollywood
- Los Angeles Museum of Natural History: see photos from inside the museum
- La Brea Tar Pits Museum: Discover an Ice Age excavation site with the family! A fantastic place that allows the little ones to learn new things: find out more here.
- Sea Lion Kayaking and Paddleboarding Tour: See photos here
Among the most unique things to do in Los Angeles with the family is the helicopter tour over Los Angeles. It is an exceptional activity that will mark your trip: discover the photos and reviews of travelers.
What to do in Los Angeles when it rains?
Visiting museums is one of the best things to do if you visit Los Angeles when it rains. So, which museums to visit?
- Getty Center
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Los Angeles Natural History Museum
Los Angeles is one of the most visited cities in California and the United States. Here, you can see world-famous must-see places such as Hollywood or Beverly Hills and visit incredible amusement parks such as Disneyland Resort or Universal Studios Hollywood. Moreover, you will enjoy the magnificent beaches of Santa Monica and Venice Beach. So there are plenty of different, unusual, and unique things to do in Los Angeles when traveling to California. Enjoy!
