Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Los Angeles?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Los Angeles?
Many travelers spend at least 5 or as many as 7 days in Los Angeles during their visit. After all, the energetic 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 one or two weeks 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 one week enough time in Los Angeles?
With one week at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Los Angeles has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Los Angeles as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend a week 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.
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)
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.
Shopping in Los Angeles is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Although it's most famous for the high end shopping at Rodeo Drive, there are actually many different shopping venues throughout the city. Other famous shopping areas include Robertson Blvd and the Grove.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Shopping Tour from Los Angeles Hotels to The Pike Outlets ($229)
As the live music scene is so popular in Los Angeles, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. The coastal setting means that there are a number of places where you can put on a mask and hop in the water. Popular snorkeling or diving spots near the city include Santa Catalina Island, Diver's Cove, and Crystal Cove State Park. Many visitors find the water to be a bit chili, but the wildlife is unique and beautiful.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Snorkeling Los Angeles ($205)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Los Angeles.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Los Angeles?
Two weeks is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Los Angeles, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to relax at the beach, wander through the museums, go hiking, and enjoy the city's energy on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Los Angeles as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California
How to spend 2 weeks in Los Angeles
With 2 weeks in Los Angeles, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Los Angeles, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Los Angeles and Hollywood Day Trip ($26)
- Catalina Island Day Trip from LAX area hotels with Undersea Adventure ($250)
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.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Los Angeles, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
As the live music scene is so popular in Los Angeles, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
Los Angeles is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Los Angeles.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Los Angeles offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Los Angeles. Plenty of amazing options are available.
As the live music scene is so popular in Los Angeles, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Los Angeles.
Because Los Angeles offers so many famous sights, landmarks, and museums, you should dedicate at least another day to see the places you haven't seen yet. You can spend multiple days browsing through the city's amazing museums, and some of them are worth a second visit, too.
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.
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