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🗺️ City of Stars · Complete itinerary · Updated 2026

Los Angeles 3-Day Itinerary

An hour-by-hour plan with transport directions, per-stop costs, and a total budget — Hollywood, beaches and theme parks. Designed to do independently.

3
Days / 2 Nights
18
Stops
$1,000–1,200
Budget/pp*
100%
DIY
What this trip is like

A complete, flowing Los Angeles itinerary

These 3 days are zoned by area — Day 1 covers Hollywood and Beverly Hills, Day 2 the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice, Day 3 a full day at Disneyland. LA is huge so renting a car or using Uber is the way to go.

📅
Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
💰
Budget/person
$1,000–1,200
🌤️
Best season
Mar–May · Sep–Nov
🎯
Great for
First-time LA visitors
Daily schedule

An hour-by-hour plan, all 3 days

Each stop lists transport and approximate cost in USD — adjust timing as you like.

1
DAY ONE
Hollywood & Beverly Hills
Walk of Fame · Hollywood Sign · Getty · Rodeo Drive
Morning · 09:00
Hollywood Walk of Fame & TCL Chinese Theatre

Start at the legendary star-studded sidewalk, snap the celebrity handprints outside TCL Chinese Theatre, then stroll Hollywood Boulevard.

🚗 Park at Hollywood & Highland💰 Free to walk
Lunch · 12:30
Lunch — In-N-Out or Grand Central Market

Try an In-N-Out burger — a California icon — or if near Downtown, hit Grand Central Market packed with food stalls.

🍔 Local eats💰 ~$15/meal
Afternoon · 14:00
Getty Center — art museum with city views

Hilltop art museum — free entry (pay only for parking). White travertine architecture, a stunning garden, and panoramic LA views.

🚗 Parking ~$20💰 Free entry
🎟️ See LA tours & tickets →
Late afternoon · 16:30
Rodeo Drive & Beverly Hills

Stroll the world's most famous luxury shopping street — designer windows, celebrity mansions, and the classic Beverly Hills sign for photos.

🚗 Uber is easy💰 Free to browse
Dinner · 18:30
Dinner — Griffith Observatory + LA night view

Drive up to Griffith Observatory for sunset and LA city lights with the Hollywood Sign in view, then grab dinner around Los Feliz.

🌆 Free viewpoint💰 ~$25 dinner
Evening · 20:00
Back to hotel / Downtown rooftop bar

If you're up for it, hit a Downtown LA rooftop bar overlooking the skyline, or head back to rest for tomorrow.

🍸 Rooftop bar💰 ~$15/drink
🏨 Stay around Hollywood or Downtown LA tonight — see hotel picks
2
DAY TWO
Santa Monica & Venice Beaches
Santa Monica Pier · Third Street · Venice Boardwalk · Muscle Beach
Morning · 09:00
Santa Monica Pier & beach

The classic wooden pier at the end of Route 66 — a seaside Ferris wheel, Pacific Park rides, and endless Pacific Ocean views.

🚗 Pier parking ~$15💰 Free to walk
Lunch · 12:30
Lunch — Third Street Promenade

A walkable shopping street near the Pier with plenty of restaurants and cafes — dine alfresco while street performers play.

🍽️ Many options💰 ~$20/meal
Afternoon · 14:00
Venice Beach Boardwalk & Muscle Beach

Walk or rent a bike along the Venice boardwalk — street artists, the skate park, and the famous Muscle Beach. Peak bohemian LA vibes.

🚲 Bike rental ~$10/hr💰 Free to walk
Late afternoon · 16:30
Abbot Kinney Blvd — cafes & boutiques

Venice's chicest street — hip cafes, designer boutiques, and great ice cream. Perfect for an afternoon coffee break.

☕ Hip cafes💰 ~$8 coffee
Dinner · 18:30
Seaside seafood dinner

Book a seafood table along Santa Monica or Venice beach and watch the sunset over the ocean with dinner.

🦞 Seaside seafood💰 ~$35/person
Evening · 20:00
Evening beach stroll

Stroll the shore in the cool evening breeze, listen to the waves, or ride the Santa Monica Ferris wheel lit up at night.

🎡 Ferris wheel ~$18💰 Free to walk
🏨 Stay at the same hotel tonight — no need to move.
3
DAY THREE
Full Day at Disneyland
Disneyland Park / California Adventure · Anaheim
Morning · 08:30
Head to Disneyland Anaheim

Check out and store your bags, then drive or Uber ~45 min from LA to Anaheim. Buy tickets ahead and reserve park entry via the app.

🚗 ~45 min from LA💰 Parking ~$35
🎟️ Book Disneyland tickets →
Late morning · 10:00
Disneyland Park — classic rides

The original Disneyland. Start at Sleeping Beauty Castle, then hit the headliners — Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

🎢 1-Day ~$104+💰 Use Genie+ to skip lines
Lunch · 12:30
Lunch inside the park

Eat inside the park — try the giant turkey leg or one of the themed quick-service spots. Park prices run higher than outside.

🍗 Themed eateries💰 ~$20/meal
Afternoon · 14:00
California Adventure (Park Hopper)

With a Park Hopper ticket, cross to California Adventure for Radiator Springs Racers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Avengers Campus.

🎟️ Park Hopper +$65💰 Unlimited rides
Dinner · 18:30
Dinner + wait for fireworks

Find a good spot near Sleeping Beauty Castle, book a sit-down dinner in the park or grab quick eats, and get ready for the night fireworks.

🎆 Fireworks show💰 ~$30 dinner
Evening · 20:00
Fireworks + return to LA

Catch the closing fireworks over the castle, then return to LA, grab your bags, and pick up souvenirs at the airport before heading off.

🎆 Trip finale💰 ~$50 Uber back
Trip budget

Cost breakdown for 3D2N (per person)

Estimated from the plan above — excludes flights and personal shopping. Hotel cost assumes a double room (÷2).

Ho te
Ho ll
$3 00
Fo od
Re st
$3 00
Ca r
or U
$2 00
Di sn
1- Da
$2 00
Estimated total$1,000–1,200

* ~$1,000–1,200/person — varies by hotel tier · excludes flights and personal shopping · Disneyland is the single biggest line item.

Tips for this trip

6 things to know before visiting Los Angeles

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Trip route

All 3 days on the map

Click a pin to see which day each stop falls on

FAQ

Los Angeles in 3 days — frequently asked

How many days do I need in Los Angeles?

3 days and 2 nights is ideal for the main highlights. For a relaxed pace or extra day trips, allow 4–5 days.

Do I need to rent a car?

LA is sprawling — a rental car or Uber/Lyft is recommended.

What's the budget per person?

Around $1,000–1,200 per person (excluding flights), depending on your hotel tier and chosen activities.

When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?

Mar–May · Sep–Nov — pleasant weather, neither too hot nor too cold.

Do travelers need a US visa?

Entry requires an ESTA (for Visa Waiver passports) or a B1/B2 visa. Many travelers must apply for a B1/B2 tourist visa before the trip.

Can I do this trip independently?

Absolutely — this plan is designed to be done independently, with transport directions and costs for every stop.

Start planning your trip

Ready to go?
Start by booking your stay in Los Angeles

Wherebest has hand-picked well-located hotels in Los Angeles with multi-site price comparison — easy to book, no time wasted.

🔴 Book Los Angeles hotels Los Angeles guide