Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Los Angeles?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Los Angeles?
Many travelers spend at least 5 or as many as 7 days in Los Angeles during their visit. After all, the sprawling city has plenty to explore such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking.
Los Angeles is a world-famous city with sprawling neighborhoods and a diverse population. In addition to being the home of Hollywood, the city also has many cultural neighborhoods and unique restaurants. Visitors can enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of production companies or wander down Hollywood Boulevard and check out the Walk of Fame. There are also many iconic beach areas including Venice Beach and Malibu.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Los Angeles? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Los Angeles?
The very popular city of Los Angeles has many activities and attractions for visitors. So with three days, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the sprawling city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 5 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the city. If you have three days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend 3 days in Los Angeles
When visiting Los Angeles, you can't miss Hollywood as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
The delicious food of Los Angeles is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. As a huge and diverse city, there is no shortage of amazing food options around town. There are a wide range of cuisines represented and many different neighborhoods that specialize in specific types of food. Popular dishes around town include Cobb Salads, Mexican Tacos, and the French Dip Sandwich.
A few tour suggestions include:
- LA Venice Beach Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours ($99)
- LA Food Tour: Exploring America’s Culinary Frontier ($175)
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour ($89)
Public transit in Los Angeles is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. Many of the public transit options are overlooked by visitors for a number of reasons, but options include the subway, light rail, and buses.
The beautiful beaches await you in Los Angeles, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Ranging from beaches with stunning natural beauty to those with glamourous and fun atmospheres, this city has a number of beaches to choose from. There are many fun and high-energy urban beach settings, and there are also beaches that are lined with parks and offer a more natural environment. Some of the most popular are Santa Monica, Malibu, Huntington Beach, and Redondo Beach.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Glass Bottom Boat Ride in Redondo Beach ($25)
- LA Venice Beach Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours ($99)
- Private Helicopter Tour over Long Beach ($199)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city's nightlife scene is as diverse as the city itself. There are glamorous clubs where you might spot a celebrity, as well as local dives with a more down-to-earth vibe. Some of the most famous clubs in the city include Academy, Avalon, and Boardner's.
Los Angeles is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the city's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. The city has an eclectic list of monuments and museums. Notable landmarks include the famous Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, and the Petersen Automotive Museum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Skip the Line: General Admission Museum of Tolerance Ticket ($21)
- Crimes of Passion Interactive Museum Adventure in East Hollywood ($68)
Live music is very popular in Los Angeles, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Music, movies, and show business - it's all part of what Los Angeles is known for. Several famous music venues include The Greek Theatre, Whiskey a Go Go, and The Roxy Theatre.
Is 4 days enough time in Los Angeles?
Four days is generally not enough time to experience everything in Los Angeles. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to relax at the beach, wander through the museums, go hiking, and enjoy the city's energy. To genuinely appreciate the highlights, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for at least 5 or as many as 7 days to immerse themselves fully in the charms of the area. After all, Los Angeles is home to a multitude of sights and attractions, making it an extremely popular destination for tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
The Griffith Observatory overlooking Los Angeles
How to spend 4 days in Los Angeles
With 4 days in Los Angeles, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Los Angeles sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. In and around the city you'll find world class urban hiking with views of the mountains and the ocean. Some of the most well-known hikes include the Charlie Turner Trail to Mount Hollywood, Runyon Canyon, and the Sara Wan Trailhead at Corral Canyon.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Griffith Observatory Hike: An LA Tour through the Hollywood Hills ($29)
- Hollywood Walking and Hiking Sunset Tour with LA Skyline ($25)
- Hollywood Sign Hiking Tour to Griffith Observatory ($39)
Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, Los Angeles is known for its wide range of shows. While most people think of Hollywood when they think of LA, the city also has a thriving stage presence. Musicals and plays are popular throughout the city.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pasadena by Operation City Quest ($10)
- Fun Scavenger Hunt in San Bernardino by Operation City Quest ($10)
Is 5 days enough time in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is a large city that is extremely popular with tourists due to the many sights and attractions. Given only five days, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for five to seven days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California
How to spend 5 days in Los Angeles
If you have more than 5 days in Los Angeles, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
With its diverse attractions, Los Angeles awaits with plentiful neighborhoods, attractions, and activities. Set aside a day to explore the city's historical and cultural sites as well as the special neighborhoods that give the city its own personality. It is a huge city with diverse neighborhoods, delicious restaurants, and plenty of activities that everyone can enjoy.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private City Tour of Los Angeles, Hollywood and Beverly Hills ($75)
- Glass Bottom Boat Ride in Redondo Beach ($25)
- Grand City Tour of Los Angeles ($89)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Los Angeles, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.