A Local Perspective of the Best 4-Day Itinerary in LA
Last Updated: August 20, 2023
As LA locals, we made sure to compile the best things to do in Los Angeles into an itinerary that is geographically based. By that we mean that when we recommend a day of events, most things are within a 15-20 minute drive of each other, so that you can optimize your trip to Los Angeles. But if you’re looking for a longer list of things to do, check out our guide on 30 Ways to Fall in Love with Travel in Los Angeles in 2023.
Complete Guide to Spending 4 days in Los Angeles, California
Summary of the Best Things to do in Los Angeles in 4 days. I’ll break up each day into 3 categories, “Morning,” “Afternoon,” and “Evening.” Each day of our itinerary in LA is organized around regions of LA, so we start with LA beaches, move north to Malibu, check out Hollywood, and then end with a taste of Downtown LA. Feel free to mix and match within our LA Itinerary. This is simply our ideal breakdown of best things to do in LA to get a taste of all LA has to offer.
Keep in mind that our itinerary is designed for people who like to be their own tour guides. Our LA itinerary will also require a car, or the ability to Uber from destination to destination. If you prefer to see LA through an experienced tour guide (and avoid driving), we recommend this highly-rated full day LA tour.
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4-Day Itinerary in Los Angeles
Day 1: Best Beach Vibes of Los Angeles
Day 1 of our LA itinerary starts you off with some of the best beach spots along the LA coast. You can’t come to Southern California and not check out the beach! As locals, we are big fans of the LA beaches, which is why our itinerary in Los Angeles brings you to the must-see spots for beach vibes.
Morning: Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is one of the most special piers and places to visit in Los Angeles. The Santa Monica Pier is home to an amusement park, an arcade, the Route 66 sign, Forrest Gump’s shoes, and plenty of fun food options and souvenir shops. You’ll see street performers impersonating Frank Sinatra, and our favorite part of Santa Monica Pier is that it’s dog friendly.
Also, it is free to visit Santa Monica Pier. However, if you want to go on the rides, Pacific Park sells separate tickets for that, as well as an unlimited rides ticket for $40.
During the busy seasons, we find the easiest area to park at the Santa Monica Pier if you want to avoid the $15 dollar parking lots is to get a metered street spot around Tongva Park, and then walk to the pier by crossing the park. Alternatively, you can park near Santa Monica Pier at the Civic Center Parking Structure, where they have affordable hourly parking rates.
Afternoon: Shopping & Lunch at Abbot Kinney
Is it worth it to visit Abbot Kinney Boulevard? We think so. Sure, plenty of influencers in the wild flock to Abbot Kinney, but for good reasons. If you’re a foodie, people watcher, or enjoy a healthy dose of retail therapy, then visiting Abbot Kinney Boulevard is for you. Plus if you love handmade, small-batch ice cream, Salt & Straw is worth a visit. Also a fun fact is that the Abbot Kinney neighborhood is so wealthy that it is more expensive than 90% of the Californian neighborhoods.
Evening: Venice Beach, Skate Park, Dinner, or rentals including bikes, skates, and scooters.
A popular way to end an evening in LA in the coastal cities is watching the sun sink into the ocean at sunset. The Venice Beach boardwalk is a great place to watch this spectacle. Get your cameras out because you’ll be using it for more than just the sun. The Venice Boardwalk is also home to dancing roller skaters in funky fun outfits, amateur Tony Hawk skate boarders, and all the rentals you can think of. As locals, our favorite thing to do before watching the sunset at Venice Boulevard is to rent a bike ride or electric scooter to ride. Lastly, don’t forget Venice Boardwalk is incredibly close to a ton of amazing restaurants including Belles Beach House, or our favorite coffee shop in Venice Beach, Menotti’s Coffee Stop.
Day 2: The Best of Malibu
Day 2 of our LA itinerary takes you around the best of Malibu. Malibu is just north of LA, and has some of the most stunning coastline near LA. Malibu can seem far off and inaccessible, but it is actually only a short drive from LA and has some stunning beauty to enjoy.
Morning: The Getty Villa
If you’re a fan of beautiful architecture, stunning photo opportunities, or a little taste of Greek & Roman art, you’ll enjoy The Getty Villa. If visiting on a clear day, you might also get views of the ocean since it’s built up on a hill. Plus, the Getty Villa is free to visit, just be sure to make reservations for the Getty Villa online in advance. Although the Villa is free to visit, do note that parking is $20 per vehicle at the Getty Villa.
Going earlier in the day to the Getty Villa is a good way to beat traffic and get a head start your next attraction in your LA itinerary—the Malibu Pier for brunch after working up an appetite. We spent about 2.5 hours at the Getty Villa so we were definitely ready to eat after the fact.
Afternoon: Brunch at Malibu Pier
The Malibu Pier has a completely different vibe than the Santa Monica Pier. The Malibu Pier is still well-visited, but less well known. However, locals do love to visit for brunch or lunch at the Malibu Farm Pier Cafe as well as the Malibu Farm Restaurant at the Pier. The Malibu pier offers spectacular views of the mountain terrain, and of committed surfers riding the afternoon waves. It’s not everyday you get to eat above water.
Evening: Sunset Hike at Point Dume
Point Dume is by far one of the most stunning attractions in Los Angeles County. From the spectacular cliffs to the baby sea lions, visiting Point Dume will surely be a memorable stop. Whether you decide to do the short hike up the cliff or enjoy it from the coast below, Point Dume at sunset is a great way to end the day.
If you’re looking for more details on Point Dume such as where to park and what there is to do, we’ve got you covered with our Guide on Point Dume for Easy Parking & Views.
Day 3: The Best of Hollywood
On Day 3 of our LA itinerary, we recommend checking out the best sites in Hollywood. You cannot visit LA and not check out Hollywood. Hollywood is an iconic neighborhood in LA, with a lot to do. So for our 4-day LA itinerary, we’ve narrowed it down to some of our top Hollywood recs.
Morning: Lake Hollywood Park with Hollywood Sign
Lake Hollywood Park is the easiest way to get the best photos of the Hollywood Sign without needing to hike. So if you’re short on time, definitely stop by Lake Hollywood Park to see the Hollywood Sign.
Alternatively, if you do choose to get a hike in to see the Hollywood Sign, you may consider the Hollyridge Trail hike. But do note, there’s no shade on this trail, so bring plenty of water and sun block.
Afternoon: Warner Bros Studios or Griffith Observatory
Face it, Hollywood is home to all the stars, whether you’re a celebrity or astronomy enthusiast. If you’d love to see the Batmobile, visit Harry Potter’s Mandrakes, or the Friends Apartment, then the approximate 4-hour Warner Bros. tour might be perfect for you! If you’re wondering whether the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is worth it, check out our deep dive answering Is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Worth a Visit?
On the other hand, The Griffith Observatory has also been a stage to plenty of movies such as La La Land. The observatory is the perfect opportunity to learn a bit more about the phases of the moon, check out some telescopes, or ponder the weight of your existence. From the Griffith Observatory, you also get amazing views of all of LA. Although the Griffith Observatory is free to visit, do keep in mind that there is a parking fee.
You probably can’t get in both Griffith Observatory and Warner Bros. Studio in one day. So if you are planning for 4 days in LA, you’d have to choose one of the two or rearrange your schedule to fit one in on a different day.
Evening: The Walk of Fame, The Pantages Theatre
Lastly, The Walk of Fame is enjoyable for those who would enjoy an evening stroll on a lively street decorated with plenty of food options. Grab a bite, and then go on the hunt for your favorite celebrities.
Fun fact—although the Walk of Fame has hundreds of stars decorating the sidewalks (2,752 stars to be exact), you’ll be surprised to see some moons as well, which are monuments to astronauts from the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon.
And we can’t forget about the Pantages Theatre, which is essentially the Hollywood equivalent of New York’s Broadway. If you’re lucky enough to attend a show, you won’t regret it, as this art deco theater is absolutely stunning inside. Plus, don’t forget that the Pantages usually has a lottery system, where you can get tickets for $35 a person!
Day 4: The Best of Downtown LA
Morning: Perch Brunch & The Last Bookstore
For day 4 of your LA itinerary, if a rooftop French breakfast sounds awesome to you, you won’t want to miss out on Brunch at Perch LA. It’s one of our favorite restaurants in LA, and our favorite items on their menu are the croissant french toast and crab cake benedict. Besides the food, Perch also offers great views of downtown LA.
Once you’ve wrapped up brunch, The Last Bookstore is only a few steps away. They sell both new and old books, but what really makes The Last Bookstore worth a visit is its massive size and quirky decorations, like the ones in the photo above. The decor makes you feel as if you’ve stepped inside of a whimsical fantasy novel.
Afternoon: Grand Central Market & Angels Flight Railway
The Grand Central Market has been around since 1917 and it’s a great way to witness the diversity and vibrance of cultures in Los Angeles. The building has two floors worth of restaurants, florists, and other vendors. They even have a parking garage! It truly is a food lover’s paradise.
Just a short walk away from the Grand Central Market is the Angels Flight Railway. The Angels Flight Railway is TINY (claims to be the world’s shortest railway!), which is what adds to its adorable charm. You can pay $1 to travel 298 feet and experience one of LA’s cutest historical landmarks, the Angels Flight Railway.
Evening: Japanese Village Plaza
Japanese Village Plaza is the hub of Japanese culture, art, and cuisine. From anime comics, to the Sanrio Hello Kitty store, you’ll be thoroughly entertained. Plus, we recommend you try the delicious Curry Donuts at Yamazaki Bakery, or visit the Japanese American National Museum across the street from the Japanese Village Plaza. Wrap the night with delicious savory pancakes at Chinchikurin.
Complete 4-Day LA Itinerary from Locals
And now you have the complete itinerary for 4 days in Los Angeles from LA locals. We’ve hosted many friends from all over the country, and these are the top destinations in Los Angeles where we’ve made sure to take visitors. Planning a trip to Los Angeles can be overwhelming, given how sprawling the city is. But if you make a game plan for your LA itinerary, you can definitely see the top sights in LA in 4 days.
However, LA obviously has tons of things to see and do, so you can easily spend more than 4 days in LA. If you’re looking to extend your trip, check out our guide on the 30 best things to do in LA. You can also consider a day trip to San Diego from LA to see more of Southern California.
